ITINERARY
WRAPUP
- ACTUAL - PLANNED
WRAPUP
Overall the trip was superb.
The diving was spectacular, as was the snorkeling. Fishing provided
lots of fun, particularly when seagulls pointed the way to the frenzied
tuna and mackerel schools. The
scenery and weather was fabulous. Australian Yacht Charters AKA Whitsunday
Charter Vacations was fantastic and provided us with an excellent
boat (Explorer 42 cat) to accommodate the 8 people for 5 days. We
had tons of room. There were only minor glitches such as some galley
items missing and we weren't aware that the boat really couldn't be
sailed in strong winds without an engine running to provide rudder
authority. We never got close to running out of water or battery power.
ACTUAL ITINERARY
Monday - Departed Airlie
Beach's Abel Point Marina at noon. Motored to Nara Inlet on the
Southeast corner of Hook Island for the night.
Tuesday - Stopped at
False Nara Inlet for breakfast. Found the waves and wind from the
SE winds pretty bad. Headed up the west Coast of Hook Island stopping
at Langford Reef for a snorkel and lunch. Moved to Butterfly Bay
for the night and that afternoon did a so-so dive on the South side
of the point separating the two 'wings' of the bay.
Wednesday - Moved to
Pinnacle Bay for a superb dive on the East side of the Pinnacles
then back to Luncheon Bay for the night.
Thursday - Motored to
Cateran Bay for the night. The West side of the bay is one of the
best snorkels in the world. We had a spectacular dive on the West
side of the entrance to the bay and and an equally good dive along
the wall and overhangs on the East side of the entrance to the bay.
Friday - Over to Whitehaven
Beach for lunch, some hiking and fishing. Then straight to Hamilton
Island for the night. Up at 5AM and cast off at 6 to get the boat
back to Airlie by 10AM.
ORIGINAL PLANNED ITINERARY
Monday/9:00 All hands
arrive at boat and pack gear. Scuba divers retrieve their gear.
10:00 Briefing starts
~1100 we cast off for
sailing instruction.
~1400 We head for our
first stop, the southwest tip of
Hook Island for an afternoon fishing, swimming, sightseeing, snorkeling
and scuba diving and anchor in some secluded sandy cove by 1600.
Tuesday/0900 We cast
off for a day of fishing, swimming, sightseeing,
snorkeling and scuba diving on Hook Island and anchor in some secluded
sandy cove by 1600. Lunch at Langford Reef.
Wednesday/0900 We cast
off for a day of fishing, swimming, sightseeing,
snorkeling and scuba diving on Hook Island and anchor in some secluded
sandy cove by 1600.
Thursday/0900 We cast
off for a day of fishing, swimming, sightseeing,
snorkeling and scuba diving and anchor in some secluded sandy
cove by 1600, but probably Cateran Bay..
Friday/0900 We cast
off for a day of fishing, swimming, sightseeing,
snorkeling and scuba diving near Whitehaven Beach and anchor at
Hamilton Island by 1600.
Saturday/0600 We cast
off (minus the Fuessels) and beeline for Airlie beach, to be there
by 10AM by noon.
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