Day 6. We had seen all of the places we really wanted to get to, and I knew Clarice's whole point in this trip was to see Whitehaven so I convinced her that a return to Whitehaven was in order. We made our way through Hook Passage and out to Border Island where some of the best snorkeling was said to be found. NOT!! Well, not for us that day. With the winds still from the north, even their light gentle breezes stirred up enough sediment to ruin the snorkeling altogether. It was a bummer for both of us, but mostly for me since the stop had been my idea and our last chance to get in a good snorkel. ***sigh***
From there it was back over to Whitehaven for more fun in the sun! We anchored in the same spot we did on Day 2, up on the north end across from Betty's beach. It was mid-afternoon when we arrived and we needed to leave enough time to get back around the point to our planned anchorage in Tongue Bay, so we played on the beach, waded in the water, watched the numerous sting rays that gather in Hill Inlet (to feed on the small fish in the inlet) and generally relax. This was the first time we didn't feel any pressure to get to our next destination so the relaxation was complete. When we anchored in Tongue Bay, we did a little recon dinghy ride chasing turtle heads all over the bay, then we sat in the fly bridge until after sunset enjoying the weather and the little turtles having dinner.
Day 7. Our last full day, we anchored in our new favorite spot off Whitehaven and Betty's Beaches and explored Hill Inlet in the dinghy. We timed the tides just right and were able to make our way deep into the inlet. We saw some outstanding bird life, some more fish and sting rays and wondered why a bigger sailboat had made their way up the inlet at high tide knowing they would be stuck until at least the next high tide. They had a lot of lines in the water so I guess the plan was a weekend of fishing in the inlet.
We spent 15 minutes watching this sand crab dig his burrow. Very interesting and fast little guy.
Saw this snail in a tide pool
When we got back to the beach we went for a last good stroll along the shore just relaxing and enjoying the weather which was perfect. When we got back to the dinghy, we noticed that another sailboat that had come around the tidal sandbar at high tide was now sitting high and dry on the sand! What did I tell you Day 1? Watch the tides!!! I had a good private giggle and took some photos via my telephoto lens so as not to embarrass the blokes in front of the pretty lady that was with them.
Beach sailboat (that they had rented) and our dinghy on the beach
Our home this trip and our planned home next time
A photographer taking a picture of me from a chopper while I take a picture of him from the beach. And another group who didn't watch the tides and got their dinghy stuck.
Sadly we had to leave Whitehaven and make our way back around Solway Passage to Turtle Bay to be in reasonable distance of the Hamilton Island Marina to drop of the boat the next day. We waited so long to leave we barely made it to Turtle Bay before sunset, but we were happily anchored and looking for turtles by the evening check-in. Turtle Bay, right? NO turtles. ***sigh***.
Day 8 consisted of us packing, cleaning and dropping off the boat at the marina in plenty of time to make our flight home to Sydney. We left our luggage with a resort concierge who was nice to watch them even though we were never guests of the resort and walked one last time through town stopping to have pizza at a cafe overlooking the harbour. As we ate, the parade of sailboats for the official start of Race Week made their way past in the passage between Hamilton and Dent Islands. From our vantage point in the cafe we could only see a never-ending line of sails slowly pass by. Quite a sight.
All in all a GREAT vacation that lived up to all expectations. Additionally, the experience "camping" on the boat reinforced for Clarice that we would have a great time hiring a campervan for our trip to New Zealand in December. So much so that we are now getting a campervan for both islands instead of finding hotels on the north island! Yay! If you EVER have a chance to visit the Whitsunday Islands - do it!
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