Cairns to Darwin

[Dauntless]

we are thinking of doing a run from cairns to Darwin and points further west. has anybody any advice as to when is the best time of year to do this section of the Austalian coast with regard to wind direction and general ocean conditions...Thanks

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by Dauntless

we are thinking of doing a run from cairns to Darwin and points further west. has anybody any advice as to when is the best time of year to do this section of the Austalian coast with regard to wind direction and general ocean conditions...Thanks

Wind is generally up your clacker
Sea state inside the reef is generally moderate, and the wind is up your clacker anyway (surf city here we come)
If you stay in close to the coast once around the top it is generally a protected shore

Try not to go in Cyclone season, if you do, have an escape plan and bolt hole picked (easier for multi's)

And welcome to the forum.

[MarkJ]

We did it last year. 7 days direct from Lizard Island. in may or june it was. (never do it in cyclone season).
We went straight up the shipping channel and lay a rhumb line over the gulf a tad above Cape Wessel.

It was a good run.

Lots of folks tried to tell us it would be some death trip and that you need to sail south 100nms into the gulf and then cross. That would have been sheer madness unless on a sight seeing holiday.

As for problems with reef and charts etc and sailing them at night look at Slocombes adive in 1895. He thought it was safe to sail at night

Have fun, its a great trip