More on the Whitsundays

Entering Nara Inlet













We spent our 1st night at anchor in Nara Inlet where supposedly Captain Cook's men had gone ashore. We didn't see any signs of their passing, but did hike up to a cave with some early aboriginal paintings. Unfortunately, I forgot to pack my camera, so you don't get to see them. Erik "had a go" at driving the dinghy and operating the little outboard, lots of fun for an eight year old!

Sailing from Nara to Butterfly Bay in about 20 knots

From Nara went continued north to Butterfly Bay at the top end of Hook Island to snorkel and spend the next night. Although the coral was very colorful and took a variety of forms, Erik was a bit hesitant and decided to just look into the water with his mask and snorkel on from the sit on top style kayak while I paddled. Actually, it worked out well and since the water was a bit cool, 75 F/23 C, perhaps it was for the best. I spent about 15-20 minutes in the water with no wet suit and was quite happy to jump into a quick warm shower, another lovely amenity of cruising boat.


Hungry Batfish












When we awoke the next day to bit of rain, we decided to just make a short jump to, see the coral cay and sand spit at Langford Island and then to Blue Pearl Bay on the north side of Haymen Island for the night if we could get a buoy. (Anchoring there is a bit tricky because a sharp drop off.) We did a bit more snorkeling at Blue Pearl Bay and saw lots of fish. They must be used to people because two batfish came right up to our transom and Erik fed them bread crumbs. We were able to get ashore for a bit of a hike, something that both Mark and I needed since we were missing our usual cycling and running.


A sand and coral cay at Langford Island.
Dead, bleached tidal coral isn't that pretty!








Looking down at our dinghy in Blue Pearl Bay. The boat is on a mooring buoy further out. The
coral prevents anything larger than a dinghy from anchoring very close in.







Sunset at Blue Pearl Bay, Haymen Island










Erik reading in his bunk while we were sailing upwind. He doesn't seem to suffer from seasickness.




That's all for now; come back tomorrow for stories of beautiful white sand beaches!