Horseshoe Bay is the largest bay on Magnetic Island and the hub of the island's social life. The long, gently curving beach stretches for about 3 km, backed by a line of Norfolk pines and the low buildings of the settlement. This is where you come for watersports — kayak and paddleboard hire, jet ski rentals, parasailing, and glass-bottomed boat tours. Horseshoe Bay also has stinger nets during the box jellyfish season (November to May), making it one of the safer swimming options at that time of year.
The settlement has a cluster of cafes, bars, and restaurants — including the Horseshoe Bay Pub, which has reliable cold beer and cold air conditioning. The beach is accessible by bus from the ferry terminal at Nelly Bay, and it's where most visitors end up spending the hottest part of the day.