Arcadia is the most relaxed of Magnetic Island's four settlements — a small cluster of accommodation, cafes, and a pub set back from the beach. The beach itself is gentler and less busy than Horseshoe Bay, with the Geoffrey Bay snorkel reef immediately to the north. This is where many longer-stay visitors prefer to base themselves, away from the backpacker energy of Horseshoe Bay.
Alma Bay, just around the headland from Arcadia, is a small sheltered cove with calm water and good snorkelling among the granite boulders. It's a 10-minute walk from the Arcadia bus stop and rarely crowded. Both bays face northeast and catch the morning sun, making them pleasant for early swimming before the heat builds.