Ja well, no fine! The water temperature in the Whitsundays is between 24 – 25 deg C at this time of the year. Ideal for snorkeling, with a rashie to keep warm. We have had Frank, Penny, Gale and Vic with us for 12 days, to explore as much as we could.

We started off with a visit to Nara inlet, followed by South Molle island. We climbed Spionkop hill which afforded good views across the Whitsunday passage to Hooke, Whitsunday and Hamilton islands.

Walking up Spionkop.

Lots of grass trees on the way up.

Looking down to Esprit at anchor in the bay.

Happy hikers at the lookout.

The wind has been variable, with strong S-E winds forcing us to stay put in Sawmill Bay for 3 days. We then worked against the wind to Hamilton island to fill up with diesel and water. Our Kiwi visitors zoomed around the island on a golf buggy, before we had a wet sail to Whitehaven beach. The weather then improved for the remainder of our time together.

Waiting for the wind to settle.

Hill inlet at Whitehaven beach.

On the way to our private beach.

Anyone for a swim?

Senior surfers.

After a night at Tongue Bay, snorkeling at Manta Ray bay and a beach soiree at Luncheon Bay, we headed off to Bait reef, about 18 nm out to sea. The conditions were perfect to overnight in the middle of the ocean, after enjoying spectacular snorkeling on these unspoilt reefs with an amazing variety of fish.

Vic with our resident Maori Wrasse.

Vic with a friendly black Trevally.

An inquisitive turtle.

The retirees on the way back.

Cosmo pin-ups.

Back in Airlie Beach, our guests kindly helped clean the boat, do the laundry and lavished more booze on us. Much appreciated!

After 3 months of using our water filters for re-filling in various marinas, it was necessary to replace the sediment and carbon filters which proved that mains water is not always clean.

Our water filters.

Three month old filters in the middle, new filters on the outside.