Alma Bay is truly one of Queensland’s hidden gems and one of just over 20 beaches and bays in Magnetic Island. Let’s put it this way – if you come to visit Magnetic Island without basking in the sun at the glorious Alma Bay then you are truly missing out.
It is consistently rated in Queensland’s top 10 beaches and for good reason, the area really is a sight for sore eyes with large boulders and a palm tree lined beach, it is the definition of paradise….
Not only is it a really beautiful place, with two prominent granite headlands which run out for 300 metres at either end of the beach, it holds a special place in Australia’s history as it commemorates those who died in World War I, II and the Vietnam War.
So if you are wondering where this piece of paradise is, how you reach it and everything else you need to know before you visiting – keep reading – this article provides the ultimate guide to Alma Bay on Queensland’s magnetic island.
Where is Alma Bay? How do I reach it?
Wondering how to reach Alma Bay? Well it is located on the Eastern coast of Magnetic Island, in Arcadia. Magnetic Island, is a pretty accessible piece of paradise, compared to other Australia Great Barrier Reef Islands as it is located only around 10km off the coast of Townsville, making it a really easy ferry ride to reach the island.
Wondering how to get the ferry across from Townsville – see below and we will hook you up with the full scoop.
By Car
Getting to Alma Bay by car is a great option. We would highly recommend investing in some car hire on magnetic island. We wrote a full guide to this which you can check out. Our best advice is to rent a if you don’t care too much about one of the “barbie cars” that are very popular on the island. There is easy parking in the area just by the beach.
By Public Transport
You can also reach the bay by public transport via line 250 bus from he Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal to Hayles Ave near Appian Way.
By Taxi
It is also possible to reach the bay by the Magnetic Island Taxis.
Image credit: Oriolus84 / @flickr
What to do at Alma Bay?
The bay is small, only around 150m in width at the beach so there is not a whole lot to do at the bay aside from swimming, sun-baking and snorkelling (although this will seriously provide you with endless hours of fun!). For the more active travellers, the beach does provide some sporting facilities nearby including a basketball court.
RE snorkelling, many note this is one of the best places in magnetic island for snorkelling right off the beach. Snorkel on the rocks on the right side facing the water to see a myriad of sea life. There are a lot of fish swimming around these rocks and also the odd small stingray.
The best thing to do in the area is just to relax as it is a very peaceful little spot which is perfect for taking small children as there are only very little waves on the beach. There is also a children’s playground in the nearby vicinity which is popular with kids.
If you are looking for a very safe beach, this is a great choice as it is a well patrolled beach in the area (with surf life saving flags up) with a limited number of stingers, which is always good to hear!
One of the most popular activities in Alma Bay is to take a picnic as there are plenty of picnic tables and BBQs in the area to enjoy. There are also toilets and showers in the area.
What we also appreciate is how much shade there is at this beach! As it is lined with gorgeous palm trees, you can sit at the beach for hours without the need for umbrellas or beach tents as you can find a spot in the sand under the shade of the trees.
Note: You are not allowed to go fishing or collect shells at this Bay as it is a protected marine national park. If you are after a place to go fishing the Horseshoe boat ramp is a great fishing spot.
Don’t miss Alma Bay Memorial while you are there. You will notice a large stone on a raised (2 step) concrete platform. A flagpole is positioned in front of the memorial. In memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice serving their country.
Image credit: Oriolus84 / @flickr
Where to eat/drink nearby?
If you feel hungry while you are on the beach you can always head up to the Acadia Village Hotel to grab lunch. There is a wide variety of yummy food and drink served at the Bistro Restaurant for both breakfast lunch and dinner so no matter what time you want to dine you can always be hooked up for a bite to eat here!
Some of the most popular items on the menu include: Catch of the day, Grilled, crumbed or battered, served withLemon & homemade tartare sauce and Southern fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, coleslaw & cheese with chipotle mayo.
How many days do you need on Magnetic Island?
We would recommend at least 2 nights on magnetic island. For such a small island, there’s quite a lot to see and do on the island including walking tracks, swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Plus, if you get a car it is really nice just to have a cruise around!
When is the best time to visit Alma Bay?
It is always a nice time to visit Magnetic Island. In saying this, being located in tropical north Queensland, it does tend to get quite hot in Summer. It is also extremely busy with families in summer school holidays.
If you are not a fan of really hot days and a lot of people, we would recommend visiting outside of the summer school holidays in Queensland which is December – January. Prices also peak during this time for accommodation, cars and tours so you will get a lot more bang for your buck travelling in an off peak time of year.
Where should I stay near Alma Bay?
If you want to stay in accommodation near Alma Bay, Arcadia Village Motel is a great choice. While it is a motel, it gets consistently high reviews (8.7) so it is worthwhile checking out if you are looking for good value accommodation on Magnetic Island. Geoffreys Bay is also a nice nearby area you can check out from the accommodation.
Another good option is Dandaloo Gardens which provide guests with really cute little beach chalets to enjoy. Each chalet is air-conditioned and includes parquet floors, private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, wardrobe, a living room, an equipped kitchen, patio and views over the pool. There is also seating and a dining area in all units.
If you want a recommendation as to where to stay otherwise on the island, here is where we would suggest:
How to get the Ferry to Magnetic Island?
You will want to start your journey in Townsville. From Townsville, you have two options: you can take the faster passenger ferry which takes around 30 minutes or if you are journeying with a vehicle, you can take the longer car ferry which takes around 45 minutes.
It costs around $250 in high season taking your car with you both ways on the ferry. Rates do vary according to the season. You can see more information on the ferries here.
If you are a restless traveller or if you are travelling with a young family, you may prefer to rent a car from the island and take a quicker ferry. Alternatively, if you want a cheaper price and don’t mind an extra 15 minute journey, the car ferry is easy and a good way to go.
Note: If you choose to rent a car from Townsville you probably are not going with the colourful Barbie magnetic island car style so it depends if you care about getting instagram shots or not.
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