Manly cruising guide for yachts. Manly is the primary operational base for cruising yachts on the western side of Moreton Bay. The harbour sits behind a rock breakwater and is accessible at all tides via a dredged entrance channel that carries roughly three metres at lowest astronomical tide, with more water on most states of tide. Inside the harbour, depths in the main fairways and marina basins generally range between about two and three metres, giving comfortable clearance for typical cruising monohulls and multihulls without the need for tidal planning. There is no bar, no swell, and only short, wind‑driven chop outside the breakwater in strong south‑easterlies, making Manly a genuine all‑weather refuge.
What makes Manly important from a skipper’s perspective is the density of facilities within a very small radius. The harbour contains multiple marinas, a working slipway at the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club marina, full hardstand and haul‑out with lift at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, fuel and water at both RQYS and East Coast Marina, sewage pump‑out facilities, and one of the best‑stocked chandleries in Queensland in Muirs. Add IGA Manly within walking distance and Coles and Woolworths in nearby Wynnum for full provisioning, plus the Manly Markets for additional fresh produce, and Manly becomes a complete preparation port rather than just a place to berth.
The approach to Manly is via a clearly marked dredged channel that runs in from the bay to the harbour entrance. Depths in this channel are typically around three metres at LAT, increasing with the tide, which gives safe clearance for yachts drawing up to about two and a half metres. The edges of the channel shoal quickly, so staying precisely within the marks matters, particularly on lower tides. Once inside the breakwater, depths in the central fairways and marina basins sit mostly between two and three metres, with slightly shallower water close to the inner rock walls and at the very heads of some arms.
The harbour is a six‑knot, low‑wash environment from the breakwater inward. Skippers are expected to reduce speed before entering and to run at minimal wake throughout the harbour. This is not just courtesy; the combination of floating pontoons, small vessels, and closely packed berths means wash can cause real problems. In practice, most yachts run at or below six knots from the outer leads and ease back further as they pass the fuel docks and inner basins. There are no overhead clearance issues anywhere in the approach or harbour.
The harbour is laid out around a central fairway with basins extending to either side. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron occupies the northern side with extensive marina arms and a large hardstand and travel‑lift facility. East Coast Marina and other private marinas occupy the central and southern sections, while the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club marina sits near the harbour entrance on the northern side. The Coastguard is also based here. The slipway in question is located within the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club marina and is used for hauling smaller yachts and powerboats for maintenance and antifouling. For larger vessels, the RQYS travel‑lift and hardstand provide the main haul‑out capacity but it is hard to get a slot for work there.
Fairways are generally wide enough for comfortable manoeuvring, but high‑windage vessels still need to account for crosswinds, particularly in strong south‑easterlies. The inner basins are very well protected and see little wave action; the outer fairways can experience some short chop when the wind is fresh, but nothing approaching open‑water conditions. Turning space is adequate for typical cruising yachts, and there are no tight doglegs or blind corners once the layout is understood.
Fuel and water are straightforward in Manly. Both Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and East Coast Marina have fuel docks supplying diesel and petrol, with sufficient depth alongside for large cruising yachts. Water is available on the fuel docks and at individual berths throughout the marina network. Sewage pump‑out facilities are installed within the harbour and are accessible to visiting yachts; skippers should confirm current locations and operating arrangements with their chosen marina, but in practical terms, black‑water management can be handled entirely within Manly without needing to move elsewhere in the bay. Better to use the marina showers and toilets as well as the laundry.
Manly’s marine services are comprehensive. RQYS provides haul‑out and hardstand for larger yachts, with space for more extensive maintenance projects. The Wynnum Manly Yacht Club slipway supports quite large vessels and offers a simpler haul‑out option. I used them myself and did all my own work, they are well setup for DIY with facilities. As usual there are varying opinions of the competencies of diesel mechanics and electrical people, as have had first-hand feedback by other boats about the serious skill deficiencies (diesel mechanics that seem unable to perform compression tests) and overcharging. Suggest you ask around the marina and get more than one reference before you engage someone, write down the work task to avoid scope growth and hour padding. The stainless fabricators and the upholstery people are charging gold plated hourly rates. North Sails are located here and offer a really good service as does Ullman Sails, also good, and used both of them when I was there. Rope Solutions is best rigging company, not cheap but a good job, at least the operators of all 3 businesses actually sail. Unlike many of the electrical and mechanical people who have never owned a boat. These things actually matter as most boat owners will agree.
Muirs Chandlery is a major asset. It is widely regarded as one of the best chandleries in Queensland, with a deep inventory of deck hardware, rigging components, safety equipment, electrical gear, plumbing fittings, paints, sealants and general yacht consumables. For skippers preparing for extended cruising or offshore passages, the ability to source most required parts locally, without waiting on freight, is a significant operational advantage and one of the key reasons many boats choose to base themselves in Manly. This is one of the last true chandleries left and can’t speak highly enough of them, owned and run by sailors who can answer almost any question or suggest a solution or find a part.
Day‑to‑day provisioning is centred on IGA Manly, which is within easy walking distance of the marina precinct and functions as the primary supermarket for crews alongside. It carries a full range of fresh produce, dry goods, dairy, frozen items and basic household supplies, making it ideal for regular top‑ups and short‑notice resupply. For full provisioning runs, skippers typically use Coles and Woolworths in Wynnum, both of which offer complete supermarket capability with large fresh food sections, bulk dry stores and alcohol. These stores are a short taxi or rideshare trip from the harbour. Most crews handle major provisioning in a single run using marina trolleys if you can get them, but buy your own larger folding trolley, to move loads from the car park to the boat. Less trips to do if you are right out at the end pontoons. The bread shop near the IGA is excellent, really good pies and also great sandwiches as well. There is also a very good butcher in this centre for almost any meat you want. The barber is also rather busy here as is the pharmacy and the post office.
Fresh food provisioning is further supported by the Manly Creative Markets, held on Sundays in Little Bayside Park near the town centre. These markets provide fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, ready‑to‑eat food and specialty items, and are particularly useful for topping up fresh produce just before departure.
While there are several eateries in Manly, not many I found to be that great, but best place is the Manly Hotel, good food and some entertainment and a quiz night. The Lido Italian eatery is near here and make great pizza. Just a short rideshare or e-bike trip or a long walk up to Bay Terrace where there is the excellent Pepe's Mexican restaurant (run by Mexicans and it shows in the food), as well as a nice little Japanese place (Hajime) and a truly awesome pizza place (Munja) across the road from pepe's. May's Thai is worth a taxi ride as well.
Manly is the most complete operational base in Moreton Bay, combining a dredged, all‑tide entrance with two to three metres of depth throughout the harbour, a six‑knot low‑wash regime, a working slipway at the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club marina, extensive hardstand and haul‑out at RQYS, fuel and water at both RQYS and East Coast Marina, sewage pump‑out facilities and one of the best chandleries in the state in Muirs. With IGA Manly within walking distance, Coles and Woolworths in nearby Wynnum for full provisioning and fresh produce from the Manly Creative Markets, a skipper can fully prepare a yacht for extended cruising without leaving the immediate area. The Manly Cruising Guide for Yachts for a stopover.