Kitesurfing Undine Cay, more sun and good wind #555

Session 555. Travelled back to Undine Cay from the Cape Tribulation beach and setup the beach shelter again. Everyone was well covered by sunscreen and clothing. My 0.5mm tropical dive suit provides good protection from the sun but any exposed skin must be covered with sun cream 3 times a day.

A helicopter from Port Douglas was on the Cay when we arrived, an expensive flight at $900 per person. We had a chat to the pilot. The chopper departed after 30 minutes and we had the Cay to ourselves again.

The kitesurfing was superb again. Good wind and well powered on my 12m Airush Union kite. I was glad I had the 12m as it was the only kite I used for the trip.

Another solid day of kitesurfing with good wind, including a kitesurfing armada tour out to the reef edge.  I rigged up a kitecam (after my mount failed) to get some aerial video from the kite.

We got a lot more sun today - exposed skin got burnt despite sun cream. Being well covered was the best solution.

To finish the day I did a fast downwinder back to Cape Tribulation close to the RIB which as a blast. 

The meals and accommodation at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge were again excellent.

On the beach at Cape Tribulation waiting for the transfer to the RIB.

Kitesurfing armada

The edge of the reef, into the blue

Ferntree Rainforest Lodge

Kitesurfing Undine Cay - a surreal experience on the Great Barrier Reef #554

Session 554. Kitesurfing at Undine Cay is superb. A small sandy cay on top of a large coral reef in azure water.  We headed direct from Undine Cay from Port Douglas.  Eventually the small sandy Undine Cay appeared sitting on top of the surrounding Undine reef.

The sand cay is only about 2m above high tide and gets moved around by storms. It can sometimes be completed washed over by a combination of a king tide and waves.

On arrival we setup the beach shelter then headed out kitesurfing.

Crystal clear water and fish everywhere. The transition to deep blue water is particularly nice. The reef had enough water for fins to be clear of the coral.

We stayed upwind of snorkelers in the water from a tour RIB that comes across from the Daintree.

I saw a reef shark in the shallows.

There was some small waves where the wind swell hits the reef. Everyone had a ball, although Scott got bad sunburnt on his legs. You don't notice the sun while kiting but we all copped some sunburn on exposed skin. Its best to cover everything up. James was good at this!

We had the Cay to ourselves when the tour boats departed and enjoyed kiting right around it.

We headed back to the Daintree in the boat for a good meal and sleep at the Ferntree Rainforest Lodge.

James' good sun protection

Approaching Undine Cay

Cape Tribulation beach

Cape Tribulation beach