Port Lincoln and Surrounds
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Port Lincoln and Surrounds This section of Spencer Gulf is an excellent cruising ground with many safe and scenic anchorages all within easy reach of the town of Port Lincoln. Shelter is available for any wind direction, and if severe weather threatens, refuge in the Lincoln Cove Marina is available. Port Lincoln is a very large and prosperous regional town, and the centre for a major fishing and fish farming industry. Excellent marine services are available, and every supply requirement a cruising yacht could wish for can be found there. Most cruising yachts take at least three comfortable day sails to get to this area from Adelaide, and once there the cruising is most enjoyable. Note that a number of anchorages listed here are in the Lincoln National Park, and the restrictions which apply may found on this website https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a- park/Browse_by_region/Eyre_Peninsula/lincoln-national-park Port Lincoln Town Beach Shelter from E – S – NW Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 42.8’S 135° 51.6’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. The town beach is a very comfortable and convenient anchorage providing easy access to the town using either a beach landing or a small floating pontoon attached to the jetty. The town has excellent shopping and dining, and other supplies are readily available. The local yacht club is situated just south of the jetty, and access can usually be arranged for the showers. The club is very friendly and welcoming for visiting yachts, and can be contacted on (08) 8682 3442 or via the website www.plyc.com.au Lincoln Cove Recreational Marina Shelter from All Directions Marina Entrance Position Note. The marina entrance position is for reference only and should not be used as a waypoint. 34° 44.5’S 135° 52.8’E This marina is a modern and well run facility located south of the town, and part of a larger commercial precinct which includes the commercial fishing fleet. Berths are available up to 14 m, and larger vessels can be accommodated in the commercial area. Power and water are available on each berth, and there is a locked gate for security. Showers and toilets are available (for a fee) at the nearby Leisure Centre, and council run public toilets are also available during daylight hours but locked at night. A hotel is close by, as is a service station for refuelling via jerry cans. A fuel berth is located just outside the marina, and available 24/7 using a credit card. The marina is managed by the Sarin Group and short term rentals are managed by the Property Administrator who can be contacted on 0429 885 265. Berth rentals may also be available through an organisation called Marina Exchange which can be contacted on 0438 548 033. A very good range of marine services is available in the precinct, with the main disadvantage being the long distance from the town which makes a taxi ride necessary for supply runs. Spalding Cove (and Fishermans Point) Shelter from E – S – W Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 46.0’S 135° 58.5’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. Spalding Cove is a large and open bay which provides excellent shelter in any wind other than northerlies, and a wide choice of anchorage locations. The two locations shown here have no special significance, and almost anywhere around the rim of the cove can be used. Beach access is good, and rambling beach walks are possible. Stamford Hill Shelter from E – S Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 45.9’S 135° 56.4’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. This anchorage is included because of the excellent walking trail to the Flinders Monument on the top of Stamford Hill. An easy beach landing gives access to a visitors’ display, and is the starting point for the hill climb plus other more ambitious walks. There are information displays at various points on the way, and the view from the top is excellent. MacLaren Point Shelter from W – NW – N (Northern) SE – S – W (Southern) Indicative Anchoring Positions Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 47.33’S 136° 00.36’E (Northern) The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. 34° 47.79’S 136° 00.62’E (Southern) MacLaren Point is an important location because the two anchorages, when used properly, allow a vessel to experience the passage of a vigorous front in complete safety. In the pre-frontal N and NW winds, the southern anchorage provides excellent shelter. As the front passes and the wind turns W and SW, it is very simple to up anchor and move to the northern side. The holding is good in both locations, and in summer when the wind sometimes moves to the SE very soon after the passage of a front, shelter is still provided in the northern anchorage. Care should be taken to avoid the rocky reef which extends about 200 metres north-east of the headland. Shore access is easy in both anchoring locations. Taylor Island Shelter from E – SE – S Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 52.0’S 136° 00.1’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. A shallow bank extends between the northern end of Taylor Island and the much smaller Owen Islet. This provides good shelter for the anchorage which is at the north-western end of Taylor Island. The bottom is patchy weed on sand, and the holding is good. Shore access is possible but there is very little beach area for walking. Memory Cove Shelter from SE – S – NW Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 34° 57.6’S 135° 59.5’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. Memory Cove is a beautiful anchorage located about two miles north of Cape Catastophe, with tree covered hills each side and a lovely white sandy beach which fronts a bush camping area. The bottom is gritty sand with patchy weed and the holding is good. Beach access is easy, and a scenic walk to the northern headland is very worthwhile. Strong tidal flows exist in Thorny Passage in this vicinity which sometimes result in unexpected turbulence. Williams Island Shelter from SE – S – SW Indicative Anchoring Position Note. Indicative anchoring positions are for reference only and should not be used as waypoints. 35° 01.5’S 135° 58.4’E The best position for anchoring depends on many factors including vessel draft, tide, and forecast wind. Williams Island is a V-shaped island about one mile off the coast between Cape Catastrophe and West Point. It provides good shelter, and is useful as a departure point for the long sail to destinations further west. However, it is very prone to serious rolling overnight. The ocean swell refracts around the top of the island resulting in large breaking waves on the beach. When a strong southerly breeze is blowing during the day, vessels tend to align head-to-wind and the anchorage is comfortable. At night when the breeze drops, vessels tend to lie beam-on and roll badly. In the small hours of the morning, the slightly shorter trip to destinations to the west may not seem such a good idea! The large shore break also makes a beach landing hazardous. .