Bedarra Island Sailing Guide

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide. Bedarra Island lies immediately southwest of Dunk Island within the Family Islands group and is a small, steep, reef‑fringed island with limited anchoring options. The island is primarily a waypoint or short‑stay anchorage in settled conditions due to restricted swinging room and exposure to wind shifts.

The western side provides the only workable anchorage, with depths and holding varying over sand and coral rubble. Approaches require attention to fringing reef, tidal set between Bedarra and Wheeler Island, and sea‑state behaviour in trade winds.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Approaches

Approaches from the north and south are straightforward with charted depths >20 m until within 0.3–0.5 NM of the island. The eastern side is fully exposed to Coral Sea swell and is not suitable for anchoring. The western side offers the only practical approach.

• Northern approach: Depths 18–25 m. Tidal set to the southwest on ebb at 0.5–1 kt.
• Southern approach: Depths 20–30 m. Occasional short chop in wind‑against‑tide conditions.
• Western approach: Clear but narrow. Maintain >150 m off the fringing reef until in <12 m water.

Hazards include fringing reef on all sides, drying to 0 m at LAT. The reef shelf on the western side extends irregularly and can be difficult to judge in afternoon glare. The channel between Bedarra and Wheeler Island has tidal flow 0.5–1.5 kt, strongest on spring tides, setting north–south.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Anchorage

The only viable anchorage is on the western side in 8–15 m over sand with coral rubble. Holding varies; sand patches provide acceptable grip, but coral rubble reduces reliability. Limited swinging room makes this anchorage suitable only in settled weather.

The anchorage is exposed to northerly winds and becomes uncomfortable above 10–15 kt from that quadrant. In southeast trade winds, expect gusts off the island’s slopes and moderate swell wrap. Not recommended for overnighting in unstable or shifting conditions.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Entry Formalities

Bedarra Island has no clearance facilities. Vessels arriving from overseas must complete Australian Border Force, Immigration, and Biosecurity entry at designated ports such as Cairns or Townsville. No local restrictions apply to Starlink or other satellite communications equipment. Firearms must be declared on entry into Australia and cannot be landed on the island.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Marina Facilities

There are no marinas or berthing facilities on Bedarra Island. All visiting vessels must anchor off the western side. Nearest marina and berthing options: Mission Beach (Clump Point): public jetty only, no berths. Port Hinchinbrook Marina (Cardwell): depths 2–3 m at MLWS. Cairns Marlin Marina: full‑service deepwater marina >5 m.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Local Weather

The region is dominated by southeast trade winds from May to September, typically 15–25 kt, producing consistent swell wrap on the western anchorage. Summer months bring lighter winds, afternoon sea breezes, and higher thunderstorm frequency. Cyclone season runs November to April with rapid weather changes possible.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Provisioning

Supermarkets. No supermarkets exist on Bedarra Island. Nearest provisioning is on the mainland at Mission Beach: Woolworths Mission Beach, FoodWorks Mission Beach. Local specialty produce includes tropical fruit from small farms in Mission Beach, El Arish, and the Cassowary Coast.

Markets. Mission Beach Markets (Ulysses Park): monthly general produce and local goods. Innisfail Central Market: broader produce range, ~50 km inland.

Fish Markets. Innisfail Seafood: primary regional fish outlet. Cardwell Fishermen’s Co‑op: small‑scale local catch.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Local Fishing

Fishing around Bedarra Island is shaped by the steep contours and fringing reef on all sides, with workable ground mainly along the western edge and the channel toward Wheeler Island. Coral trout, sweetlip, and small reef species hold tight to the reef line, with better results on the turn of the tide when current eases from the usual 0.5–1.5 kt north–south flow. The deeper pockets in 15–25 m west and southwest of the island produce pelagic passes from mackerel during trade‑wind periods, while the rubble patches between Bedarra and Wheeler hold small nannygai and cod in settled conditions.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Local Cuisine

Regional dishes include Coral trout: grilled or pan‑fried. Barramundi: widely available across the Cassowary Coast. Mud crab: steamed or chilli‑style. Tropical fruit varieties: mango, papaya, rambutan, lychee.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Fuel Supplies

No fuel is available on Bedarra Island. Nearest marine fuel: Clump Point (Mission Beach): diesel via bowser on the public jetty. Cardwell: diesel at the marina fuel berth. Jerry‑can transport required from Mission Beach for yachts.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Water Supplies

No potable water is available on Bedarra Island. Water can be taken at Clump Point Jetty: limited potable supply. Cardwell Marina: potable water at berths.

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Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Marine Services

No marine services exist on Bedarra Island. Nearest options: Mission Beach: limited mobile mechanics and electricians. Cardwell: basic marine mechanical services. Cairns: full‑service marine precinct including Volvo Penta, Yanmar, Cummins, and multiple electronics technicians.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Local Customs

Bedarra Island is part of the Djiru traditional lands. Respect applies to walking tracks, cultural sites, and wildlife. Avoid disturbance to nesting birds on the western reef edge and sand areas.

Bedarra Island Sailing Guide - Summary

Bedarra Island offers a small, weather‑dependent anchorage with limited holding and restricted swinging room. No services exist on the island, and all provisioning and technical needs must be handled on the mainland. Best used as a short‑stay anchorage in stable conditions. The Bedarra Island Sailing Guide for all you need to know.