Keswick and St. Bees

The first islands we visit are Keswick and St. Bees, 15 miles north east of Mackay and part of the group called the Cumberland Islands.  The Whitsundays Group is 45 miles further north.

The two islands are separated by the narrow Egremont Passage with strong tidal currents of 3-4 knots.  With the prevailing winds being east-southeast at 15-20 knots we choose an anchorage protected in those conditions.  We are happy to pick up a mooring ball.  This does not lessen the roll in the anchorage but does allow us to be secure in an area with a mostly coral bottom, deep water and sand patches too small to risk dropping an anchor.

We have time this afternoon to explore one of the beaches on St. Bees.  Tomorrow morning Robert and Elliot want to fish along the northern side.