Kitesurfing Mackay Cay on the Great Barrier Reef and overnight on the Cay #557

Session 557. We packed up, had a hearty breakfast, left the Daintree Rainforest Lodge, got the gear onto the boat and cruised out to Mackay Cay, another Sandy Cay to the north of Undine Cay. There was some tour boats at the Cay when we arrived - the big 25m Sailaway cat and the RIB that brings people out from the Daintree on day tours.

We setup the beach shelter again and rigged up with good wind blowing.

The kitesurfing was fantastic again. Plenty of water over the reef and a nice sandy bottom around the Cay.  There were a few turtles in the water, fish darting about and even whales breaching far out to the north.

There was some small swell on the windward side of the reef that was fun to crank some turns in.

I kited all around the Cay again. I did one long run surfing the small waves along the windward side of the Cay along the edge of the reef. When I tacked at the end of the reef I was downwind of the Cay and a fair way out so I headed back to the Cay towards where boats were moored on the leeward side.

There were no snorkelers in the water as I passed downwind of the moored Sailaway cat and kept going on a port tack out to sea.

On my return starboard tack a motorboat was approaching me upwind also on a port tack but not giving way so I tacked and went out to sea again.

Returning on a starboard tack I was surprised to see the Sailaway cat had lifted anchor and was motoring directly towards me! He didn't give way so I passed downwind again. On my returning port tack, still downwind of the cay, I was surprised that Sailaway had stopped moving to put up sails and was in my way again. The skipper could have easily motored away upwind from me but chose to stop in my path. This was annoying and could have been dangerous. 

The Sailaway skipper even "complained" to Brett via SMS about me "passing too close to his boat and getting in his way". He is apparently oblivious of right of way rules. Tour boats should follow marine protocols.

I passed downwind of the cat and continued out to sea again for a considerable distance to get away from all the boats and succeeded in getting back to the cay.

Once the boats were gone we had the Cay to ourselves and the freedom to kite everywhere and solitude. 

We setup our swags then had a final kitesurfing session late in the afternoon. Vanessa crashed her kite then I dropped mine trying to retrieve her board. Brett came out in the RIB to retrieve us.

And excellent dinner during sunset and a warm fire on the sand made for a very pleasant evening.

The swags were very cosy and no crocs visited or were sighted!

The clouds parted during the night to reveal the stars. It was a great night's sleep.

Leaving Cape Tribulation

Kitesurf downwinder Hampton to Port Melbourne #511

Session 511. There was good southerly wind today so a downwinder was on. I left Hampton on my 8m kite and surfed some bay rollers down to Green Point where the reef break was working with some good waves.

On to Brighton past a couple of windsurfers and only 2 kite on the beach.  Past Brighton Marina then onto Elwood finding some good swells along the way.

The surf at Elwood was good and the reefs a bit further along were working too - although one was very shallow.  I kited into the St Kilda Marina where there were a couple of kites out then continued on past Middle Park to Port Melbourne.

Really good to get in a downwinder - I am not very kite fit yet so this was a good workout and a scenic tour.  Anthony met me in Port Melbourne and drove me back to Hampton which was greatly appreciated and saved me a tram and train trip back. We had a good coffee and some lunch.

The North Cross board was great for fast turns but its lighter in the chop - I will hang onto the Nugget as a weapon of choice for big downwinders.

Here is a really cool animation of the trip using ayvri.com: 

Kitesurfing Hampton with strong south westerly

Session 502. Nice late kitesurfing session at Hampton with some good bay waves.  Got a little crowded at times.  The surf and bay rollers further out were good. 

Here is a short video, you can see Jeff Steele in action too.

 

Kitesurfing Shoreham to Flinders, great surf at West Head

Session 500. A milestone and a cracking session too!  Mike, Stu W, Stu S and myself kited from Shoreham in the continuing easterly, not quite as strong as yesterday.  There weren't any good waves on the way to Flinders so we kept going past the pier and out to West Head.

A large grey seal was visible on the rocks as I tacked out.  The reef break was pumping with some big sets coming through.  There was plenty of water over the reef and the break was well defined so we caught some excellent waves.  I peeked around West Head to get a view of the rocky coastline to the west.

After several good waves we turned to head back, initially well powered.  Then a lull came, my kite hit the water but I was looking into a beach so I wasn't concerned about drifting in.  The wind changed and came in strong enabling me to relaunch and continue back.

Very tired but satisfied - this was one of my best kitesurfing tours - variety, surf, some wildlife and marvellous scenery.

Photos