Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts 

Moreton Bay cruising guide for yachts.  Moreton Bay is one of Australia’s most versatile cruising regions, offering a mix of deep‑water marinas, sheltered island anchorages, and tide‑dependent passages that reward careful planning. For cruising yachts and liveaboards, the bay provides reliable protection in most weather conditions, but its shifting sandbanks, narrow channels, and strong tidal flows demand conservative navigation. The region is large enough to offer meaningful variety, ranging from the Brisbane River’s commercial waterways to the clear‑water anchorages of Moreton Island, yet compact enough for short passages between destinations. This makes it an ideal training ground for new skippers and a dependable base for long‑term cruisers

Understanding the layout of Moreton Bay is essential for safe and efficient passage planning. The northern sector is defined by Bribie Island and the Redcliffe Peninsula, the central sector by Brisbane, Manly, and the western marinas, and the southern sector by the Stradbroke Islands, Jumpinpin, and the Broadwater. Each area has distinct operational considerations: depth constraints, tidal gates, ferry traffic, or exposed anchorages. This page provides a structured overview of every major destination within Moreton Bay, such as Moreton Bay anchorages, about cruising Moreton Bay, Moreton Island sailing, the Brisbane River for yachts and more.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Brisbane (Brisbane River)

Brisbane is a Port of Entry and is accessed by the Brisbane River. The Brisbane River is the bay’s primary deep‑water access route, offering all‑weather entry, commercial‑grade navigation aids, and multiple marinas suitable for cruising yachts. The river is dredged and navigable for vessels of all sizes, though skippers must remain alert for ferries, tugs, and shipping traffic. Strong tidal flow affects berthing, and manoeuvres should be planned around slack or rising tide. Brisbane provides the most complete provisioning and marine‑service ecosystem in Moreton Bay, including fuel, haul‑out, chandlery, and supermarkets.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Manly

Manly is the largest marina complex in Moreton Bay, with hundreds of berths, haul‑out facilities, fuel, chandlery, and yacht‑club services. The harbour is protected by a large breakwater, though strong south‑easterlies can create chop in the outer fairways. Depths are generally reliable, and the approach is straightforward. Manly is the best base for yachts preparing for Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island, and southern bay cruising.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Deception Bay

Deception Bay offers broad, shallow waters with limited deep‑draft access. It is suitable mainly for shoal‑draft yachts seeking quiet, low‑traffic shelter. There are no marinas or services, but the bay provides protection in westerly conditions.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Redcliffe Peninsula

The Redcliffe Peninsula provides several day‑use anchorages and is a common waypoint for yachts entering or exiting the bay from the north. Scarborough is the primary harbour, while Redcliffe Jetty and Woody Point offer temporary shelter in settled weather. The coastline is exposed to easterlies, and holding varies.

Scarborough and Newport (Redcliffe Peninsula)

Scarborough is the northern deep‑water gateway to Moreton Bay and a preferred base for yachts heading toward Bribie Island, Pumicestone Passage, and the Sunshine Coast. Scarborough Marina offers fuel, haul‑out, chandlery, LPG, and full provisioning within walking distance. The entrance channel is dredged and reliable, with depths suitable for most cruising drafts. The harbour is well protected in all conditions, making it one of the safest cyclone‑season berths in the region. Newport Marina information is included in the Scarborough page and sits inside a sheltered canal estate and provides deep, calm berths ideal for long‑term stays and liveaboards. The entrance channel is dredged but contains shallow patches, requiring tidal planning for yachts over ~2.0 m draft. Once inside, the basin is exceptionally stable, with no swell or wash. Provisioning is available nearby, though fuel must be obtained at Scarborough.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Bribie Island

Bribie Island forms the northern boundary of Moreton Bay and provides access to Pumicestone Passage, a shallow, shifting waterway suitable mainly for shoal‑draft yachts and multihulls. Deeper‑draft vessels typically anchor on the western side of Bribie in settled conditions. The island offers several protected anchorages in easterlies but has limited marina facilities.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Pumicestone Passage

Running between Bribie Island and the mainland, Pumicestone Passage is a shallow, tide‑dependent waterway suitable only for shoal‑draft yachts and multihulls. Sandbanks shift constantly, and depths vary dramatically. The passage offers excellent scenery and sheltered anchorages but is not suitable for deep‑draft cruising yachts.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Moreton Island

Moreton Island is the bay’s primary offshore cruising destination, offering clear water, sand‑bottom anchorages, and reliable shelter depending on wind direction. Key anchorages include Tangalooma, Horseshoe Bay, Kooringal, and Day’s Gutter. Depths are generally good, but tidal flow and shifting sandbanks require attention. The island has no fuel, marinas, or provisioning, so yachts must arrive self‑sufficient. The western side provides excellent shelter in westerlies; the eastern side is exposed to ocean swell.

