Horseshoe Bay - a truly perfect spot on an amazing island.  Can't recommend Magnetic Island enough for a winter holiday.  

Our next guests arrived for a long weekend on Pilgrim, sailing from Townsville Yacht Club to Orpheus Island Resort.  We spotted our first whale of the season, discovered some beautiful new anchor spots off the beaten track, snorkelled, sailed, explored and relaxed!

With a commitment to meet the Magnetic Island Race Week organisers and the local press we had no time to waste on our trip up to Townsville.  With stops only at Woodwark Bay (again), Gloucester Island, Cape Upstart we arrived with a couple of days up our sleeve to explore Magnetic Island.  What a heavenly place it is.  More photos when we have more time here....maybe next winter...stay tuned?!?!

Time to share all we've discovered in the Whitsundays with our first charter guests up here - tailoring the itinerary to the weather and Martin & Chris's interests:

Day 1 - Hamilton Island to Sawmill Bay (strong wind forecasts - again!)
Day 2 - Walk to the top of Whitsunday Peak for stunning 360 degree views over the Whitsundays followed by a sail to Stonehaven anchorage for sundowners
Day 3 - Sail to Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island for some sensational snorkelling followed by a motor sail to Nara Inlet to explore the aboriginal cave paintings.
Day 4 - Time to blow away the cobwebs and get some steering practice in.  A good windy day for a sail in the Whitsunday Passage before returning to Sawmill Bay for a paddle board and a swim.
Day 5 - The Grand Finale - wind obliged by abating in time for the trip to Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet.  We dropped the boys off at Chance Bay for a snorkel and then a walk across the headland to Whitehaven while we brought the boat round meeting them on Whitehaven Beach.  Stunning day - white sands, crystal waters - lived up to all expectations!  Last stop for the day was a visit to Hill Inlet - picture postcard stuff!
Day 6 - Time to head back to Hamilton Island to catch the flight back to the chilly Sydney winter!

All in all a great trip with heaps packed into six days!