Keppel Bay Islands National Park

The Islands are isolated so you need to plan your bareboat yacht charter and communication requirements carefully.

In particular please remember:

• Strong winds and boisterous seas can restrict charter boats to specific anchorages. Carry food, water, a VHF radio for weather forecasts.
• This bareboat yacht charter region of Keppel Bay can be unpredictable. Ensure your safety equipment is checked and maintained.
• Check your charter boats equipped with a two-way marine radio or mobile phone in case of any emergency. Some mobile phones have reception from hilltops - check coverage with your provider.
• Be familiar with local procedures and the charter boat is equipped with navigation charts, radio frequencies and call signs.
• Protect yourself from marine stingers, especially between October and May. Remember some stingers may be present all year round.
• Look but don't touch! Some marine life can deliver painful and dangerous stings. Check with an experienced guide before handling anything. Read more
  

Use this bareboat directory to find a bareboat charter yacht   To find your bareboat charter yacht, click on your desired bareboat yacht charters region. HINCHINBROOK ISLAND bareboat yacht charters.....   MAGNETIC ISLAND bareboat yacht charters.....   THE WHITSUNDAYS bareboat yacht charters.....   KEPPEL BAY bareboat yacht charters.....   PORT ALMA/GLADSTONE bareboat yacht charters.....   FRASER ISLAND bareboat yacht charters.....   BRISBANE/GOLD COAST bareboat yacht charters.....

Reef Walking

The fringing reefs at Mazie Bay are exposed at very low tides and are accessible to reef walkers. Although coral growth on these reefs is less diverse and luxuriant than on coral reefs further from the mainland, they support a variety of fish, invertebrate and plant life.

You can also go reef walking at Olive Point headland (Middle Island), and at Humpy and Miall Islands

If reef walking please remember:

• Move along sand channels, watch where you walk and avoid walking on any coral or other marine life.
• Look but don't touch! Some marine life can deliver painful and dangerous stings. Check with an experienced guide before handling anything.
• Set out on the ebbing tide. Allow one hour either side of the predicted low tide time for adequate walking time. Keep watch on the incoming tide during the walk.
• Use a pole or stick for balance only. Do not poke or probe sea life.
• Return boulders to their original position if over-turned. Many animals and plants shelter on the undersides of boulders and will soon die if they are exposed.
• Don't pick up or remove animals which are attached to the reef flat as they won't survive!
• Avoid walking among coral colonies in water deeper than your knees. This makes seeing into the water and balancing difficult.
• Don't stand on the edges of coral pools. Corals in this area are often fragile and easily damaged, particularly if you step in and out of the pool.
• Be aware of marine park collecting restrictions.
• Don't litter. Cigarette butts can be especially harmful if swallowed by marine animals which mistake them for food.
• Find out more from suitably qualified people, particularly in respect of specific site conditions. You take full responsibility and risk when you use this information.

When snorkelling or diving

• Be careful with your fins careless kicking can damage coral.
• Don't rest or stand on coral. If you must stand up, make sure it is on sand or use rest stations if available.
• Don't stir up sand or sediment. Murky water can stress plants and animals.
• Return boulders to their original position if over-turned. Many animals and plants shelter on the undersides of boulders and will soon die if exposed.
• Don't pick up or remove animals attached to the reef flat as they won't survive!
• Be aware of marine park collecting restrictions.