30th Sep - 2nd Oct Thomas Island

We awoke to another beautiful day in this paradise bay. It has no official name on the charts or in the “100 Magic Miles Cruising guide” but it is mentioned that the bay has a “South Pacific” feel to it. There are no coconut palms so not sure why the guide says it is. If the beach was lined with coconuts I would agree. None the less it is a fantastic anchorage.

 I will call it “Paradise Bay”

After a cup of tea I could not resist going for an early morning fish before breakfast. The wind was light and the sun was shining on a flat sea - perfect fishing conditions. I was rewarded with two very good sized coral trout.

For lunch we joined Graham and Leanne on the beach for a sausage sizzle. I took the BBQ plate and Graham gathered some stones and we made a fire in the sand and cooked the sausages. There is nothing better than a sausage sandwich on the white sandy beach with magnificent views.

Graham cooking the sausages

After lunch and a swim I went fishing with Graham and scored another coral trout and a coral cod. I now had enough fish to invite Graham and Leanne for dinner. When we returned from fishing the tide had changed and was bringing an easterly swell into the bay which meant had to move anchorage to the northern side of Thomas Island.

We settled in there just before sunset however that anchorage was also quite uncomfortable but better than the south side. Graham and Leanne came over and I cooked the 4 fish on the BBQ and we ate the huge quantity of coral trout and coral cod while gently rolling from side to side. That was a big fish feast that equalled the mud crab feast at Hinchinbrook Island. We are unlikely to repeat those meals again in a hurry.

Next morning I was up early and fished the back of Young Tom Island while Tamara slept in. I managed to catch some red throat emperors which are also prized fish in the kitchen.

After breakfast we moved back to the south side of the island to our “Paradise Bay” as the wind was forecast to return to the north.

We spent a relaxing day on the yacht swimming and doing the odd boat chore. We ate the emperors for lunch and yes I went fishing again in the afternoon and bagged another coral trout. Only issue we were not allowed to eat fish again (Tamara had spoken and put her foot down) so we had chicken vegetable soup which I must admit was a welcome change. Thanks Darling.

Day 3 at Thomas Island in “Paradise Bay” was much the same – fishing, swimming, relaxing and a bit of afternoon sleeping and a bit more fishing. What else is there to do when you have absolute perfect conditions!!  Another 2 coral trout and 2 emperors were cleaned and put in the fridge and we were allowed to eat the coral trout for dinner.

 5 o’clock drinks were on Echo Beach and we discussed the impending strong south east winds that were due in a few days. The consensus was that we would leave Thomas Island tomorrow for the sanctuary of Scawfell Island as the winds are expected to be SE up to 30 knots for a brief period before moderating down to 15-20 knots. The winds will impede our progress south however more favourable winds will return a few days after that. You take the good with the bad when you are cruising and the last 3 days have been good – in fact extra special.

We returned to Billabong and I cooked the trout on the BBQ for another delightful meal with just the two of us.