Holiday houses in Horseshoe Bay

Sitting snug on the sheltered northern side of Magnetic Island, Horseshoe Bay is known for its arc of pristine, soft, white sand, clear turquoise sea, and majestic sunsets. It’s one of the most spectacular of the island’s 23 beaches, and the activities alone could keep you so busy that you’ll never see the rest of the island.

Water lovers can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, sailing, diving, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and jet skiing. Kids will find hours of entertainment in the shallow water, or stacklining on a series of low-level, elastic tightropes tied between the palms. Those looking for romance or beauty can take a sunrise boat ride or enjoy horse riding at sunset along the beach.

When it comes to booking accommodation on Horseshoe Bay, there’s something to fit everyone’s dreams and budgets. If you can drag yourself away to explore a little further, Magnetic Island National Park awaits. Stretching out over half the island, it boasts 24 kilometres of walking trails that will take you past World War II forts and historic rock, art, and shell middens left from the days when the Wulgurukaba people lived on the island.

Like most of the Queensland coast, Magnetic Island’s weather serves up year-round sunshine, with hotter months at the beginning of the year and cooler weather towards the middle and end of the year. September is a great month to book your Horseshoe Bay Magnetic Island accommodation, when the Magnetic Island Festival hosts month-long celebrations that see workshops, art, music, fairs, and food events pop up all over the island. It’s also the month of the Magnetic Island Race week — an exciting week of boat racing, live bands, and festivities. If you’re feeling competitive yourself, join in on the 8-kilometre Magnetic Island Swim in July or the Great Island Trek in March.

Shipwreck Diving

For those with diving experience, the nearby SS Yongala site is widely regarded as the one of the best shipwreck dives in Australia. Found in the central section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the ship has become a haven for all kinds of marine life that use the boat to find food or shelter. You can expect to see wrasse, damselfish, sea perch, and coral trout among the soft and hard corals here.

Magnetic Island Snorkel Trails

The island’s snorkel trails are a great way to witness the area’s majestic reef life without taking a tour. Beginner-level swimmers will find the Nelly Bay Snorkel Trail a breeze, following the five yellow surface floats that hug the shoreline and reef closest to the island. The Geoffrey Bay Snorkel Trail gives more accomplished swimmers the chance to view the fish and coral that have made their home around the island’s Moltke shipwreck.

Markets

Delve into the island’s local arts and crafts on the second and last Sunday of the month at the Horseshoe Bay Markets. There are handmade crafts, jewellery and clothing, tropical fruits and vegetables, and a selection of local food stalls.