Magnetic Island Sunset Cruises Compared
Every bookable sunset trip on Magnetic Island and from Townsville: Pilgrim's Sip and Sail, Aquascene's Sunset and Shipwreck, the West Point bus and Casual Fare's sail, side by side.
Four sunset trips are bookable on Magnetic Island and across the bay in Townsville. Pilgrim Sailing’s Sip and Sail is the one under sail, with the drinks and a cheese platter included. Aquascene’s Sunset and Shipwreck Tour runs along the coast to a wreck, with your own drinks and children welcome. MI Ride’s West Point Sunset Safari goes by bus to a west-coast beach. Casual Fare’s sunset sail leaves from the Townsville Yacht Club, so there is no ferry.
The four, side by side
| Sip and Sail | Sunset and Shipwreck | West Point Sunset Safari | Townsville sunset sail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Pilgrim Sailing | Aquascene | MI Ride | Casual Fare Sailing Charters |
| From | US$104 | US$80 | US$88 | US$82 |
| Length | About 90 minutes | 2 hours | 2 hours 30 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Starts | Nelly Bay marina, 4:30 to 5:45 pm | Peppers deck, Nelly Bay, 4:30 pm | Nelly Bay ferry terminal; meet 4:25 pm, leaves 4:30 pm | Townsville Yacht Club, 4:30 or 5:30 pm |
| How | Sailing yacht, at most 12 guests | Aquascene’s boat along the coast | Bus to the beach | Small yacht, at most 6 guests |
| Drinks and food | Unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks; cheese platter | Bring your own | One drink, a shared platter | Two drinks and water; bring your own food |
| Children | Generally adults only outside school holidays | Child prices from 5 | Child prices | From age 2 |
Prices per person from the Viator and GetYourGuide listings (checked October 2026; GetYourGuide checked October 2026); times and inclusions from the listings and the operators’ own pages, checked October 2026.
Pilgrim’s Sip and Sail
The only one under sail with the drinks included: about 90 minutes on Cleveland Bay on a 58-foot racing yacht, with unlimited organic wine, local beer and soft drinks and a local cheese platter. It does not anchor. From US$104 on Viator, rated 5.0 from 272 reviews (checked October 2026). The Pilgrim guide covers the boat and what is poured.
Check dates for the Sip and Sail
Aquascene’s Sunset and Shipwreck
Two hours along the island’s south coast from Nelly Bay to Cockle Bay, where the wreck of the SS City of Adelaide lies, with the story of the ship told on board as the sun sets. Drinks and snacks are not provided, so bring your own. It meets on the outside deck of Peppers Resort at 4:30 pm and has child prices for ages 5 to 14. From US$80 on Viator (checked October 2026).
Check the Sunset and Shipwreck
MI Ride’s West Point Sunset Safari
A bus, not a boat: two and a half hours from the Nelly Bay ferry terminal along the west coast road, with a stop to look for koalas, then free time on the beach at West Point and a beach chair, a drink (sparkling wine, beer, wine, soft drink or juice) and a shared platter while the sun goes down over the water. It brings you back in time for the 8:00 pm ferry. From US$88 on GetYourGuide (checked October 2026); the bus has no toilet.
Check the West Point Sunset Safari
Casual Fare’s sunset sail from Townsville
Ninety minutes on a small yacht from the Townsville Yacht Club for six guests at most, along the Strand with Castle Hill and Magnetic Island in view. Two drinks and water are included and you can bring your own food and drink. Starts are 4:30 or 5:30 pm, and it suits anyone staying in Townsville who would rather not take the ferry. From US$82 on Viator (checked October 2026).
Pick your sunset
Magnetic Island Sip and Sail Sunset Cruise
Pilgrim's 58-foot yacht on Cleveland Bay: unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks and a cheese platter. Generally adults only.
Check dates →Aquascene Sunset and Shipwreck Tour
Aquascene's two hours to the SS City of Adelaide wreck, with child prices from 5. Bring your own drinks.
See the shipwreck trip →Magnetic Island West Point Sunset Safari
MI Ride's bus to West Point: a beach chair, a drink and a platter at sunset, and koalas on the way.
See West Point →Townsville Sunset Sail from the Yacht Club
Casual Fare's small yacht from the Townsville Yacht Club, six guests at most, two drinks each.
See the Townsville sail →Prices, ratings and review counts from the Viator and GetYourGuide listings (checked October 2026; GetYourGuide checked October 2026). Operators price by season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
And by day
Pilgrim’s Lunchtime Sailing Cruise is the same yacht for four hours by day, with about two hours at anchor in a bay such as Radical Bay to swim and a prawn and antipasto lunch, from US$171 on Viator (checked October 2026). Sunset times by month are in the sunset guide and the evening ferries in the Townsville guide.
Other Trips with Open Dates
More Magnetic Island and Townsville Trips with Open Dates
Sailing, boat trips and island tours with live availability. Times and cancellation terms are on each listing.
The Sunset under Sail
Of the four, the Sip and Sail is the only one under sail with the drinks poured: about 90 minutes on Cleveland Bay from Nelly Bay.
Check dates on Viator