The Whitsundays are made up of about 74 tropical islands forming part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). Most of the islands are national parks and therefore subject to laws and regulations.

The Great Barrier Reef acts as a natural barrier to create idyllic conditions for yacht cruising between the islands and there are literally dozens of safe, convenient anchorages throughout the archipelago, all within a couple of hours sailing.

The Whitsunday Islands reefs are outstanding for their coral cover and marine diversity. As a general rule, you must not damage coral. Make sure that you are causing the least damage possible by anchoring well away from coral whenever possible and following the responsible reef practices for anchoring.

Distance Guide (approx, nautical miles) From Coral Sea Marina to: Nara/Macona 13nm, Hayman Island 15nm, Hamilton Marina 16nm, Whitehaven 30nm, Cid Harbour 14nm, South Molle 9nm.
To estimate travel times: cruising under motor speed around 5kts (nautical miles per hour) allow extra time to anchor / pickup a mooring. e.g. Coral Sea Marina to Cid Harbour approx 3 hours under motor, less if under sail in favourable wind conditions.

Approved Anchorages

 

Approved Anchorages From “100 Magic Miles” 9th Edition
Note: Not all anchorages in the guide are approved for bareboats and many are only suitable for certain wind conditions. Please consult the list below to ensure the anchorage is approved for overnight stays and that conditions are suitable. If in any doubt, check with your radio operator.

Anchorages Suitable for Strong Winds (over 25 Knots)
N.B. These are the only anchorages permitted during a Strong Wind or Gale Warning
No Name Map Ref Anchorage Note Wind Protection
1 Coral Sea Marina C1 Marina All weather
2 Airlie Bay C1 1 & 2 SE S SW
3 Long Is – Happy Bay C4 1 Mooring only SE
4 Long Is – Palm Bay C4 Mooring only SE S
5 Nara Inlet C10b 1 & 3 NW N NE E SE
6 Macona Inlet C10a 2 NW N NE E
7 Cid Hbr – Sawmill Beach C19 1 & 2 E SE S SW
8 Cid Hbr – Dugong Inlet C19 3 NW N NE
9 Gulnare Inlet C20 1 Enter & leave 2nd half
of rising tide		 All weather
10 Hamilton Island C22 Marina All weather

Overnight anchorages suitable for winds to 20 knots
No Name Map Ref Anchorage Note Wind Protection
1 Double Bay West N12 1, 2 & 3 E SE S SW W NW
2 Double Bay East N13 1, 2 & 3 E SE S SW NW
3 Woodwark Bay N14 1, 2 & 3 E SE S SW W
4 Coral Sea Marina C1 Marina All weather
5 Airlie Bay C1 1 & 2 E SE S SW
6 Funnel Bay C2 1 NE E SE S SW
7 Long Is – Happy Bay C4 1 Anchor/moorings NE E SE S SW
8 Long Is – Palm Bay C4 Mooring only NE E SE S SW
9 Daydream Is Sunlover Beach C8 Mooring only Light winds only
10 Sth Molle Is – Bauer Bay C9 E SE S SW
11 Nara Inlet C10b 1 & 3 All weather
12 Macona Inlet C10a 1 NE E SE S SW
13 Macona Inlet C10a 2 All weather
14 Stonehaven C12 2 Anchor/mooring NE E SE S
15 Blue Pearl Bay C13b Moorings only NE E SE
16 Butterfly/Luncheon Bay C14/15 Moorings only NE E SE S SW W NW
17 Maureens Cove C14/15 Anchor/mooring E SE S SW
19 Mays Bay C18 1 E SE S
20 Cid Harbour – Sawmill C19 1 & 2 NE E SE S SW
21 Cid Hbr – Dugong Inlet C19 3 NW N NE E SE
22 Gulnare Inlet C20 1 Enter & leave 2nd
half of rising tide		 All weather
23 Hamilton Island C22 Marina All weather
24 Turtle Bay C24 1 2 3 & 4 NW N NE
25 Chance Bay C25 1 & 2 NW N NE
26 Whitehaven Beach C26 1 E SE S SW W NW
27 Chalkies Beach C26 2 Max 6 boats – extra care! E SE
28 Tongue Bay C27 1 Anchor/mooring SE S SW W NW
29 Cateran Bay C29 1 Anchor/mooring E SE S SW
30 Windy Bay C31 3 E SE S SW
31 Lindeman Is – Boatport S1 3 NE E SE
32 – Gap Beach S1 5 SE S SW W
33 – Plantation Bay S2 1 NW N NE E SE S
34 Shaw Island – Neck Bay S2 2 NE E SE S
35 – West S3 1 NE E SE S
36 – Burning Pt S3 3 E SE S SW

Public Moorings and Responsible Anchoring in the Great Barrier Reef

Heading out boating? All you need to know to utilise the system of public moorings in the Great Barrier Reef and help protect delicate coral from anchor damage.

The Great Barrier Reef and its spectacular island national parks are home to an abundant and diverse marine life, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

The magnificent corals are among the most popular attractions, yet they are the most vulnerable. Coral reefs can be damaged by:
• a vessel’s anchor and chain dropping or dragging on coral;
• a vessel grounding when the wind changes or the tide ebbs; and
• a chain or rope wrapping around coral and breaking pieces off.

Coral can be killed or damaged by anchoring. It may take many years for the coral to recover. Some coral never returns to its original condition.

Public moorings and reef protection markers have been installed in a number of locations throughout the Great Barrier Reef to reduce anchor damage.

The following is a brief overview of the public moorings throughout the Whitsunday Islands. For more information simply scan the barcode.

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Printable Anchorage Guide

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Note:The information in this anchorage guide is not be be used as a substitute for current navigation charts and information. While we try to keep this information up-to-date and correct, Charter Yachts Australia accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions.