Snorkel And Paddle Board Tour

Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

★ 5.0 1,506 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 Magnetic Island runs this five hour trip around the island's bays from its base at Nelly Bay, combining sightseeing from the boat with time in the water. Snorkelling gear comes with a lesson for beginners, stand-up paddle boards are carried on board, and UV suits or wetsuits are supplied at no extra charge. Master Reef Guides travel with the group, providing reef education and storytelling, and reviewers say the crew also share the island's history.

The usual shape of the day is a circuit of bays and rock formations, with stops for swimming, paddle boarding and snorkelling, plus a morning tea of biscuits, cake and seasonal fruit. Coffee, tea and bottled water are poured on board, and there is a refill station, so bringing a drink bottle makes sense. Reviewers often mention the crew feeding fish and birds, which brings sea eagles and kites close to the boat, and one reviewer described seeing humpback whales from the vessel.

The booking page says most travellers can participate, and notes the tour works for guests with sensory needs or mobility challenges such as hip or knee issues. Ferries to Magnetic Island are not part of the ticket, so the day starts once travellers walk off the ferry at Nelly Bay.

What's Included

Included

All snorkeling equipment (with lesson provided)
FREE UV suits or wetsuits
FREE Stand-Up Paddle Boards
Morning tea: biscuits, cake, seasonal fruit
Coffee, tea, and bottled water (BYO drink bottle encouraged; refill station onboard)
Option to purchase reusable Aquascene souvenir water bottle (gold coin donation)
Master Reef Guides with reef education & storytelling

Not Included

Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island (not included in tour price)

Itinerary

Meet at Nelly BayThe boat departs from Magnetic Island. After walking off the ferry, turn left and head to the outside seating area on the deck of Peppers Resort at 123 Sooning St, where the crew meets guests.
Cruise the island's baysThe boat travels around the island, passing rock formations and beaches, and one reviewer noted some of these beaches cannot be reached any other way. The guides share island history and reef education along the way.
Water activitiesThe group stops for snorkelling, with a lesson provided for those who need it, and stand-up paddle boards are available on board. Time in the water is weather dependent.
Morning teaBiscuits, cake and seasonal fruit are served, with coffee, tea and bottled water.
Wildlife viewingFish and bird feeding brings wildlife close to the vessel. Reviewers report sea eagles and kites, and one described seeing humpback whales.
Return to Nelly BayThe tour ends back at the meeting point at Peppers Resort deck in Nelly Bay.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking, drawn from the booking page and from what past guests consistently report.

A calm evening on the beach at Nelly Bay, palm trees, a few small boats on moorings, the sun low and orange over the water, empty sand.

Getting there. Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately. The crew meets guests at the outside seating area on the Peppers Resort deck, a short left turn after walking off the ferry.
What is provided. All snorkelling equipment comes with a lesson, plus UV suits or wetsuits and paddle boards at no charge. Morning tea, coffee, tea and bottled water are all included. A reusable souvenir bottle is offered for a gold coin donation, and a BYO drink bottle is encouraged since there is a refill station on board.
Weather flexibility. Conditions on the water shape the day. Several reviewers described trips where snorkelling was limited or replaced with other activities, such as fish and bird feeding, and the crew adjusted rather than cancelling the fun.
Pace and feel. Multiple reviewers describe the trip as relaxing and very relaxed. The group is capped at 30 travellers, and the booking page notes most travellers can participate.
Accessibility. The operator states the tour is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, and that it suits guests with sensory needs or mobility challenges such as hip or knee problems. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transport.
Bring a camera. Wildlife sightings are a highlight, with reviewers naming sea eagles, kites and fish drawn to the boat. Having a camera or phone handy pays off when the birds swoop in close.

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Common issues. Weather is the biggest variable: several reviewers said rough conditions reduced visibility or ruled out snorkelling, though the crew substituted other activities. The tour also requires a minimum number of travellers to run and needs good weather, and if it is cancelled for either reason guests are offered a different date or a full refund. Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are an extra cost on top of the tour price.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Tour Price?

Snorkelling equipment with a lesson, UV suits or wetsuits, and stand-up paddle boards are all included at no extra charge. Morning tea with biscuits, cake and seasonal fruit, plus coffee, tea and bottled water, is provided. Guides who are Master Reef Guides lead the trip. Ferry tickets to Magnetic Island are not included.

Where Does The Tour Meet?

The boat departs from Magnetic Island, meeting guests at the outside seating area on the deck of Peppers Resort at 123 Sooning St, Nelly Bay. After walking off the ferry, turn left and walk to the deck. The tour ends back at the same point.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children And People With Limited Mobility?

The booking page describes the tour as wheelchair and pushchair accessible, suitable for guests with sensory needs and for guests with mobility challenges such as hip or knee issues. Service animals are allowed. The booking page also states most travellers can participate.

How Long Does The Tour Run?

The tour runs for five hours. Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and a maximum of 30 travellers join each departure.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund requires cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum traveller number is not met, guests are offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Bring a drink bottle, since there is a refill station on board, and swimwear for the snorkelling and paddle boarding. Wetsuits and UV suits are supplied. A camera is worth packing, as reviewers report sea birds and fish drawn close to the boat.

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