Magnetic Island - Dive Sites

Magnetic Island Dive Sites

Located within the waters of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Magnetic Island has a wealth of interesting dive sites, whether diving from the shore or a boat. The waters around Magnetic Island are warm (winter average 23 deg.C - summer av. 28 deg.C) and relatively shallow, so are perfect for novices or for relaxed enjoyable diving. Whilst not being able to boast the crystal-clear visibility of the Outer Great Barrier Reef, (trips to the outer reef are available - an experience not to be missed!) the beautiful bays and rocky headlands of the Island provide a home for fringing coral reefs and a wide variety of fish and other sea-life.
From the shore, entry is from the many sheltered, gently sloping beaches with easy access by road and there are also several well lit areas for night dive entry & exit.
Magnetic Island's many sheltered bays and coves offer a multitude of calm anchorages if boat diving is your thing.

A selection of some of the more popular dive sites follows - either click on one of the links below, or scroll though the list. The thumbnail images on the left of each site description are links to larger pictures and general info about each bay.

Florence Bay

The Platypus Wreck

dive sites - Florence Bay
	Has a flat, sandy bottom with the reef located on the northern side. There are some excellent coral bommies out toward the point on the north or closer in toward the centre of the bay. The rocky, southern end has many caverns and swimthroughs to explore. Fish life is abundant. Depth to 12 metres.

dive sites - Arthur Bay
	The Platypus Wreck The remains of the dredge that formed the channel to Townsville is jammed into a rocky cove at a depth of 3 to 8 metres. The wreck is encrusted with hard corals. The huge steam boilers are still intact. Large schools of angelfish, sergeant majors, parrot fish, bat fish, trevally are common. Access is from Arthur bay or by boat. Depth 3 to 8 metres.

dive sites - Alma Bay
	The Coral Gardens On the northern side divers can see a variety of corals and fish life in an easily accessible and safe diving environment. Corals include large brain, staghorn and plate, as well as colourful soft corals.Fish life varies from six-banded angelfish to trevally, bat fish, coral trout and box fish. Try spotting the brightly coloured nudibranches. Depth to 10 metres.
	The Canyons The Canyons provide the novice or experienced diver the opportunity to explore it's many swimthroughs and caverns. This area provides a home for parrot fish, bat fish, surgeon fish and smaller reef fish. The lucky diver may see turtles, moray eels and unicorn fish. Blue spotted rays and goat fish can be found on the sandy bottom. Corals include stag horn, plate and brain corals as well as sea whips and anemones. Depth to 10 metres.

dive sites - Alma Bay

The Coral Gardens
On the northern side divers can see a variety of corals and fish life in an easily accessible and safe diving environment. Corals include large brain, staghorn and plate, as well as colourful soft corals.Fish life varies from six-banded angelfish to trevally, bat fish, coral trout and box fish. Try spotting the brightly coloured nudibranches.
Depth to 10 metres.

The Canyons
The Canyons provide the novice or experienced diver the opportunity to explore it's many swimthroughs and caverns. This area provides a home for parrot fish, bat fish, surgeon fish and smaller reef fish. The lucky diver may see turtles, moray eels and unicorn fish. Blue spotted rays and goat fish can be found on the sandy bottom. Corals include stag horn, plate and brain corals as well as sea whips and anemones.
Depth to 10 metres.

dive sites - Geoffrey Bay
	The Moltke Wreck Sunk in 1913, the German barque Moltke now lies in 8 metres of water 100 metres off the shore in Geoffrey bay. The Moltke is one of the most popular dive sites on the Island. The 50 metre wreck is encrusted in soft and hard corals and it's remains provide a home for large sweetlip, bat fish, tustusk fish, barramundi cod and epaulet sharks. The Molke is best visited on a high tide in calm conditions and is an excellent night dive. Depth to 10 metres.

dive sites - Geoffrey Bay

The Moltke Wreck
Sunk in 1913, the German barque Moltke now lies in 8 metres of water 100 metres off the shore in Geoffrey bay. The Moltke is one of the most popular dive sites on the Island. The 50 metre wreck is encrusted in soft and hard corals and it's remains provide a home for large sweetlip, bat fish, tustusk fish, barramundi cod and epaulet sharks. The Molke is best visited on a high tide in calm conditions and is an excellent night dive.
Depth to 10 metres.

dive sites - Nelly Bay
	The southern end of Nelly Bay in front of Coconuts Beach Resort offers a very easy beach entry for divers. Large porites coral and plentiful small reef fish are common. Also an excellent site for a night dive when turtles and painted crayfish are often sighted. Depth to 10 metres.

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