Garry's Anchorage

Wednesday 7^th June 2017

Pelican Bay is rarely a peaceful anchorage, as it is a bit exposed and tidal flows are strong, but we slept very well. High tide this morning was at around 6.20am, and we didn’t want to push too hard against the outgoing tide , so got underway at 7.20am to motor to Garry’s anchorage.

Scintilla, the USA boat that followed us yesterday anchored at Pelican Bay at sunrise

It is blowing pretty hard from the Southwest, and is very cold. Soon after we left a few followed, and the trip took around 2 hours and 20 minutes. It is such an expansive water way in this Southern section, and it looks like you could just go anywhere, but it is riddled with shallow shoals .

There are shallow areas everywhere so  focusing on the channel markers is essential (this one has a few shags as residents)

Thriving metropolis of Boonooroo, just north of Tin Can Bay

The entrance is already getting a bit shallow with only about two thirds of the low tide to come. We had only a metre under us at one stage.

We anchored in 4 metres of water and the strong south westerly held us wind against tide for the first few hours we were here, so we stayed down below where it was nice and cosy.

The American boat we saw yesterday, and anchored near us at Pelican Bay, also turned up tis afternoon. When we arrived there were only 2 other boats here. By mid afternoon there were several arrivals, including a houseboat from Tin Can Bay.

This afternoon was a total contrast to this morning. The wind dropped, and when everything calmed down is was very pleasant here.

I imagine there will be a mass exodus in the morning, including us, as this is the stop off point to wait for the high tide at Sheridan Flats, the shallowest part of the Great Sandy Straights.

The fish haven't been very co-operative, lots of bites but I don't think I have a hook small enough to catch one.