Dugong Beach Sailing Guide
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide. Dugong Beach sits on the sheltered western side of Whitsunday Island, forming one of the calmest and most dependable anchorages in the entire group. The surrounding hills block much of the trade‑wind flow, and the bay settles into a flat, predictable basin even when the breeze is up outside. The shoreline is wooded and quiet, with a gentle curve that gives the anchorage a natural, enclosed feel. It’s a place skippers use when they want a peaceful overnight stop without the exposure of the open passages.
The bay is a natural extension of Cid Harbour and shares its sheltered, low‑energy character, but Dugong Beach feels more intimate and slightly more protected. It’s a favourite for crews wanting a quiet night, a safe anchorage in fresh trades, or a simple, no‑stress stopover before continuing north or south. The approach is uncomplicated, the anchorage is forgiving, and the bay behaves consistently across most weather patterns.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Approaches
Approaches to Dugong Beach are simple in good light. Offshore depths ease from 12–18 m into 8–12 m as you close the shoreline, flattening into 5–8 m over sand inside the anchoring area. The seabed is clean, with only minor patches of weed. The fringing reef sits tight to the shoreline and rises into 2–3 m in the corners of the bay. The approach channel is wide and free of hazards, with the only shallow areas being the margins near the beach.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Main
Anchorage (Central Bay)
The central section of Dugong Beach provides the most reliable anchoring, with sand in 5–8 m and excellent shelter in SE–E trade‑wind conditions. The holding is firm, the swing room generous, and the sea state remains flat even when the breeze freshens outside. The bay is deep enough to remain comfortable across most of the tidal cycle.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Northern
Corner
The northern end shoals into 3–5 m and offers additional shelter in lighter conditions. The seabed is mostly sand with patches of weed. This area is best used when the bay is busy or when skippers prefer a slightly more enclosed feel.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Southern
Corner
The southern end is similar in character, with 3–5 m over sand and weed. The shoreline is closer here, and the area is best used in settled weather.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Navigation
Navigation inside Dugong Beach is straightforward, with a clean depth gradient and minimal reef. The shoreline shelves predictably, and the only shallow areas are the margins near the beach. The anchoring area is wide and free of coral, and tidal streams are mild and do not affect anchoring. Visibility is good in most conditions, and the bay is easy to enter and exit even in fresh trades.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Weather
Dugong Beach is one of the most sheltered anchorages on Whitsunday Island, with the surrounding hills blocking much of the SE–E trade‑wind flow. The sea state remains flat even in fresh conditions, and gusting is minimal compared to the more open bays nearby. The anchorage performs well across most of the tidal cycle and remains comfortable in all but strong westerlies, which can push directly into the bay. Swell intrusion is negligible.
Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Fishing
Fishing around Dugong Beach has a quiet, inshore‑estuary feel, shaped by the sheltered water and sandy bottom. Flathead and grunter work the sandy margins, especially on the first of the flood when bait moves into the bay from the deeper water outside. Small sweetlip and bream feed around the scattered rubble patches near the shoreline, and the rocky points at the bay’s entrance produce cod and the occasional small trout in calm conditions. The deeper pockets in the centre of the bay hold small trevally when the water is clean. Most skippers fish from the dinghy, drifting the sandy edges or working the rocky points in settled weather. Ciguatera risk is negligible this close inshore. Dugong Beach’s fishery is modest but reliable a sheltered, low‑energy environment that rewards working the edges and timing the tide.
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Dugong Beach Sailing Guide - Summary
Dugong Beach is a calm, dependable anchorage on the western side of Whitsunday Island, offering excellent shelter from the prevailing trades and simple approaches in good light. The bay’s clean sand bottom, predictable depth gradient, and flat sea state make it a favourite overnight stop for skippers moving through the central Whitsundays. Fishing is modest but consistent, shaped by sandy margins, gentle tides, and the influence of the rocky entrance points. Dugong Beach is best enjoyed as a peaceful, sheltered pause in an otherwise busy cruising area. The Dugong Beach Sailing Guide is here to assist you.