Museum of Underwater Art day trips

Dive or snorkel the impressive Museum of Underwater Art, a unique dive site with art installations to explore under the sea. 

The Central Great Barrier Reef presents some of the most beautiful reefs to explore. Depths on the reefs range from 1 metre to 20 metres, making it ideal for snorkellers and divers of all ability levels. 

Day trips to Museum of Underwater Art are suited to:

  • Snorkellers, beginners to experienced.
  • Non-certified divers.
  • Certified divers, beginners to experienced.

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Museum of Underwater Art

The world-class Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) features dozens of underwater installations, including the Ocean Sentinels and the Coral Greenhouse. Created by renowned artist and sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Coral Greenhouse and the Ocean Sentinels are an extraordinary blend of art and science. Taylor, celebrated for his innovative underwater art pieces, has installations worldwide that merge environmentalism with human creativity. His works aim to promote marine conservation, inspire environmental awareness, and foster connections between people and the underwater world.

The Coral Greenhouse, a 72-metre marvel, breaks away from the typical idea of a greenhouse filled with glass walls, fruits, or flowers. Instead, it offers life-like figures, sculptures of trees, and coral gardens, serving as a haven for marine life and a sustainable artificial reef. Each detail of the exhibition is designed to nurture coral growth and encourage biodiversity while providing an awe-inspiring underwater wonderland for divers to explore. By combining science, art, and environmental stewardship, the Coral Greenhouse encourages visitors to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the ocean and the need for its protection.

This trip takes you to John Brewer Reef, an amazing coral reef bursting with an impressive array of marine life. The Coral Greenhouse structure is based at 16 metres in depth and reaches up to 6 metres below the surface, making it ideal for divers. The Ocean Sentinels, located in the shallows at depths of 3 to 6 metres, are equally captivating and offer the perfect opportunity for snorkellers to get up close to these stunning underwater sculptures.

Schools of bait fish are a common site, as well as an abundance of colourful reef fish including parrot fish, maori wrasse, clown fish, angel fish, turtles, stingrays, white tip, and black tip reef sharks are often sighted.

Introductory dive

Snorkellers can add to their experience and explore this underwater world with a Discover Scuba Dive. No prior experience in diving is needed as you will be guided through the basic safety and water skills needed and dive under the direct supervision of one of our friendly and professional Instructors.

High standard tourism operator

Learn how the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is managed and what is being done to protect it. Our friendly crew will take you through ways you can help protect the reef and its creatures for future generations.

Your day trip includes

  • Full day trip to the Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA).
  • Iced water, cordial, tea and coffee throughout the day.
  • Morning tea, buffett style lunch and afternoon tea.
  • A visit to world-class MOUA.
  • Reef Ecology talks to enhance your experience.
  • Demonstrations and snorkelling instructions on snorkelling techniques and in-water assistances.
  • All snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and full-length suit).
  • Floatation devices like noodles, jackets and life rings.
  • MOUA and mooring fees.
  • EMC’s (Environmental Management Charges).
  • Experienced, professional, fun and safe crew with a passion for the marine environment.
  • Experience the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.

When to do a day trip

Day Trips to the Great Barrier Reef depart every:

  • Tuesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday (occasionally)
  • Sunday

Please check our calendar for availability.

Where to board

You can board from: 

  • Townsville at the Fuel Wharf, Mariners Drive, Breakwater Marina
  • Magnetic Island at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal

Due to our small numbers of passengers it is advised to book early.

Please note that all our trips are subject to weather conditions and passenger numbers. Confirmation is made the afternoon prior to departure.

  • $354 adult snorkeller
  • $304 child snorkeller
  • $459 snorkel with 1 x introductory dive
  • $509 snorkel with 2 x introductory dives
  • $404 Certified diver with tanks and weights only (use code OWNGEARDSCT when booking)
  • $459 Certified diver with full equipment hire

Optional extras

  • $20 per guided dive (compulsory for divers with less than 10 dives logged)
  • $10 per guided snorkel session
  • $40 refresher course offered in-water as part of the first dive
  • $35 per PADI adventure dive
  • $70 Enriched Air Nitrox fill for two tanks (must be Nitrox certified)
  • $85 camera hire (includes SD card, yours to keep)
  • PADI courses available

Sample itinerary

  • 7am: Townsville passengers meet at the Townsville Breakwater Marina, located on the Fuel wharf at the end of Mariners Drive
  • 7:25am: Depart Townsville
  • 7:50am: Magnetic Island passengers board from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal
  • 9am: Morning tea
  • 9:45am: MOUA and Great Barrier Reef site briefings
  • 10am: Arrive at Great Barrier Reef – John Brewer Reef (MOUA) site
  • 10:20am: Dive 1 / Snorkel 1
  • 12pm: Lunch
  • 1pm: Dive 2 / Snorkel 2
  • 2pm: Depart site for Nelly Bay
  • 3pm: Afternoon tea
  • 4pm: Arrive and disembark passengers at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island
  • 4:30pm: Arrive and disembark at Townsville Breakwater Marina

Please note that the above schedule is as a guide only, actual times on the day may vary. Read our terms and conditions.

Sample menu

  • Morning tea: Fruit platter and assorted biscuits
  • Lunch: Buffet-style lunch spread with chicken, ham, salami, cheese, salads, assorted condiments, bread, peanut butter and vegemite
  • Afternoon tea: Fruit platter, cheese, crackers and assorted biscuits
  • All day: Tea, coffee, cordial and chilled water

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