Hunter Island

Tuesday 16^th June 2015

Over dinner last night we agreed to depart Pearl Bay at 7.30 am, to give Mark and Janet a bit of time to get their dinghy back on board. Everyone was on deck before 7 getting ready, when the heavens opened again, with a short period of heavy rain. Nevertheless we managed to get away on time, and set sail in fine conditions and a 15 knot SE breeze.

Sunrise at Pearl Bay

Koonya at Anchor before departure

Our destination today is Hunter Island in the Duke Island Group.  For the first 4 hours or so, we are having a good sail, and enjoying the benefit of a favourable current. As we pass Island Head Creek, the seas are still well up and a number of yachts are getting out of the creek on the high tide (with the current swell it would be most unpleasant doing it at low tide), and most seem to be headed for the Percy Islands.

Mica sailing to Hunter Island

For the second half of our trip, the current reversed and wind dropped to 12 -13 knots, so it was motor sailing for the rest of the trip. As we got closer to the Duke Islands, it was clear that the two other Hanses we saw at Yeppoon,  (Eureka and Soleil) were also heading into the Dukes.

On the way in to Hunter Island

Eureka arriving

We all ended up at the same anchorage, just off Hunter Island, a beautiful spot. A number of other yachts are also already here.  The trip took 8 hours. We managed to get our anchor down and covers on, before a big squall hit us. Thank goodness we were ready for it. Hopefully this unpredictable weather will pass soon.

We weren't the first to arrive

In between squalls we managed to get our dinghy in the water, and go over to Koonya for pre dinner drinks. Everyone is pretty tired after a restless night last night, so we eat aboard our own boats and have an early night.

We have not had any mobile or internet service since leaving Yeppoon.

It is lovely here at Hunter Island and we hope for a good nights sleep and intend to stay here tomorrow to have a look around.