If you are holidaying in Hervey Bay, one of the places you must visit is Pelican Bank. The good news! For those people who do not own a boat. Is that many of the local tour operators visit Pelican Bank as part of their day trip charters. If you do own a boat and have towed it up to Hervey Bay for your holiday. Then getting to Pelican Bank is very easy and should be on your bucket list whilst here.
Booking.comGetting to Pelican Bank
Pelican Bank lies approximately 9.5 kilometres, north by northeast from the Urangan boat harbour. Once you leave the Urangan boat harbour, you can navigate to the yellow marker known as EU1. Then pass the red marker known as EU2. Onward past the northern cardinal marker for Big Woody Island (BWN) and then head straight for Pelican Bank. The most common route used is detailed in the image below.
Be Careful
One area which requires careful navigation, is the narrow channel around the yellow marker known as EU1. The channel is quite narrow and shallow. At low tide, especially on a large tide, the water drops significantly and larger vessels which draw more water are best to use an alternative route.
A good alternative route is found by leaving the Urangan boat harbour and heading north west. This will take you past the Urangan pier and towards the yellow marker named NU2. From here you can chart a course east. Pass the middle bank south marker (MBS) and then re-orientate yourself towards Pelican Bank.
Anchoring at Pelican Bank
Pelican Bank is essentially a small sand island wedged between a few fast flowing and deep-water channels which feed the Great Sandy Strait. In the above video, I explain some of the complexities of safely landing your boat at Pelican Bank. Including during larger tides.
Things to Do
Pelican Bank is an ideal family day trip destination. The water in close to Pelican Bank is shallow, clean and crystal clear. The small sand island is very sparsely vegetated and there are no amenities whatsoever. Large flocks of birds call Pelican Bank home and due to their sheer number and roosting habits, the island can at times become a little smelly.
You simply need to relax while visiting Pelican Bank. Let the kids run free, have a fish from the beach for whiting and flathead. Or just spend some time soaking yourself in the crystal-clear water. That is about as complicated as Pelican Bank gets. Watching the sunset from Pelican Bank is spectacular as at the right time of year the sun can set over the water. Producing spectacular colours and awesome photo opportunities.
Trip Essentials
Make no mistake, while Pelican Bank is only a short boat ride away, it is isolated. If you are poorly prepared it can turn into a very expensive, nightmare of a trip. Communication is vital. You can receive mobile phone coverage while on Pelican Bank.
Volunteer marine rescue Hervey Bay monitor VHF channels 16, 73 (local area) and channel 22 (north of Fairway Beacon). Their Radio Room is manned daily from 0600 to 1800 hours, and after hours VTS Gladstone monitor channel 16 for emergencies only. They provide weather updates 3 times a day. It pays to log on with them as you leave the Urangan Marina. And it is also good to give them a position update each day, just in case!
A Few Tips
Carry extra fuel. As a rule I always carry an extra 25% on top of what I calculate what I will use. Tidal movement coming in and out of the Great Sandy Strait should not be underestimated. This tidal movement can add a significant amount of time to your trip and fuel usage.
This leads nicely into my last essential tip. Watch the tides and wind while crossing from the Urangan marina to Pelican Bank. The channels which lie between the mainland, Big Woody Island and Moon Point are deep and fast moving. When the wind is pushing against the tide. The water in these channels can really stand up unexpectedly and make the crossing quite dangerous for smaller boats. As a rule, anything stronger than 15 knots winds should be approached with caution.
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