Heading south

Since my last post we're now several nautical miles south of Airlie Beach. We officially left the Whitsundays at Scawfell Island early last week. After Airlie Beach we headed to the Thomas Island, Scawfell Island, Percy Isles (anchoring at Blunt Bay - fantastic spot and the only anchorage we've had to ourselves), Pearl Bay (a couple of beautiful days there) and now Yeppoon (Keppel Bay Marina).

Pearl Bay

Safely reverse parked by yours truly in Keppel Bay Marina

One of the Yeppoon locals in their car

As we're heading into the wind, the early parts of the day have been tough with wind against tide so we're trying to make each leg a manageable distance. Right now, we expect to be back home in early August.

It's been surprising cold - isn't this suppose to be Queensland?? Doonas at night and thermals while we're underway. What the....

Scawfell Island to Butterfly Bay

As we were well and truly among the Whitsunday Islands, we were able to travel past many of the islands towards Butterfly Bay on the north of hook island for a well deserved rest stop before heading to Hamilton Island.

In the early evening we we treated to a visit of (what we think) was a batfish, the size of a dinner plate which cruised around beneath the boat.

yes - it's a fish

The next day we spent doing what you do in the islands....reading, swimming and snorkelling.

South Percy to Scawfell Island

Another long day's overall uneventful motorsailing highlighted by another dolphin visit on the bow of the boat. We think these were Common Dolphins which were smaller than the Bottlenose Dolphins we had seen a few days earlier. Delightful as always.

Scawfell was voted the best anchorage so far by skipper and crew despite the cruising guide only listing it as a "stop off" anchorage. It seems to be a favourite anchorage for commercial and recreational fishers. We arrived late in the afternoon so another visit here is on the agenda.