Museum Of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef – (Certified Diving)

Discover a world below. MOUA stands for Museum of Underwater Art Townsville and is located at John Brewer Reef Great Barrier Reef, off Townsville. MOUA have brought together for us ocean enthusiasts a new underwater experience that both scuba divers and snorkelers can witness. The sculptures you will explore were created by the World’s leading underwater sculptor – “Jason deCaires Taylor”.

The new dive site is best assessable off Townsville and has been created to generate a greater awareness for conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and the marine environment while also bringing together the Indigenous connection to the reef, land and sea. Although only new (opened to the public in early 2020) in time will create a new eco-system for coral and fish and ultimately a very special dive site for all to experience when visiting North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef.

On a clear day the underwater structures can be seen from the surface positioned in 10 – 15 metres. Surrounding the Museum of Underwater Art is an amazing coral reef bursting with abundance of marine life. The bright and beautiful colours are the perfect backdrop for the museum and the location provides the perfect blend of man-made and natures art.

One of the main structures of MOUA is called “the greenhouse” being 72 metre in length. The “greenhouse” makes for a great swim through for divers viewing trees life-like sculptures, and coral gardens. As mentioned earlier in time this will become an ecosystem of its own creating new coral life and plenty of marine life. There is reef nearby adding to the overall dive experience housing schools of bait fish, parrot fish, maori wrasse, clown fish, turtles, stingrays and our friendly white tip reef sharks.

The friendly crew onboard will take you through ways and show you can help protect the reef and its creatures. This dive site also allows you to continue your dive education particularly your Advanced Course.

If you are heading to Townsville for a holiday and looking for a new and exciting underwater experience let us help you plan your trip. Also assessable from Townsville is the famous SS Yongala Shipwreck which for any diver of any level a “must do” dive.

Day Trips to the Museum of Underwater Art and the Great Barrier Reef depart every Thursday and Sunday. Please check our calendar for availability!
You can board from Townsville at the Breakwater Marina or from Magnetic Island at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal.
Due to our small numbers of passengers it is advised to book early.
(Please note that all our trips are subject to passenger numbers and weather conditions. Confirmation is made the afternoon prior to departure).

Sample MOUA and Great Barrier Reef Trip Schedule:
07:00 Townsville passengers meet at the Townsville Breakwater Marina, located on the fueling wharf at the end of Mariners Drive
07:25 Depart Townsville
07:50 Passengers board from Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island
09:00 Morning tea
09:45 MOUA and Great Barrier Reef site briefings
10:00 Arrive at Great Barrier Reef – John Brewer Reef (MOUA) site
10:20 Dive 1 / Snorkel 1
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Dive 2 / Snorkel 2
14:00 Depart site for Nelly Bay
15:00 Afternoon Tea
16:00 Arrive and disembark passengers at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island
16:30 Arrive and disembark at Townsville Breakwater Marina
Please note that the above schedule is as a guide only, actual times on the day may vary.

**BYO – Bring your own. Water, Cordial, Coffee, Tea is all provided on board