Low Isles 1

We - Ian and I - have just returned from a 4 month trip to the Kimberleys in our yacht "Winkali".  


 Low Isles: 

These islands are about 1 hours sail from Port Douglas on a favourable wind or 8nm in distance.  A popular destination for tourists and local yachties alike.

They consist of 2 islands: 
Woody Is which is the larger mangrove/coral cay island.  There are restrictions on access to this island as it is an important breeding area for many birds and other marine life.
Low Is is the smaller of the two and is a vegetated sandy coral cay with a light-house and several buildings on it which have accommodated light-house keepers and scientists in the past.  The light-house itself was automated in 1993 but there are still caretakers residing on the island who take weather readings, prepare the beach for tourists.  There is also a short interpretive walk across the island.

Woody Is

Low Is

What did we do?  We left Port Douglas with our crew for the day which consisted of Jessee (Ian's daughter), Josh and Gaye (Jessee's friends) and Lokki (Gaye's son).  Lokki turned out to be the feature of the day as his joy and enthusiasm was infectious.

With Lokki and Jessee sharing duties at the helm, we made it safely to Low Isles where we moored for the day.

Ian took the crew over to Low Is to do a bit of exploring, both above and below water.



Then it was back to Winkali where the fun escalated.   Marine life came from all directions to share lunch with us.

Batfish

Giant Trevally

More Batfish

Batfish and Ramora

This Black-tipped Reef Shark and his Ramora (sucker fish) wanted lunch too.

Lokki  wonders whether the shark has had enough lunch.

Low Isles is a favourite island destination for Ian and I.  Many birds breed there at different times of the year.  There are a few resident Ospreys which have built nests on the Lighthouse.  They are often seen flying back to their nests with a fish in their talons.  At the moment Bridled Terns, Blacknaped Terns and Pied Imperial Pigeons are busy in their nests.  

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I published this blog as 'Around Cairns' a couple of weeks ago and intended to be informative about the areas around Cairns that Ian and I go to.

I've changed my mind and decided to keep it in the Winkali theme, as when we went away.

See you soon.