May’s Bay

Mays Bay is a quiet, seldom-visited anchorage on the west side of Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the Whitsundays. Forested hills run down to the beach, and the bay is home to plenty of local wildlife. The calm water is perfect for paddleboarding, and the bay faces west for great sunsets. On a self-skippered charter, it is a peaceful alternative to the busier anchorages, and close enough to Airlie Beach for a relaxed last night.

Paddleboarding

The calm, sheltered water is ideal for exploring the shoreline by paddleboard. Use paddleboards only in daylight and in winds under 10 knots, and stay close to the boat.

Wildlife and sunsets

Keep your camera handy, as there is plenty of local wildlife around the bay and along the shore. Look out for sea eagles overhead. In the evening, the sun sets over the water towards the mainland, so it is a lovely spot for sundowners on deck.

Going ashore

The beach is accessible from mid 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.

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.  For zones, species, limits and closure dates, see Fishing in the Whitsundays.

Nearby

• • Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Island: a large, protected anchorage close by, with the Whitsunday Peak track from Sawmill Beach for views over the islands.
  • Hook Passage: Cairn Beach and the Whitsunday Cairn track at the north of Whitsunday Island.
  • Nara Inlet, Hook Island: a sheltered anchorage in all winds and the Ngaro Cultural Site.
  • Airlie Beach: about 14 nautical miles away, an easy run back on the last day.

Best time to visit Mays Bay

Mays Bay is a good stop all year in south and south-east winds. It can be rolly when the breeze moves more to the east, so check the forecast before you stay the night. If the wind turns north or north-east, choose another anchorage. Arrive around midday for the best light to see the coral heads as you come in, and be anchored by 4pm.

How to get to Mays 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.
• Distance from Airlie Beach: about 14 nautical miles.
• Travel time from Airlie Beach: about 2.5 hours by power boat, or 3 hours by sailing catamaran under motor.

Where to anchor in Mays Bay

Anchoring. There are no public moorings, so you will need to anchor. Keep a good lookout from the bow, as there are submerged coral heads outside the fringing reef line. 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. In winds over 25 knots, lay out all your chain.

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

Anchoring tip: approach at under 3 knots with the sun behind you and polarised sunglasses on, so you can see the coral heads clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mays Bay a good overnight anchorage? Yes, in south and south-east winds. It is quiet and seldom visited, but can be rolly when the wind moves more to the east.

Are there moorings in Mays Bay? No. There are no public moorings, so you will anchor clear of the fringing reef and coral heads.

Can you go ashore at Mays Bay? Yes. The beach is accessible from mid tide. Check the tide times and take care crossing the reef in the dinghy.

What is there to do at Mays Bay? Paddleboarding, spotting wildlife and watching the sunset from the deck.

How far is Mays Bay from Airlie Beach? About 14 nautical miles, which makes it a good last-night stop before returning to Coral Sea Marina.