Geoffrey Bay, on Magnetic Island's south-eastern coast, is home to one of Queensland's top 10 snorkel trails. The 400-metre marked trail (yellow buoys) leads snorkelers over shallow seagrass beds and fringing reefs to the historic Moltke shipwreck, a steamship scuttled in 1911. The bay's sheltered, calm waters and easy shore access make it a magnet for reef fish, turtles, and the resident dugongs that graze on the seagrass meadows. The snorkel trail starts opposite Hotel Arcadia, following the line of buoys out to the wreck site, offering a fascinating mix of marine history and vibrant underwater life.
Geoffrey Bay
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 3.1 sWind Speed 5.9 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Marine stingers (box jellyfish)
Marine stingers (box jellyfish) are present in warmer months, particularly October to May.
Moderate risk: Submerged wreck hazards
The Moltke wreck is a submerged structure with sharp metal edges and debris. Snorkelers should not touch or enter the wreck.
Low risk: Outgoing tide current
Strong currents can develop on the outgoing tide, especially near the reef edge. Best to snorkel at low or mid-tide in calm conditions.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Boat traffic in the bay, including ferries and small craft. Snorkelers should stay within the marked trail area.
Low risk: Sharp coral/rocky reef
Sharp coral and rocky reef edges close to shore; wear reef shoes or fins to avoid cuts.
Low risk: Marine stingers
Marine stingers (box jellyfish) are present in tropical Queensland waters during the warmer months, typically October to May.
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Gallery
4 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Geoffrey Bay is on the south-eastern side of Magnetic Island, 8 km from Townsville via the 20-minute ferry from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay. From the ferry terminal, follow Horseshoe Bay Road to Arcadia, then turn onto Marine Parade. The snorkel trail starts opposite Hotel Arcadia, parallel with the old barge ramp.
Parking & facilities
Limited street parking available along Marine Parade near the start of the snorkel trail. Additional parking near the Arcadia Hotel and the Geoffrey Bay beach area.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports