Orchard Rocks is a pile of granite boulders about 200 m off the north-east coast of Magnetic Island, between Radical and Gowrie bays, and one of the island's few boat-only sites. The North Queensland Underwater Explorers Club describes depths of 13 m on the inside of the rocks increasing to about 15 m outside, and a structure of stacked boulders that forms swim-throughs on the northern side, with ledges and cracks throughout. Because it stands in open water off a headland, it attracts more fish than the island's bays: cod, coral trout, sweetlips, angelfish, batfish, drummer, fusiliers and small wrasse, with feather stars on the boulders and white and cream nudibranchs for macro divers.

The swim-throughs between boulders are the highlight and are short, open and lit, though silt can be stirred up. Conditions dictate everything. The rocks are fully exposed to a typical south-easterly, current runs past them on the tide and visibility can drop low.

The club recommends an early-morning high tide with only a slight southerly for slack water, and suggests marking the anchor with a glow stick or inflated SMB tied to a weight so divers can find the boat in poor visibility. On calm weekends fishermen crowd the rocks, and lines are a hazard. When Orchard Rocks is unsuitable, nearby Balding Bay's western wall is the usual fallback.

For experienced island divers with a boat, it is the most structurally interesting site on Magnetic Island's north-east coast, and on a clear, still morning it can be excellent. It is not for novices in current or low visibility.

Boat only. Launch at the Horseshoe Bay ramp on the north coast of Magnetic Island (or the Nelly Bay harbour ramp) and run east around Balding Bay to Orchard Rocks, about 200 m offshore between Radical and Gowrie bays – roughly 10–15 minutes from Horseshoe Bay in a small boat. Anchor on sand, keep clear of fishing boats and leave a boat tender aboard.

From Townsville, hire boats or private vessels cross Cleveland Bay (about 45 minutes).

Magnetic Island's bays are sheltered from different winds depending on which side they face. The dominant south-east trade winds (15–25 knots, April–September) chop up exposed eastern and southern bays and stir up silt, so the island's best diving comes in the calmer months of August–December and on mornings before the sea breeze. Visibility is usually 3–8 m and occasionally 10–15 m; it drops sharply after strong winds, big spring tides and wet-season rain (January–April) when Ross River and Burdekin run-off discolour the water.

Dive at slack water, ideally high tide. Sargassum seaweed blooms in the hotter months can smother shallow reef flats. Marine stinger season (box jellyfish and Irukandji) runs roughly November to May – wear a full-length stinger suit or wetsuit with hood and gloves, carry vinegar.

Stinger nets are installed at Alma Bay, Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay in season. NQUEC notes the rocks are fairly exposed in a typical south-easterly; early-morning high tide with a slight southerly breeze gives slack water. In rough conditions the club dives the western edge of Balding Bay instead.

Descend on the inside of the rocks (13 m) and circuit to the outside (15 m), exploring the stacked-boulder swim-throughs on the northern side and the ledges and cracks. Tie a glow stick or inflated SMB to a weight as a reference at the anchor.

No regular operator; NQUEC club and private boats. Nearest dive centres for gear hire, fills and local advice: Pleasure Divers Magnetic Island, Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive.