Chance Bay

Chance Bay is a quiet bay on the south-east side of Whitsunday Island, with a white sand beach and views across to Pentecost Island and the Lindeman Islands. Because the usual winds in the Whitsundays come from the south-east, few boats stop here. When the wind is from the north, though, it is the best way to visit Whitehaven Beach, which is a walk away along the Ngaro Sea Trail. Turtles call the bay home, and there is good snorkelling and plenty of marine life on the fringing reef.

Walk to Whitehaven Beach

The Chance Bay track is part of the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail. It climbs over hills covered in hoop pines and tropical rainforest, then joins the Solway circuit to reach Whitehaven Beach.

• The walk: about 7.2 km return to Whitehaven Beach, graded moderate. Allow about 3 hours.
• Solway lookout: detour onto the Solway circuit for views over Solway Passage and the surrounding islands.
• Be prepared: take plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen, and wear sturdy shoes.

Snorkelling and turtles

Green, flatback and hawksbill turtles all live in Chance Bay, and are often seen popping up to the surface for a breath. The fringing reef has plenty of marine life to explore. Keep your distance from turtles and never touch, chase or feed them.

• Gear: every guest on a Whitsunday Escape charter, including children, gets a mask, fins and snorkel free of charge. Prescription masks and wetsuits can be hired [Link to Equipment Hire].
• Snorkel from the shore: swim out from the beach rather than the boat, so you can see the bottom.
• Best views: snorkelling is usually best between quarter and three-quarter tide, when the water is 1 to 2.5 m above the reef.
• Stay safe: don’t swim or snorkel between dusk and dawn, in murky water, or where fish are being caught or cleaned. Always swim with a buddy, and wear a stinger suit from about November to May.

The secluded beach

Take the dinghy to the small, secluded beach on the north-west side of the bay for a quiet spot away from the main beach.

Going ashore

The fringing reef may be exposed at low tide, and you need at least 1.2 m of tide over the reef to get ashore and back. Check the tide times before you go. Approach slowly, then stop the outboard, raise it and paddle the last part. Never drag the dinghy or walk across live coral, and anchor the dinghy on sand, never on coral. A national park camping area behind the beach has picnic tables and toilets.

Fishing

The current page lists fishing as a highlight. Check the zoning map on board before you put a line in, and never throw bait or fish scraps into the anchorage.

Fishing in the Whitsundays

Nearby

• • Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island: the famous white silica beach, a walk away over the hill.
  • Turtle Bay, Whitsunday Island: another approved anchorage in north and north-east winds, with five beaches to explore.
  • Hamilton Island: shops, restaurants and a marina close by.

Best time to visit Chance Bay

Chance Bay is the place to be when the wind swings to the north or north-east, which is most common in the summer months. In the usual south-east winds, it can be hard to get into, so choose another anchorage. You can snorkel here all year, with water of about 23°C in winter and 27°C in summer. Stinger season runs from about November to May, so wear a stinger suit when you swim. Start the walk to Whitehaven early to avoid the midday heat.

How to get to Chance Bay

• Sail yourself: Whitsunday Escape is based at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, and you get a full briefing on the boat, navigation, tides and anchorages before you leave.
• Travel time from Airlie Beach: About 3.5 hours by power boat, or around 4 hours by sailing catamaran under motor. (Solway Passage can run with strong tidal currents, so actual times can vary).
• Route:  If you travel through Solway Passage, follow the route marked in 100 Magic Miles. Wind against tide creates large, steep waves, so avoid it in south-east winds over 15 knots.

Where to anchor in Chance Bay

Anchoring. There are no public moorings, so you will need to anchor. Patches of shallow reef extend throughout the anchorage, so use extreme caution and keep a good lookout from the bow. Anchor off the fringing reef, in sand, never on coral, in water between 2 m at low tide and 15 m at high tide, with at least 40 m of chain.

Overnight. Approved in north and north-east winds. Confirm your plans at the morning radio schedule and be anchored by 4pm.

Anchoring tip: arrive around midday and approach at under 3 knots with the sun behind you and polarised sunglasses on, so you can see the reef clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you walk from Chance Bay to Whitehaven Beach? Yes. The Chance Bay track joins the Solway circuit to reach Whitehaven Beach. It is about 7.2 km return, so allow about 3 hours and take plenty of water.

When is the best time to anchor in Chance Bay? In north and north-east winds, which are most common in summer. In south-east winds, choose another anchorage.

Are there moorings in Chance Bay? No. There are no public moorings, so you will anchor off the fringing reef. Take great care, as patches of shallow reef extend throughout the anchorage.

Can you see turtles in Chance Bay? Yes. Green, flatback and hawksbill turtles all live in the bay.

Is Chance Bay a good way to visit Whitehaven Beach? Yes. When the wind is from the north, Chance Bay is a sheltered base for walking to Whitehaven Beach.