Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide for Yachts
Macona Inlet Sailing Guide. Macona Inlet is one of the most reliable and user‑friendly anchorages in the Whitsundays, offering deep, protected water, excellent holding and generous room to anchor. The inlet lies on the western side of Hook Island, just north of Cid Harbour and south of Nara Inlet, forming a wide, sheltered basin that remains calm in the prevailing south‑easterlies. For skippers moving between Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, Stonehaven and the northern island group, Macona Inlet is a practical alternative to Nara Inlet, providing similar protection with easier anchoring and more open space.
Although Macona Inlet is forgiving in most conditions, the skipper must remain alert to its shallow margins, coral patches near the entrance and the exposure created by northerly winds. The inlet is wide enough that vessels lie mostly to the breeze rather than the tide, and gusts can funnel down the slopes in strong south‑easterlies. The seabed is mostly sand and mud with strong holding, but the shoreline shelves gradually, and the skipper must avoid edging too close to the mangroves. Macona Inlet is not a difficult anchorage, but it rewards a deliberate approach and an understanding of its depth profile and wind behaviour.
Macona Inlet Sailing Guide - Location
Macona Inlet lies on the western side of Hook Island, between Cid Harbour to the south and Nara Inlet to the north. The inlet opens directly into the Whitsunday Passage and forms a broad, sheltered basin with steep, forested slopes and a gently shelving shoreline. The entrance is wide and easily identified from seaward. Approximate position: 20°08.0’S 148°56.0’E
Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Approach
The approach to Macona Inlet is clear, with 20–40 m of water in the Whitsunday Passage and a wide, unobstructed line toward the entrance. The skipper can shape a direct approach from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, Cid Harbour, Nara Inlet or Stonehaven, with depths remaining consistent at 15–25 m until nearing the inlet. In strong south‑easterlies, the western side of Hook Island provides good shelter, and the sea state remains manageable. The entrance is easy to identify in good visibility, with the steep slopes of Hook Island forming a distinctive backdrop. Coral patches near the entrance require attention, but the central channel remains clear.
Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Inside
Inside the inlet, the water shallows to 8–15 m, and the basin opens into a wide, calm anchorage with strong holding over sand and mud. The shoreline shelves gradually, and the skipper must anchor well clear of the mangroves to maintain adequate depth. The inlet remains comfortable in south‑easterlies, with the surrounding slopes reducing gusts and eliminating fetch. The basin is large enough to accommodate multiple vessels without crowding, and the anchorage remains predictable in most conditions.
Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Anchorage
Macona Inlet offers 8–15 m of depth over sand and mud, with excellent holding and generous room to anchor. The anchorage is comfortable in south‑easterlies, with the mainland providing reliable shelter and keeping the sea state calm. The inlet is wide enough that vessels lie mostly to the breeze rather than the tide, and swing is moderate. In northerly winds, the inlet becomes exposed and can develop short, steep chop that makes the anchorage uncomfortable or untenable. The seabed is mostly sand and mud with strong holding, and the anchorage is suitable for both overnight and extended stays in favourable conditions.
Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Wind, Weather and Tides
Macona Inlet is well protected from south‑easterly trade winds, and the anchorage remains comfortable in these conditions. Northerlies expose the inlet and can create short, steep chop that makes the anchorage uncomfortable or untenable. Tidal flow is minimal, and the vessel will lie mostly to the breeze rather than the tide. The inlet is unaffected by swell, and the sea state remains flat even when the sea outside is steep. Weather selection is the primary factor affecting comfort and safety.
Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Navigation Hazards
The primary hazards in Macona Inlet are the shallow margins near the mangroves, coral patches near the entrance and the exposure created by northerly winds. The inlet is wide and forgiving, but the skipper must avoid edging too close to the shoreline, where depths decrease gradually. There are no significant underwater obstructions in the central basin, and navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
Mechanical and Electrical Repairs
Resource
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Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Provisioning, Fuel and Water
Macona Inlet has no facilities of any kind, and the skipper must arrive fully self‑sufficient with all provisions, fuel, water and spares already onboard. There are no shops, fuel points, water access, marinas or landing services anywhere in the inlet. All resupply must be done at Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island before entering the Hook Island anchorages.
Macona Inlet
Sailing Guide - Summary
Macona Inlet is one of the most reliable and user‑friendly anchorages in the Whitsundays, offering deep, protected water, excellent holding and generous room to anchor. The approach is straightforward, the anchorage is predictable and the inlet provides a calm, sheltered refuge in south‑easterlies. For skippers transiting the Whitsunday Passage, Macona Inlet is an essential stop and a practical alternative to Nara Inlet. The Macona Inlet Sailing Guide is here to help your trip.