• The most amazing snorkel and dive tour on the Great Barrier Reef is here for those who wish to see the Museum of Underwater ART on display on the famous Great Barrier Reef just off Townsville.
• This Museum of Underwater ART display is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere on the John Brewer Reef off Townsville. By the artist Jason deCaires Taylor this is a bucket list Great Barrier Reef tour not to be missed.
• This Museum of Underwater ART tour is suitable for both scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Children at 12 years old who are qualified divers are also welcome. Introductory divers welcome also and will be with a dive guide at all times.

Museum of Underwater ART tours now accessible to scuba divers while snorkelers experience the reef from Townsville Far North Queensland.

What to Expect

Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) Tours from Townsville and Magnetic Island

Discover the mesmerising blend of art and marine life with our Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) Great Barrier Reef tours, departing from Townsville and Magnetic Island. Dive or snorkel among the spectacular installations on John Brewer Reef and be inspired by the reef's natural beauty and the innovative art that aims to promote conservation, restoration, and education on the Great Barrier Reef.

Features and Highlights

Unique Underwater Art Experience

The Museum of Underwater Art is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Designed by world-class artist Jason deCaires Taylor, it features stunning installations like the Coral Greenhouse, a 72-meter submerged structure that combines art and science with life-like sculptures and coral gardens. This immersive underwater experience is a must-see for art lovers and marine enthusiasts alike when visiting Townsville and Magnetic Island.

Diverse Marine Life Off Townsville

Surrounding the Museum of Underwater Art installations is a vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life. Explore the reef and encounter schools of bait fish, colourful reef fish such as Parrotfish, Maori Wrasse, Clownfish, and Angelfish, as well as turtles, stingrays, and both white-tip and black-tip reef sharks. The reef's depths range from 1 to 20 meters, making it ideal for snorkellers and scuba divers of all levels.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

Spend a full day snorkelling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The custom-built tour boats provide a comfortable ride to the Great Barrier Reef, where you'll have up to 5 hours to explore two distinct reef sites. Both snorkellers and scuba divers will enjoy the crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, with visibility ranging from 10-15 meters.

Reef Conservation and Education

Learn about the efforts to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef from the knowledgeable boat crew. Discover the ways you can help preserve this natural wonder for future generations and gain a deeper understanding of the reef's ecosystem and the importance of conservation.

Convenient Tour Time Departure

Choose to depart from either Townsville or Magnetic Island for your Museum of Underwater Art tour. Boarding begins at 7:00 AM in Townsville and 7:50 AM at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island. The reef tour concludes with return disembarkation at approximately 4:30 PM.

What is the Museum of Underwater Art About?

A Fusion of Art, Science, and Conservation

The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) aims to highlight conservation and education on the Great Barrier Reef on a global scale. Located on John Brewer Reef, the site has a rich history and strong connections to Aboriginal indigenous culture and marine tourism. The Coral Greenhouse, designed by Jason deCaires Taylor, is the first submerged building of its kind, featuring a blend of art and science with life-like sculptures and coral gardens.

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef

The surrounding reef is a vibrant ecosystem bursting with life. Ideal for snorkellers and scuba divers, the reef offers depths ranging from 1 to 20 meters, allowing for close encounters with a variety of marine species. Schools of bait fish, colourful reef fish, turtles, stingrays, and reef sharks are commonly sighted, providing a captivating underwater experience.

Where is the Museum of Underwater Art Installation?

Location and Accessibility

The MOUA installation is approximately 80 km offshore from Townsville on John Brewer Reef. Accessible via a 2-hour boat tour from Townsville and Magnetic Island, this central section of the Great Barrier Reef offers some of the best coral reef sites, thanks to its distance from the coast and pristine conditions.

Introductory Diving / Discover Scuba Diving

Take your first breath underwater at one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Our introductory diving experience includes a theory session, dive gear introduction, and shallow water skills practice. Dive with small groups led by experienced instructors to explore the stunning corals and marine life.

Diving and Snorkelling Advice

Snorkelling and scuba diving are strenuous activities. Certain medical conditions and medications may limit participation. It is recommended to consult with a diving physician if you have concerns. Avoid flying for 24 hours after diving. Preventative seasickness medication is advised.

Note

The above schedule is a guide only, and actual times may vary on the day.

Discover more tours and attractions in Townsville and Magnetic Island and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and the unique Museum of Underwater Art. Book your adventure today!

Learn more about all the best things to do and things to see on the Great Barrier Reef on our blog.  

What is the Museum of Underwater ART About?

Discover art works below the surface of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef on a dive and snorkel tour. 

Be inspired by the wonder of the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). Departing from Townsville we head out to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef to being our day of exploration and inspiring the senses. 

The artworks installation site is located on John Brewer Reef which is rich in history and a strong connection to our indigenous culture and marine tourism. It's a beautiful blend of art, science, cutlrure and conservation represented by underwater installations.

