We left from Fremantle Harbour at 9am , motoring out to Carnac Island - the wind wasn't blowing enough to sail , but would be on the way back in . Carnac is south west of Fremantle , above Garden Island and across Cockburn Sound .
The water is only about 7m deep most of the way until you get to the shipping lane , where it gets deeper to allow for the many ships that come in and fill up with wheat etc . The water is an exquisite green and very clear , getting darker as it gets deeper .
Before too much longer , we had arrived , our options were to go for a ride to the island and swim at the beach , go for a ride and see some of the seals that live here or just lounge around on the boat and/or go for a swim - we chose the latter . Carnac Island has a reputation as being one of the most dangerous islands - there is a large population of tiger snakes living here , some are blind , as the seagulls have pecked their eyes out , so they are probably a bit angrier than most . We decided we didn't need any snakes , so stayed on board . The yacht was anchored about 70m from the cliff line , and everyone that was going ashore had left , so I got changed and went for a snorkel . The water was a nice temperature , and very clear .
I swam over to the cliffs , then went along them . The cliffs and islands are made of limestone , below the waterline there are straight drop offs , going down vertically for about 3 to 5m . There is a large amount of seaweed - many types and colours - more than I knew existed , and also many fish , not too many large ones though .
After checking out much of the cliff line , I swam back to the yacht and climbed on board - good timing , it was nearly lunchtime . The crew had been in for a swim and a few of the others were back on the yacht , jumping into the water from the deck .
We chatted to one young lady who just happened to know Moss Vale , Bowral & Mittagong - Clare went to school at the Steiner School in Bowral where her mother was a teacher !! Small world !!
Lunch done & dusted , we hauled up the anchor and set sail back to Fremantle - the wind had picked up and we sailed along quite nicely . The sea and swell had increased , we were surfing down the side of some of the waves - 2m at the biggest .
Fremantle got closer & closer , we could see the Maritime Museum and the submarine exhibit , with container cranes in the background .
Arriving back at the dock we were supposed to be getting off at was a chore , there were a lot of other boats tied up there that shouldn't have been - they obviously couldn't read the signs that read No Mooring - they were probably having a beer at Little Creatures Brewery , or fish & chips at one of the many restaurants . Anyway , they dropped us off at another dock opposite - just meant a longer walk back to the car .
That's it day done , back to the RV for a bit more relaxing !!
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