Great Barrier Reef and MOUA Cruise from Townsville or Magnetic Island

About this tour

A 10-hour voyage from Townsville or Magnetic Island to John Brewer Reef, featuring the MOUA—the Southern Hemisphere's first museum of underwater art. Artist Jason deCaires Taylor's submerged Coral Greenhouse anchors this reef conservation hub, where you'll snorkel or dive amongst sculpted gardens, tropical fish schools, and frequent sightings of turtles, rays and reef sharks. The experience pairs reef ecology talks with hands-on water time across depths suited to beginners through advanced divers.

Highlights

• Jason deCaires Taylor's 72-metre submerged Coral Greenhouse sculpture
• Schools of bait fish, turtles, rays and reef sharks commonly spotted
• Reef ecology talks and snorkel technique coaching included
• Depths from 1–20 metres suit snorkellers and all diver levels
• Full kit supplied: wetsuit, fins, mask, snorkel and floatation aids
• Lunch and hot/cold drinks throughout the day

What to expect

You'll depart early morning from Townsville or Magnetic Island marina and motor to the reef site. After a reef ecology briefing and snorkel technique demonstration, you enter the water to explore the living sculpture gardens and surrounding coral. Novice snorkellers get dedicated floatation support; divers with fewer than ten logged dives must hire a guide and complete a medical form beforehand. Expect schools of small fish, colourful reef residents, and regular turtle or shark encounters depending on conditions. Lunch and refreshments break up the day. The underwater museum itself is shallow and accessible; deeper reef exploration happens nearby.

Good to know