Shute Harbour - gateway to sailing the Whitsunday Islands

Shute Harbour is the focal point of communications between the mainland and the Whitsunday Islands. Protected in all weathers, it is surrounded by the lofty hills of the Conway Range. It is the best mainland natural harbour for some kilometres along this stretch of the south-central coast of Queensland.

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Long Island's Club Crocodile and Palm Bay

Historically, Happy Bay at the northern end of Long Island and home of the Club Crocodile Long Island Resort, has been a popular first-night anchorage for bareboat charterers. It's perfect for those who haven't time to get to another overnight anchorage after their briefing at Shute Harbour but who want to get on their way rather then spending their first night at Shute. If you wish to overnight at Happy Bay, radio ahead on VHF Channel 16 to advise of your arrival time and book a mooring with the watersports manager.
Read more about Club Crocodile Long Island Resort>

Just south of Happy Bay on Long Island is Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a dredged channel and lagoon offering another good overnight anchorage near Shute Harbour. There is room in the lagoon for eight vessels and there are two moorings outside the lagoon as well. Once in the harbour, yachts pick up a mooring and tie a stern line ashore. There is an overnight fee and visitors are welcome to use facilities at the Peppers Retreat, including the signature restaurant, La Riviera. 

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Lindeman Island and Shaw Island

Lindeman Island boasts a Club Med resort, but most of the island is national park. The jetty is public and may be used for unloading/loading passengers or to tie up the dinghy. At nearby Shaw Island, Burning Point at the southern end of the island is a popular anchorage.
Read more about Club Med resort>

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Hamilton and Gulnare

Hamilton Harbour, Hamilton Island, is marked by port and starboard beacons, the harbour is dredged to 2.4 metres at low water throughout, deeper in the channel that runs just off the marina to the main jetties at the head of the harbour. Radio ahead to the harbour master on VHF 16/68 and make arrangements for a berth. Call again on arrival and you will be directed to a berth or mooring. The overnight fee entitles you to 'the keys to the island'. Nearby to Hamilton Island is Gulnare Inlet. It is a very protected anchorage that has a few shallow spots on the way in, so be aware of the state of the tide - it is probably best to enter on a rising tide.
Read more about Hamilton Island resorts>

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Turtle Bay and Chance Bay

Turtle Bay, on the southern side of Whitsunday Island, is made up of a beautiful series of bays just east of Fitzalan Passage. There are some good lunchtime spots in suitable weather during the April to September trade winds season.

Chance Bay, also on the southern end of Whitsunday Island, is a double bay with two beautiful sand beaches. There is good snorkelling around the reef areas. As with other south-exposed anchorages along these islands, this one is risky for overnight use during the trade winds season.

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Whitehaven Beach and Chalkies

If you are considering sailing the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach is a must-see. It's an incredible expanse of pure white sand, the legacy of a geologic era when the sea level was lower. If approaching Whitehaven from Solway Passage, watch out for the reef area which is always covered at the south-east end of the beach, marked with a north cardinal mark. Proceed north until you are well clear of the passage before turning to port and heading for the beach. Whitehaven is always a popular anchorage.

Just across the passage from Whitehaven is Chalkies, where you'll find another magnificent beach. If Whitehaven is crowded, this is a good alternative. In neap tides and light southerly winds, snorkelling at the northern end of the beach is excellent. 

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Tongue Bay

Tounge Bay, Whitsunday Island, is quite a large anchorage offering a secure haven for keel boaters wanting to explore Hill inlet or flee the crowds or swell at Whitehaven. The depth is fairly shallow and the holding is good.

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Cateran Bay

Border Island is one of the outlying Islands that will reward your efforts for going there. Stay at Cateran Bay on the northern side of the island where reef protection buoys have been installed to prevent further damage to the islands excellent fringing reef.

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Butterfly Bay

Located at Hook Island, the western side offers the best protection in Butterfly Bay. The bottom is strewn with coral which has suffered damage over the years and the reef protection buoys have now been installed. The reef and sand beaches are excellent to explore, but watch out for stingrays when you walk on the sand flats (shuffle your feet).

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Hayman, Blue Pearl

Hayman is one of Australia's most talked-about resorts. However, on the northern side of Hayman Island, Blue Pearl Bay waits. Blue Pearl Bay is a lovely expanse of bay with beautiful beaches and offers good diving and snorkelling.
Read more about Hayman resort>

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Stonehaven

Stonehaven is a majestic bay surrounded by lofty hills. It is very blustery in heavy south-east conditions. Moreover, the anchorage is relatively deep. Due to these two factors, it's a good idea to put down plenty of anchor line.

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Nara Inlet and Macona Inlet

Nara Inlet, Hook Island, has numerous anchorages within reach of sandy beaches and great bushwalking tracks. You can explore Aboriginal cave paintings and take in amazing views of the inlet. Nearby Macona inlet is also vast with numerous sandy beaches to explore.

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Cid Harbour and Dugong Inlet

Cid Harbour on the western side of Whitsunday Island, is a large harbour and one of the Whitsunday's all-weather anchorages. It was occasionally used as an anchorage by the Australian and Allied navies during World War II. Today it is popular with yachts, trailer sailers and campers alike. Dugong Inlet is located on the north side of Cid Harbour.

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South Molle Island

Bauer Bay, home to South Molle Island Resort, is one of the most quiescent anchorages among the islands. The principal reasons for staying here is to do one of the Island walks, visit the resort, or to take cover if the weather turns poor. If you intend visiting the resort, contact them on VHF channel 16 and announce your arrival before going ashore. Take the dinghy to the jetty, not the beach.
Read more about South Molle Island Resort>

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All anchorage information comes from 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef by David Colfelt.
To  order your copy of this book, please contact us.

To learn more about 100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef and its anchorages, visit the 100 Magic Miles website.

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