At dawn there was no wind, but by 7:30am there was 8 knots of southerly breeze. Decision made, we can sail up to Sampson Inlet - just 12nm away. We had some fun and games getting the anchor up (as I’d spent sometime untwisting the chain, which had meant the bridle had twisted up a lot!). However, we were soon away under the screecher.It was a pretty easy downwind drift with some current up to the Sampson Inlet. We made a replacement softshackle for the bridle underway. Rather, Nina made it

Decided to go back and have a look at the creek again today - see if I could find the rock art. Fortunately, old mate croc wasn’t lurking around waiting for me but unfortunately, I was beaten there by a cruise ship and its 20 or so passengers. Dang.Standard procedure when leaving the dinghy in these waters, is to take the anchor ashore, as well as a line - but also our emergency kit, which contains various useful bits such as a radio, tools, bug spray etc. You can see it perched up above where

The sail from Montgomery Reef to Deception Bay was one of patience. The forecast was for the light wind to drop off, but then return in the afternoon and if we’d read the tides right, they’d also turn to run with us for the afternoon.So we tried sailing the whole way, to save on the precious diesel. At first, we were only making 0.8knots, mostly in the right direction as the current was against us. However, it was flat water, so very pleasant. As the day progressed, the wind slowly increased

Montgomery Reef is an huge area of reef just off the Kimberley coast. Its 154 square miles in size. This huge area dries at each low tide and the water leaving the reef has cut a large channel into it. All along the channel, water falls form as the water runs off, carving channels into the sides as well as along the length.Given some care, we can get up the channel quite a way and anchor. You want to do it at low tide to see the best effect, but navigating up narrow channels on a falling tide ne

Boat jobs today, as we’re basically waiting for some wind. Most of the boats here headed out to the reef this morning, so it was manically busy. Lots of yachts, 3 cruise ships and it sounded very busy on the radio. Not my cup of tea.After a few jobs, as high tide approached, we decided to go and look for the rock art here. We had some vague directions, and Slow Motion turned up too with an idea as well. Our first attempt was wrong (deliberate mis-direction by a rock cairn on the beach), howeve

Dawn at Raft point was a beautiful as the sunset, and I soon spotted a log-erdile headed our way…We took the tide across the bay to Red Cone inlet, and anchored in the creek. We knew we’d not have enough water at low water, but the intention was to just stay the day and take the tide back out in the afternoon.A swift dinghy ride up the creek (for 3 miles) took us to Ruby Falls. On the way up, Nina spotted a croc lazing in the river, which submerged as we passed. It was totally disinterested

We left Horizontal Falls before dawn, hoping to get clear of the channels before the tide turned against us too hard. We made it, but not before some negotiation with a cruise ship which wanted to overtake us at the narrowest part, and would we mind waiting because they can’t stop once moving? We passed the pinch point ahead of them by quite some distance, so not sure what the drama was about - but I wasn’t that impressed by the call to the small sailing vessel. Maybe I should have responded

Horizontal Falls is the name given to a natural phenomenon caused by the tide trying to squeeze through 2 narrow gaps here in the Kimberley. Its quite the business with seaplanes flying in from Broome and Derby to drop tourists off for runs in fast boats, helicopter trips and a barramundi lunch. A bargain at A$900 (helicopter trips extra)!If you look on the map on this website, and press Toggle Charts, then Satellite to see the terrain, and zoom into the latest position - you can see the 2 gaps

Dugong bay was an incredible spot - almost totally surrounded by high hills, it was utterly calm inside. The centre of the bay dried out in quite large areas and there was lots of mangroves - though we saw no crocs. We did see an inquisitive tawny nurse shark circling around, which was nice.The sunset was incredible.We explored the mangroves and channels a bit, but didn’t get beyond a rock bar (tide timings being somewhat guesstimated). However, we decided that we’d try and get to Horizontal

We left Crocodile Creek on the early morning high tide, and motored the couple of miles around to Silvergull Creek. It was a bit of a shock to suddenly be anchored with other boats!Silvergull Creek was home to a couple who built their homestead and luscious garden based on the spring water. We took the dinghy up the creek to take a look. The place isn’t occupied anymore, and even the caretaker wasn’t present. The old barge landing on the right hand side has a hose pipe with fresh water conti

