The Outer Reef

We'd heard about the Outer Reef through a couple we met at Abell Point. It's about a four hour sail out, depending on wind and current, and you're advised to go in light conditions. With a forecast of a couple of days of 5 -15 kn we headed out with an open mind as to whether we'd make it a day trip or stay over night. 

Motoring to the Outer Reef

A glassy sea, smooth enough to see your reflection 

Reminiscent of the Truman Show

A sea snake.

A cloud in the sea

Bait Reef is the first reef you come to, but all nine visitor moorings were taken so we continued on to Line Reef, dropped anchor a safe distance from the reef and dinghied across to do some snorkelling. 

You can take the girl out of Lindflield,
as long as you give her a gin and tonic.

Next morning we motored through the narrows between Hook and Hardy Reefs. The passage is about 50 metres deep and about 300 metres wide and easy to navigate because of the distinct difference in the deep blue water of the passage and the yellows, greens and aquamarines of the reef.

The blues and green waters of the reef.

The north channel marker that gives the entry to the narrows.

The reef is visited by day tripper dive boats and helicopter tours

Helipad

Dive boat pontoon 

Steering form the pilot house

A visitors mooring, giving the weight, length and wind limits.
These moorings have hawsers on them about 5 inches thick
 and they're heavy to get on board,
but you feel very secure once you're tied up to one.

By the time we got back to the Whitsundays it was dusk and just as we reached Hayman Island we spotted a whale and calf about 200 meters off our starboard bow. We slowed right down to avoid their path, they appeared right at our bow, surfaced and blew a deep sigh then dived under the boat. Closest we've been.