The Coral Greenhouse – the first submerged building was designed by world-class artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

The greenhouse, which many people think of as glass walls filled with fruit or flowers instead boasts a beautiful mix of art and science. Trees, life-like sculptures, and coral gardens make this staggering 72m structure a wonderland for snorkelers and divers alike.

Surrounding the Museum of Underwater Art is an amazing coral reef bursting with a plethora of marine life. The bright and beautiful colours are the perfect backdrop for the museum and the location provides the perfect blend of man-made and natures art.

With plenty of reef nearby to explore and depths ranging from 1 to 20 metres, it is ideal for snorkelers, beginner and experienced divers.

On the reef, schools of bait fish are common as well as an abundance of colourful reef fish including Parrot fish, Maori wrasse, Clown fish, Angel fish. Turtles, Stingrays, White tip, and Black tip reef sharks are often sighted.

Spend a full day snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and visit the world-class Museum of Underwater Art. 

Both snorkelers and divers will be exhilarated by the experience with 10-15 metre visibility on the naturally protected coral reef.. 

Where is the Museum of Underwater ART Installation?

The Underwater Museum of ART installation is approximately 80 km offshore from Townsville in Far North Queensland on the John Brewer Reef.

The Coral Greenhouse sculptures are accessible on a boat tour from both Townsville and Magnetic Island. This reef trip takes approximately 2 hours to reach the dive and snorkel location out on the central section of the Great Barrier Reef.

Introductory Diving/ Discover Scuba Diving

Why not try scuba diving while you are out at the Great Barrier Reef. There is no better place to take your first breath underwater with stunning clear waters surrounded by beautiful corals and marine life. In a safe environment we talk you through the theory and introduce you to your dive gear. A few skills in shallow water to improve your confidence on off you go in small groups with one of our award-winning experienced dive instructors to explore the reef!

Introductory Divers Medical Questionnaire

If you have booked in for an Introductory Dive or would like to, you will be required to complete a basic medical questionnaire prior to your dive. The purpose of this Medical Questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined by your doctor before diving. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means that there is a pre-existing condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of your physician prior to engaging in dive activities.
Please review the medical questionaries below to determine if you require a medical prior to diving. If you have any questions about the questionnaire and obtaining a diver’s medical, please don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.

ADVICE FOR DIVING AND SNORKELING

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving can be strenuous activity. Some medications and medical conditions e.g., asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease may prevent or limit your participation. If you are unsure, please contact us for more information or consult a diving physician. It is recommended that you do not fly for 24 hours after diving. We recommend that all passengers take preventative seasickness medication that does not cause drowsiness. Please refer to your GP or pharmacist for more information

Museum Of Underwater Art Tour Itinerary

07:00 Townsville passengers meet at the Townsville Breakwater Marina, located on the fuelling Wharf of the Breakwater Marina, Townsville.

07:25 Depart Townsville

07:50 Passengers board from Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

09:45 Great Barrier Reef and MOUA site briefings 10:30 Arrive at Great Barrier Reef – John Brewer Reef/ MOUA Site

10:45 Dive 1 / Snorkel 1

12:00 Lunch BYO

13:00 Dive 2 / Snorkel 2

14:00 Depart site for Nelly Bay 1

6:30 Arrive and disembark passengers at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

17:00 Arrive and disembark at Townsville Breakwater Marina

Please note that the above tour schedule is as a guide only, actual times on the day may vary.

View more tours and attractions in Townsville and Magnetic Island.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Townsville city

Departure Time

• 7:00am Townsville Breakwater Marina - The Strand
• 7:50am Magnetic Island - Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal

Departure Instructions

• Townsville: The Townsville Breakwater Marina at 7:00am. There is a map below for your information. The boat departs Townsville approx. 7:25am. Returns to Townsville at approximately 5pm.
• Parking: Parking is NOT available within the Breakwater Marina. Parking is permitted along the Strand or side streets, or you can choose for a full day paid parking at the Sealink Ferry Terminal starting at $8AUD for standard vehicles (approx. 15 min walk to meeting point)
• Magnetic Island Boarding Point: Please meet at Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal at 7:50am.

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Magnetic Island
• Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) at John Brewer Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

Operating Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (occasionally Fridays during school holidays).

Duration

Full day tour - Approx 9 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Introductory Scuba Diving
• Tanks and weights and full dive gear hire for certified divers
• Camera Hire
• PADI Open Water Diver Course

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Please wear your swimwear under your clothes•
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen, jumper (optional)
• Camera (or hire one on board)/ Credit card details for camera hire bond
• Extra cash or card for purchases of souvenirs
• Divers’ certification and logbook if required
• Booking Agents Voucher/Ticket
• Own lunch and snacks (fridge available to store your items)