Dive In: The Best Great Barrier Reef Trips To Book From Townsville

Heading to Townsville/Gurambilbarra? Chances are you’ll want to see the Great Barrier Reef—one of Sir David Attenborough's most favourite places in the world, which is really saying something. Just a short boat ride from the city, you can dive into vibrant coral gardens, explore historic shipwrecks and even swim through underwater sculptures (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds).

The reef is spectacular year-round, but May to October delivers the sunniest skies and driest days—perfect for snorkelling, diving, or simply admiring the colourful reef from above. November and December dives give you the opportunity to witness the natural phenomenon of coral spawning, while July to August is prime time for whale watching. Whenever you choose to visit, Townsville is your gateway to some of the best Great Barrier Reef trips in the Sunshine State.  

Magnetic Island

Image credit: Magnetic Island | Instagram

Just a 20-minute ferry from the city, Maggie is your fast track to the Great Barrier Reef. We love the self-guided snorkel trails that turn exploring the ocean into a real-life treasure hunt. Start at Nelly Bay, where you can slip straight into the water and follow the underwater markers past coral bommies. Or make your way to Geoffrey Bay, where the trail passes a submerged World War II aircraft propeller—talk about swimming through history. Top tip: snorkel at high tide when the coral is at its most colourful and the water clearest. 

Prefer some local know-how? Join the crew from Pleasure Divers for a guided snorkel tour or dive, or hop aboard Aquascene Magnetic Island for a Discovery Eco Tour, where you’ll get a side of marine education served with your flippers.

Palm Island Group

Image credit: Orpheus Island | Tourism and Events Queensland

If you’re craving something a little wilder, join a tour for a reef day trip across the Palm Islands, stopping at Pelorus or Orpheus Islands. These off-the-radar gems are where the reef really shows off—we’re talking giant clams, turtles, and coral gardens that look straight out of Blue Planet. Trips often include snorkelling, a beach picnic and plenty of time to relax at sea. 

If you’re a diver, popular sites around the islands include Bat Caves, The Maze, Moon Pools, Trenches and Black Coral Wall. For a family-friendly day out, try SeaLink’s Orpheus Island Day Tour. 

Or see the Palm Islands from a new perspective with Nautilus Aviation. This helicopter adventure takes you over the Coral Sea to Havannah Island, the southernmost isle in the Palm Island Group. You’ll touch down on your own private white-sand beach to snorkel, swim and picnic before heading home.

Lodestone Reef

Image credit: Great Barrier Reef | Tourism and Events Queensland

Approximately 3 hours by boat from Townsville, this is the city’s closest and most accessible reef—and one of its most spectacular. As a protected Marine Park Green Zone (meaning it's a no-take zone), marine life in Lodestone Reef is thriving. Shallow coral gardens are inhabited by anemonefish, angelfish and blue tangs (aka Dory fish), while deeper down you’ll find coral canyons and bommies alive with reef sharks, rays and turtles. 

Book in a snorkel or certified dive trip with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive, a local crew who host guided day trips to Lodeston Reef from Townsville on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (occasionally) and Sundays. Their tours are in hot demand, so be sure to book ahead. 

SS Yongala Wreck

If there’s one dive that deserves a spot on your bucket list, it’s the SS Yongala. Just off the coast of Townsville, this century-old shipwreck is ranked among the top 10 dive sites in the world—and for good reason. Sunk during a cyclone in 1911 and rediscovered decades later, the 107-metre vessel now teems with marine life: think giant gropers, turtles, sea snakes, and even the odd eagle ray gliding past.

Join the crew at Yongala Dive for a guided adventure to this underwater icon—a must for experienced divers chasing one of the most awe-inspiring dives on the planet.

Museum Of Underwater Art

Image credit: MOUA | Instagram

About three hours offshore from Townsville, you’ll find the only underwater art gallery of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The star attraction? The Coral Greenhouse is submerged at John Brewer Reef, sitting at a depth of 16 meters. 

Designed by world-renowned sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the installation doubles as a thriving coral nursery, blending art and conservation in one unforgettable dive. No dive cert? No stress—Townsville’s local operators can guide you through, or you can snorkel above and still spot the sculptures from the surface.  

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Want to see the Great Barrier Reef without getting your hair wet? Hop on a yacht from Magnetic Island with Pilgrim Sailing or  Big Mama Sailing. Pilgrim offers intimate, boutique trips with local picnics, sparkling wine, and snorkel gear, while Big Mama mixes adventure and relaxation on their 60ft sailboat complete with paddleboards, snorkeling and wildlife spotting. 

If we could only pick one yacht tour, it would be a sunset sail. Sip a chilled glass of wine, spot turtles or dolphins and watch the reef glow as the sun dips into the Coral Sea. Yeah, sounds good to us.  

Hero Image credit: Townsville Museum Of Underwater Art | Tourism and Events Queensland