Stonehaven Whitsundays Sailing Guide
Stonehaven Whitsundays sailing guide. Stonehaven is one of the most popular and visually striking anchorages in the Whitsundays, offering a series of deep, sand‑bottom bays along the western side of Hook Island. The anchorage provides reliable shelter in south‑easterlies, clear water, strong holding and excellent access to the northern island group. For skippers moving between Airlie Beach, Nara Inlet, Macona Inlet and the northern bays such as Butterfly Bay and Maureen’s Cove, Stonehaven is a natural staging point with predictable depths and straightforward anchoring.
Although Stonehaven is forgiving in the prevailing trades, the skipper must remain alert to its exposure in northerly winds, the presence of coral patches near the shoreline and the gusts that funnel off the slopes in fresh south‑easterlies. The anchorage is open enough that vessels lie mostly to the breeze rather than the tide, and the sea state can become lively when the wind pipes up. The seabed is mostly sand with strong holding, but the skipper must avoid edging too close to the reef edges, where bommies rise abruptly from deeper water. Stonehaven is not a difficult anchorage, but it rewards careful weather selection and a deliberate approach to anchoring.
Stonehaven
Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Location
Stonehaven lies on the western side of Hook Island, north of Nara Inlet and south of Butterfly Bay. The anchorage is divided into several pockets along the coastline, each offering different levels of shelter and depth. The bays open directly into the Whitsunday Passage and are easily identified by the steep, forested slopes of Hook Island and the clear, turquoise water over sand. Approximate centre position: 20°05.5’S 148°55.5’E.
Stonehaven
Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Approach
The approach to Stonehaven is clear, with 20–40 m of water in the Whitsunday Passage and a wide, unobstructed line toward the anchorage. The skipper can shape a direct approach from Airlie Beach, Nara Inlet, Macona Inlet or the northern bays, with depths remaining consistent at 15–25 m until nearing the shoreline. In strong south‑easterlies, the western side of Hook Island provides good shelter, and the sea state remains manageable. The entrance to each anchorage pocket is easy to identify in good visibility, but coral patches near the shoreline require attention.
Stonehaven Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Navigation Hazards
The primary hazards in Stonehaven are the coral patches near the shoreline, the gradually shelving seabed and the exposure created by northerly winds. The skipper must avoid edging too close to the reef edges, where bommies rise abruptly from deeper water. There are no significant underwater obstructions in the central anchorage pockets, and navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
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.
Stonehaven Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Inside
Inside the anchorage pockets, the water shallows to 8–15 m, and the seabed is mostly sand with strong holding. The shoreline shelves gradually, and the skipper must anchor well clear of the reef edges to maintain adequate depth and avoid bommies. The anchorage remains comfortable in south‑easterlies, with the mainland providing reliable shelter and keeping the sea state calm. The pockets are large enough to accommodate multiple vessels without crowding, and the anchorage remains predictable in most conditions.
Stonehaven
Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Anchorage
Stonehaven offers 8–15 m of depth over sand, with excellent holding and generous room to anchor. The anchorage is comfortable in south‑easterlies, with the mainland providing good protection and keeping the sea state calm. The anchorage is open enough that vessels lie mostly to the breeze rather than the tide, and swing is moderate. In northerly winds, the anchorage becomes exposed and can develop short, steep chop that makes the anchorage uncomfortable or untenable. The seabed is mostly sand with strong holding, and the anchorage is suitable for both overnight and extended stays in favourable conditions.
Stonehaven
Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Wind, Weather and Tides
Stonehaven is well protected from south‑easterly trade winds, and the anchorage remains comfortable in these conditions. Northerlies expose the anchorage 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 anchorage is unaffected by swell in south‑easterlies, but northerly swell can enter the bay and increase motion. Weather selection is the primary factor affecting comfort and safety.
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Stonehaven
Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Provisioning, Fuel and Water
Stonehaven 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 anchorage. All resupply must be done at Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island before entering the Hook Island anchorages.
Stonehaven
Whitsundays Sailing Guide - Summary
Stonehaven is one of the most scenic and reliable 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 pockets provide a calm, sheltered refuge in south‑easterlies. For skippers transiting the Whitsunday Passage, Stonehaven is an essential stop and a practical staging point for the northern bays. The Stonehaven Whitsundays Sailing Guide has useful information.