Why boaters love it
Peel Island is a small national park in Moreton Bay, about 11 km from Raby Bay Boat Ramp to Horseshoe Bay. In good weather you can go ramp-to-beach in ~15 minutes. Its proximity, protection, and postcard water make it ideal for quick trips through to weekenders.
Horseshoe Bay (south and south-west) serves up the iconic turquoise shallows, while Platypus Bay (south-east) hides the 1884 dredge Platypus — purpose-sunk on 21 Oct 1926. The bluff between them is called The Bluff.
Quick facts
- Ramp → beach
- ~15 min from Raby Bay
- Access
- Boat only, no public ferry service
- Best tide
- Rising (≥1 m)
- Anchorage
- S & SW (Horseshoe Bay) and N (North Peel)
- Dogs
- Yes - up to high tide mark
- Camping
- Yes - permit required through QNP
- Toilets
- Eastern Horseshoe Bay (-27.500191, 153.363800)
- Wildlife
- Dugongs, turtles, dolphins, birds
- Vibe
- Relaxed, social, scenic, family friendly
- Activities
- Swimming, snorkelling, relaxing
- Fishing
- Snapper, Bream, Whiting, Mackerel, Cod, Trevally
- History
- Lepper colony until 1950s and Platypus (1926) wreck
Getting there
Launch from Cleveland (Raby Bay) Boat Ramp, head north out of Raby Bay, then steer east. Peel becomes obvious once past Cleveland Point. Aim for the southern side, watching for traffic and marine life (turtles, dugongs, dolphins, sharks, and whales in season).
Give the South West Rocks a wide berth. Keep to the right of the green markers from the mainland. You'll pass two lateral beacons (green) and a black/yellow cardinal before laying a course to the beach. Amenities are on the eastern Horseshoe side.
| No. | Description | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| A | Cleveland (Raby Bay) Boat Ramp | -27.514740, 153.285382 |
| B | West Peel Artificial Reef | -27.500894, 153.313259 |
| C | Caution: South West Rocks | -27.517422, 153.343801 |
| D | Horseshoe Bay anchorage | -27.505098, 153.363009 |
| E | Horseshoe Bay toilets | -27.500181, 153.363790 |
| F | Wreck of Platypus (1926) | -27.500345, 153.374122 |
| G | Heritage settlement (off-limits) | -27.495225, 153.345195 |
| H | Northern Peel anchorage | -27.480278, 153.352819 |
Best time: a rising tide. The sand shelf extends ~200–250 m off the main beach and can leave boats high and dry at low. Assume ~1 m draft and arrive/leave with at least that depth. If you do beach, expect ~4–5 hours to refloat.
Safety first
Tides are the #1 consideration here. For peace of mind, familiarise yourself with VMR Raby Bay or Coast Guard QF2 Brisbane.
Things to do
Relax
Horseshoe Bay is tailor-made for lazy beach days. Drop toilet on the eastern side. The south channel stays busy for boat-watching. Bring a small BBQ (gas or liquid fuel) — open fires and generators are banned.
Fishing
Popular and often tight for space. Expect bream, flathead, whiting, cod, trevally, squid, tuskfish, spangled emperor, coral trout, nannygai, parrotfish, juvenile red emperor, and sweetlip. See this detailed fishing guide .
Snorkelling & swimming
Usually calm and protected — mind the props. For a little adventure, head to Platypus Bay and explore the Platypus wreck.
Beach stroll & photography
Most of Teerk Roo Ra National Park is conservation area with restricted access. The north-western side holds Australia's only example of an intact, isolated, multi-cultural lazaret . There are 70+ identified bird species — bring a camera (and Aerogard).
Dogs?
National park rules mean no domestic animals above the high tide mark. Signs near −27.504, 153.355 note: "Dogs are permitted in the marine park below the high water mark." Be responsible, clean up, and keep dogs below the HWM. As with most of Qld, dogs must be on-leash unless in a designated off-leash area.
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