Zoe Bay

Years ago I read an article by Jill Knight in Cruising Helmsman describing the beautiful but allusive Zoe Bay. With a good weather forecast, we took the opportunity and motor sailed from Fantome Island to Zoe Bay to see what all the fuss was about. Boy, were we not disappointed! The clear blue ocean leads you into a golden sand beach fronted with lush tropical rain forest and a backdrop of awesome cliffs and mountains.

The first night was incredibly rolly as we turned side on to the swell. We were both getting thrown around the bed before Simon, in a daze went and put a stern anchor out at 5am – Hallelujah!

When we finally dragged ourselves out of bed we headed straight for the Southern end of the Bay, where a track took you up to a freshwater pool and waterfall. We immediately jumped in for a refreshing dip.

That evening our Big Eye Trevally caught the previous night was on the menu, the stern anchor was adjusted and the crab pots were placed before we went early to bed to catch up on the previous nights lack of sleep.

Don Quixote turned up the next day with John and Eddie aboard, so what better place to go than the waterfall picnicing for the day. We finished the day with drinks and a great laugh with John and Eddie playing Absolute Balderdash.

The following morning the crab pots were collected and "the games began" The giant mud crab that we caught managed to escape while in transit from the bucket to the pot. In the end the old distraction with the tea towel trick worked, and while Amanda was hoping he was going to dry the dishes, both him and the tea towel went into the pot. Simon 1 v Mud Crab 0.

We were sad to farewell Don Quixote and Zoe Bay as we headed off the following morning. Our fingers were crossed that we might still rendezvous with our friends Alan and Angela on Keimar heading south who had been diverted with engine issues.