Words fail to describe this - its certainly high up on my list of amazing anchorages.Today, though, our peace has been shattered a little bit by the arrival of trip boats. The first one rather unceremoniously untied our stern line, which caused us a few issues. I was happy to help them out, but need the stern line on the falling tide, and they offered no assistance in tying us up elsewhere. Admittedly, I was using the ladder (as does every yacht that comes in here), so was prepared to move it. A

The forecast wind didn’t look so strong on the second day, and indeed, would die a bit the further east we went, so I decided we’d try and use it to get somewhere, rather than motor in the coming calm conditions.Using the tide we ended up with a superb sail to Silica Beach. Gennaker only the whole way, sometimes doing 2 knots, sometimes doing 9 - such are the vagaries of the current flow around here.The only downside with working the tides was we’d be at Silica Beach at low tide, which mak

Wow.(More when we have data, even the satellite connection is difficult in here!)

Cape Leveque was a bit rolly at high tide, as the swell could get over the small run of rocks we tucked behind. 2 hours after high tide, it was lovely and smooth. However, we see some stronger winds in the forecast so took the opportunity today to sail down into King Sound a ways.We left at low tide, and had some champagne sailing - flat water, 12-14knots of wind, epic currents. We touched 12knots at times with tide assist. We had to punch the tide in a couple of places to cross channels to get

It wasn’t our fastest sail up to Cape Leveque - taking us a little over 24hrs to get from Roebuck Bay to the anchorage around the cape. The wind was far lighter than forecast, which is a shame. However, we used every sail (just about). Genoa and main yesterday afternoon, gennaker and main overnight. Gennaker alone this morning, and then spinnaker (parasailor) for quite a while. With a bit of motoring and motorsailing in between.We did hear and see lots of whales. In fact, at change of shift

I’ve dealt with large tides before, but not usually when leaving the dinghy on a beach. Its fun tying up to the long ladders at Sark in the Channel Islands, but here there is no convenient way to get ashore. Streeters Jetty, up in the touristy part of town would be handy for 2 hours either side of high tide but they shut it in 2020 due to it being dangerous. No signs of it re-opening yet - thanks Shire of Broome!Our tactic has been to go ashore closer to high tide, and wheel the dinghy up the

We arrived just after dark, and anchored slightly tucked in behind the reef. It was supremely comfortable - or at least I was tired enough not to notice any swell! Next day, I was suffering with a bit of a headache, so it was a slow day. The afternoon was spent de-salting the caked on spray from the lively seas. Fun times!After a slightly less smooth night (but still not uncomfortable), and a bit of a pyjama party at 4am as a stupid bird decided it would try and land on the wind generator just a

Another windy morning, but as predicted the wind started to ease at lunchtime and now we’re motorsailing towards Broome. We will be in after dark, but with such light winds, we can anchor off the beach without having to go in behind the reef for protection. Thats the plan anyway. Be nice to be in tonight as its been a pretty tiring passage.Not many whales today. Here’s a still from the leaping one yesterday…Under 20nm to go, we have hot water and the engines running, so its shower time!

Yesterday was about the lack of wind. Today we got it back with gusto! Since the morning it’s been blowing quite hard, requiring 3 reefs and making it hard to sail as close to the wind (which went a long way east - further than forecast) as we’d like.So instead, we’re making a reasonable trade off between course, speed and comfort and we will fix up our cross-track error in the lighter winds (promised for tomorrow and into Friday). Thursday arrival still looks possible, but I’ll think ab

Its been a slow start to the trip - the wind has been much lighter than forecast, which has seen us motoring a fair bit, and sailing slowly at times. However the payback has been very calm seas and great conditions to spot whales.And there has been no shortage of whales to spot! Loads of them. All over the place - spy-hopping, tail slapping, spouting near by. Solo, or in groups its been fantastic. Not to mention the dolphins, sunfish and plenty of seasnakes too.Our best whale encounter was one t