Fantasea Cruises and SeaLink both operate a ferry service between Townsville and Magnetic Island.
SeaLink is the more popular of the two ferry companies and the return fare from Townsville costs $32. SeaLink ferries depart from the Breakwater terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville and go to Nelly Bay Harbour on Magnetic Island. SeaLink has the fastest boats but they’re restricted to passengers only.
Fantasea Cruises is slower but they are cheaper and are the only boats that take cars. The return fare is $25 and they depart from the terminal on Ross Street in South Townsville, directly across the river from SeaLink’s Breakwater terminal. They sail to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island.