Happy Bay

Happy Bay is a wide, west-facing bay on Long Island, the closest island in the Whitsundays to the mainland. Sheltered from the south-east trade winds, it is a calm, easy anchorage and a favourite last-night stop before the short run back to Coral Sea Marina. Most of Long Island is national park, with rainforest and walking tracks leading from Happy Bay to lookouts and quiet beaches. The Happy Bay resort is closed, but Palm Bay Resort is just around the point for a drink or dinner ashore.

Walks from Happy Bay

Long Island is part of the Molle Islands National Park, with walking tracks through rainforest linking its bays. All tracks are rough and sometimes steep, with some steps. Wear sturdy shoes and take water, a hat and sunscreen.

• Long Island circuit: about 3.5 km return, allow about 1.5 hours. The only track on Long Island with views across to the other islands.
• Humpy Point: about 1.2 km return, allow about 30 minutes.
• Pandanus Bay: about 3 km return, allow about 2 hours.
• Sandy Bay: about 8.2 km return, allow about 4 hours, passing Palm Bay on the way.

Palm Bay Resort

Palm Bay Resort sits just around the corner in the next bay to the south. Its facilities include a restaurant, bar and pool. It is a 16+ resort, so children under 16 are not allowed. The resort has two outer moorings for visiting boats, which must be booked directly with the resort, and a fee applies. The inner moorings cannot be used. Palm Bay is suitable in north and north-east winds up to 20 knots, so it is the place to move to if the north-easterly is too strong for Happy Bay.

Long Island Resorts

Paddleboarding

The calm water in Happy Bay is great for paddleboarding. Use paddleboards only in daylight and in winds under 10 knots, and stay close to the boat.

History

The wreck of the Valetta lies in the intertidal zone at Happy Bay, the only shipwreck in the Whitsundays with a known location. Look but don’t touch, as historic shipwrecks are protected.

Going ashore

At low tide, a sand and rock flat 200 to 300 m wide is exposed off the beach, so plan to go ashore on a rising or high tide. Approach slowly, then stop the outboard, raise it and paddle the last part. Wear shoes on rocky shores, as oysters and barnacles are razor sharp.

Nearby

• • Palm Bay, Long Island: just around the corner, with Palm Bay Resort and two bookable moorings. Suitable in north and north-east winds up to 20 knots.
  • Bauer Bay, South Molle Island: bushwalks to Spion Kop and Mount Jeffreys.
  • Airlie Beach: a short run back to Coral Sea Marina on the last day.

Best time to visit Happy Bay

Happy Bay is a good stop all year. It is well protected in south and south-east winds, and is also suitable in north-east winds up to 15 knots. If the north-easterly is stronger, move around the corner to Palm Bay, which is suitable in north and north-east winds up to 20 knots. Its location close to the mainland makes it a natural last night before returning to Coral Sea Marina. Start the longer walks early to avoid the midday heat, especially from about November to March. Arrive around midday, and be anchored by 4pm.

How to get to Happy 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: It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to travel to Happy Bay by charter catamaran.
• Route: Beware of navigating Pioneer Rocks, before veering south, past Daydream Island to the east and Shute Habour to the west, onto Long Island.

Where to anchor in Happy Bay

Anchoring. There are no public moorings, so you will need to anchor. A wide flat is exposed off the beach at low tide, so anchor in deeper water beyond it. Anchor in sand, never on coral, in water between 2 m at low tide and 15 m at high tide. In 10 m or less at high tide, lay out at least 40 m of chain. In deeper water, lay out four times the depth.

Private moorings. Never pick up unapproved private moorings, as they are not maintained and can break free.

Overnight. Approved in south and south-east winds, and in north-east winds up to 15 knots. In stronger north or north-east winds, up to 20 knots, move around the corner to Palm Bay. Confirm your plans at the morning radio schedule and be anchored by 4pm.

Anchoring tip: check the tide before you anchor, and allow for the boat to swing clear of the shallow flats at low tide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Happy Bay a good last-night anchorage? Yes. It is close to Airlie Beach and suits south and south-east winds, as well as north-east winds up to 15 knots. If the north-easterly is stronger, Palm Bay just around the corner is suitable up to 20 knots.

What if the wind is from the north-east? Happy Bay is suitable in north-east winds up to 15 knots. Above that, move around the corner to Palm Bay, which is suitable in north and north-east winds up to 20 knots.

Is the Happy Bay resort open? No. The Happy Bay resort is closed. Palm Bay Resort, in the next bay, welcomes visiting boats on its moorings by booking.

Are there moorings in Happy Bay? No. There are no public moorings, so you will anchor in deeper water beyond the flats.

What walks are there on Long Island? From Happy Bay, walk the Long Island circuit for island views, or follow the track south to Humpy Point, Pandanus Bay or Sandy Bay.

Can you visit Palm Bay Resort on a charter? Yes, by booking one of its two outer moorings directly with the resort. A fee applies, and it is a 16+ resort, so children under 16 are not allowed.