9 Tours in Magnetic Island Worth Booking

1.Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,372 reviews · from $114Our pick

Join Aquascene Magnetic Island at 8:30 am for a five-hour small-group cruise around the island. Adam, Kalvin, Anita, and other local guides share island stories, Indigenous history, and reef knowledge while you snorkel fringing reefs, paddle board, swim, and visit quiet beaches. Equipment, wetsuits, snacks, tea, and water are included. Ferry tickets are not.

“The trip and experience are amazing. Adam and the crew make you feel most welcome. Even got a cup of tea delivered to myself on the pontoon.”

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2.Magnetic Island Tour: Maggie Comprehensive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 376 reviews · from $68

Meet local guides such as Neil or Tim at Nelly Bay for a five-hour tour of Magnetic Island. Visit Picnic Bay, Geoffrey Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and Aquasearch, with chances to spot rock wallabies and koalas. Transfers on the island, bottled water, snacks, and a flexible local commentary are included. Lunch and ferry transport cost extra.

“A comprehensive and enjoyable tour of Magnetic Island with Neil whose knowledge of the island was extensive. Highly recommended.”

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3.Snorkel Discovery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 252 reviews · 5 hours · from $112

Join local host Adam and the Aquascene crew for a five-hour boat tour around Magnetic Island. Snorkel reef-fringes, visit quiet bays, use paddleboards and glass-bottom boogie boards, and enjoy morning tea on shore. The route changes with tides and weather, so you get the best available water conditions rather than a fixed script.

“What a great day! Toby and Jack were incredibly knowledgeable about the local area and the marine wildlife we spotted. I'm still amazed at seeing two turtles! An amazing day out that I'd happily do all over again.”

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4.Magnetic Island Sip and Sail Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · from $99

Join the captain and crew of Pilgrim Magnetic Island for a 90-minute sunset sail from Nelly Bay. You will cruise Cleveland Bay, watch the sun drop behind Magnetic Island, and enjoy local cheese with unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks. The boat carries no more than 12 people, making this a calm, social outing.

“Relaxing with great commentary by the hosts. Good platter and drink selection ❤️ Had a bit of a swell but didn't get queasy at all. Overall great experience”

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5.Behind the Scenes Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 161 reviews · 5 hours · from $81

Spend five hours exploring Magnetic Island with Tim Bee, the local guide known from Izzy’s Koala World. Visit habitat reserves, lookouts, jetties, beaches, and wildlife sites, then learn about the Bee family’s koala conservation work. The relaxed tour leaves room for questions, photographs, and a one-hour BYO lunch stop at Horseshoe Bay.

“Best tour ever - we have even saw a sleeping echidna!”

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6.Guided Bus Tour with Morning Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 129 reviews · 5 hours · from $67Best value

Spend five hours touring Magnetic Island in an air-conditioned minibus with a local English-speaking guide. Visit Rocky Bay, Picnic Bay, Geoffrey Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and Aquasearch Aquarium, with time for wallabies, swimming, and seasonal Butterfly Forest Walks. Pickup is available from island accommodation or the ferry terminal.

“Really good tour, guide really knowledgeable and goes out of his way to give the group the best experience. Would definitely recommend”

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7.Lunchtime Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 37 reviews · 4 - 6 hours · from $169

Join Pilgrim Magnetic Island for a 4 to 6-hour sailing trip aboard a luxury 58-foot boat. Clayton, Casper, Siobhan, and the crew guide you along the coast, with a local seafood lunch, organic wine, local beer, swimming, wildlife viewing, and a chance to steer on the return sail.

“We loved every moment! Such a great experience especially for first timers! We loved that we got to swim with the fishes and feed them. The staff were super friendly and provided such a wonderful lunch! I would love to come back again!”

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8.West Coast Eco Adventure Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 29 reviews · 3h 30m · from $88

Set out from Nelly Bay with Eco Australia Certified Guide Tim for a 3.5-hour ride through Magnetic Island’s remote west coast. Expect dirt tracks, secluded beaches, mangroves, creeks, koala and rock wallaby sightings, field guides, binoculars, and a locally inspired morning tea. The route can change with weather and tides.

“It was an amazing tour, Tim is an excellent tour guide. He is full of passion and knowledge. The tour was very flexible and we saw some koalas, green ants and know much more about the plants on the island. The tour is highly recommended. PS: greetings to Kenneth, he was a very special employee 😉. Greets from Tobi & Olli”

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9.5 Beach Bay Jet Ski Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 2 hours

Captain your own jet ski from Horseshoe Bay on a guided 90-minute coastal trip to eight bays, including seven reached only by water. A trained English-speaking guide leads the way, with time for photos, sightseeing, swimming, and possible wildlife sightings. One ski carries up to two riders, with a 160 kg combined limit.

“I had Josh who was an amazing tour guide, because I was the only one he took me to see a couple spots not everyone gets to see. Big props to him, fantastic friendly guy. Had an amazing time”

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