the adventure starts today..........

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dkm

dkm

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Can't believe it's almost 9 months since we started to plan this trip but the time has arrived and the adventure starts today. A long flight to Sydney, a few days to get over the jet lag, 2 internal flights to Airlie beach and we are now at Abel Point marina, Airlie Beach, NW Queensland, and due to collect our charter boat in a few hours. Our chosen boat is a 45' 10 berth powercat, the sun is shining, it's 39 degrees C and our destination is The Whitsunday Islands, 74 mainly uninhabited tropical islands off the north Queensland coast.
I'll post some pics when I get back online after the trip but in the meantime, the fun starts today!
 
Erm, sorry to be pedantic but......

I know North is South down there, but East is still East isn't it - it's going to take a bit of time to get from 'NW' Queensland to the Whitsunday Islands.

I'll get my coat......

Hope the sun shines and you have a great time :D
 
Yep, you've spotted the deliberate mistake, it's NE not NW, we'll spotted!
The briefing by the charter company, Cumberland Charters, took half a day, followed by a quick demo on how to use the anchor then we we're let loose on the Pacific Ocean. The boat is well equipped though definitely needs a modern chart plotter, the one fitted has a screen too small and too dim for use in daylight, even worse with polarising sunglasses, so navigation requires a bit more attention than the usual Solent boating.
We are a few days in, first night at anchor in Nara Inlet south of Hook Island, very scenic. Second night anchored at Turtle Bay where we arrived with enough daylight to do some serious snorkelling. Turtle Bay lived up to its name as we saw manta ray as well as turtles.
Day 3 and we set out for Hamilton Island just a short hop away, wind starts to pick up and the bilge alarm did nothing to calm a few jittered nerves. We arrive at Hamilton Island and manage to get a berth in one of the very few marinas in the Whitsundays, I think there are about 3 or 4 scattered amongst the islands. A chance to recharge gadget batteries and visit a restaurant. Day 4 and the forecast is looking dodgy so we stay put and now day 5 and it seems the rainy season has started with a vengeance. Visibility down to about 300 metres so we'll ride out the weather again today and hope for the best tomorrow.
 
Sounds great! Slightly envious (not of the rain tho so hope that stops for you). Don't foret the pics and some vid.
L
:)
 
Just managed to get back on line to post a quick update. Fortunately the weather improved significantly on day 5 and we set off again to explore a few more islands all of which were amazing, the snorkelling on the reefs is stunning and the wildlife amazing. We returned to base on day 8 and were sad to hand the boat back. As soon as I figure out how to do it I'll post a few pics but we are still travelling until early Feb and Internet access is limited. If the pics are good enough there maybe a write up in MBY so I'll reserve pics until I know.
 
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