Sailing diary Week 11: Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef

Sailing diary Week 11: Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef

For those who sail on the Australian coral coast, it is a constant contrast between reef and mango. Everyone has their advantages and of course inevitable pitfalls.

on the reef and the islands they are never at the mercy of the silent sea. You encounter a constant swing, rolling and creaking. On the contrary, the mangroves offer calm that is as calm as on land. That means if you have nothing against sand fly stitches and crocodile neighbor who watch from the banks.

As far as life at sea is away from the conventional amenities, these last months of sailing on the Australian coral coast have irritated me. old = "junk rig sailing">

from the rainforest to the reef-the last sailing week in Malaika

Again we left Port Douglas at the time of the day, difficult with the idea that the trip would end, but full of enthusiasm to finally reach the external Great Barrier Reef.

On the plotter, the port of Cairns was set again, which would give us a good anchorage before we would go to Green Island.

south against the trades

The plotter told us that the trip back to the south would take 10 hours with a reasonable 4-knot pace. However, wind and blow had other plans.

I would not wish my worst enemy a trip that hits the trades. The wind was preceded by 20 knots of straight ahead, which increased the already established dune. We were forced to drive all the way with the engine, every big wave stopped us almost dead in our lanes and forced us to take a journey again.

Green Island

Fast lead through the remaining trip to Cairns and we were on our way back to Green Island. In the meantime, wind and Seegang had calmed down until the standstill. We couldn't sail much, but they were perfect conditions to explore Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef.
Alt = “Green Island, sailing to Green Island Cairns”>

Exploration of the Green Island

We spent a whole day and a whole night on Green Island, which I have previously known as my favorite island in the Great Barrier Reef.

We snorkeled on the Pinnacle, saw several turtles, drove the kayak over a tropical reef and explored the interior of the island.
Alt = "Tour around Green Island">
Alt = “Green Insel-Pier“>

Read the full blog post: Green Island, Cairns-Your complete guide to the Great Barrier Reef Island Paradise

Information about the anchorage of Green Island

There are three blue buoys on Green Island, which can absorb swamp boats up to 20 m and multi-hull boats up to 18 with 34 node wind.

The first buje seemed a bit difficult to reach and was near the ferry entrance channel on the pier side of the island.

We opted for one of the other two courtesy buoys. To reach them, you have to circle the edge of the reef, which is marked by white buoys until you reach the entry point. In any case, have a lookout that can scream for Bommies and take your time, especially at low tide

We had to slowly maneuver Malaika through the shallow riff's mine field and had to make some quick detours than we arrived with a fairly low flood.

If no buoys are available, it is possible to anchor in the sand pit directly in front of the courtesy buoy. There is plenty of space here for swinging and the sand should keep quite decent.
Alt = “Green Island sailing yacht”>

The Outer Riff: Michaelmas Cay

Green Island was certainly a highlight of the islands. Nevertheless, we were all excited to finally reach the outer cays of the largest living organism in the world.

from Green Island we decided to drive north through the reef channel to Michaelmas Cay, a small sandy bay at the end of a huge flat riff. We had perfect weather on the approach, with a light breeze and completely flat lake.

• Alt = "Junk-Rig sailing at Michaelmas Cay Great Barrier Reef">
• Alt = "Great Barrier Reef Michaelmas Cay">
• Alt = "Michaelmas Cay Great Barrier Reef">

Read the full blog post: Michaelmas Cay-The best of the Outer Great Barrier Reef discover

Exploration of the riff

Michaelmas Cay is a bird'sistic area, which was immediately clear when it came. Thousands of birds circle the small white sandy beach and organize themselves on the beach in military -like squadrons.

There are a few buoys on Michaelmas Reef, but they were all occupied on our arrival. In order to avoid navigating by bommies and squeezing into an anchor field that has already been overcrowded, we went in front of anchor in 16 m water, right outside the reef. I have read other blogs that have mentioned that their boats are completely covered with bird shit when they stay overnight. So that was another motivator for us to anchor outside.

After lying the anchor, we spent the rest of the day in the water and watched the untouched reef and the underwater world. We have explored a few different bums and sand stains on the outside of the island, each as impressive as the other.

• Alt = "Snorkeling on Green Island">
• Alt = "Great Barrier Reef-Korallen">
• Alt = "snorkeling at Michaelmas Cay">

Return to Cairns

And so our journey tended to end with the last epic week on board the Malaica.

We found it fitting that the last days of the trip were an outstanding highlight as the Great Barrier Reef. While it was difficult to return to the mainland, we had an incredible back sail, were adopted by whales and dolphins and drove through perfect conditions.

To make things even better, we were able to land a Spanish mackerel on the way past the reef channel.
Alt = “Red Junk Rig Segel Yacht”>

We say our lake Ya Laters

The end of every adventure is an emotional time. This was particularly the case for me and the crew. For us, this great experience was proof of hard work and a reward for the working hours we spent to build Malaika from scratch.

We took the time to think about the amazing memories that we could forge. We thanked Malaika for led us through the trip and looked into the future for further sailing adventures.

This trip definitely taught me a lot about sailing and life at sea. It may not always be the easiest, but certainly the most epic way of exploring the coast. Nothing is more beautiful than waking up every morning in the warm glow of the Australian sun, which is reflected in the sea and being able to jump into warm tropical waters from their bedroom.

But for now the travel fever returns to his old tricks and itches to take back on the street.

This will be my last "weekly" blog post, which highlights my general daily activities, at least for the meantime. While we fly back to Indo for the rest of the year, I look forward to further exploring and creating content that I hope to inspire like -minded travelers to continue and to live their lives to the fullest.
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Alt = "Fishing at the Great Barrier Reef">
Alt = "Turtle at Green Island Cairns">
Alt = "Ankerplatz near Green Island Cairns">
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Alt = "kayaking on green Island">

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