Hook Island

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{{Coord|20|7.9|S|148|54.8|E|}}
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Nara Bay is a lovely and secure anchorage on the NW of the island.
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Nara Bay is a lovely and secure anchorage on the SW of the island.
<font color="red">CAUTION:</font> Follow the buoys when entering the bay.
<font color="red">CAUTION:</font> Follow the buoys when entering the bay.

Revision as of 08:55, 14 October 2014

Hook Island Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Hook Island

Small info.png (Click links for more information)
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20°7′S, 148°55′E
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Photo gallery
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Local chartlet
Satellite view of Hook Island
click for larger view

Overview

Hook Island is one of the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland. The island is almost uninhabited, quite rugged and almost completely contained within a section of the Whitsunday Islands National Park. The island has two prominent geographical features on the southern side of Hook Island; the Nara and Macona inlets, two fjord-like recesses that are popular anchorages. The island's northern coast is noted for its colourful underwater coral growths, to which snorkelling and diving enthusiasts are attracted.

Some of the oldest archaeological sites ever found in Eastern Australia are the caves and midden of the Ngaro People on Hook Island. A site at Nara Inlet is the oldest indication of Aboriginal occupation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Cruising the region

See Whitsundays

Charts

See Whitsundays

Radio Nets

See Whitsundays

Weather

See Queensland

Approach and Navigation

See individual anchorages.

Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)

None.

Ports and Popular Stops

Ports

None.

Anchorages

There are many anchorages around the island. The southern anchorages are well protected from the prevailing southern winds while the northern anchorages afford spectacular snorkeling.

Nara Inlet

Nara Bay from the NE
Click for larger view

20°7.9′S, 148°54.8′E

Nara Bay is a lovely and secure anchorage on the SW of the island.

CAUTION: Follow the buoys when entering the bay.

Anchor on the E side in 5-6 m depth allowing enough scope to accommodate the more then 2 m tide. Good holding. Avoid the small cove on the W side which is surrounded with reefs and shallows.

You can visit the Ngaro cave on the NE side of the bay.

Butterfly Bay

Mooring in Butterfly Bay
Click for larger view

World icon.png 20°4.4′S, 148°55.9′E Butterfly Bay, on the N side of the island, actually consists of two coves: a large on the W and a smaller on on the E.

Anchorage is restricted on both coves but there are many Whitsunday Islands National Park moorings. Use of these moorings is restricted to 2 hours but if you are in possession of one by 4 PM you can stay moored overnight.

Anchoring outside the restricted area can be problematic as the depths exceed 12 m.

Maureen's Bay

Maureen's Bay
Click for larger view

World icon.png 20°4.0′S, 148°56.4′E Maureen's Bay, just E of Butterfly Bay, is a very attractive and relative well sheltered cove, exposed to the N.

Once again anchorage is restricted but there are about 4 Whitsunday Islands National Park moorings. Use of these moorings is restricted to 2 hours but if you are in possession of one by 4 PM you can stay moored overnight.

Anchoring outside the restricted area can be problematic as the depths exceed 14 m.

The snorkeling here is excellent.

Launcheon Bay

Launcheon Bay
Click for larger view

World icon.png 20°3.0′S, 148°57′ELauncheon Bay is a further E of Maureen's Bay but it is rather exposed to the N and may not be the most secure place to overnight. Nevertheless it has the most spectacular underwater on the island.

Once again anchorage is restricted but there are about 3 Whitsunday Islands National Park moorings. Use of these moorings is restricted to 2 hours but if you are in possession of one by 4 PM you can stay moored overnight (not recommended).

Anchoring here can be problematic as the depths exceed 16 m.

Macona Inlet

Macona Inlet from the S
Click for larger view

World icon.png 20°9.3′S, 148°55.7′E Macona Inlet is a nice and secure anchorage on the NW of the island and E of Nara Inlet. Anchor anywhere convenient at 4-6 m depth. Good holding. Allow enough scope to accommodate the more then 2 m tide.

CAUTION: Follow the buoys when entering the inlet.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Yacht Services and Repairs

None.

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
N/A
Water
N/A
Electricity
N/A

Offshore Islands

List Islands

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Australia HookIsland Nara2.jpg
Ngaro Cave Paintings - Click for larger view
Australia HookIsland Maureen2.jpg
Underwater in Maureen's Bay - Click for larger view
Australia HookIsland Luncheon2.jpg
Corals in Luncheon Bay - Click for larger view
Australia HookIsland Luncheon3.jpg
Stingray in Luncheon Bay - Click for larger view

Visit the Ngaro cave on the NE side of Nara Inlet. A nice wooden footpath leads to the cave which has some aboriginal paintings.

The view of the inlet from up the hill is very nice and the hike to the cave is one of a few hikes possible in the Whitsunday islands because of the very thick vegetation.

The snorkeling in Maureen's Bay is wonderful and in Launcheon Bay spectacular.

Grocery & Supply Stores

None.

Eateries

None.

Internet/WiFi

N/A.

Laundry

N/A.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

N/A.

Garbage Disposal

?

Transportation

N/A.

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

References & Publications

See Whitsundays.

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:


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Istioploos


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