We Didn't Expect This: The Magic of Exploring Low Tide From our Sailboat a Beneteau Oceanis Ep 107

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we continue our adventure at Moreton Island after sailing across the bay and anchoring near the famous sandhills. What looked like an ordinary anchorage turns into something incredible as the tide drops, revealing a stunning sand bar in the middle of the bay. This is the magic of cruising sailboat life — constantly changing landscapes, remote locations, and wildlife encounters you simply can’t experience on land. As full-time liveaboard sailors preparing for sailing around the world, these are the moments that remind us why we chose life on a sailboat. At low tide, we head off the boat to explore the sand bar, wading through crystal-clear shallows surrounded by untouched nature. Before long, we’re sharing the water with sea turtles and stingrays, gliding effortlessly over the sand beneath us. Encounters like this are what make off-grid sailing life and bluewater cruising so special. This episode captures the true essence of boat life — freedom, nature, and discovering hidden places that only sailors can reach. From anchoring in beautiful locations to exploring tidal sandbanks and swimming in remote waters, this is the lifestyle that draws so many people to liveaboard sailing and world travel by sailboat. It’s not just about passages and destinations; it’s about the unexpected wildlife, the shifting tides, and the adventure waiting just off the stern. If you’re interested in sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, or dreaming of traveling the world by boat, this episode shows the incredible experiences that come with the cruising lifestyle. We share the reality of living aboard, learning as we go, and turning everyday anchorages into unforgettable experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Turtle 01:55 Exploring a Sandbank 05:14 Another Turtle 06:20 Stingray 08:01 Walking the Tender 10:05 Back on the Sailboat 10:38 Beers on the Sandhills 10:01 Solar Battery Check 14:20 Stingrays and Turtles 16:26 Back to the Tender 16:49 Cockpit Lights 18:56 Tender Up For The Night Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat