Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide for Yachts
Manta Ray Bay Sailing Guide. Manta Ray Bay is a narrow, coral‑lined bay on the northern side of Hook Island, offering exceptionally clear water, steep slopes and some of the best snorkelling in the Whitsundays. The bay is small, deep and heavily fringed with coral, with only a limited central pocket suitable for short‑stay anchoring in sand patches. For most skippers, Manta Ray Bay is a day‑use destination, ideal for snorkelling and swimming but generally unsuitable for overnight anchoring due to limited swing room, coral hazards and exposure to northerly winds.
Although Manta Ray Bay is visually stunning, the skipper must remain alert to coral bommies, abrupt depth changes, fringing reefs and the confined nature of the anchorage. The bay is narrow enough that vessels lie strictly to the breeze, and swing is heavily restricted by the reef edges. The seabed is a mix of sand and coral, and the skipper must anchor only in sand patches to avoid damaging coral and to ensure reliable holding. Manta Ray Bay is not a difficult place to enter, but it demands precise anchoring technique, good visibility and a clear understanding that it is not a secure overnight anchorage.
Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide - Location
Manta Ray Bay lies on the northern side of Hook Island, east of Maureen’s Cove and west of the outer‑reef influence of the Coral Sea. The bay opens northward and is framed by steep, forested slopes and coral‑fringed shoreline. The entrance is narrow but easily identified in good visibility, with deep blue water outside and turquoise water over sand patches inside. Approximate position: 20°04.2’S 148°56.5’E
Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide - Approach
The approach to Manta Ray Bay requires careful attention to bommies and fringing reefs, with 20–30 m of water outside the entrance and a narrowing line toward the central basin. The skipper can shape a direct approach from Butterfly Bay, Maureen’s Cove or offshore routes, with depths remaining consistent at 15–20 m until nearing the bay. Coral heads rise abruptly near both sides of the entrance, and the skipper must maintain a central approach in good visibility. In strong south‑easterlies, the bay remains moderately sheltered, but in northerlies the sea state becomes exposed and can develop short, steep chop.
Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide - Navigation
The primary hazards in Manta Ray Bay are coral bommies, fringing reefs, limited swing room and the exposure created by northerly winds. The skipper must maintain a central approach to avoid shoaling and anchor only in sand patches to avoid coral damage. The bay is small and popular, and the skipper must maintain situational awareness when sharing the anchorage with other vessels. Coral heads rise abruptly near the edges, and the skipper must avoid edging too close to the shoreline.
Keep a Bow Watch for Bommies
(Bomboras)
Bommies is a common cruising term (especially in the Pacific and Australia) referring to isolated coral heads that rise abruptly from the seabed, often from deep water to just below, or just above, the surface. Bommies are one of the biggest navigational hazards in reef environments because they can be hard to see in poor light, they are scattered unpredictably across lagoon floors, they are steep‑sided, rising from 20–30 m to 1 m in seconds, they are uncharted or inaccurately charted. A single bommie can ruin a keel, rudder, or prop.
Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide - Inside
Inside the bay, the water shallows to 10–15 m in the central pocket, with sand patches interspersed with coral. The shoreline shelves quickly near the reef edges, and the skipper must anchor only in sand to avoid coral damage and ensure reliable holding. The bay is narrow, and swing room is extremely limited, particularly when sharing the anchorage with other vessels. The water is exceptionally clear, and bommies are visible in good light, but poor visibility or low sun angles can make anchoring more challenging.
Manta Ray Bay Sailing Guide - Wind, Weather and Tides
Manta Ray Bay is moderately protected from south‑easterly trade winds, and the anchorage remains comfortable in these conditions. Northerlies expose the bay 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 bay is unaffected by swell in south‑easterlies, but northerly swell can enter the bay and increase motion. Weather selection is critical for any stay longer than a brief snorkelling stop.
Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide - Anchorage
Manta Ray Bay offers 10–15
m of depth over sand patches, with moderate shelter in south‑easterlies and
reliable holding when anchored correctly. The anchorage is compact, and vessels
lie strictly to the breeze rather than the tide. Swing is heavily restricted by
the reef edges, and the skipper must allow for minimal movement when setting the
anchor. In northerly winds, the bay becomes exposed and can develop short,
steep chop that makes the anchorage uncomfortable or untenable. The seabed is a
mix of sand and coral, and anchoring must be done with precision.
Overnight anchoring is generally not recommended.
Mechanical and Electrical Repairs
Resource
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Manta Ray Bay
Sailing Guide - Provisioning, Fuel and Water
Manta Ray Bay 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 bay. All resupply must be done at Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island before entering the Hook Island anchorages.
Manta Ray Bay Sailing Guide - Summary
Manta Ray Bay is a narrow, coral‑fringed bay offering clear water, steep slopes and excellent snorkelling in settled conditions. The approach requires careful attention to bommies, the anchorage demands precise placement in sand patches and the bay becomes exposed in northerlies. It is a rewarding day‑use anchorage, but overnight stays are generally unsuitable due to limited swing room and weather exposure. Manta Ray Bay Sailing Guide for practical information.