Lizard Island Australia any one sailed there?

[Jaz_n_Gav]

So, in a couple of days we are about to sail to Lizard Island from Cairns, has any one done this trip a few times and if so, is there anything we should watch out for along the way, ie: coral outcrops not on charts etc? At the same time we are keeping an eye on the cyclone up in the Northern Territory, can any one advise where the cyclone holes are if needed?

[IslandHopper]

If you haven't already got one get a copy of "Cruising The Coral Coast" by Alan Lucas.....

Updates here....
Alan Lucas Cruising Guides - Updates

Get all the charts of the area you are sailing in and look for all the mainland rivers and creeks you can get up (draft considerations), being "up the creek" as far as you can go is a good thing in this instance, lash of to as many mangroves as you can.

Put together a Cyclone Contingency Plan....
Preparing for extreme weather (Maritime Safety Queensland)

Most of the info you need for Cyclones is in the above publication and links, at this time of the year if you have none of the above i would stay home....

Edit: Good looking boat....

[Panaseaya]

you should talk to the crew on Kalida located on F finger at marlin marina.

[downunder]

Look on charts for assesible mangrove areas along coast depending on your draft. Always have a plan and a bolthole ready to access. perhaps explore/investigate a couple as you head north.

Can get great weather this time of year between cyclone just have a plan.

Make sure you get out and dive/snorkle the Cod Hole on the outer barrier reef off Lizard (not far).

cheers

[atoll]

you might want to think this trip through a bit more,atleast till april,this is heading your way

http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-p...ngs/sh0312.gif

[Charon]

Hi Clearwater . Not related to your trip to lizard we have a Seven Seas 37 also and looked at your boat in 2008. The one we bought was in tassie and now in Bundy. We are planning to head to Lizard next May and would like to meet up. let's keep in touch on the forum and we can compare notes. Charon is my home and is a very comfortable one. Never let us down and has taken is from the remote Tassie south west as far as Great Keppel. Not many around sadly. You bought well.

[rusky]

Hey Jaz n Gav - All I could tell you, you'll get from the advice above. Especially Atoll's.

The forecast gives 4 days ahead and Cyclone Grant is supposed to cross the gulf and the cape and resurface pretty close to Lizard Is.

If you are expecting to go after cyclone season, all is good- otherwise, wait.

cheers

[barnakiel]

For cyclone holes ask local people. The sail from Cairns to the Lizard is pretty plain. Just stay where the chart says it is deep enough for you and you are fine. Remember it is all coral country so aside from adequate planning and piloting you keep eye on where you are going too. Eye, the real thing.

b.

[Jaz_n_Gav]

Originally Posted by Charon

Hi Clearwater . Not related to your trip to lizard we have a Seven Seas 37 also and looked at your boat in 2008. The one we bought was in tassie and now in Bundy. We are planning to head to Lizard next May and would like to meet up. let's keep in touch on the forum and we can compare notes. Charon is my home and is a very comfortable one. Never let us down and has taken is from the remote Tassie south west as far as Great Keppel. Not many around sadly. You bought well.

Ahoy Charon, we purchased Clearwater in August of last year after looking around (more specifically Gav nearly every day and myself as time allowed) for around 5-6 years all types of makes, models, advantages, disadvantages, both of us reading huge amounts of blogs from other sailing enthusiasts and walking around as many marinas as we could and chatting to people, so you can see we did our homework! She has been refitted with a new head, the old one was wayyyyy too small and the pump on it was on its way out, she now has a new fancy electronic push button panel and macerator fitted to complete the job And her V-berth is now fully repainted except for a few features which we've left as varnished wood as we both like the look of it as a feature. We would just love to see some pics inside and out of your boat!!!! One of things we had to fix straight away was bad rising damp which made the aft cabin nearly impossible to enter with how it had been ignored for so long, do you have this problem too? Well, on a final note, Lizard Island may not be our destination by the looks of it, thanks to everyone for the contributions to my discussion, maybe Magnetic or possibly Hinchinbrook Islands might be on the cards me thinks.

[atoll]

little steps!!! but where ever you do cruise in the area make sure you have plenty of line in case you do have to hole up in the mangroves!!!!

[Jaz_n_Gav]

Originally Posted by atoll

little steps!!! but where ever you do cruise in the area make sure you have plenty of line in case you do have to hole up in the mangroves!!!!

For sure, the sea/weather is the master here, we definitely respect it. Thanks for your input.

[downunder]

Nearby to hinchenbrook is good as it provides some of the best mangrove shelter in Queensland if needed.

Don't hesitate to get to the Palm island group and even consider the barrier reef off Hinchenbrook as it is not far and this is a good time to be on reef between cyclones.

You will get plenty of warning and time to seek shelter.

cheers

[Jaz_n_Gav]

Charon...I should probably mention that we have owned and sailed other boats as well and brought Clearwater from the Whitsundays to Cairns so we have seen
a lot of that area, if you are going to Lizard next May will you be stopping in the Cairns marina?

[Jaz_n_Gav]

Originally Posted by downunder

Nearby to hinchenbrook is good as it provides some of the best mangrove shelter in Queensland if needed.

Don't hesitate to get to the Palm island group and even consider the barrier reef off Hinchenbrook as it is not far and this is a good time to be on reef between cyclones.

You will get plenty of warning and time to seek shelter.

cheers

We sailed around the back of Hinchinbrook last year, it is breathtaking scenery through there, but the Palm Island group? We stayed at Orpheus over night thats part of it right? But I didn't see any other anchorages listed around that area. I think we could make it down there in approx 3 days if we have the wind behind us.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Jaz_n_Gav

We sailed around the back of Hinchinbrook last year, it is breathtaking scenery through there, but the Palm Island group? We stayed at Orpheus over night thats part of it right? But I didn't see any other anchorages listed around that area. I think we could make it down there in approx 3 days if we have the wind behind us.

Yes Orpheus is in the Palm group. I am not sure of other anchorages and without a chart in front of me but I am sure you could suss out others depending on weather.

good cruising