Day 4 started with us heading up to Blue Pearl Bay on the north coast of Hayman Island for more snorkeling. There was a group of people there when we arrived, but it was not too crowded to detract from the fun. Saw a stingray hiding under a rock along with lots of colorful fish and coral.
Our route of travel and Clarice all prepped for snorkeling
Denizens of the deep
After snorkeling for quite a while, we made our way to Hayman Island Resort to top off the fresh water tank on the boat and purchase a few goodies to eat. From there we decided to lunch on the small island of Black Island situated right in the middle of the ring of islands. We had a small beach to ourselves and enjoyed the sun and lunch. Jon went for a quick snorkel (saw another turtle!) before a nice man warned us the tide was dropping quickly and we needed to get off or be stuck there all afternoon. He was kewl and helped us navigate our dinghy around the coral outcrops to protect the reef.
Then we made the quick jaunt over to Langford where we were told the best snorkeling was to be found if we wanted to see turtles. Unfortunately the wind had shifted to come from the north, stirring up sediment and making visibility drop. Jon went for a quick swim while Clarice enjoyed the sun on the beach.
Lobster hiding and one of several giant sea slugs
Another sting ray caught while swimming and some of the plant life after the tide had left
Since the wind was coming from the north, we decided that night's anchorage should be Nara Inlet since it was protected from the winds. The ride south along Hook Island was the worst of the entire trip! The winds were at their worst causing huge waves that we had to fight just to make headway. It took a good 2 hours to get around to Nara Inlet, but not before everything in the front bedroom was soaked. We had forgotten the window hatch as open until a couple of big waves crashed over the bow. Oh well, things will dry. The evening was spent in tranquility in Refuge Bay in Nara Inlet, safely protected from the winds that, thankfully, dropped over night.
Day 5 - We started with a tour of the inlet in the dinghy and a brief hike to see some Aboriginal cave paintings. Sea turtles were everywhere and it was easy to spot their little heads popping up for a breath as they enjoyed their breakfast. We even had the opportunity to watch a couple of sea eagles fly overhead for a while before heading back to their nest. In the 70's and 80's boaters used to paint their boat names on the rock outcroppings of Nara Inlet, a practice that is outlawed today, but a lot of boat names remain.
Aboriginal Cave Paintings
Sea Eagle and morning at Refuge Bay
Boat names painted on the rock by visitors of old
Next we hopped over to Macona Inlet, but as we were making our way over there Jon spotted movement near a sailboat he had been watching. Convinced it was something, we turned and motored int hat direction for a little while (south towards Cid Harbour). We almost gave up and decided Jon was wrong when we spotted the whales! Two whales, a mommy and her very young calf (the calf was tiny compared to a full grown whale) were making their way south. We slowed, keeping a safe distance, and enjoyed watching them for quite a while when the baby breached!!! Something we have both always wanted to see, the little guy suddenly popped out of the water, rolled over and landed on its back with a huge splash. Thankfully Jon was watching through his telephoto lens and got a couple of shots - but the whale shot is a bit blurry due to the moving boat. Oh well, the splash is nice an crisp! Truely something neither of us will ever forget.
Mamma whale
Baby whale breaching!
We watched the whales for quite a while and then made our way over to Macona Inlet. It was a magnificent day and most everyone must have been on Whitehaven because we had the inlet almost to ourselves - much to our delight. We spent the afternoon sunning on a secluded beach and wading in the water where Jon came across about a dozen sea stars being rolled by the waves.
God's camouflage
That evening we planned on anchoring in Cid Harbour, so we left enough time to do another small hike from Sawmill Beach to Dugong Beach and back before getting back to the boat for dinner and a late episode of the original Battlestar Galactica before heading to bed. Great days!
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