After an uncomfortable night in Tongue Bay, as soon as the sun was up, we were keen to move on. It is only a short run down to Whitehaven Beach (4nm), so we motored down as there was little breeze.
The masses had not yet arrived at Whitehaven, so we had a good choice of anchorages, and ended up anchored not far from the beach. Not long afterwards, the day tour boats started to arrive, but the crowds were down on the previous visits we have made here this trip. The weather is warm, an ideal day for a swim.
There is already one seaplane at the beach and more arrivals whilst we are there.
Once ashore, we walked along the beach to the Southern end, before taking the walking trail across the tip of the island to the Chance Bay Lookout. There was a trailer sailer (Nolex 25) anchored close to the beach with the owners enjoying a swim and adjusting the anchor rode occasionally to compensate for the rapidly receding tide, just keeping enough water under the boat to keep it afloat.
It is a pretty easy walk along the Chance Bay track, and not really that far. We saw a small snake in the scrub on the way, but no goannas this time. When we got to the lookout, the low tide had exposed much of the fringing reef.
Back at Whitehaven Beach we had a swim before heading back to the boat.
Nicole and Carole swimming at Whitehaven
Solway Lass arrived with a boatload of tourists whilst we were swimming
Our last look at Whitehaven Beach this trip
Back on board Mica we prepared to sail around to Cid Harbour, back up past Tongue Bay and through the Hook Passage. It was only a light breeze, so we had a relaxing sail up the coast. As we exited the Hook Passage, the wind picked up, and we had a quick trip, on the wind, down to Cid Harbour.
As we arrived, a large motor boat pulled up anchor and left a great anchorage, near the shore, which we quickly filled. There were turtles everywhere, which provided plenty of entertainment for Nic.
It was very quiet at anchor, so a good nights sleep was assured. Tomorrow we will head back to Airlie , as Nic flies home Tuesday morning.
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