Lizard Island
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 25 Sep 2024 02:42
At anchor Watsons Bay, Lizard Island
Wind: SE , F4 - moderate breeze
Sea: rippled Swell: nil
Weather: sunny, warm
The breeze remained fresh for the afternoon and evening such that we continued at a steady six knots under jib alone, arriving off the southern end of Lizard Island at 2215. As Watsons Bay came into view I was dismayed to see numerous densely packed white lights in the anchorage area. It was clearly going to be tricky finding a spot to anchor in the dark.
I started the engine and furled the jib then gingerly motored into the bay, past a couple of very brightly lit motor boats making it even harder to see the numerous boats beyond them, then in among the relatively smaller motor and sailing vessels. Eventually we found a spot in between a motor boat on one side, a yacht on the other, and a bit of reef ahead (fortunately well marked with reflective buoys), where I thought it safe to anchor for the remainder of the night, which proved to be the case.
This morning, after breakfast and the mandatory cup of tea, I surveyed the situation with the advantage of bright daylight. The water was remarkably clear and I could see the sandy bottom six meters below and the anchor chain stretching out ahead of Sylph quite clearly, and, more importantly, I could see the bits of reef that are scattered around the bay. While the anchorage was indeed very crowded (I count 21 boats not including 'Sylph'), a clear spot closer to the beach looked possible - proximity to the beach being a critical consideration when one is reliant on a small rowing dinghy for getting to and from one's ship.
At 0955 I weighed anchor, leaving the anchor a-cockbill from the bow roller. We motored slowly around the bigger boats, in between the reef and the rocky northern shore, further into the bay and ten minutes later came to anchor in four meters of water over a clean sandy bottom, about 250 meters from the beach.
All these boats have no doubt made the trek from down south and are waiting for the SE trades to ease before making their return passage, and I suspect there will be quite a few more arriving, my friend Erica and her fellow yachties from Cairns among them. As to whether we stay here and return south with the madding crowd, or whether we continue north, I have to say the numerous boats here has the scales tipping more towards continuing north.
Regardless of these deliberations, later today I will take advantage of the clear warm water to inspect Sylph's hull and, if necessary, give her underwater parts a scrub.
All is well.