HORSESHOE BAY OPERATIONS
You'll be on this page as we've advised you that due to the wind conditions we will be operating all our cruises from Horseshoe Bay until the wind eases.
With this comes a few changes and we hope this page will give you all the information you need to make the new arrangements seamless.
A few things to note:
With this comes a few changes and we hope this page will give you all the information you need to make the new arrangements seamless.
A few things to note:
- The cruise times may change slightly. We will advise you of any changes via text or email. Please ignore any emails with reference to Nelly Bay departures.
- We will try to arrange a transfer between Nelly Bay and Horseshoe Bay, subject to the availability of transfer operators.
- If we cannot provide a transfer we recommend taking the public bus, all our cruises are lined up to meet the bus. More details and times are below. (Taxis on the island are not reliable enough).
- If you are late arriving to the meeting spot, you will miss the cruise. If anything is not clear, please call on 0424 296406.
Check out the schedules below to show ferry, bus and transfer times to get you to the meeting spot on time.
WHERE TO MEET IN HORSESHOE BAY
MAP OF HORSESHOE BAY:

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If you are coming by transfer, please refer to the Nelly Bay Map for directions where to meet on the Peppers Deck.
TRANSFER TO PILGRIM
Pilgrim is on a mooring in Horseshoe Bay and you will be transferred to the vessel via tender.
- Please make yourself known to the skipper who will be standing near the boat.
- We may have to do a couple of runs as numbers are limited. Please be patient and if you can't see the skipper or a tender waiting for you they will be doing a run out to Pilgrim, rest assured she will be coming back for you very soon!
- Please wear shoes which are easy to slip off as you may get your feet wet when boarding the tender.
HOW TO GET TO HORSESHOE BAY
COMING FROM TOWNSVILLE: WHICH FERRY SHOULD I TAKE?
If you're coming from Townsville, see below for the recommended Ferry Times. Feel free to come earlier or leave later so you get to enjoy more of Magnetic Island.
All ferries listed below are the Sealink Ferries, which depart from the Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville.
Our cruises will wait for these ferries, so if the ferry is delayed we will wait for the ferry to arrive before we depart.
Lunchtime Sailing Cruise: 8.45 am ferry (return ferry: 3.00 pm)
Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise:
All months except May & June:
Departs Townsville: 3.50 pm | Return ferry departs Magnetic Island: 8.00 pm
May & June :
Departs Townsville: 2.15 pm | Return ferry departs Magnetic Island: 6.35 pm
ON DISEMBARKING THE FERRY PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO EITHER THE MEETING SPOT FOR THE TRANSFER OR THE PUBLIC BUS (as advised by us), if you are late you will miss the cruise.
Please double check the ferry times before you travel, as there do change from time to time.
You can check out the latest ferry times here.
All ferries listed below are the Sealink Ferries, which depart from the Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville.
Our cruises will wait for these ferries, so if the ferry is delayed we will wait for the ferry to arrive before we depart.
Lunchtime Sailing Cruise: 8.45 am ferry (return ferry: 3.00 pm)
Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise:
All months except May & June:
Departs Townsville: 3.50 pm | Return ferry departs Magnetic Island: 8.00 pm
May & June :
Departs Townsville: 2.15 pm | Return ferry departs Magnetic Island: 6.35 pm
ON DISEMBARKING THE FERRY PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO EITHER THE MEETING SPOT FOR THE TRANSFER OR THE PUBLIC BUS (as advised by us), if you are late you will miss the cruise.
Please double check the ferry times before you travel, as there do change from time to time.
You can check out the latest ferry times here.
COMING FROM NELLY BAY: WHICH BUS SHOULD I TAKE?
If we have been unable to arrange a transfer for you, please take the public bus to Horseshoe Bay. The below times are for the bus from the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal and meet our recommended ferries. Ignore this section if we have arranged a transfer.
The public bus stop is situated in front the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal. Please board the bus to "HORSESHOE BAY".
Lunchtime Sailing Cruise:
9.15 am bus from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal | Return bus: 2.25pm from Horseshoe Bay.
Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise:
All months except May & June:
Departs Nelly Bay: 4.20 pm | Return bus departs Horseshoe Bay: 7.35 pm
May & June :
Departs Townsville: 2.50 pm | Return bus departs Horseshoe Bay: 6.15 pm
You will need small change, as cards are not accepted on the buses.
If you are coming from elsewhere on the Island you'll be able to catch the same bus, please refer to the timetable to check which one here.
Please note: taxis are not always reliable as they cannot guarantee pick up times so if you are looking to use a taxi please leave plenty of time to avoid disappointment or stress!
The public bus stop is situated in front the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal. Please board the bus to "HORSESHOE BAY".
Lunchtime Sailing Cruise:
9.15 am bus from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal | Return bus: 2.25pm from Horseshoe Bay.
Sip & Sail Sunset Cruise:
All months except May & June:
Departs Nelly Bay: 4.20 pm | Return bus departs Horseshoe Bay: 7.35 pm
May & June :
Departs Townsville: 2.50 pm | Return bus departs Horseshoe Bay: 6.15 pm
You will need small change, as cards are not accepted on the buses.
If you are coming from elsewhere on the Island you'll be able to catch the same bus, please refer to the timetable to check which one here.
Please note: taxis are not always reliable as they cannot guarantee pick up times so if you are looking to use a taxi please leave plenty of time to avoid disappointment or stress!
OTHER INFORMATION
WHAT TO WEAR: We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and shoes with light coloured soles. Please do not wear black soled shoes or heels - you will be asked to remove them. Please advise your guests of this.
SEASICKNESS: Please be aware that there can be some swell on occasions, if you are susceptible to seasickness or worried that you could be we recommend you take precautions/medication before the trip. We recommend Travacalm (the blue one) and only taking half to one tablet one hour before you come sailing.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Please contact us if you have any special requirements for your charter or if there are any allergies or dietary requirements, we need to be aware of.
WEATHER: As the weather can change quickly any decision will be made by the skipper on the day. We will contact you in the event of strong winds or heavy rain.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Please read our terms and conditions carefully , especially regarding cancellations and weather.
SEASICKNESS: Please be aware that there can be some swell on occasions, if you are susceptible to seasickness or worried that you could be we recommend you take precautions/medication before the trip. We recommend Travacalm (the blue one) and only taking half to one tablet one hour before you come sailing.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Please contact us if you have any special requirements for your charter or if there are any allergies or dietary requirements, we need to be aware of.
WEATHER: As the weather can change quickly any decision will be made by the skipper on the day. We will contact you in the event of strong winds or heavy rain.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Please read our terms and conditions carefully , especially regarding cancellations and weather.