Whitsundays
From CruisersWiki
Whitsundays Islands Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Whitsundays Islands.
See also Whitsunday Passage
Overview
The Whitsunday Islands are a group of islands within the Great Barrier Reef area in Queensland, Australia. They are a major tourist area and very popular with yacht charterers.
The islands are continental that is they geographically belong to the mainland and are not coral cays. They are however surrounded by corals and most of their beaches consist of finely ground coral skeletons.
The name Whitsunday is derived from Captain Cook’s Whitsunday Passage which is believed that he discovered on the day of the Pentecost also known as Whit Sunday.
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Cruising the region
The Whitsunday Islands are an almost idyllic cruising ground. There are numerous islands with lovely protected beaches and anchorages and fantastic coral reefs teaming with tropical fish. Most of the area is part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park and several restrictions are applied. There are areas where anchoring is restricted, to protect the coral, but there are usually mooring buoys which can be used for 2 hours during the day and for an overnight after 4 PM. For information refer to the indispensable 100 Magic Miles by David Colfelt.
Charts
Uh, it's complicated - there are dozens of them.
Weather Information
General weather information.
Sources for weather information:
Regional Radio Nets
- See Queensland
- Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Islands in the Whitsundays
- Bedarra Island
- Brampton Island
- Daydream Island
- Dunk Island
- Fitzroy Island
- Green Island
- Haggerstone Island
- Hamilton Island
- Hayman Island
- Heron Island
- Hook Island
- Lady Elliot Island
- Lizard Island
- Long Island (QLD)
- Magnetic Island
- Orpheus Island
- Whitsunday Island
- Wilson Island
- ... and many, many more.
Mainland Ports and Anchorages
References & Publications
- 100 Magic Miles by David Colfelt. This book is the absolute must-have bible for cruising the Whitsunday Islands area of the Queensland coast. The book covers everything from harbours, anchorages, marine protection and national park zones, locations of courtesy moorings, dive and fishing spots, 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
Personal Notes
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Names: Haiqu |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Australia | Queensland | Whitsundays | |
