Anchorage: Broome WA 

Hovering between an aquamarine sea and the ochre desert of the Kimberley, the charismatic outpost of Broome sits adjacent to the talcum white sands of Cable Beach


Magical Sunsets.... History....Entertaining Culture

 
No story about Broome should be told without mentioning famous Cable Beach. It has attracted generations of sun worshippers, all mesmerised by the daily spectacle of a blood orange sun setting over an impossibly aquamarine sea. Back in the 1980's the 'mung bung' hippie lifestyle of Broome attracted an eclectic group of laid-back naturists, intent on doing, well not much at all really. The beach, then, as it is today, was the focus. Days were spent swimming and lazing on the beach, (part of the beach is still clothing optional), while nights were spent camping in the dunes. The debonair Cable Beach Club Resort long ago replaced the beachfront Bali Hai Caravan Park. The resort has managed to retain the laid back character of tropical Broome, amongst lush gardens and classic Broome style architecture.  
The traditional owners of the Dampier Peninsula, the Bugarregarre people, have lived from the land and sea, since 'the land was soft'.Their complex culture has undergone much evolution with the arrival white man. Access to their traditional food and water resources was denied or limited, threatening their very survival. First the European pastoralists, then the Asian pearlers arrived, often resulting in violent clashes, as Aboriginal people were taken into custody to provide labour for these soon thriving industries. In the early 1900s, Broome was renowned as the largest pearling centre in the world. Then, later the missionaries arrived, intent on brandishing their own form of enlightenment on these by now bewildered people. Meandering through Broomes streets today reflects this intriguing mix of cultures and influences in its people and architecture.  
Tourism is, perhaps, Broomes main industry.Whether making Broome your destination, or using it as a base to explore the Kimberley, there is an astounding array of tours, experiences, galleries and entertainment options. Many cruises and overland tours into the Kimberley depart and end in Broome, making it an ideal holiday base for further exploration.

Anchorage
In the absence of a marina, in a town that is in desperate need of such a facility, Broome offers two choices of anchorages. Both anchorages come within the control of the Department of Transport who must be advised before dropping anchor (Ph 08 9192 1304 or VHF CH16 monitored 24 hours). The Dept of Transport officers may also be able to advise if short term moorings are available for rent. Broome is the home base for a large charter and fishing fleet, and is also a popular stopover on many cruise ships travelling the West Australian coast. The Western Australian Cruising guidebook, published by Fremantle Sailing Club, notes that the challenges for mariners arriving into Broome include refuelling, comfort, provisioning and access to shore. What it doesn't mention is that the delights ashore are well worth the distance travelled by mariners who drop anchor here on this remote, often inhospitable coast. Broome offers the closest thing to civilisation for over 2300km of predominately uninhabited land between Karratha and Darwin.

Approach is from the west, keeping well clear of a shoaling area marked by beacons off Gantheaume Pt.Roebuck Bay anchorage is close to town, and therefore convenient for shore trips involving grocery shopping and laundry. However, this bay is subject to the E winds that whip up an uncomfortable fetch. Rounding Entrance Pt, keep clear of the enormous towering structure that is the main shipping wharf. Whilst passing this monolith, take a moment to visualise the challenges that refuelling involves. Docking at this daunting jetty is required in order to take on fuel.  Horror stories abound of yachts' rigging becoming entangled in the structure during fresh breezes and swift tidal movements.

Tides that can range up to 10 metres during Spring Tides mean it is difficult to anchor close to shore in Roebuck Bay. The water literally disappears from this anchorage:catamarans are often seen drying out on the mud, with their owners taking the opportunity to clean their hulls. There are many moorings in the bay, which are used by the large commercial fishing and pearling fleet.

The alternative anchorage is at Gantheaume Pt, where all the charter boats use their own permanently laid moorings. The great attraction of this location is the raw bragging power you'll have when ringing your friends back home, boasting of being anchored off famous Cable Beach. Anchoring is possible over sand and coral, anywhere along the vast stretch of beach, the only real navigational hazard being the reef-strewn area north of Gantheaume Pt.

Proposed Broome Boating Facility

Planning is underway for the Broome Boating Facility, which will provide a safe launching area for trailer vessels, with plans in place for a service jetty to service the charter fleet and visiting vessels. More information Here

Anchorage location: Lat 17 deg 59S  Long 122 deg 14E Roebuck Bay
                              Lat 17 deg 58S  Long 122 deg 11E Gantheaume Pt

Checklist
Best Time to Go

The tropical cyclone season officially begins in November and ends at the end of April.Known as 'the wet' this is the wrong time of year for mariners to head to Broome.In the event of a cyclone approaching, local vessels head up into the mangrove creeks, where some protection is afforded from the destructive winds and tidal surges, however it is safer to avoid the area entirely during the wet.
The dry season from May to October will usually find easterly (offshore) winds, low humidity and daytime temperatures in the high 20's to low 30's (degree C).

How Long to Get There Broome is 500nm N of the Port of Dampier, and 800nm S of Darwin.It will take a long time to get there from any direction!
Fuel & Provisions

The Broome wharf provides fuel and water for vessels of any size.As noted earlier, the wharf is geared towards large ships and can be troublesome for small recreational vessels tying up alongside.There are a number of city-sized supermarkets in the town, along with most other services of a major centre. An efficient bus service runs throughout the town, however neither anchorage position mentioned above is on the bus route. Taxis are available.

Cruising Guide Western Australian Cruising published by Fremantle Sailing Club
Charts: Paper AUS50 Approaches to Broome (updated in 2010)
AUS51 Approaches to Broome (new in 2010) showing the wharf area
Charts: C-Map Collier Bay to Port Hedland
Destination Info Broome Visitor Centre
Event The annual Shinju Matsuri Festival is held in August. Check the Events page for this years' dates.
 
 

  TRAVEL…..BOATING…..LIFESTYLE…..

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