Whitsunday Island

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 12:50, 26 September 2012 (view source) Istioploos (Talk | contribs) m (Reverted edits by Riley Huntley (talk) to last revision by Haiqu) ← Older edit		Revision as of 11:06, 27 February 2013 (view source) Peter McHugh (Talk | contribs) (Some content added) Newer edit →
Line 1:		Line 1:
	== Whitsunday Island Cruising Guide ==		== Whitsunday Island Cruising Guide ==
	An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Whitsunday Island		An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Whitsunday Island
-	[[Image:imagename.jpg|300px|thumb|right| '''Map''' - ''Click for larger view'']]	+	[[Image:Whitsunday_Island_Queensland.jpg|345px|thumb|right|'''Looking north from Whitsunday Peak ''' <br />''Click for larger view'']]
	====Overview====		====Overview====
-	"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum."	+	Whitsunday Island is the largest of the Whitsunday Islands. It has a variety of good anchorages, some of which are stunningly spectacular. There is a small number of walks on the island and large areas of untouched bushland. The island is entirely National Park and there are no facilities on the island.
-	{{TOCleft}}
	{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 29em; text-align: left; font-size: 85%;"		{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 29em; text-align: left; font-size: 85%;"
	|-		|-
Line 20:		Line 19:
	! <center>[[image:Chart_icon.png]]</center>		! <center>[[image:Chart_icon.png]]</center>
	| [ Local chartlet]		| [ Local chartlet]
		+	|-
		+	| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size: smaller;" | <googlemap lat="-20.23514" lon="148.96843" zoom="11" width="350" height="335"></googlemap>
	|}		|}
	{{TOCleft}}		{{TOCleft}}
		+
	====Cruising the region====		====Cruising the region====
-	"Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"	+	Whitsunday Island is the largest of the Whitsunday group. It is about 12 miles from the tourism centre of [[Airlie Beach]] and only a mile or so north of the major tourist resort  and airport on Hamilton Island. Nearby Hook Island provides good alternative anchorages depending on circumstances.
	==Charts==		==Charts==
Line 41:		Line 43:
	==Approach and Navigation==		==Approach and Navigation==
-	Details?
-	==Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)==	+	===Anchorages===
-	Submit details about facilities for checking in - where to dock, location of immigration & customs, etc.	+
-	==Ports and Popular Stops==	+	====Cid Harbour====
-	===Ports===	+
-	*	+
-	===Anchorages===	+	[[Image:Cid Harbour Whitsunday Island.jpg|345px|thumb|right|'''Cid Harbour''' <br />''Click for larger view'']]
-	List details of all safe anchorages in the area.	+	Cid Harbour is large and very popular anchorage on the western side of Whitsunday Island.  The area is relatively sheltered from the prevailing SEly winds and generally free from swell.  The anchorage can accommodate a very large number of boats and is popular with charter boats.  It is not uncommon to find 50 boats overnighting here.  There is a good landing spot at Sawmill Beach (site of an old sawmill)  with walking tracks to Whitsunday Peak and to Dugong Beach.  Expect to see turtles and dugongs in the anchorage.
-	*	+	The water is not clear, so care is required in anchoring, especially at the southern end where a patch of coral extends east from Hughes Point.
		+	There are no mooring buoys in Cid Harbour and none of the anchoring restrictions that apply in more sensitive areas.  Expect a mud bottom and 4 - 5 metres of water.
-	==Marinas & Yacht Clubs==	+	When approaching from the south, especially from Hamilton Island, Hunt Channel, between Whitsunday Island and Cid Island is commonly used.  There is a strong tidal flow in this passage.
-	''Also see each Port''	+
-	*	+
-	==Yacht Services and Repairs==	+	====Mays Bay====
-	''Also see each Port''	+
-	====Marine Stores====	+
-	Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.	+
-	*	+
-	====Repairs/Yards====	+	Mays Bay is a small area just north of Cid Harbour.  It is a comfortable anchorage in SEly conditions and tends to attract few boats.  It may provide some solitude if Cid Harbour is excessively crowded.
-	*	+
		+	====Tongue Bay====
		+
		+	Tongue Bay lies at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach and offers a much more sheltered anchorage if any southerly breeze is blowing.  There are mooring buoys in the bay, but there is also a large area available for anchoring in reasonable depths.  The bay is very popular with tour boats who take their passengers ashore to visit the Hill Inlet lookout.
