Phase2: Shaggers and the bays north of Airlie Beach

Tuesday, 23 August to Wednesday, 31 August 2022

We had a pleasant sail out of Airlie, heading north for Double Bay East. On the way, Warren caught our first mackerel of the trip. We anchored deep into the bay and enjoyed fresh fish and chips for dinner.

80cm Spotted Mackerel

The Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club (known affectionately as Shaggers) Rendezvous, was due to start on Thursday. With a S/SW blowing (not ideal for Shaggers), we decided to stay another night at Double Bay E and Warren tried to catch some whiting. Unfortunately only 1 bream to show for his efforts.

Cruising is sometimes described as boat maintenance in exotic locations

Late on Thursday morning, we left the anchorage and no sooner were sails set, we had another mackerel on the line. The wind was a steady 20 knots and we were glad to finally drop anchor south of Cape Gloucester Resort.

Friday is the traditional Shag Islet party. We caught up with lots of friends and enjoyed the entertainment on the island.

We are the ones in the blue shirts

Saturday was at the resort with entertainment and fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. With an Aussie theme, there were lots of great costumes to admire.

Dancing thongs!

We went as half of the Wiggles - a group we are very familiar with thanks to our granddaughter. If I was more creative we might have gone as Bluey and Bingo, something my Mum and Dad would have created with ease. Fancy dress parades were a highlight of every primary school year for my family.

1964 - I'm the telephone - note the winner's ribbon!

The wind was still not cooperating with a nasty side on swell making life more uncomfortable than we like. We decided to miss the pirate party on Sunday and motor the 6nm to Jonah Bay into a strong south easterly. A better night here and several large manta rays were seen.

Beautiful Jonah Bay

On Monday we sailed to Woodwark Bay, despite the strong SE winds. With a double reef and self tacking jib, it was a surprising good sail once we had left the washing machine of waves off George Point. After several days of rolly anchorages with strong winds, this bay was fantastic. As we motored into the bay the 25 knots we were experiencing dropped to about 10 knots at the head of the bay.

Low tide at Woodwark Bay

On Tuesday, it was double reef again to get to Airlie beach and a couple of nights in the Coral Sea Marina. We had a final dinner with Jane and her friends and filled the fridges and cupboards with food as on Thursday we were to begin the trip home.