Phase2: Whitsunday cruising with family

Thursday, 30 September 2021

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.