Abrolhos Islands Visitors Guide

Boating

Navigating around the Abrolhos

Consult current nautical charts WA999 (Wallabi Group), WA998 (Easter Group), and WA997 (Pelsaert Group) for depth soundings and other features. Basic navigation aids are provided in some areas to mark channels and hazardous reefs. Locations of public moorings, cardinal markers and navigation lights are marked on current charts.

The Abrolhos reefs are notoriously treacherous, and skippers, particularly those unfamiliar with the island waters, should allow a wide safety margin. Avoid boating at times of low light and poor visibility, particularly steering into late afternoon sunlight, as reefs and shallows are difficult to detect in these conditions. Boating at the Abrolhos without current charts is not advised.

Public moorings

As a service to the public and to protect coral and seagrass from anchor damage, a limited number of identified public moorings are provided at some anchorages. Please use them. Locations are marked on current nautical charts and indicated roughly on the map overleaf.

• Public moorings for overnight use are designed for vessels up to 25 m in length and up to 40 tonnes in weight. However, ratings and condition of moorings cannot be guaranteed.
• Public moorings are not secure in all weather conditions – they are provided as a courtesy and skippers use them at their own risk.
• Check moorings for conditions of use – certain moorings are set for certain wind conditions, and for day-use only.
• There is no reservation system for public moorings - do not rely on moorings being available.
• An unmanned dinghy left tied to a mooring is not a legitimate means of securing that mooring for an individual's use

Anchorages

If no public moorings are available, assess the prevailing weather conditions before deciding on an anchorage.

Coral reefs and seagrass beds are important fish habitats. They are easily damaged by boat anchors and anchor chains, and are very slow to regenerate. Take care not to drop your anchor on top of coral reefs - sand and mud provide the best holding bottom.

Weather conditions

The Abrolhos are first in the path of any weather moving in from the west or north-west and offer little protection from the wind. Weather conditions can be highly changeable, and cold and warm fronts may reach the islands 24 or more hours ahead of weather bureau forecasts for the mainland. The islands are unaffected by mainland sea breezes. Be prepared for a prevailing westerly or south-westerly swell, which may reach several metres in unprotected waters.

Weather forecasts and warnings are available for marine areas by FAX, radio and online. Geraldton Volunteer Sea Rescue broadcasts frequent weather schedules on VHF channel 73. Contact the Bureau of Meteorology for details.

The Abrolhos Islands Cyclone Plan requires early evacuation to Geraldton Harbour. In the event of the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a “Blue Alert” or “Tropical Cyclone Watch” warning for the Abrolhos, visitors, and those not directly engaged in fishing industries, should immediately return to the mainland. At the “Yellow Alert” phase, commercial fishers must cease operations and return to the mainland.

More favourable weather conditions for boating usually occur between February and June, and in September/October.

Sea safety

The Abrolhos Islands are classified as ‘offshore or open sea' (over 30 miles offshore). All vessels should have survival and safety gear on board in line with marine safety regulations for open sea, including life jackets, flares and a distress beacon (EPIRB). Full details are available in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure's free publication, The Official Western Australian Boating Guide.