The Magnetic Island Jet Ski Tour
The Magnetic Island jet ski tour to Five Beach Bay: 90 minutes on the water from Horseshoe Bay, price per jet ski, no licence needed, age and weight rules, and how to get there.
The Magnetic Island jet ski tour leaves from the beach at Horseshoe Bay and spends about 90 minutes on the water along the north coast to Five Beach Bay, past bays you can only reach by sea. You drive your own jet ski behind a guide, with up to two riders on each, and you need no licence or experience. On the operator’s own booking page a single jet ski costs AUD 230, or AUD 115 a person when two share one (checked October 2026). Allow about two and a half hours from check-in.
On GetYourGuide the tour is from US$183 per jet ski for up to two riders (checked October 2026); the same tour is on Viator as the Five Beach Bay jet ski experience from US$172 (checked October 2026).
What the tour covers
Magnetic Island Jet Skis calls it a self-drive guided tour: about 90 minutes on the water, with eight bays on the route, seven of them reachable only by sea, and swimming stops in the quiet ones. The tour is named for Five Beach Bay, out on the north-west coast past Maud Bay and Joyce Bay, a green zone where fishing is banned, with no road to it. The guide talks about the coast and its wildlife: turtles, rays, dolphins and birds of prey can turn up, and humpback whales in season. The guide’s photos of your tour are included, and so are the wetsuit or thermal top, life jacket, goggles, dry bag and the reef’s environmental management charge.
The operator does not publish the route bay by bay.
The rules
| Rule | |
|---|---|
| Licence | None needed, and no experience; photo ID for each jet ski |
| Riders | Up to two a jet ski, combined weight up to 160 kg; a single rider up to 120 kg |
| Ages | Passengers from 6 with an adult; riders aged 16 and 17 may drive alone but cannot carry a passenger under 18 |
| Swimming | Everyone must be a confident swimmer |
| Alcohol | A blood alcohol level of zero when you ride |
| Health | Not for pregnant riders or anyone with a medical condition that could affect riding, such as back, neck or eye problems |
From the operator’s booking page, terms and FAQ and its Viator listing, checked October 2026.
Getting there and timing
The jet skis leave from the foreshore at Horseshoe Bay, right of the boat ramp, under a blue banner and shade sail. From the Nelly Bay ferry terminal, bus 250 takes about 14 minutes to Horseshoe Bay. The operator’s example day has a briefing at 8:30 am and the jet skis out at about 9:00, and the Viator listing shows departures at 8:30 and 11:30. Transfers from the ferry or your hotel are not included.
Other Tours with Open Dates
More Magnetic Island and Townsville Tours with Open Dates
Bus tours, sailing, the reef and wildlife, with live availability. Times and cancellation terms are on each listing.
Jet ski, or something slower
Magnetic Island Five Beach Bay Jet Ski Tour
About 90 minutes driving your own jet ski behind a guide, to bays only reachable by sea. No licence; up to two riders a jet ski.
Check dates →Magnetic Island Discovery Tour: Snorkelling and Paddle Boarding
Aquascene's five-hour Discovery Tour from Nelly Bay by boat, with snorkelling, paddle boards and morning tea.
See the tour →Magnetic Island Lunchtime Sailing Cruise
Pilgrim Sailing's four-hour lunchtime sail from Nelly Bay, about two hours at anchor in a quiet bay, lunch and drinks included.
See the sail →Prices, ratings and review counts from the GetYourGuide listings (checked October 2026). Operators price by season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
Before you book
- Price unit: the GetYourGuide and Viator prices are per jet ski, for up to two riders; the operator’s own page prices a shared jet ski per person.
- Stingers: from 1 November to 31 May stingers can be in the water at swimming stops; the tour includes wetsuits or thermal tops.
- Cancelling: both listings give a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before.
Five Beach Bay by Jet Ski
Magnetic Island Jet Skis' guided tour from Horseshoe Bay: about 90 minutes on the water, up to two riders a jet ski, no licence needed.
Check dates