Next week we are planning to explore the SNSW coast down to the border. We have sailed past Montague Island several times in the past. Potentially there may be a weather window to anchor off Montague Island next week depending on the prevailing breeze?
I'm aware of the restrictions on the island, has anyone had success anchoring off the island for the night, where did you do it? Worth it for I'm assuming a rolly night?
Check out Google Earth.
I did a dive off the northern tip with a local dive shop on their boat. After the dive we tied up at the jetty in Jetty Bay for our surface interval and lunch. The parks ranger came along to chat, we weren't allowed ashore. We enjoyed a snorkel in the bay and found paper nautilus shells.
Just north of Jetty Bay there is a bigger bay with what looks like mostly sandy bottom that you could have a go at anchoring, avoiding the weed patches.
I reckon a land breeze up to 10 knots could kick in and make it uncomfortable.
Give the local dive shops a call for any updated local knowledge
How deep is it, as a matter of interest? I think we looked at it once and decided it was too deep, but I may be mistaken. It may also have been that the moderate swell was getting into the bays.
I'm not sure if you'v tried the Tollgates as an alternative island anchorage, but we used to find the Tollgates surprisingly good at times. There's a sandy spot just NW of the passage between the islands. It's a bit rolly but so are all the spots around Batemans, and island anchorages are special. A good dinghy can take a run around to the chasm on the eastern side, which is fun snorkelling or just exploring.
It would be interesting to find out if Montagu works; we're planning to head down to the south coast and Bass Strait this time next year.
Chris,
I'm starting from the Tolls ;)
It rises sharply around Montague Is but there is a a couple of possible sandy spots on ledges potentially suitable for anchoring. The forecast is looking like a couple of light wind days.
Im just viewing it as an option if everything is perfect I may drop the hook and watch the wildlife.
If not Bermagui is always a great stop.
I've not anchored at Montague. I have tied up at Bermagui on the way to Eden.
Screenshot of Montague (from o-charts) shows 0-5m (blue) and 5-10m (grey) depth shading. So pretty quick drop off either side of the northern end. More gradual to the south and west. To me it doesn't appear to have any particularly sheltered coves.
Highest point is 78m which will provide some shelter if it's between you and the wind. But note also the little wavelet signs WNW of the northern end. That denotes turbulence in that region. Gap between island and mainland about 3.5NM. Also note the 0.7 knot north to south current marking east of the island.
Just below the bottom of the screen shot area is Aughinish Rock and another unnamed shallow area south of that. Minimum charted depths for Aughinish Rock and the unnamed one are just over 5m.
Q thanks, agree it's a marginal prospect.
Crew pulled out from the trip, so now working out plan B.
couple of lifetimes ago when i was at sea, i served for a while on the lighthouse supply ship Cape Pillar. one of the lights we supplied was Montague where we landed with our amphibious LARC vehicle. interesting...full speed into the tiny cove...90 deg to stb...and then immediately up a 45 deg incline of loose gravel. as i say...interesting
frankly having been there, there is NO way i would consider anchoring at Montague without a writen guarantee of flat calm weather
think it's a good thing you're not going to try it
cheers,
Thanks for your background knowledge. Anyway found out the Cocky's have attacked my wind transducer and the masthead wiring. So I will be spending the weekend up the mast running new cable down. $1500 on a new Raymarine system. Nowhere near as much fun as sailing about trying new spots.
