After a series of challenges threatening to derail our plans, we have made it to the Swain Reefs. We have been there for a week, having taken advantage of a good weather window immediately after leaving Bundaberg.

Here is a reminder of where the Swain Reefs are located in relation to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and the mainland.

This is the reef mosaic we are exploring in a little more details. From Lady Musgrave we headed north to meet the first line of reefs, and are intending to then track NW. As always our meanders and the reefs we choose to stop at are weather dependent.

Using our satellite maps, we identified in advance those reefs that offer the best shelter so that we can keep exploring even when the wind picks up. If you go to Google Earth and zoom in on the Swain network of reefs, you will see some of our targets: Sweetlip, Sandshoe, Sanctuary, Horseshoe, Pike and more! With a two weeks window of benign weather, we may also go further East to some of the Coral Sea atolls. The Saumarez Reefs are the closest to the Swains so the easiest to aim for.

Just to get us all in the mood, here is a photo of an acrylic painting from an Australian artist Chris follows, David Brayshaw, who is inspired by the Reef. Through the subjects he chooses to paint, he heightens awareness of the sublime but fragile beauty of our coral reefs. This is a representation of the reef shallows at one of the Swain Reefs.

While we are a long way offshore, we don’t have any internet coverage and are relying on our satellite system for weather updates. You will be able to check our track and position through our PredictWind link on our website. No photos while far offshore, but we are posting quick updates on PredictWind as we move along.

We do not know how long we will be out of contact for. Just know that we are excited about being able to do what we love: exploring remote regions, discovering.

We will share stories about our Swain expedition when we get back to the mainland. Don’t go all quiet on us and keep your comments coming. You know we appreciate your feedback and thoughts. Our next mainland stop is likely to be Mackay. When? Don’t know… depends on the weather!