The Sunbus local bus connects Nelly Bay (ferry terminal), Arcadia, and Horseshoe Bay, with departures roughly every hour. The service is cheap and reliable enough for most purposes. Scooters and small open-sided "Moke" cars are popular rentals — the Moke is something of a Magnetic Island institution, and rentals are available near the ferry terminal. Bicycles are also a reasonable option for the flat sections around Nelly Bay and Arcadia, though the road between Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay has some hilly stretches. Taxis operate on the island.
Walking between bays is possible via national park trails but is a serious undertaking in the tropical heat — carry plenty of water and start early.