		+	Note that the landing beach, which gives access to the Hill Inlet Lookout, is fringed by a wide area of reef that dries at low tide.  Keep an eye on the tide to ensure that you are not trapped ashore by a falling tide.
		+
		+	====Hill Inlet====
		+
		+	Hill Inlet is accessible to very shoal draft boats.  The inlet meanders considerably and is very tidal.  It is strongly recommended that you take a good look at the area before attempting an entrance.  Neither the entrance nor the channel are marked in any way
		+
		+	====Whitehaven Beach====
		+
		+	[[Image:Whitehaven Beach Whitsunday Island.jpg|345px|thumb|right|'''Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach''' <br />''Click for larger view'']]
		+	Whitehaven Beach is a great anchorage in good conditions, but can be uncomfortable in brisk South Easterlies.  The southern end of the beach is very popular, with a large number of day tripper boats arriving each day, not to mention seaplanes and helicopters.  Don't expect solitude.  Anchor in shallow water close to the beach on white sand.
		+	Note that if you approach or leave Whitehaven via Solway Passage, care should be taken to avoid peak tide flows.  A strong south flowing tidal stream, combined with brisk Trade Wind conditions, can produce very nasty conditions in the Passage.  Whirlpools and steep standing waves are not uncommon.
		+
		+	====Chance Bay====
		+
		+	Chance Bay is only usable in calm or northerly conditions.  Care needs to be taken to avoid the extensive reefs in the bay.
		+
		+	====Gulnare Inlet====
		+
		+	[[Image:Gulnare_Inlet_Whitsunday_Island.jpg|345px|thumb|right|'''Gulnare Inlet as seen from Whitsunday Peak''' <br />''Click for larger view'']]
		+	Gulnare Inlet lies on the southern side of Whitsunday Island.  The entrance is relatively shallow and care is required.
	====Fuel, Water, & Electricity====		====Fuel, Water, & Electricity====
	; Fuel		; Fuel
-	: Give details on fuel	+	: Either Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach or Shute harbour.
	; Water		; Water
-	: Give details on water	+	: Either Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach or Shute harbour.
	; Electricity		; Electricity
-	: Give details on electricity	+	: Not on Whitsunday Island
-		+
-	==Offshore Islands==	+
-	List Islands	+
-	*	+
	==Things to do Ashore==		==Things to do Ashore==
	===Tourism===		===Tourism===
-	List places of interest, tours, etc.
-	*
-	===Grocery & Supply Stores===	+	* Climb Whitsunday Peak from Sawmill Beach for stunning views that encompass most of the Whitsundays.  An energetic climb, but the track is good.  Look for the ruins of the sawmill.
-	*	+	* Walk to Dugong Beach from Sawmill Beach.  Look for the Hoop Pines that were the basis for the old sawmill.  There are basic camping facilities at Dugong Beach.
-		+	* Walk from Tongue Bay to the Hill Inlet lookout.  This very popular walk provides a great view of Hill Inlet and the beautiful Whitehaven Beach.  It is best done near high tide as the reef can be exposed by the falling tide, making the return dinghy trip difficult.  Explore Hill Inlet and look for the stingrays in the shallow water (don't tread on them!!).
-	===Eateries===	+	* Enjoy a stroll on Whitehaven Beach.  Despite the huge daily influx of day trippers, the beach is long enough for you to find a secluded piece if you want it.
-	*	+	* Walk from Whitehaven Beach across to Chance Bay.  This pleasant stroll through the bush takes you to the south facing Chance Bay.  Despite the very large number of people on Whitehaven Beach, very few do this walk and Chance Bay is often deserted.  Look for brush turkeys along the way and keep an eye out for the enormous mounds that they build.
-		+
-	===Internet/WiFi===	+
-	Available?	+
-		+
-	===Laundry===	+
-	*	+
-		+
-	===Motorbike & Car Rentals===	+
-	*	+
	===Garbage Disposal===		===Garbage Disposal===
-	?	+	Take your rubbish back to Airlie Beach or to Hamilton Island.
-		+
-	===Transportation===	+
-	Transportation (local and/or international)	+
-	*	+
	==Routes/Passages To/From==		==Routes/Passages To/From==
Line 132:		Line 129:
	====''Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)''====		====''Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)''====
	''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'':		''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'':
-	*	+	* [[User:Peter McHugh|Pedro]] - August 2012
-		+
	{{Guide1}}		{{Guide1}}
Line 143:		Line 139:
	|-		|-
	|style="color:#000;"|<small>		|style="color:#000;"|<small>
-	Names:	+	Names: [[User:Peter McHugh|Pedro]]
	</small>		</small>
	|}		|}

