Skinny water, Inskip Point and Tin Can Bay
23 November 2015
In the morning we carried on towards the 'high point' in the narrows between Fraser and the other islands towards the mainland. This point is the spot where the incoming tide from the southern pass and the northern pass meet. We needed to get there in the morning at the height of the tide, or it would be even more dodgy. The area has many tricky points to navigate and even with the best devices, it was hard to believe the route that Navionics suggested, while we looked around and saw we were supposed to weave towards islands of shrubs sticking out of the water! Especially as we were flying along at 7-8 knots, so once we sailed up and over the 'high point' where the tides met and we were going out with the retreating tide. I couldn't imagine how the folks with fin keels were faring as we were scared enough drawing only 5 feet with our wing keel. The only thing that made us feel slightly better was that we were all lined up, with many other boats, ahead and behind us. At least we weren't going this crazy route alone! Luckily the super sketchy part was in about 3 places in a mile or so stretch. Flashbacks to Bora Bora and the skinny water leading to the SE corner.
We spent another couple of hours getting to the S end of Fraser Island, where Inskip Point provides a sandy point at the edge of Pelican Bay which can be anchored behind on the S side of the pass. As we tried to anchor it became apparent it wouldn't be comfortable at all, as the wind had come up and with the opposing current and wind, it was hard to tell how well we were anchored. We decided to bug out after a few minutes and carry on south, on the inside, up Tin Can inlet where a few miles away is the small retirement community of Tin Can Bay. The guys went ashore to wander around and get the lay of the land.
In the morning we all went ashore to explore and since the guys had noticed there was a Dolphin Feeding Program, that was our first stop of the day. We got up very close and watched as many others did the feeding. I was happy to be 5-7 feet away with a good spot to shoot pics and videos. There was unexpected entertainment as pelicans and cormorants fought to get to the fish, the cormorants definitely won, snatching several fish out of people's hands, often biting the hands in the process!
Later, in town some enjoyed a very popular treat, fresh scones with cream and jam and of course yummy coffees. We really enjoyed this quaint little town, walking around through parks and the whole place had a great, laid back feel.
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