Start Loc: Refuge Bay, Scawfell Island (20o 51.65'S, 149o 35.89'E)
Narrative: We stayed in Refuge Bay yesterday. The trough moved off so the wind changed back to its usual S/SE, and we moved from the east to the western side of the bay to increase the shelter from the wind. We ran the engine for 1 hr 57 min for the move, to charge batteries and to heat water.
Today's plan was to head for Brampton and Carlisle Islands. Similar to St Bees and Keswick they are close together, although the passage between them is not navigable. At low tide, you can walk between the two islands on a sandbank.
We raised anchor at 8:55am and set sail. The wind was from just south of east at 20kts, so we ran west with no head sail and one reef in the main at 5.5 to 6kts. We also had about a knot of favourable tide. Seas and swell gave us waves of abut 2m.
About one mile west of Scawfell we saw whales ahead. It turned out to be a humpback and her calf, who was playing and jumping. We again got some photos and video, and continued on our way. About 4nm west of Scawfell we were joined by a small pod of dolphins. For the next 40 minutes or so they played alongside and at the bow, putting on a display of their agility and jumping abilities.
There was a fair bit of tidal disturbance as we came around the west tip of Brampton Island. We had a look at the area near the jetty on Brampton Island, but opted for the Mayport Bay, a little further north off Carlisle Island. After the kids had a swim and we had a bit of rain, we decided the swell was too great and we would be more protected back near the Brampton Island jetty, so we motored back and anchored there for the night.
The plan for the next couple of days is to continue north to look at the Smith Islands, Thomas Island and then Lindeman Island.
End Loc: Brampton Island (20o 47.99'S, 149o 15.74'E)
Distance run: 25 nm (cumulative: 788nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 00 min (cumulative: 83 hr 17 min)