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FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER. All good things must come to an end. So we departed Keppel Bay Marina and sailed out to North Keppel Island. We enjoyed walking on this island last time we had Masala. But being much later in the dry season this time, the vegetation was looking a bit frazzled. So instead we opted to explore some of the small adjacent islands by dinghy, Conical Island first (right). |
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Although small, Conical Island is exquisite. It doesn’t take long to climb from the gorgeous beach to the summit. You can then descend steeply to the back of the island where there are interesting rock platforms and a mini chasm created by the endless surging of the ocean (left). A rock hop and beach crawl around the western side of the island brings you back to the start (below). |
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From Corroboree Island we crossed the very turbulent channel to the south-western corner of North Keppel Island, where there is one of the clearest and most beautiful swimming beaches you could ever imagine. Needless to say, we frolicked here for ages before returning to Masala (left). |
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Left: Conical Island sea chasm.Right: Conical Island main beach |
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Right: North Keppel Island from Conical Island. |
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We also landed the dinghy on a beach on Corroboree Island. This island is much larger than Conical Island, but less physically interesting. |
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This marked the northernmost point of the year’s cruise. Now we were heading south again, bound for Brisbane. |
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Next morning we motored across to Great Keppel Island in a dead calm, and anchored off Shelving Beach near the old resort (the resort is now closed). This was one of our favourite snorkelling spots when we last had Masala—the coral was only ordinary but the fish life was unbelievably good. This time the water again was beautifully clear, the coral hadn’t changed much, but most of the fish were gone. We don’t know why – a great shame as it is one of the most accessible snorkelling spots along the coast. |
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Above: Leanne swimming in the pristine waters off the south-west tip of North Keppel Island |