Frequently Asked Questions

It takes about 20 minutes to reach Magnetic Island. It's perfect for a quick day trip.

There is up to 17 return services to Magnetic Island each day. Please see our Magnetic Island ferry timetable page for further information and up to date services.

SeaLink Magnetic Island is your quickest link to Magnetic Island taking just 20 minutes. Operating up to 17 services per day, we will have you in paradise in no time so BOOK online and SAVE today.

We recommend planning your journey in advance. Try to arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior to your required departure time. Please allow time to park the car, purchase you ticket from the sales counter ad maybe buy something from the Maggie Link cafe before you board or grab a drink, chips or chocolate from the bar on-board.

SeaLink Magnetic Island is a passenger ferry service only. If you want to explore the island at your own pace, hiring a car is the way to go. Whether you want to feel the wind in your hair or explore the secluded bays only accessible by 4WD, there are options to meet every style! View car hire options here.

We have fully licenced bars on all our SeaLink North Queensland vessels. Passengers can purchase a cold drink, chips or chocolates on-board from our friendly staff. Alcoholic beverages can only be served between 10am - midnight. Certain restrictions on serving alcohol on Good Friday, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve apply.

Toilets are located on-board all our vessels and in both the Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville and Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal on Magnetic Island.

All children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when travelling outside official school days and services - 7:00am, 7:45am from Magnetic Island and 3:50pm and 4:30pm from Townsville (unless travelling home after school related activities i.e. sport, school production etc.).

a) Children who are 9 years and younger MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an immediate family member who is over the age of 15 years
b) Children aged 10 years to 11 years can travel unaccompanied provided an "Unaccompanied Minor Waiver" form is completed and handed to the skipper of the vessel by a SeaLink staff member. Children this age are only allowed to travel between the hours of 8am and 5pm.

Unaccompanied Minor Waiver forms can be collected and completed at the Breakwater or Nelly Bay Terminals or click here to pre-fill the form which must be printed and presented to a SeaLink staff member at the time of travel.

No, it is not necessary to pre-book ferry tickets. We do not allocate tickets to our ferry departure times, arriving early to the terminal is recommended to board your desired ferry departure. We recommend arriving 20 minutes prior to departure to allow sufficient time to purchase tickets or redeem your online ticket purchase from our friendly staff at our front counter (on-board after hours). Boarding commences 10 - 15 minutes prior to departure.

Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more people traveling to Magnetic Island when booked directly with SeaLink Queensland. We also have great prices for schools and university groups. Please contact our groups coordinator for more details [email protected].

Please follow this link to our Magnetic Island price list.

Breakwater Terminal (7 days a week)
6.00am - 6.00pm

Nelly Bay Terminal (7 days a week)
8.15am - 4.30pm

Visit our Magnetic Island Timetable Page

Taxis are available at the front of the airport for transfers direct to the Breakwater Ferry Terminal. It takes 10-15 minutes to reach the Breakwater Terminal. There is also a shuttle service available 7 days per week, bookings are essential and can be made with Townsville City Shuttle – www.shuttletsv.com.au

There is car parking available at the Breakwater Terminal starting from $9.00 per day for a standard vehicle. The car park has adequate lighting but is not fenced. Vehicles are left at their own risk. Secure lock up parking is available at Metro Quays Car Park in Ogden St. Sunbus conduct services from the city mall directly to our terminal which meet every day-time ferry.

There are storage lockers (82.5cm long, 50cm wide, 60cm high) available for hire within the Breakwater Terminal. These lockers are only accessible between opening hours. Large lockers are $8 per 24hrs.

Yes! SeaLink North Queensland have taken all reasonable steps to ensure safe access to their vessels for customers who require wheelchair access. All vessel gangways operating ferry services are a minimum of 890 mm wide to allow access to most types of wheelchairs. Please note that all Cruise Ship Transfer gangways and some Charter gangways may not be wheelchair accessible (ie: 750 mm wide).

Disability toilets can be accessed on Palm Cat, Fantome Cat, Coolgaree Cat and Maggie Cat, please note travel time between Townsville and Magnetic Island is only 20 minutes.

Disability toilets are located in both the Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville and Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal on Magnetic Island.

Yes! Dogs must be muzzled and on a leash in our terminals and on board our vessels, or in a pet carrier. As much of Magnetic Island is National Park, please ensure your dog is kept on a leash at all times whilst on the island.

Yes, we allow push bikes to be taken on board our ferries at no extra charge, this includes bicycles packed in travel boxes or bicycle bags. Please note, push bike trailers are not permitted on the passenger ferry.

Yes, we allow personal e-scooters and e-bikes to be taken on board our ferries at no extra cost, however e-scooters and e-bikes must be switched off during boarding, transit and disembarkation. Please note e-scooters and e-bikes cannot be charged either whilst in the ferry terminal or during transit on the ferry and must be stowed on the outer deck at all times. Damaged units are not permitted onboard.

Beach Trolleys:

• Foldable beach trolleys are able to be taken to Magnetic Island, however they need to be folded and stowed for the ferry voyage.
• Beach trolleys are required to be empty and folded prior to boarding the vessel.
• Folded beach trolleys and any additional items are to be placed in the designated area on board as directed by the crew.

Upright Trolleys:

• Upright trolleys with small base dimensions are permitted to travel on board our ferries (eg: hand trolleys, stock trolleys, market trolleys).
• Upright trolleys, including their contents, must meet the Size & Weight Guide in our Luggage Policy.

For information on peak services please visit our Magnetic Island ferry timetable page, for more information on travelling with a beach trolley, please view our Luggage Policy.

Dangerous Goods are not permitted to be carried on-board SeaLink North Queensland vessels. If you are unsure, you must declare the item/s to the Vessel Master.

The following MUST NOT be carried:

• Corrosive substances (e.g. acid, industrial cleaners, pool chlorine, whet cell batteriesd, engine oil)
• Toxic substances (e.g. oil based paint, used paint tins)
• Flammable/explosive substances or items containing these (e.g. compressed gasses, fuel, combustion engines). Medical oxygen is permitted.
• Radioactive materials
• Bulky/awkward items (e.g. sharp objects, glass panels, household furniture/equipment)
• Cement and plaster bags, fertiliser, dirty car parts.
• Machinery/equipment (unless brand new - as long as oil/liquid has not yet been placed in it, and if the Vessel Master deems it ok) e.g. hot water cylinders, tyres, generators, BBQ.

For further information please see our Dangerous Goods Policy.