Alma Bay Magnetic Island – Visitor’s Guide

Alma Bay is one of Queensland’s top 10 beaches and without a doubt a must-see when visiting Maggie Island.

Located in Arcadia on the east coast of Magnetic Island, this beautiful bay is a beloved location of choice for travelers.

Featuring a sandy beach framed by large rock formations, this is a great setting for water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and swimming. You don’t even have to go far into the water, because you can snorkel around the colorful reef right off the beach!

I have put together this complete visitor’s guide of Alma Bay to help you plan your trip. You’ll find everything you need to know on where it’s located, the best time to visit, and what to expect at this stunning spot on the island.

 

WHERE IS ALMA BAY?

Alma Bay is located in Arcadia on the east coast of Magnetic Island. The island itself, Maggie or MI as the locals call it, is situated approximately 8km offshore from Townsville in Queensland.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

You can get here quite easily by public bus (#250) or by car, as you’ll find a bus stop and a car park opposite the beach. From here, there is a sealed pathway leading down to the shoreline.

Fun Fact: Magnetic Island is home to 23 beaches and bays, each one more beautiful than the other. Two-thirds of the island is a protected national park, and part of the World-heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Alma Bay Magnetic Island is known for its often calm wave conditions and belongs to the sunniest area on the Queensland coast, boasting over 320 days of sunshine. So, no matter the season, you can definitely expect sunny days almost all year round to just kick back, relax, and enjoy the tranquil paradise vibes.

Besides, the bay has a very stable climate with inviting sea temperatures during the humid and warm summers as well as during the comfortable winters. The maximum temperature is around 28°C and the minimum temperature is around 19°C.

If you’re looking for the perfect combination of warm temperatures and cooler moments, I’d definitely recommend visiting during the winter months between June and August.

RELATED ARTICLE → 30 THINGS TO DO ON MAGNETIC ISLAND

If you don’t mind the heat, November to April is the wet season and also the hottest time of year. This means very little rain and lots of sunshine, but it can be a bit extreme for some travelers.

A good thing to keep in mind is stinger season. While this fluctuates each year, it’s mostly during the summer months between November and May. But do not worry, just check with local media reports for recent stinger sightings to make sure you’ll still be able to take a dip in the ocean.

 

FACILITIES AT ALMA BAY

This is one of the smallest bays on Magnetic Island. Though small in size, it has plenty of facilities available for its visitors.

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll be happy to know that this bay is a family-friendly location. There is a shaded children’s playground and it has good accessibility for less mobile travelers.

Lifeguards patrol Alma Bay Magnetic Island on a daily basis and there are yellow and red flags indicating the safest spots for beachgoers.

When you’re in for some light activity besides being in the water, there is a basketball court for the sport-enthusiast and a grassy area that can be used as a playground for soccer, cricket, or other fun outdoor activities.

You’ll also find public amenities like showers, toilets, and barbeque areas. Picnic tables can be found beneath the trees.

Multiple ATMs are available near the Arcadia Village accommodation and several shops are located across the street from the Bay selling drinks, snacks, and beachwear. Open daily from around 7 am – 5 pm.

Also, there are plenty of options for accommodation which is great if you wish to stay here overnight or for a few days.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT ALMA BAY

Alma Bay Magnetic Island has a very welcoming and laid back tropical lifestyle. You can feel comfortable chatting with a local, visit restaurants and bars, pop into a few shops nearby, or simply enjoy your time on the beach.

The bay is best known for its stellar reef, which makes it a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. There’s a large and diverse fish population that can be easily spotted during a dive session.

Keep in mind that fishing or shell collecting is not allowed as it’s a protected Marine National Park Green Zone.

There are large rock formations on either side of the sandy beach and there’s a beautiful combination of granite boulders combined with palm trees, tall hoop pines, and small areas of forest.

Apart from taking a refreshing dive in the ocean, I’d also recommend exploring the surroundings as it’s absolutely stunning. No wonder this place is a World Heritage-listed area!

With all that this beautiful bay has to offer, you can very easily spend a long time here. It’s a beautiful place to relax in the sun with your friends and family, enjoy the waters, and making the beach your perfect companion.

RELATED ARTICLE → HORSESHOE BAY MAGNETIC ISLAND

 

 

AIRBNB MAGNETIC ISLAND

Another option for accommodation is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!

Use the search box below to search for all available Airbnb’s on Magnetic Island.

 

WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE

 

MAP OF ALMA BAY

 

 

MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES

The coastline and hinterland areas along the east coast of Australia boast countless beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes, and many more fun-fuelled adventures waiting to be had!

This is what Australia is all about and what I love to share with you in my detailed destination guides.

Click on the links below to see more related posts:

• Hamilton Island: 10 Things To Do In Hamilton Island
• Agnes Water: 17 Things To Do In Agnes Water
• Yeppoon: 10 Best Beaches In Yeppoon
• Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
• Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
• Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
• Springbrook: Springbrook Waterfalls
• Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
• Crescent Head: 9 Things To Do In Crescent Head
• Forster: 7 Things To Do In Forster
• Port Macquarie: 7 Best Beaches In Port Macquarie
• Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
• Kiama NSW: 3 Awesome Things To Do In Kiama
• Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne

 

LONELY PLANET AUSTRALIA

One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Australia Guide!

BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET AUSTRALIA

 

JOIN MY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY

Do you have any questions about this beautiful Bay?

Join my Facebook Community and send me a private message at any time for a quick response!

 

ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING

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Teaching English online is one of the easiest and most flexible jobs out there! Become a Digital Nomad, choose your own hours, and work remotely from anywhere in the world by teaching English online. All you need is a laptop, good WiFi connection, a TEFL certificate and you’re good to go!

Click here to get your TEFL certificate with MyTefl

 

MY SHOP

Before you go from this post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop.

I’ve got a wide range of products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels.

SEE MORE → MY SHOP

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope from this guide you will have all the information you need to have an epic adventure during your time on the island.

Whether you’re a solo backpacker, traveling as a couple, or whether you’re taking a trip with the entire family, you know you’re never going to be short of things to see and do.

If you have any questions about Alma Bay Magnetic Island, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.