---

Revision as of 11:06, 27 February 2013

Whitsunday Island Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Whitsunday Island

Overview

Whitsunday Island is the largest of the Whitsunday Islands. It has a variety of good anchorages, some of which are stunningly spectacular. There is a small number of walks on the island and large areas of untouched bushland. The island is entirely National Park and there are no facilities on the island.

(Click links for more information)
	DD°M.M′N/S, DD°M.M′E/W
	[ Photo gallery]
	[ Local chartlet]

Contents 1 Whitsunday Island Cruising Guide 1.1 Overview 1.2 Cruising the region 2 Charts 3 Radio Nets 4 Weather 5 Approach and Navigation 5.1 Anchorages 5.1.1 Cid Harbour 5.1.2 Mays Bay 5.1.3 Tongue Bay 5.1.4 Hill Inlet 5.1.5 Whitehaven Beach 5.1.6 Chance Bay 5.1.7 Gulnare Inlet 5.1.8 Fuel, Water, & Electricity 6 Things to do Ashore 6.1 Tourism 6.2 Garbage Disposal 7 Routes/Passages To/From 8 Cruiser's Friends 9 Forum Discussions 10 External Links 11 References & Publications 12 Personal Notes 12.1 Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here) 13 Contributors to this page 14 Cruising Wiki Navigation

Cruising the region

Whitsunday Island is the largest of the Whitsunday group. It is about 12 miles from the tourism centre of Airlie Beach and only a mile or so north of the major tourist resort and airport on Hamilton Island. Nearby Hook Island provides good alternative anchorages depending on circumstances.

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Chart Source

Chart Number

Radio Nets

Also see Cruiser's Nets

Weather

Local weather conditions?

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Approach and Navigation

Anchorages

Cid Harbour

Cid Harbour is large and very popular anchorage on the western side of Whitsunday Island. The area is relatively sheltered from the prevailing SEly winds and generally free from swell. The anchorage can accommodate a very large number of boats and is popular with charter boats. It is not uncommon to find 50 boats overnighting here. There is a good landing spot at Sawmill Beach (site of an old sawmill) with walking tracks to Whitsunday Peak and to Dugong Beach. Expect to see turtles and dugongs in the anchorage. The water is not clear, so care is required in anchoring, especially at the southern end where a patch of coral extends east from Hughes Point. There are no mooring buoys in Cid Harbour and none of the anchoring restrictions that apply in more sensitive areas. Expect a mud bottom and 4 - 5 metres of water.

When approaching from the south, especially from Hamilton Island, Hunt Channel, between Whitsunday Island and Cid Island is commonly used. There is a strong tidal flow in this passage.

Mays Bay

Mays Bay is a small area just north of Cid Harbour. It is a comfortable anchorage in SEly conditions and tends to attract few boats. It may provide some solitude if Cid Harbour is excessively crowded.

Tongue Bay

Tongue Bay lies at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach and offers a much more sheltered anchorage if any southerly breeze is blowing. There are mooring buoys in the bay, but there is also a large area available for anchoring in reasonable depths. The bay is very popular with tour boats who take their passengers ashore to visit the Hill Inlet lookout. Note that the landing beach, which gives access to the Hill Inlet Lookout, is fringed by a wide area of reef that dries at low tide. Keep an eye on the tide to ensure that you are not trapped ashore by a falling tide.

Hill Inlet

Hill Inlet is accessible to very shoal draft boats. The inlet meanders considerably and is very tidal. It is strongly recommended that you take a good look at the area before attempting an entrance. Neither the entrance nor the channel are marked in any way

Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is a great anchorage in good conditions, but can be uncomfortable in brisk South Easterlies. The southern end of the beach is very popular, with a large number of day tripper boats arriving each day, not to mention seaplanes and helicopters. Don't expect solitude. Anchor in shallow water close to the beach on white sand. Note that if you approach or leave Whitehaven via Solway Passage, care should be taken to avoid peak tide flows. A strong south flowing tidal stream, combined with brisk Trade Wind conditions, can produce very nasty conditions in the Passage. Whirlpools and steep standing waves are not uncommon.

Chance Bay

Chance Bay is only usable in calm or northerly conditions. Care needs to be taken to avoid the extensive reefs in the bay.

Gulnare Inlet

Gulnare Inlet lies on the southern side of Whitsunday Island. The entrance is relatively shallow and care is required.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Either Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach or Shute harbour.

Water

Either Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach or Shute harbour.

Electricity

Not on Whitsunday Island

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

• Climb Whitsunday Peak from Sawmill Beach for stunning views that encompass most of the Whitsundays. An energetic climb, but the track is good. Look for the ruins of the sawmill.
• Walk to Dugong Beach from Sawmill Beach. Look for the Hoop Pines that were the basis for the old sawmill. There are basic camping facilities at Dugong Beach.
• Walk from Tongue Bay to the Hill Inlet lookout. This very popular walk provides a great view of Hill Inlet and the beautiful Whitehaven Beach. It is best done near high tide as the reef can be exposed by the falling tide, making the return dinghy trip difficult. Explore Hill Inlet and look for the stingrays in the shallow water (don't tread on them!!).
• Enjoy a stroll on Whitehaven Beach. Despite the huge daily influx of day trippers, the beach is long enough for you to find a secluded piece if you want it.
• Walk from Whitehaven Beach across to Chance Bay. This pleasant stroll through the bush takes you to the south facing Chance Bay. Despite the very large number of people on Whitehaven Beach, very few do this walk and Chance Bay is often deserted. Look for brush turkeys along the way and keep an eye out for the enormous mounds that they build.

Garbage Disposal

Take your rubbish back to Airlie Beach or to Hamilton Island.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• Pedro - August 2012

Template:Guide1

Contributors to this page
Names: Pedro

Cruising Wiki Navigation
| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Queensland | Whitsunday Island |