Magnetic Island to Townsville Swim

Townsville Open Water Swimming Association

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At a glance

Sat, 15 Aug 2026

Picnic Bay Beach, Magnetic Island QLD

Ocean Swim

Around The Buoys

Why this event?

From island to mainland, an ocean crossing like no other.

This one’s for the bucket list. The Magnetic Island to Townsville Swim is a legendary North Queensland crossing that blends adventure, endurance, and some of the most breathtaking scenery on the Australian coast.

Starting from the sheltered shoreline of Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island, swimmers make their way across Cleveland Bay, aiming straight for the mainland and finishing at the iconic Strand Rockpool. It’s a true channel-style swim, long, exposed, and rich with open water spirit.

The 8km crossing demands stamina, focus, and a love for the ocean. But it rewards you in spades. With the Coral Sea stretching beneath, Magnetic Island fading behind, and the Townsville skyline growing ahead, every stroke brings a sense of progress, freedom, and connection to this spectacular part of the world.

It’s a swim that stays with you long after you’ve stepped onto the sand. For seasoned ocean swimmers, it’s not just a challenge, it’s a rite of passage.

What's on offer

8km Ocean Swim

years

A true open water classic, the Magnetic Island to Townsville Swim is an 8km channel-style crossing that starts from the picturesque Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island and finishes on the mainland at Strand Park, right in the heart of Townsville’s foreshore. Solo swimmers will be guided by a support paddler as they navigate across Cleveland Bay, making their way from island to coast in a straight-line challenge that blends endurance, navigation, and tropical scenery. The swim is also open to teams of two or four, offering a shared adventure for those keen to take on the distance as a relay. With Magnetic Island at your back and the Townsville skyline growing with every stroke, this crossing is more than just a swim; it’s a journey.