North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

North Stradbroke Island offers several sheltered anchorages, including Dunwich, Deanbilla Bay, and Myora, all suitable for overnight stops. Dunwich provides the most reliable holding and limited provisioning. Strong tidal flow and ferry traffic require caution. The island is a useful waypoint for yachts heading south toward Jumpinpin or north toward Moreton Island.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - South Stradbroke Island

South Stradbroke Island forms the eastern boundary of the Broadwater, a protected inland waterway extending to the Gold Coast. Anchorages such as Tipplers, The Bedrooms, and South Currigee offer excellent shelter for shallow‑draft yachts. Depths vary, and sandbanks shift frequently, but the area is well marked and manageable with updated charts. Ideal for shoal‑draft cruisers and catamarans.

Cleveland & Raby Bay (Cleveland Bay)

Cleveland sits on the western side of southern Moreton Bay and provides convenient access to Raby Bay Marina and Redland City Marina. Cleveland Bay itself is not a recognised anchorage due to exposure, but the marina precinct offers deep‑water berths, restaurants, and full provisioning within walking distance. The approach via the Cleveland Channel is straightforward, with reliable depths.

Raby Bay Marina. Raby Bay Marina offers well‑protected floating berths suitable for yachts up to ~20 m. The dredged entrance provides reliable access for most cruising drafts. The marina precinct includes cafés, restaurants, and access to Cleveland’s supermarkets and transport. No fuel dock is available; the nearest marine fuel is at Manly or Horizon Shores.

Redland City Marina. Located within the Ross Canal system, Redland City Marina offers haul‑out, hardstand, and marine trades, making it a practical maintenance base. Depths are generally suitable for yachts up to ~2.2 m draft, though deeper vessels should plan around mid‑tide. Provisioning requires a short taxi to Cleveland or Victoria Point.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Redland Bay

Redland Bay is a logistics waypoint rather than a yacht destination. It provides access to the Southern Bay Islands ferry network, but there are no marina berths or fuel facilities for yachts. Waters are shallow with narrow channels, requiring careful navigation.

Mechanical and Electrical Repairs Resource

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Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Cleveland Point

Cleveland Point is a prominent navigation feature marking the entrance to the Cleveland Channel. It offers no reliable anchorage but serves as a useful waypoint when transiting between Raby Bay, North Stradbroke Island, and the Southern Bay Islands. Strong tidal flow occurs around the lighthouse.

Jumpinpin & the Jumpinpin Bar

Jumpinpin is one of the most dynamic and hazardous areas in Moreton Bay. The Jumpinpin Bar is not recommended for cruising yachts due to shifting sandbanks, breaking surf, and rapidly changing depths. Inside the bar, channels such as The Bedrooms, Tiger Mullet Channel, and Whalleys Gutter offer excellent shelter for shallow‑draft yachts, but strong tidal flow, often exceeding 4 knots, requires careful timing. Deep‑draft yachts should avoid the bar entirely and use the Gold Coast Seaway for ocean access.

Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts - Summary

Moreton Bay offers a diverse network of cruising destinations, from deep‑water marinas and river berths to island anchorages and shallow tidal waterways. Each location has distinct operational considerations, depth, tide, traffic, and shelter—that influence passage planning. This hub page provides a structured, skipper‑ready overview of Brisbane, Scarborough, Newport, Manly, Bribie Island, Moreton Island, the Stradbroke Islands, Cleveland / Raby Bay, Redland City Marina, Redland Bay, Jumpinpin, and the wider bay. With careful navigation and conservative tidal planning, Moreton Bay becomes one of Australia’s most rewarding and accessible cruising grounds. The Moreton Bay Cruising Guide for Yachts has a lot of useful information.