Whitsunday cruising with family

View from Whitsunday Cairn

Friday, 10 September to Tuesday, 28 September 2021

After 5 days anchored in Cid Harbour while the wind blew a constant 25-30 knots, we were glad to finally up anchor and move around the corner to Beach 25. It was still blowing and friends who kept going to Whitehaven Beach had some unpleasant conditions until they went through Solway Pass. 

Beach 25

On Saturday we went around and got a mooring at Chalkies Beach. This has the same beautiful pure silica sand that you get at Whitehaven, but much fewer boats. We had our first swim of the trip to check our masks prior to our son Ben arriving in a few days (some leaked!). A new walk by National Parks to a lookout over the passage let us stretch our legs before sundowners with friends. 

Chalkies Beach from the lookout

Looking towards Whitehaven Beach

More swimming the next day at Whitehaven and a 7.5km walk to Chance Bay and the lookouts. 

Busy at Whitehaven

View south from the Whitehaven lookout

From the new Solway Pass lookout

On Monday we went to Macona Inlet before heading back to Airlie to pick up Ben (and some new masks and snorkels). Ben only had 4 nights with us which we spent on a small loop of some of the inside anchorages of the Whitsundays. We did attempt to go around to Whitehaven one morning but gave up after encountering a nasty swell off Hook Passage. 

Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island

Plenty of fish but reef not in good condition

We hiked up to Whitsunday Cairn

View to Border Island

Ben was flying out of Hamilton so lunch at the resort was a nice way to finish his short break. 

Lunch at Sails Restaurant

We were then back to Airlie to pick up our youngest son, his wife and 3 year old daughter for 6 nights. They had driven up from Brisbane and we enjoyed showing them some of the Whitsundays including a couple of days at Whitehaven in glorious weather. Our granddaughter had never stayed overnight on the boat before but she settled in quickly and enjoyed the adventure. Aye, aye Captain became her favourite phrase. 

Enjoying our first stop at Happy Bay

Kayaking at Whitehaven

Waiting for the bus at Hamilton Island

So now its time for Nanna and Grandad to have a rest.

Windy Whitsundays

Saturday, 28 August to Thursday, 9 September 2021

On Saturday afternoon we left Shaggers and headed across Edgecumbe Bay to Bowen. With a SE wind we anchored behind the aptly named Stone Island where we had perfect TV reception to watch the Lions take on minor premiers Melbourne. In a disappointing game Brisbane lost but have another chance next week. 

Another resort not operating

Someone had a dream

Hopeful signs

On Sunday morning we had a short walk on Stone Island before heading back across the bay to Bona Bay on Gloucester Island (one of our favourite anchorages).

Bona Bay

Mountain usually enveloped in cloud

On Monday, we had a nice hike across the salt pans to the next bay for morning tea. 

Universal yachty sign for the start of a track

Rocks, salt pan and beach made for an interesting walk

Morning tea view

With the strong south easterlies continuing, a swell coming in and no fish, we decided after 3 nights to motor around to Jonah Bay near Dingo Beach. It was slow going into the strong winds but we were greeted with another sandy bay with a much reduced swell. 

Gloucester Island in the distance

Beautiful weather despite the wind

Lots of semi permanent fishing camps along the beach

After 2 nights our plan to sail to Double Bay East to catch up with Cat Magic were thwarted when we discovered we had no water. So on Friday afternoon we tied up at the public pontoon in Airlie, put some water in the tank and tried to repair our broken water pipe fitting. No luck so Warren headed off on the bike to all the plumbing stores to try to buy a replacement. In the meantime, the Folie a Deux crew turned up and Maurice said that he had one in his spares. How lucky was that as none available in the shops. Washing and provisioning done we headed over to CID Harbour to sit out the next big blow. We love this anchorage as there is no swell and a couple of good walks to get us off the boat. 5 nights here in a constant 25-30 knots. Up to 60 boats sheltering here with us. 

Grass trees abound

Good track but LOTS of steps

The peak is 434m above the anchorage 

View looking south to Hamilton Island 

Tomorrow we hope to go around to the eastern side of Whitsunday Island as winds look good for the next week.