Big Following Seas to Cooktown and Dodging Cargo Ships. Solo Sailing via Hope Island

Solo sailing the North Queensland coast always keeps you honest — and this trip from Low Island to Cooktown via Hope Island delivered everything from calm morning breezes to towering following seas that rose higher than ARGO’s cockpit roof. Day one started manageable, but the weather built steadily as I pushed north. Day two was a whole different beast: big, intimidating swell rolling in behind me, but travelling with the wind made it surprisingly doable… even if the size of those waves demanded full respect. The race was on between me and my buddy boat to reach Hope Island first — a close, fun run that kept both of us pushing. When I arrived, I refined my solo mooring technique and managed to pick up the buoy cleanly on the first attempt. Approaching Cooktown meant threading through the shipping channel, adjusting course to stay clear of cargo ships moving through the area. Once inside the inlet, I had to anchor temporarily in the shallows and wait for the tide to rise before slipping into deeper water for the night. Another unforgettable leg of the journey along this incredible coastline. Fair winds — and thanks for coming along for the ride. Stay Connected: Watch more of my sailing journey and life aboard ARGO here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD88yS026CBFhZ3tBm0qr20Fm5BWHtOB5 or binge back through the beginnings here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD88yS026CBH9UgJUVWpSBNiKL5Z1lDrl&si=5woU5AeyfxCoNj5J Follow ARGO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailingargo38/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingargo38/ Support ARGO on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingArgo38 Shout Jason a drink here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/FWBL52GY7L5KW Join the ARGO Support Crew here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/J257W85YU9PPY Music credits: Alana Jordan. Open Season