After overnighting at the Low Isles, we continue north towards our ultimate destination for this cruising season - Lizard Island. We stop at the spectacular Mackay Reef, with its beautiful sand cay and awesome coral reefs. We then take advantage of the following breeze to press on to the lovely protected anchorage at the Hope Islands. Song "Happiness" Royalty Free Music: https://www.bensound.com License code: YJWCQ3BDOTAZOWN0 Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

We leave Michaelmas Cay and head across to visit Port Douglas. When the winds die down we continue our journey north ... this time stopping overnight at the lovely Low Isles. Song "Happiness" Music I Use: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: H9SLYO1YK5QCASV9 Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

In this episode an easing in the wind allows us to escape Cairns marina and head out to discover Vlasoff and Michaelmas Cays where we enjoy the local nature both in and out of the ocean. Song "Happiness" Music I Use: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: USZOJ5DV8SGOVMYN Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

We continue north after leaving High Island to stay a couple of nights at the lovely Fitzroy Island, before sailing across to Cairns where we spend a couple of nights on the anchor and a week in the marina to reprovision and explore the sights of Cairns. Song "Happiness" Music I Use: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: UI415AFFQAFOEF9N Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

After a great couple of days at Eddy Reef we seek shelter from a blow in the protection of Mourilyan Harbour. We do some crabbing and walks, before sailing north and doing some hot fishing en route to the beautiful High Island. Follow our friends Bailey and Chloe on their Youtube channel "Salty Souls Sailing" Song "Happiness" Music by: Bensound License code: MJPPBLPNFMZATU1B Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

After a restful few days at Dunk Island we take advantage of a nice weather window to get out to the Great Barrier Reef with our friends on Calista for company. We visit Eddy reef for some snorkelling and fishing fun. "Happiness" Music by Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: S3ERNKS8LDOYV2TU Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

This episode has us up-anchoring at Magnetic Island and sailing north in some "less than ideal" conditions to Pelorus and eventually Orpheus Island, where we overnight before heading further north towards some much nicer weather at beautiful Goold Island. We spend a couple of nights there before sailing up to the magnificent Dunk Island. You can follow our featured friends Bailey and Chloe on their new Youtube channel "Salty Soul Sailing". https://youtu.be/UdkHyofERYk?si=h5vo5qe2dEkb19w3 Music by Bensound License code: EPZHQHWZCYVB9BZP Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

We leave Bowen early for a 100nm passage north to beautiful Magnetic Island. While the breeze didn't really co-operate, we enjoyed a glorious day on the ocean and spotted (up close!) our first whales for the season. We then spent some time enjoying the Townsville and Magnetic Island area, catching up with new and old friends and even ticked an item off Neil's bucket list while we were there. Music - Dream Come True by BalloonPlanet Austere by Dear Gravity Atlantic Breeze by Dan Zeitune Happiness by Benjamin Tissot Music: bensound.com License code: FU4SJUE5CGUQBQ3H Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

The time had come to leave the Whitsundays and continue our journey north. First stop was Woodwark Bay for a catch up with our Mackay mate JV. We then sailed up to Cape Gloucester via Little Jonah Bay before heading to Bowen to spend some time with some long-time friends. Music I use: Bensound License code: DJBXQEUWUQQKC5UT Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

After a quick trip home to attend our son Daniel's university graduation, we return to Mackay and sail Nariki north to Hamilton Island, where we spend a week with 10 of our closest friends. We then relax in Happy Bay and Airlie Beach enjoying the Whitsundays lifestyle. Music by https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: T2AE3M8OVVEC2GXG Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

When the weather turns it on, the Whitsunday Islands are a fantastic place to cruise. We enjoy a fabulous weather window to island-hop south to Mackay. Music by Bensound.com License code: GCKHLZJHM3M9CCA6

With our maintenance work at Hawkes Boatyard complete, and with conditions finally improving, we leave Airlie Beach and head out to Little Black Reef (via Bait Reef) to make the most of a light-wind Easter weather window. We explore some new snorkelling spots and enjoy some great fishing. But did we stay too long? Music I Use: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: SPCZEKXOKDIEJ0C3

To kick off our 2025 cruising season we leave Mackay and sail up to Airlie Beach to haul Nariki out for some well-deserved maintenance. We explore the local area and enjoy some time relaxing in Airlie Beach. Music : "Holiday" - Ya Soos "True To Your Heart" - Rewind Kid "Happiness" - Benjamin Tissot Music by https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: 54Q9VE22JGYJSMFH

Welcome to our channel. Enjoy the footage - shot while we've been cruising the Queensland coast on our Beneteau Cyclades 50.4 named "Nariki". Just a taste of what to expect from our movies. Welcome aboard!

With a beautiful weather window approaching I'm joined by my best mate of 55 years Geoff for an adventure to a reef on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef ... Bugatti Reef. We fish and snorkel the crystal clear waters and enjoy the solitude these less crowded waters provide. Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: LWUGOX5CUGIFT1OB

This episode I join some of the Mackay locals on a 5 day round trip to the Percy Islands, located approximately 66nm southeast of Mackay in Queensland, Australia. With Precious back on the NSW Central Coast its just me and Nariki for this one. I do some fun fishing and enjoy the company of my mates "the J arm crew" Music: https://www.bensound.com License code: K8CJFQ5EYX0XLGIR

In this episode we continue heading south towards Mackay. We leave Brampton Island and visit nearby Cockermouth Island - a first time for us. We do some snorkelling and exploring before motoring south towards Keswick Island in oily calm conditions. Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: AJCUQKJNXPKYDTZZ

After a fun few days at the Shaggers Rendezvous we sail south via the Whitsundays to Brampton Island, dodging the whales along the way. Music by Bensound License code: EZCZ006DJ4JMCZNN

Some unexpected setbacks put a delay on our cruising for this season, but finally we were back on board and heading up to the 2024 Shag Island Cruising Yacht Club "Shaggers Rendezvous" held at Cape Gloucester, Queensland. Music: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: J8HTRKKUQ8THSXO7

Here's a photo review of our 2023 cruising season along the Australian East Coast from Pittwater NSW to the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef in Queensland on our new-to-us Beneteau Cyclades 50.4 "Nariki". If you enjoy it please feel free to like and subscribe, and maybe even drop us a comment. Cheers, Neil and Sam Music: Bensound License code: EGLCGKI49C1CCQKJ