In a few weeks, I'll be setting out on a westward crossing of the Great Australian Bight (from Kangaroo Island). Our plan is to coastal hop as far as Fowlers Bay, SA, before heading for Daw Island or Middle Island, WA. If the conditions are suitable, we might put in at Eucla.
From what I've learned, November thru March is the best time as the prevailing winds are moderate with an easterly component., i.e., what we're seeing now (below).
Any tips from sailors who have made this crossing would be appreciated.
The first leg of our Bight crossing, to Eyre Peninsula:
blog.arribasail.com/2024/12/cruise-upwind-to-eyre-peninsula.html
The second leg of our Bight crossing, to Eucla.
blog.arribasail.com/2025/01/cruise-first-bite-of-the-bight.html
Looks good Scruzin, looking forward to your next post about Eucla,
We will be doing the trip West to East again leaving SW of WA in February and definitely want to sail by the Bunda Cliffs with a possible overnight stop at Eucla if conditions allow.
Did Starlink work on "roam" close to the Bunda cliff's?
Final (belated) write-up of my east-to-west crossing of the Bight (from Eucla to Daw Island).
blog.arribasail.com/2025/04/cruise-final-bite-of-bight.html
PS I've since returned to SA and crossed west-to-east, but that will be another post.
Select to expand quoteSeadevil said..
Looks good Scruzin, looking forward to your next post about Eucla,
We will be doing the trip West to East again leaving SW of WA in February and definitely want to sail by the Bunda Cliffs with a possible overnight stop at Eucla if conditions allow.
Did Starlink work on "roam" close to the Bunda cliff's?
Yes, the basic Starlink roam $80/month plan worked close to shore everywhere. We tended to lose it at around 12 nm offshore, although not always.
Select to expand quotescruzin said..Seadevil said..
Looks good Scruzin, looking forward to your next post about Eucla,
We will be doing the trip West to East again leaving SW of WA in February and definitely want to sail by the Bunda Cliffs with a possible overnight stop at Eucla if conditions allow.
Did Starlink work on "roam" close to the Bunda cliff's?
Yes, the basic Starlink roam $80/month plan worked close to shore everywhere. We tended to lose it at around 12 nm offshore, although not always.
BTW, there is a $15/month "weekend plan" with limited data too.
Thanks Scruzin,
We spent 2 nights up at Eucla had 15-20 KN Easterly winds at the anchorage but they eased overnight and it was quiet comfortable
Holding was very good. We then sailed east along the Bunda cliffs till sunset , great views from the ocean.
Telstra 4G reception at Eucla was good, Starlink no problem.
The final instalment of my westward crossing of the Bight, from Daw Island to Fremantle:
blog.arribasail.com/2025/06/cruise-cape-leeuwin-and-beyond.html
