After a week of hiding at the top end of the Whitsundays, we had four days of calm conditions, perfect for the outer reef and its crystal clear waters. We started at Bait Reef where we spent three days, then moved to Hook Reef.

Bait Reef

The Humpback Whales have finally arrived in the Whitsundays and we saw many of them on the passage. At least they could hear us coming. We had an exceptionally light breeze after the strong winds of the past week and had to motor-sail!

Bait Reef is a favourite of ours. It is worry free with Anui clipped onto one of the public moorings so we don’t have to fret about anchoring amongst the bommies. We can just jump off the back of the boat to go snorkeling along the platform reef, which is a veritable coral garden. When you snorkel at low tide, you follow the edge of the platform, gazing at the variety of corals and amazing reflections. So here are a few images showing the mesmerising spectacle you see just under the surface of the ocean. Which is your favourite?

Bait Reef is famous not only for its coral gardens but also for its 18 Stepping Stones, coral pinnacles that mark the edge of the reef.

This offers a different type of diving: doing figures of eight around some of the pinnacles. But you have to watch out, the current runs swiftly alongside them, so you drift one way then have to swim hard against the flow, which is particularly tough work when you have to tow the dinghy, since there is nowhere to anchor it or tie it up. The pinnacles were fairly barren where we went, but it would be different further along the stones, away from the passage inside the reef. The pluses were the big fish such as the Giant Trevallies, Maori Wrasses or white tip reef sharks, and the schools of small fish such as the fusiliers. It is a different feel, more like being on the edge of a drop off to deeeeep water where big fish live! The pinnacles are probably best seen with scuba gear so you can dive deep down.

Hook Reef

We moved to Hook Reef, just long enough for a snorkel. Finding a sandy spot, not too deep and with enough swing room between the bommies is always a challenge. We could not find a big enough gap that we felt would be safe for overnight anchoring. We have a rule on board, both of us have to be comfortable wherever we drop the pick. We meandered for ages without success. So in the end we agreed to anchor for a few hours, go for a snorkel, grab some lunch, then head back to the islands.

To add insult to injury, the snorkeling was not fantastic: rubble from cyclone damage where we explored, and with 15 knots breeze, the water was agitated. But we still had a few interesting encounters, especially the intriguing looking sponges and the gorgeous lacy Sea Fans which tend to be found at a deeper level.

Luncheon Bay – Hook Island

Back at Hook Island, we were having breakfast out in the cockpit in the sunshine. Guess what the cat dragged in?

Take It Easy, our old boat! Cecile and Yann were going for a scuba dive and picked up a mooring two boats up from us in Luncheon Bay! It was lovely catching up for coffee on Anui. They are doing really well, having fun and loving the boat even if like it is for us, maintenance is a constant occupation!

While we were chatting, a small group of manta rays were nearby. We could not resist jumping into the water to swim with them! The water was a bit murky, but what an experience!

We are now back at Airlie Beach, to pick up supplies and boat bits, then we are heading north on Monday!