Hi guys.
Just returned from an 8 day charter ( fishing ) of the Monte Bello islands off the north west coast of WA.
This place is now on the list of places to cruise to Plenty of safe anchorages just watch the tides. A good tender will allow you to take advantage of the great snorkelling and fishing.
[Cheers 
Select to expand quotescruzin said...
Please share photos and waypoints! Sailing the NW is on my bucket list too :-)
If Stone used his phone to 'ping' waypoints, he would in all likelihood not have waypoints or a mobile phone. The 2 charters I have done up there (and everywhere else mind you), take a real dim view on stealing fishing spots.
Select to expand quoteToph said... scruzin said...
Please share photos and waypoints! Sailing the NW is on my bucket list too :-)
If Stone used his phone to 'ping' waypoints, he would in all likelihood not have waypoints or a mobile phone. The 2 charters I have done up there (and everywhere else mind you), take a real dim view on stealing fishing spots.
Who said anything about "stealing" fishing spots? I just want to know where he went.
BTW, phones only need GPS turned on to save a waypoint, not mobile coverage.
Hi Guys,
Didn't bother marking spots on phone/GPS. The area is that good for fishing the charter company doesn't fish the same ground in two years. We were mainly fishing 5-10 mile on the southern side of Barrow Island. The skipper actually found 2-3 new spots on one of the days going out.
We stayed on the southern most island of the Monte Group is a protected bay, see photos below. The Monte's is a lot Islands each with what may appear to safe anchorage, most are but please refer to your chart for tidal movement. some do dry out on low tide.
The southern group of islands are great for fishing, snorkling/diving and exploring. Recommend using your tender for that.
I would probably use the Monte Bello's as the last stop over before heading off to the Coccos Islands but that's for another time.
Below is Sunset over protected bay of Hermite island
Below is a yacht and motor cruiser anchored up at the northern tip of Hermite Island. *Note the bay with no water in it. (low tide)
Looking south out from Hermite Island towards mainland Oz. you might be able to see Barrow island on the horizon left hand side of photo.
Below showing High/Low tide. about 1.2m-1.5m.
Below is again looking southeastish over bay at low tide. Note the two dinghies in 2 ft of water and its about 2ft to about half way to main boat.
Great place to stop over. I reckon you could easily spend two weeks plus there exploring and not get bored.
For the surfers there is good surf in the area (south east ) as well. If your sailing there the breaks will be easy to spot.
Cheers
Select to expand quotescruzin said... Toph said...
scruzin said...
Please share photos and waypoints! Sailing the NW is on my bucket list too :-)
If Stone used his phone to 'ping' waypoints, he would in all likelihood not have waypoints or a mobile phone. The 2 charters I have done up there (and everywhere else mind you), take a real dim view on stealing fishing spots.
Who said anything about "stealing" fishing spots? I just want to know where he went.
BTW, phones only need GPS turned on to save a waypoint, not mobile coverage.
My bad. The Montes are a big area. You won't go wrong with nice spots. Just don't spend too long on some of the islands. I think from memory your permitted up to an hour due to radiation on some of them.
Your right Toph,
They tested 3 bombs on the Northern Island. Only stay a max of 1 hour on land , and dont pick up any of the metal that is left behind.
Another sad tail of human history. The Islands appears to have recovered really well with plenty of vegetation and bird life and animals. That said I wouldn't recommend eating any of the shell fish.
There is no risk associated with the southern islands of the Monte Group.
If you go there drop in to Barrow Island, it drives chevron nuts because they like to think they own the island - they don't and have no right at all to stop you as long as you keep of their leases.
The Montes may have the best fishing on earth, there are places where you could literally fish by dropping rocks in the water and places of great beauty. Don't take a dog or cat though it's illegal and the area is way too fragile
