Skip to content

Townsville & Magnetic Island: MOUA & Reef Snorkel Experience

Book your experience

Highlights

  • Learn how the Great Barrier Reef is managed and what work is being done to protect it
  • Spend a full day snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
  • Discover the incredible Museum Of Underwater Art
  • See colorful marine life and shallow reefs

About this experience

Discover a world below the surface and visit the Great Barrier Reef. Be inspired by the wonder of the Museum of Underwater Art and explore the colorful Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef.

What to expect

Begin your journey from the Townsville Breakwater Marina, or from Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island. Please advise at booking your departure from Townsville or Magnetic Island!

Sail to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef on a custom-built day vessel.

First, visit the Museum of Underwater Art (MoUA) located offshore on the John Brewer Reef. Surrounded by the beautiful and colorful coral reefs, explore this underwater site which is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more about conservation, restoration, and education about the issues affecting the reefs, with a strong emphasis placed on indigenous culture and history. See The Coral Greenhouse, the first submerged building design by artist Jason deCaires Taylor and the most recent addition, the Ocean Sentinel submerged in only 2 to 7m of water for a perfect snorkel trail.

After exploring the MoUA, explore other sections of the reef with dives ranging from a depth of 1 to 20 meters suitable for snorkelers, beginner, and experienced divers. See schools of baitfish as well as an abundance of colorful reef fish including Parrotfish, Maori wrasse, Clownfish, Angelfish. Keep a lookout for turtles, stingrays, White Tip Reef Sharks, and Black Tip Reef Sharks which can often be spotted.

Discover how the Great Barrier Reef is managed and what work is being done to protect it. With a friendly crew, learn more about how you protect the reef and its creatures for future generations to come. After the dives, be returned by boat to Nelly Bay, or Townsville Breakwater Marina.

Things to note

  • Sunglasses
  • Towel
  • Sun hat
  • Change of clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimwear

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel this booking?

Every option shows its own cancellation terms before you pay — where free cancellation applies, the window closes at 00:00 (midnight), local time at the destination, on the cut-off day. Cancel from My bookings within the window for a full refund (once your ticket has been issued, message support inside the window and we cancel it for you); after it, the option's terms apply. Full details in our cancellation & refund policy.

Can I change the date of my booking?

Date changes aren't automatic — they depend on the operator. Email support@readytrip.com from the address you booked with, quoting your booking reference and the new date you'd like, and we'll ask the operator for you. Changes are subject to their approval and availability; if the date can't be moved, your booking's cancellation terms apply.

Frequently booked together

More things to do in Australia

Book in 3 easy steps

How ReadyTrip works

  1. 1

    Choose & pay

    Pick your activity, select a date and time, then check out securely.

  2. 2

    Get your QR ticket

    Most tickets land in your inbox within minutes — QR code included.

  3. 3

    Show & enjoy

    Show the QR code at the venue and you’re in. No printing needed.

Online now

We're here for you, 24/7

Real humans on WhatsApp and phone — before, during and after your trip. We typically reply in minutes.