WIIN – Broome and Beyond (28 June – 15 July)

Well we are anchored off Gantheaume Point Broome, for those not lucky enough to have visited Broome here is a quick overview of our surroundings. Gantheaume Point is at the south western end of Cable Beach, one of the top beaches in Australia, most days the sea is calm and around 22°C, air temp around 30°C, most enjoyable (although often quite cool at night). We are anchored amongst charter boats, other yachts travelling north and a few mega yachts; the beach is 150 meters away at low tide and around 1200 at high tide. Broome’s history is in pearling and is today a major tourist centre.
Here we stocked up on food, water, and diesel as our next major stop will not be until Darwin or so we thought. Steve flew back to Perth for a few days, and we had a good look around Broome. Tides are starting to have a big effect, and you have to think about where you leave the dinghy on shore excursions. We purchased a new set of dinghy wheels (as our old ones failed us) and that made life much easier. The beach is beautiful hard sand so good for vehicles and the launching of small boats straight off the beach. It is also a popular destination in the evening to watch the sunset.
We caught up with a friend from Esperance – Tom, friends from Fremantle Sailing Club – Grant and Michelle, other yachts – Fayze Too and Thor, and Alex and Val off Hanuman again - having a sea food BBQ with them and Tom on our last night.
After 10 days in Broome we carried on north, stopping at Cape Bertholet and then Cape Baskerville, where we went exploring and mud crabbing in the creeks of Carnot Bay – resulting in chilli crabs for dinner.
From here we had a beautiful sail under MPS to the Lacepede Islands, and while underway we saw sea snakes, turtles, large schools of fish, and in the distance whales. The anchorage was a little rollie, like the anchorages over the last few days – not all that comfortable.
The Islands are four sand and coral islets connected by drying reef. According to the cruising guide it is the largest green turtle rookery on the west coast of Australia and a significant nesting site for frigate and brown booby birds. We didn’t walk on the island as we did not wish to disturb the nesting birds, however could see brown booby birds everywhere with many cute fluffy chicks amongst the grass on the island. We explored the lagoon and saw dozens of turtles, sting-rays and a few shovel nose rays.
Did I mention it was another rollie anchorage? Well we were up and going early heading back to the mainland for Pender Bay. Had a great sail under jib and main, maintaining 6-7 knots most of the way, and covered the 34 nm by lunchtime. The bay is very striking with red cliffs and sand, and the sunset was beautiful – and very protected – no roll!
The next day brought strong winds, and we were underway by 5.30am. Had a good sail with only the jib out and running with wind at 6-7 knots. However at 10.30 we anchored at Cape Leveque as the wind was up to 25-35 knots from the SE, and we didn’t want to round the cape in that and with the tide against us. Cape Leveque is a pretty area and has a well established camping ground ashore from where we had takeaway lunch.
Living the dream, not dreaming the life