Michaelmas Cay to Low Isles

Gaviota
Wed 15 Jun 2016 01:24

16:22.938S 145:33.820E

Monday, 30th May – Early swim (not early enough to be shark-bait!), then away before the tripper boats disgorge their passengers to join the nesting Terns for another day.  Nice 15-20 knot South Easterly blowing so sails up on a reach as we skirted another reef, then once clear wing on wing and flying along 7 knots plus.  We reached the Low Isles North East of Port Douglas and picked up a Public Mooring Ball (a great free service offered by the Marine Parks to prevent boats anchoring and damaging the corals – mooring balls are offered for a 4 hour stay but if you arrive late in the afternoon you can overnight).    The giant angel fish immediately took up residence under Gaviota and were joined by 3 sharks!   We decided to take the dinghy and row to the beach and join the tourists happily snorkelling off the beach (safety in numbers!!!).