Our initial plans for today were to sail down to Shaw Island, and anchor overnight at Plantation Bay at Lindeman Island. The weather forecast did not co-operate, and we are in for wind from every direction today starting with a brisk North Westerly, turning South in the early morning. Finding a suitable anchorage down there was too hard.
Instead we sailed off with Wilparina, along the South of Whitsunday and Haslewood Islands, past Solway Passage, and then up the eastern coast of Haslewood Island. Just past Solway Passage we saw 2 whales cruising along near the coast. The NW breeze strengthened and gusted to 37 knots at Hamilton Island. We sailed in 15-20 knots for most of the way, against a 2 knot current. It was probably a bit too vigorous for Nicole (and Carole), but she stood up to it well.
Mica having a nice sail around the bottom of Haslewood Island
Mica struggling through the 3 knot adverse current
We tacked just before Edward Island and headed back in the direction of Tongue Bay on Whitsunday Island. It was a bit bumpy in the current at the top of Haslewood Island, before it eventually flattened out as we got closer to the coast of Whitsunday Island.
The plan was to have a look in Tongue Bay to see what it would be like as an anchorage. We furled in our headsail and went in, but left straight away as the boats were bouncing around everywhere. We saw a large turtle as we were heading back out.
Mica sailing through the anchored boats at Tongue Bay, looking for Wilparina
Plan B was to motor around to Nara Inlet which is one of the few anchorages here that will provide protection from most wind angles. When we finally arrived, there were over 100 boats here, more than I have ever seen at this anchorage. At night it was lit up like a city.
Kite Runner was also here anchored nearby.
We had a comfortable nights sleep and were in bed early. We had covered 37 nm in windy conditions and were all pretty tired.
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