Magnetic Island, Nr Townsville - Diving Holiday Destination

Magnetic Island, Nr Townsville (Australia)

Townsville, located on the North East Queensland Coast, is the largest city and considered the capital of tropical Queensland. It is ideally placed as a base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, visiting the idyllic Mission Beach (several hours north), the nearby Magnetic Island, Hinchinbrook Island National Park and the North East of Australia. The Ross river flows through Townsville and the city is a popular stop for cruise ships as well as Australian and overseas naval vessels.

There is much to see and do here and in also in the region. Explore tropical islands, idyllic coastal towns with white sandy beaches fronted by a turquoise sea, or head inland to one of the national parks and walk through tropical rainforests habited by multi coloured birds. The Strand includes restaurants, cafes, enclosed 'stinger free' areas of the beach, rock pools, a water park, basketball courts, a military museum, parklands and pleasant walking areas. Townsville is also considered one of the best 'wreck' dive sites in Australia.

Magnetic Island is located just 8 kilometres off Townsville and is only a 20 minute ride, across Cleveland Bay, from Townsville by high speed 'Jet Cat'. The island can also be reached by direct flights from Brisbane and by a car ferry. The island is predominantly covered in National Park (pine, eucalypt and rainforest trees) but it does have several tourist resorts, shops, cafes, restaurants and offers a wide range of activities including relaxing on some wonderful beaches, 4WD tours, SCUBA Diving in Coral Reefs, Sailing and Kayak tours.

Magnetic Island has a relaxed tropical lifestyle, quiet secluded beaches, natural unspoilt beauty, abundant wildlife and easy access to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which has a wealth of interesting dive sites, whether diving from the shore or a boat. Whilst not being able to boast the crystal-clear visibility of the Outer Great Barrier Reef, 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.

Climate

Townsville has a tropical climate as it north of The Tropic Of Capricorn.
Wet Season: November - May
Dry Season: June - October.
During "Box Jelly Fish" season from November to May, it is advised to swim within the net protected beaches.

With warm sunny days, and only slight maximum temperature variations throughout the year, it is swimming season all year round. The yearly average maximum temperature is 28.7 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 19.5 degrees Celsius.

Dive Facts

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.

Dive Attractions

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.

There are also many shipwrecks to explore. Most ships were sunk as shelters to moorings or jetties but the Island's rocks have also claimed several vessels over the years.

Dive sites Include:

Yongala Wreck
The most famous wreck in this region is of course the "Yongala" off Cape Bowling Green, quoted as the best wreck dive in Australia and one of the top 5 in the World. It sank without trace during a cyclone in 1911 with the loss of all 120 passengers and crew.

The wreck site was finally discovered in the early 1950's, it is 90 metres long and lies in about 30 metres of water, a fantastic variety of coral and marine life live in the protected shelter. There are several day and extended trips available to the "Yongala" from the Island - a "must do" for the experienced diver!

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.

Alma Bay
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.

See our dive site directory for more info.

Other

Language: English

Curency: Australian Dollar (AUD)

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