Inside our photoshoot at Haslewood Island
We recently sailed to Haslewood Island for a photoshoot and anchored between Windy Bay and Katies Cove.
The Nautitech Open 46 and the Leopard 40.1 were our models along with a couple of willing staff members and their families.
The Whitsunday weather was an absolute showstopper; we had warm temperatures, light winds and a killer sunrise and sunset!
Managing Director Trevor Rees, who was trying his best to stay out of the pictures, said “We could not have asked for better conditions! I look forward to seeing the finished product”.
We chose this spot as it is a seldom visited anchorage with a beautiful sandy beach, large fringing coral reef and the gorgeous views of Whitehaven Beach in the background.
It was stunning – the bay was nice and calm and the coral reef was in great condition!
Phil Gordon, our photographer and long-time-local, said “The beauty of doing a bareboat charter is that you have more flexibility to plan your underwater adventures around the best time of day and tide. By being on the water from first light to sunset allows you to fit more into a day, exploring more underwater locations than what you could fit into a day trip, and because it’s just you there’s no waiting for other tourists – you can do what ever you want on your schedule. On this trip we had the time to explore areas around Haselwood Island which I have not previously had a chance to check out, and wow – we were so impressed.
“The coral re-growth since Cyclone Debbie is some of the best we’ve seen around the islands, featuring pristine colorful mixes of soft corals in large colonies on beautiful white silica sandy bottom. We found numerous regrowth of fresh blue staghorn corals also which was a delight to see. At low tide we explored the reef and sand areas around the island with the drone and found some amazing wildlife cruising the shallows, including this amazing Eagle Ray feeding on the sandy bottom in about 2 feet of water, as well as numerous other stingrays and two friendly turtles! This particular anchorage is unique in that there is both good coral, pure white sand (the same as Whitehaven Beach), a private beach with minimal visitors and amazing views, and even good fishing just near by!”
Female lead, Jaclyn Watson said “Being on the water around the islands reminds me why I live in the Whitsundays. I’d never ventured to Haslewood Island before and the anchorage we went to was breathtaking!”
The models were able to spend a ‘day in the life of bareboating’ and enjoyed sailing, swimming, fishing, SUPing, relaxing and spending quality family time together.
Stu Crosbie, the male lead, said “I usually only get out here in my fishing boat so this was a real change of scenery for me. The area is massive and there is just so much to explore. The places that we have visited for the shoot are spots you could really only see by bareboat. I want to do this again with my whole family, maybe without the camera though!”
The joy of bareboating is that there is something to do for everyone!
That is to say, everyone is able to do something they enjoy!
Ashley Muller, one of the key sales staff, took off in the tender to get some fishing shots. No sooner had she dropped the line than was reeling in a great sized coral trout!
Everyone, including herself, was amazed at Ashley’s fishing prowess.
Is it time for your own bareboat holiday in the Whitsundays?
Let our friendly, helpful, knowledgeable Reservations Team help you find the perfect boat for your holiday.