Palm Islands cruise _ Day2, Pelorus Island (trip #13)

Closed in on Pelorus Island about late morning, It's the northern most Island in the Palm Island group which is about 10 nautical miles off the mainland coast. The weather was hot (33 C) and humid - The  90% cloud cover and the shade from the bimini helped. Extreme UV also occurs from about 10 am to 3 pm most days in the tropics so good clothing helps too. I wear long trousers and shirts bought from Anaconda - they're made of a special lightweight, cool and tough fabric designed for bush walking, it can get wet and dries out quickly. Also put the croc boating shoes and the kayaking cap on.  Without covering up a tropical sail could end up in 3 rd degree sunburn. The bimini blocked direct sunlight but there is always a fair bit of UV reflected off the water too. The light - moderate winds made for an easy and comfortable sail across the straight.

NW beach on Perlorus Island to windward

Pelorus Island's  surrounding sea and reef is Marine National Park,  environmentally protected. It's a good dive site/camp.  Sailed in at the centre of the Island. Upwind on the NW side was what appeared to be the public beach, two speed boats were beached there. (After the trip -I couldn't find it in the Qld Nat Parks website but there is a boat based camp ground there , see Pelorus - explore Australia) Also a bit of private lease land on the lee side closed to the public.

Sailed on to the south on a beam reach - broad reach. Parts of the hills had greener rainforest patches and the rest was covered in dense dry bushland.

The channel between Pelorus (L) and Orpheus (R) - Curacao and Greater Palm Islands in distance.

The Lee side of the Palm Islands have smooth protected waters, nice boating conditions. Though sometimes little wind as it's sometimes blocked by hills so motor-sailed through these areas.