Horseshoe Bay, Great Barrier Reef

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There are also lots of opportunities for jetskiing and waterskiing. However, Horseshoe Bay is more popularly associated with swimming and snorkeling, with members of the Surf Life Saving Cub periodically patrolling the beach in summer seasons when tourism is at its peak. Families and friends also choose this area for picnics, building sandcastles, and beachcombing. For visitors with kids in tow, there are also playgrounds to amuse them. Horseback riding on land and on the sea is also a popular treat for both children and adults.

For those interested in visiting the Great Barrier Reef, hire companies can arrange trips for families and groups of friends for day-long fun and adventure. Visitors can also charter boats to get to the Palm Group of Islands, another popular tourist destination.

Those who yearn for some quiet times with loved ones will also find it here in Horseshoe Bay. There are several walking trails in the area that take visitors to more secluded spots. Exploring the area this way would surely bring visitors to the Horseshoe Bay Lagoon Environmental Park. This reserve is a great spot for bird watching, where visitors can familiarize themselves with different kinds of birds native to the island and to the country. Taking a short walk around the area is also one way to meet Horseshoe Bay's other famous resident, the koala.

Horseshoe Bay also has several restaurants and resorts in the area, catering primarily to holidaymakers who make periodic stops here. One notable dining establishment is The Barefoot Gallery, located in Pacific Drive. This restaurant offers more than the ordinary fare. In fact, Barefoot Gallery boasts of excellent gourmet meals, an extensive wine list, and artworks produced mostly by local artists. Right next door is Bounty on the Bay, which specializes on the freshest seafood caught right in the bay. Affordable meals can also be had at Magnetic Mango in Apjohn Street, where diners can enjoy home-style meals under a big mango tree. Other notable eating establishments would be the Noodies on the Beach in Pacific Drive and the Geckos Bar & Restaurant at Maggies Beachhouse. Drinks can be had at Marlin Bar, next door to Geckos.

There is also no shortage of accommodations in Horseshoe Bay. There's Maggie's Beachhouse on Pacific Drive and the luxurious Sails on Horseshoe resort. For those on a limited budget, there's the YHA Bungalow Bay that both a hostel and a camping ground, located a little bit inland in Horseshoe Bay Road.