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Water Sports Townsville

Paddling, Surfing and Jet Skis for Groups

Weigh up your options for water sports, then enquire – free.

Category: Water SportsLocation: TownsvilleListings: 5

Compare Townsville Water Sports Operators

Highly rated water sports in Townsville

Top picks are the highest-rated activities of each type that publish a starting price.

Next in line: more highly rated activities

The next highest-rated activities that publish a starting price, with group size and cost side by side.

Poseidon Adventure Townsville
4.9(272)
Type:Water SportsArea:Townsville CityGroup size:Up to 35Price:From $159pp
Magnetic Island Time Cruises
4.9(261)
Type:Water SportsArea:Horseshoe BayGroup size:Up to 12Price:From $79pp
Pleasure Divers
4.8(303)
Type:Water SportsArea:ArcadiaPrice:From $85pp
Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive
4.3(314)
Type:Water SportsArea:South TownsvilleGroup size:Up to 40Price:From $394pp

Easier on the budget

Lowest per-person prices

Choosing a Day Out on the Water

Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island give the city plenty of water to play on, and a group trip can be as short as a jet ski tour or as long as a reef day. The real choice is where you start: from the CBD side, or across on the island after the ferry.

How the options compare:

  • Jet skis: guided tours and island boat trips from The Docks on Flinders Street from $159 per person, or guided tours and supervised hire on the beach at Horseshoe Bay, no licence needed.
  • Small-boat trips: snorkel, fishing and sunset trips around the island's bays from $79 per person, with private trips for up to 12.
  • Shore snorkelling and intro dives: small-group sessions at Arcadia from $85 per person.
  • Reef days: snorkel and dive trips out to the Great Barrier Reef from $394 per person, with private charters for groups of up to 40.

Island trips need the ferry built in; reef days fill a whole day. For a celebration on board instead, compare boat charters.

Townsville Water Sports
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Weather and sea conditions

  • Wind, storms and swell can move or cancel any trip on the water, so ask how rebooking works.
  • The dry season usually brings more settled weather, but no operator can promise conditions.
  • In the warmer months, ask whether stinger suits are provided for swimming and snorkelling.
  • Sun protection matters even on cloudy days on the water.

Fitting a group onto the water

  • Check each operator's maximum group size, which runs from small boats for 12 up to charters for 40.
  • Ask about minimum ages and swimming ability for snorkel and dive sessions.
  • Mixed groups can split, with some guests snorkelling and others staying on board.
  • For a hens or bucks day, book the water early and the drinks later; bucks party plans cover the evening.

Island logistics

  • Allow for the ferry crossing to Nelly Bay each way, and confirm the last return before booking times.
  • Ask island operators where to meet and whether they help with getting from the ferry.
  • Staying over on the island turns a water day into an easy weekend.

Common Questions Before You Paddle Out

Do we need a licence for a jet ski tour on Magnetic Island?

No. The guided tours and supervised hire at Horseshoe Bay need no licence or experience.

What does a reef trip cost compared with a local snorkel?

Reef snorkel and dive days start from $394 per person, while shore snorkelling at Arcadia starts from $85 per person and small-boat trips around the island from $79 per person.

Are stingers a problem for water activities here?

They are a warmer-months concern for sea swimming. Ask the operator whether stinger suits are supplied and what they recommend for the season.

Can kids join water sports trips on Cleveland Bay?

Several operators welcome children, including island snorkel sessions and small-boat trips. Check age and swimming requirements first.

What happens to a water booking when the weather turns?

Operators move or cancel trips when wind or storms make it unsafe. Ask about rebooking terms before paying.

Which water activity suits a larger party group?

Private charters take up to 35 for jet ski and island boat trips and up to 40 for reef days, while island small-boat trips suit groups of up to 12.

Occasions perfect for water sports

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