Alison Stocker | Photo: A huge plume of smoke or a narrow thunderhead forming over the mainland
By the time we had filled the diesel tank and left Coral Sea Marina, it was about 7:30 am on a beautifully sunny day. The wind was variable all morning so we motored south down the Whitsunday Passage against an increasing tidal current. It was a route that we had not taken during the previous year so I read from our "100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef, The Whitsunday Islands" book by Colfelt and Colfelt, the histories of various island resorts that we passed. This included resorts on the Islands: Daydream, South Molle, Long, Hamilton, and Lindeman. Over the years, several resorts have been damaged by severe storms including Cyclone Debbie in March 2017.
Our route crossed paths with a few boats dashing back and forth between the mainland, particularly around Shute Harbour, and the Whitsunday Islands. But it was nothing like the number we would expect to see during the peak season from about June to mid-October...or in pandemic-free years.
As we approached Shaw Island, we were surprised to see a huge plume of cloud, or smoke, stretching up from the mainland and arching over us, despite that direction being against the wind that we were experiencing at sea level. If it was a thunderstorm cloud it was remarkably narrow and tall but, at least, the head of it was being blown away rather than forming the ominous anvil-shape we were used to seeing in Florida. If it was smoke, then it was an impressively tall plume from a large fire.
By the time we anchored in the sandy Billbob Bay in the lee of Mount Arthur (250m or 820 feet) at the south end of Shaw Island, the plume appeared to be dissipating. We were certainly glad that it did not develop into a thunderstorm cell that drifted over us, as had happened on our way to Grassy Island.
Anchored at Billbob Bay with Mount Arthur on the right and the cloud/smoke plume rising from the mainland at left
The wind was predicted to be light northerlies for a few days followed by stronger south-easterlies from Monday night to Wednesday. Thus, our plan was to dash out to see what the northern part of the Swain Reefs looks like, specifically at Cockatoo Reef, then dash back to Scawfell Island where we would be well-protected from a southerly blow. After that, we could hopefully go back to visit the southern Swain Reefs when the lighter winds resumed.