Circumnavigation, 5 Hours

Aquascene Circumnavigation Magnetic Island Tour

★ 5.0 237 reviews

from $125.58 per person

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Duration: 5 hours
Meeting point: Peppers Resort Deck, Nelly Bay
Cancellation: Free cancellation, check the listing for cutoff
Run by: Aquascene Magnetic Island

Overview

Aquascene runs a five hour circumnavigation of Magnetic Island with snorkelling built into the day. The boat departs from Nelly Bay at 08:30, and Master Reef Guides are on board to explain what guests are seeing and to share the stories of the Great Barrier Reef. One reviewer reported swimming with a turtle during the trip.

A morning tea of cakes, biscuits and seasonal fruit is provided, with tea and coffee available. Gear is covered in the ticket price: snorkel equipment and lessons, wetsuits or UV suits, and stand up paddle boards are all provided free. The boat carries a restroom and a water bottle refill station, so a reusable bottle is all that is needed for drinks.

The trip suits a wide range of guests. The operator states it is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, welcomes service animals, and is suitable for people with sensory needs or mobility challenges such as hip or knee issues. Group size is capped at 30 travellers. One thing to plan for: ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are not included, so they must be purchased separately.

What's Included

Included

Snacks
Coffee and/or Tea
Use of snorkelling equipment
Toilets on board (Restroom on board)
Landing and facility fees
Bottled water
UV Suits or Wetsuits provided FREE
Master Reef Guides sharing the stories of the Great Barrier Reef
Snorkel lesson provided FREE
Stand-Up Paddle Boards provided FREE

Not Included

Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are not included in the tour price

Itinerary

Meet at Nelly BayMeet at 123 Sooning St, Nelly Bay, from 08:30. After walking off the ferry, turn left and head to the outside seating area on the deck of Peppers Resort, where the crew will meet you.
Board the AquasceneBoard the vessel, which carries a restroom and a water refill station. Snorkelling equipment, wetsuits or UV suits, and stand up paddle boards are provided free.
Circumnavigate Magnetic IslandThe tour runs for 5 hours around the island. One reviewer reported two great snorkelling stops and a swim with a turtle.
Snorkel and paddleUse the free snorkel gear, wetsuits or UV suits, and stand up paddle boards. A free snorkel lesson is provided, and Master Reef Guides share stories of the Great Barrier Reef.
Morning tea is servedA morning tea of cakes, biscuits and seasonal fruit is provided, along with coffee, tea and bottled water.
Return to Nelly BayThe trip ends back at the original meeting point on Magnetic Island. Landing and facility fees are included in the tour price.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day, from the ferry crossing to what to pack.

A small marina beside a ferry terminal in late afternoon, a passenger catamaran ferry berthed at the jetty, a few passengers seen from behind walking along the pontoon, palms and granite hills beyond.

Ferry is separate. Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are not included in the tour price. You need to book your own crossing and arrive in time for the 08:30 start at Nelly Bay.
Bring a bottle. The boat has a water bottle refill station and the crew encourages bringing your own drink bottle. Alternatively, a gold coin donation gets you a reusable Aquascene branded aluminium souvenir bottle.
Gear is provided. Snorkelling equipment, a snorkel lesson, wetsuits or UV suits, and stand up paddle boards are all included at no extra charge. There is no need to hire or carry your own gear.
Food and drink. Morning tea is part of the day, with cakes, biscuits and seasonal fruit plus coffee and tea. One reviewer called it a great morning tea, and the hosts were described as flexible and accommodating.
Accessibility. The operator states the tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, allows service animals, and suits guests with sensory needs or mobility challenges. Most travellers can participate.
Group size. The tour carries a maximum of 30 travellers. Reviewers found the staff knowledgeable and the hosts friendly and accommodating.

Ready To GoCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour requires a minimum number of travellers to run, and if that minimum is not met you will be offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund. It also depends on good weather, with the same rebooking or refund options if it is cancelled. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 08:30 start receive no refund. The ferry to Magnetic Island is an extra cost and arrangement on top of the tour price.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Tour Price?

Morning tea with cakes, biscuits and seasonal fruit, coffee or tea, bottled water, snorkel equipment and a free snorkel lesson, wetsuits or UV suits, stand up paddle boards, and landing and facility fees are all included. Master Reef Guides travel on board to share stories of the Great Barrier Reef. Toilets are available on the vessel.

Are Ferry Tickets Included?

No. Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are not included in the tour price, so you need to purchase them separately. Once you arrive on the island, turn left off the ferry and meet the crew at the outside seating area on the deck of Peppers Resort.

Where Does The Tour Start And What Time?

It starts at 08:30 from 123 Sooning St, Nelly Bay, on Magnetic Island. The meeting spot is the outside seating area on the deck of Peppers Resort, which you reach by turning left when you walk off the ferry. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

Is The Tour Suitable For Wheelchairs Or Limited Mobility?

The operator states the tour is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, and suitable for guests with mobility challenges such as hip or knee issues. It is also suitable for guests with sensory needs, and service animals are allowed. The vessel has a restroom on board.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather or because the minimum number of travellers is not met, you will be offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.

How Long Is The Tour And What Should I Bring?

The tour runs for 5 hours and carries a maximum of 30 travellers. Bring a reusable drink bottle, since there is a refill station on board. A gold coin donation gets you a reusable Aquascene branded aluminium souvenir bottle if you forget yours.

How The Trips Compare

Trip	From	Duration	Rating	Departs
Snorkel and Paddle Board Tour	$125.58 per person	5 hours	5.0 (1,506)	Peppers Resort Deck, Nelly Bay
Circumnavigation, 5 Hours	$125.58 per person	5 hours	5.0 (237)	Peppers Resort Deck, Nelly Bay
Prawn And Antipasto Lunch Sail	$167.68 per person	4 hours	5.0 (196)	Peppers Blue on Blue, Nelly Bay
6-Hour Sail, Ferry From Townsville Included	$199.95 per person	6 hours	8 reviews	Peppers Blue on Blue, Nelly Bay