Sailing diary Week 10 - Port Douglas and the Low Isles

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After we had spent a few days on land in Cairns, we were ready to put the sails back towards low isles and port Douglas.

Some highlights from the sail protocol of this week were the exploration of the low Isles, the sighting of our first wild salt water crocodile in Port Douglas and swimming with reef sharks!

North to the Low Isles

The low isles are about 35 nautical miles north of Cairns. It is a popular place to snorkel and explore because it is only a short boat trip from Port Douglas.

We left Cairn's Harbor near daybreak and enjoyed light to fresh winds from the south, which gently pressed Malaica north towards the tropical islands.
Alt = "Sailing Malaica, Jung Rig Sailing">

Exploration of the Low Isles

The low isles are a small island couple that consists of the smaller low Island and a larger adjacent island called Woody Island. In between is a flat reef, which sometimes even dries over the sea level at low tide.

low Island has a famous lighthouse in which some opportunistic eagles built a large nest. There are also several buildings in which constant caretaker are accommodated, which are paid by Queensland Parks for living on the island.

In fact, Low Islands recently advertised this dream job as a caretaker in news agencies throughout Australia. It would definitely not be a bad gig!
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Read the full blog post: snorkeling and exploring the Tropical Low Isles, Port Douglas

Information about the anchorage of the Low Isles

For sailors there are at least three blue Queensland Park Boejen that are available for crusaders and sailors around the clock. We found that the buoys in the southwest were the best because they offered the best protection against incoming dune, which seems to find their way through the middle of the two islands.
Alt = “Low Isles, Low Islets Port Douglas Drone Photography”>

snorkeling with reef sharks

The low isles were our real first taste of the real Great Barrier Reef experience. The entire island is covered with reefs, most of which are very healthy. There were huge groups of mackerel, thousands of swarms of fish and large, healthy coral heads.

However, we noticed that there was a little pale, a sad sight and a memory of the terrible effects of climate change.

We were also lucky enough to see several black-tip reef sharks that decided to circle Malaika at our berth for several hours.
Alt = “Blackspitzen Reiff sharks, low-Isles sharks”>

feed bat fish

sailers and even tourists who visit the low Isles through an organized boat transfer, you will probably notice the local bat fish who are booting, hoping to get food.

We had the same two during our entire stay on the low isles around our eighth diving platform. Below are some shots that I have taken on how to feed on the surface.
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​​Port-Douglas border

Of course, the Passatwinde began to rage at the end of July at the end of July and forced us to drive back to Port Douglas a day or two earlier than planned.

Nevertheless, entering in Port Douglas was a worthwhile and special moment for the crew, which knew that it had come north for this trip as planned.
Alt = “Port Douglas sunset, Port Dougas Pier”>

port of Port Douglas

We were told by several council pile places that are available along the channel to Port Douglas for only $ 20 a week. However, when we entered, we knew that it would be a little tight if we tried to fit our 15-meter-steel motor sailor in this narrow space.

instead we drove past the Marina and the sailing club and searched for an anchorage at the end of the canal, deeper in the bay.

Here we met a lively character that lived from his "drinking ship" and at 11 a.m. with beer in hand when choosing the cheapest anchorage. Alt = "port of Port Douglas">

First wild crocodile!

Our first wild crocodile sighting, of all places in Port Douglas! Less than 50 meters from our boat, on the banks of the mangroves, a 1.5 meter long crocodile in the sun.

We were pretty excited, so we took a closer look at the tender, hoping to take a few photos.
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Alt = "Krokodil in Port Douglas">

Exploration of Port Douglas

We had a lot of time to explore Port Douglas, including some short hikes and checking out the 4-mile beach.

It is a crazy place and it is easy to understand why you have selected it for the set of one of my favorite films; Fool gold.

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  • Alt = "Port Douglas Pier-Sonnenendräut">
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Work in the mangroves

Since the trades were persistent, we decided that it would not be the best idea to go to the reef and the outer islands. Instead, we took the opportunity to explore Port Douglas for a few days and work in the mangroves.

After just half a week we were littered with sand flying, kept looking for crocodiles and were more than ready to go back into blue water. I don't know how the boys live on boats in the streams, but I'm sure the beer helps you.
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Alt = “Sailing from Malaika to Port Douglas”>
Alt = "Black tip reef shark on the low Isles">
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Alt = "Port Douglas River-drone">
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Alt = “Sailing in Malaica in Port Douglas”>
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