Anchorage: Red Cliff Pt, Bernier Island WA Wind sculpted sand dunes tumble into turquoise waters in a World Heritage listed marine park |
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Protecting the north and west coasts of World Heritage listed Shark Bay from the untamed Indian Ocean, Bernier Island is 30nm west of Carnarvon, being north of Perth between Geraldton and Exmouth.Nestled at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, Carnarvon is a vibrant waterfront town, with vast mango and banana plantations dominating the local industry. Rugged, barren Bernier Island offers remote cruising in an area little known outside the Shark Bay boating community.Wind sculptured sandunes cascade into the turquoise waters of the bay as the Indian Ocean crashes into the windward coast a short distance away on the windward coast. In this far-flung, uninhabited corner of WA, expect to have the whole island to yourself (unless it's a long weekend when locals flock here). |
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| The island is approx one mile wide, making it possible to walk across the entire island to the rugged west coast in less than one hour. The walk is an easy one across the dunes, though walking shoes and long pants are required to traverse the prickly Spinifex grass.Upon reaching the west coast of the island, standing high up on the weathered cliffs, the untamed ocean rolls in uninterrupted from Africa, smashing into the weathered rock face below. Snorkelling over kaleidoscopic coral, hovering over prettily coloured tropical fish, is outstanding straight off the rocks beneath Red Cliff Point.Fishing enroute, in Shark Bay is superb with locals often catching mackerel, pink snapper and red emperors.Whales, dugongs, turtles and dolphins are often sighted. |
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| During the early 1900's the government established the segregated Lock Hospitals on Bernier, and neighbouring Dorre Islands.Aboriginal male and female patients suffering from infectious diseases were shipped to the far-flung islands in chains or handcuffs. It was not uncommon for the women of these tribal people, to wade through waist deep water between Dorre Island and Bernier, in order to be reunited with their male loved ones. Anchorage The prevailing S-SW winds can be often be fresh, particularly when combined with the summer afternoon sea breeze that cools the hot, sunburnt mainland from November to March. |
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| The anchorage is northwest of the prominent bluff at Red Cliff Point, beneath towering white dunes that tumble into the sea at a sharp angle.Anchor over a sandy bottom, with protection from S-W in approx 3mts. Approaching with overhead sun assists to locate sand patches. There is little protection from SE, which sends an easterly swell into the bay, causing various degrees of rolling.Shallow draft vessels or trailer sailers with lift keels can nose right up to the beach and take an anchor ashore beneath the dunes.Tidal range can be up to 2mts. The bay is untenable when the wind goes E through to N.
Anchorage location: Lat 24deg 55S Long 113deg 09E |
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