Meet the site
Florence Bay is one of the quieter, family-friendly bays on Magnetic Island's north-east coast, reached by the rough Radical Bay Road beneath the Forts walk. The Marine Life Network describes it as one of the island's deeper sites, with depths of 3–15 m, a sandy beach, coral bommies and a rocky southern end with caverns and swim-throughs, and good fish life. The North Queensland Underwater Explorers Club highlights lettuce coral patches running parallel to the northern shoreline about 50 m offshore, inside a no-anchoring area, along with brain and staghorn corals in the fringing reef. The northern end of the beach has good shallow snorkelling. The rocky southern end is the more interesting dive, with granite boulders forming caverns and swim-throughs. The bay also holds a wreck. The motor ferry Magnet, which served the island, dragged its anchor in 1917 after striking a reef and was 'completely wrecked against rocks', according to the club's wreck index; its remains lie in the centre of the bay at about 9 m. Little is documented about what is left, so treat it as an added curiosity rather than a wreck dive. Like its neighbours, Florence Bay suffers from sargassum blooms in hot weather, and the club advises planning a visit for winter when macro-algae die back. Early morning or late afternoon brings calmer water and fewer visitors. It is part of a Marine National Park green zone. For snorkellers and new divers, Florence Bay is a relaxed shore dive with more depth than most island bays, some structure at the southern end and a piece of island history in the middle.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Florence Bay (Magnetic Island) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Townsville & Magnetic Island. The listed access is shore or boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Florence Bay (Magnetic Island) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Florence Bay (Magnetic Island) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Reef fish, parrotfish, damselfish, wrasse, turtles; lettuce, brain and staghorn corals
Location
Sandy bay beneath the Forts walk on the north-east of Magnetic Island, with coral bommies, a rocky southern end with caverns and the remains of the ferry Magnet.
Facilities nearby
Car park and track to beach; no toilets; facilities at Horseshoe Bay and Arcadia.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
marinelife.org.aunquec.org.aunquec.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
