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It is tolerable in northeasterly conditions if the
swell is low but surge can be unpleasant when the
swell is moderate to heavy on a high tide.
Anchorage may be taken east-southeast of
Mushroom Rock in offshore swell of 1.5 metres
and moderate south to southeasterly winds.
Fishing boats anchor both north and south
of the jetty ruins in 1.5-1.8-metre depth but
this may not be enough for even moderate draft
yachts if the swell increases.
Boat launching facilities are provided at
points along the coast where boaters have shown
a preference for launching trailered vessels,
such as at Busselton, Dunsborough, Gracetown,
Gnarabup, Hamelin Bay, Flinders Bay and
Hardy Inlet.
Busselton’s Port Geographe marina caters
for larger vessels, while the Quindalup area is
popular as a summer anchorage and mooring
site for visiting yachts.
Sheltered bays scattered along the coast, such
as Kilcarnup, Cowaramup and Prevelly, are also
suitable for launching small boats.
In good conditions a general guide for
rounding Cape Leeuwin is to maintain a depth
of at least 35 metres, which gives a clearance of
about 5.5 nautical miles.
In adverse conditions, the heavy swell calls for
a much wider clearance. Rogue waves can occur
at any time (as befell HMAS Nizam).
There are a few anchorages east of the Cape,
but the region is hazardous and their approach
route is strongly dependent on the swell.
In conditions of low swell and clear visibility,
there are a couple of routes through the reefs
that are navigable by yachts, but they are narrow
and must be used with care.
However, when a big swell is running, all reefs
should be given a wide berth, passing well south
and east of Saint Alouarn and Flinders Islands
to open up clear water into Barrack Point.AUGUSTA REFUGE
Augusta Boat Harbour is situated on the
Leeuwin Road, about three kilometres north
of Cape Leeuwin, and is the only established
boating facility along the 430 kilometres of
coastline between Busselton and Albany that
offers safe, short term facilities for commercial
and recreational boats.
Completed in 2014, the $36-million project
was funded under the State’s Royalties for
Regions scheme, and also serves as a regional
base for sea search and rescue operations,
supported by the Augusta airstrip.
Two breakwaters (150 and 600 metres
in length) enclose 2.8 hectares of sheltered
water and five hectares of land for service
infrastructure.
Facilities include: a four-lane boat launching
ramp with floating finger jetties, a 50 metre
land-backed service wharf, 40 boat pens for
commercial and recreational vessels (with a
number of pens available for annual and casual
hiring), car-and-trailer parking for 160 vehicles,
four fully-serviced land development lots for
marine related purposes, amenities building and
pavilion, and 24-hour closed circuit television
security surveillance.WATER-BASED FUN
Beaches, rocky headlands and the offshore
waters of the marine park provide superb venues
for recreational fishing of pelagic, reef and
estuarine species.
Geographe Bay provides sheltered and
easy access for safe, family-oriented fishing
experiences, with deeper, less protected waters“Beaches, rocky headlands and the
offshore waters of the marine park
provide superb venues for recreational
fishing of pelagic, reef and
estuarine species”