Southward Bound!

We have arrived at Great Keppel Island (GKI). The northerlies finally arrived so several yachts departed the Whitsundays around the same time, all southward bound.  I counted 30+ yachts in a few of our anchorages.

It is approx. 200 nm from the Whitsundays to GKI so its usually a 4-day passage.  We had a brilliant weather window of gentle northerly breezes each day.  Spinnakers and screechers.

A few things stand out on an destination passage … sunrises and sailing in company. We are getting 13 hour days here now so with a long passage planned each day, it’s usually a 5 am departure! The time for some great pics. There’s something very special about early light.  The sky and the clouds do take centre stage.

We left with Pas de Chat, Manx and Chances, meeting up with other friends along the way. We finally got to say “hello” to Chris and Wade on Take It Easy, a fellow Paynesville cat.  I follow Chris’s blog along with her Cruising Helmsman articles.  Chris is an avid photographer who also uses an Olympus TG4 (now TG 5) underwater camera, so I have very much enjoyed our photography chats.  If you’re interested … www.sv-takeiteasy.com

Departing Keswick Island

A 5 am departure, waiting for the sun.

It’s a big blue ocean out there … love the pastel cloud formation in this pic.

Pas de Chat at 5.38 am … the sky was so beautiful. I love these series of photos …

… 5.42 am

… 5.45 am

… 5.49 am

Arriving at Middle Percy Island. Counted 32 yachts by the evening!

5 am getup! Moon and all.

Leaving Middle Percy with Chances & Pas de Chat.

We were also fortunate to see a ‘whale show’ along the way. The Humpbacks were entertaining us with their pectoral fins repeatedly slapping on the water. Talking to each other maybe?

We are now in the Keppel Bay Marina after a few nights at Long Beach on GKI. Long Beach is a stunning long white sandy beach with such clear water.

You can see why it’s called Long Beach.

Manx drying out for a bottom rub down.

Manx, Chances, Pas de Chat … and The Bossa (we me behind the lens)

Just around the corner is Monkey Beach.  A quick dinghy ride for a snorkel.  The water is so much clearer here.  Some broken coral, but no silt and a variety of larger fish. I am so looking forward to clearer waters and undamaged coral.

The water at Monkey Beach was so clear compared to the Whitsundays.

These Blue Pullers were prolific & not too concerned we were swimming near them.

Check out the very well camouflaged ray on the sandy bottom.

The Butterfly-fish are so quick. And l got this closeup! Very happy.

Two types of Butterflyfish!

Three in one pic!

Golden-striped Butterflyfish

A Moon Wrasse. Colour!!

A very well camouflaged Coral Trout.

Next stop the southern barrier reef – maybe North West, Wistari, Fitzroy and Lady Musgrave reefs. We hope!

PS. A good day to update my blog … steady rain and thunderstorms about!