Sir Joseph Banks Group

The Sir Joseph bank Group comprising about 20 islands, islets and rocks is less than 25 miles from Port Lincoln and therefore an easy day sail. The trip is made more complicated than a glance at the chart might suggest because of the presence of many fish farms extending well to the east and north of Boston Bay making the trip somewhat of an ‘obstacle course’.

Although these island are low-lying and do not have the soaring cliffs and rugged coastline of the more southerly Thistle and Wedge Islands, they do have a charm and beauty of their own, and are definitely worth visiting. There are numerous reefs, isolated rocks and shallow patches within the Group, so careful navigation and attention to the tide are required.

All the islands are part of the Sir Joseph Banks Marine Park which means some activities are restricted in designated areas. Current information can be found on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/marineparks/find-a-park/eyre-peninsula/sir-joseph-banks

Homestead Bay Shelter from NE – E – SE

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 32.1’S 136° 16.3’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Homestead Bay (or Reevesby Lagoon as it is often called) is on the western side of the largest island in the group. It is a favourite anchorage for many sailors, and usually the first stop for visitors to the group. The lagoon is surrounded to some extent by reefs and other islands which means it is sometimes termed an all weather anchorage. However, in strong northerlies or westerlies, better shelter can be obtained in other anchorages on Reevesby.

The bottom is thin sand over limestone which makes the holding slightly uncertain. Shore access is very easy, the beach is lovely, and the short walk to the abandoned farm buildings should be a ‘must’ for all visitors.

Moreton Bay Shelter from SE – S – SW

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 30.2’S 136° 17.3’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Moreton Bay on the northern end of Reevesby Island is a beautiful anchorage with a brilliantly white sandy beach. The holding is good in deep sand, and the western part of the bay is completely free of weed.

Shore access is easy, and lovely walks are possible once ashore.

McCoy Bay Shelter from SW – W – N

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 30.7’S 136° 17.6’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

McCoy Bay is the most northerly bay on the eastern side of Reevesby Island. This side of the island is less visited by yachts, but in westerly conditions this bay, and the two smaller bays further south, all provide excellent shelter.

In the north and north-westerly conditions which precede the passage of a front, the northerly part of this bay has good shelter and when the wind backs to the south-west after the passage of the front, a move to either the southern end of the bay or around the headland to Moreton Bay is easy. The holding is good with patchy weed on sand, and shore access is easy.

Kirkby Islet Shelter from SE – S

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 32.8’S 136° 12.7’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Kirkby Islet is a small dome-shaped island about 3 miles west of the the southern end of Reevesby. There is a small anchorage on its northern side, and the holding is fair on a weedy bottom. Shore access is possible on the rocky shore, but such landings are always difficult. Apart from a short walk to the top of the dome (less than 30m above sea level), there is not much point in going ashore.

This anchorage offers no particular advantage over other islands in the group, except for those who enjoy solitude!

Langton Islet Shelter from SE – S – SW

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 35.6’S 136° 15.3’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Langton Islet is a low-lying small island located about 3 miles sou-sou-west of Reevesby Island. The anchorage is towards the narrow eastern spit where the bottom is sand with patchy weed.

The holding is good with excellent protection in strong southerly conditions. Shore access is possible on the spit.

Sibsey Islet Shelter from E – SE

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 38.5’S 136° 10.8’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Sibsey Islet is the western most island in the group, and therefore the first island encountered when sailing to the group from Port Lincoln. The anchorage is in a small cove on the north-western side, and the holding is good in sand with patchy weed.

Another anchorage exists in a small cove on the eastern side, giving shelter from the west and south- west. The bottom here is mostly weed on sand.

The shore is rocky, making landing difficult in either anchorage.

Stickney Islet Shelter from S – SW

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 40.4’S 136° 16.2’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Stickney Islet is located about 7 miles south of Reevesby Island. It is a low-lying rocky island with above water rocks extending about 300 metres from its south-eastern tip. The main anchorage is in a small cove on the north-west coast where the bottom is sand with patchy weed and the holding is good.

Another anchorage exists in a deep bay on the southern side of the island and gives shelter from northerlies. The bottom here is also sand with patchy weed and good holding.

The coast line is rocky on this island, making shore access difficult if not impossible.

Spilsby Island Shelter from NE – SE – SW

Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. ° 39.0’S 136° 19.6’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind.

Spilsby Island is a large flat island about six miles sou-sou-east of Reevesby. The anchorage is just north of a sand spit running west from the north end of the island to Duffield Islet. Another sand spit runs north from the northern tip of the island, and this also gives some protection from north-easterly weather.

The bottom is tapeweed on sand, and the holding is good if a suitable anchor is used.

Another anchorage exists on the north-eastern side of the island, with protection from the west and south.

Shore access is easy onto the sandy beach from both anchorages.