Cruising the Coral Coast (9th Edition) by Alan Lucas

The Ultimate Guide for Sailing Queensland’s Eastern Seaboard

🌊 Product Description

Explore one of the world’s most stunning coastlines with the trusted voice of Australian maritime expert Alan Lucas. Now in its ninth edition, Cruising the Coral Coast is the most authoritative and comprehensive cruising guide available for navigating the eastern coast of Queensland—from Point Danger at the New South Wales border all the way to the wild and remote Cape York Peninsula.

First published over 40 years ago, this enduring classic has evolved into a beloved mainstay on boats large and small. Whether you're a weekend sailor or preparing for an epic coastal voyage, this volume is your reliable, readable, and richly detailed companion at sea.

🧭 Key Features

🗺️ Comprehensive Coastal Coverage

• Covers more than 2,000 nautical miles of coastline.

• Divided into eight Coastal Notes regions, each with detailed guidance, hand-drawn chartlets, sketches, and sailing advice tailored to local conditions.

⚓ Anchorage and Marina Insights

• Detailed coverage of anchorages, marinas, and swing moorings.

• Approach notes, tidal considerations, room to swing, holding quality, and protection from prevailing winds.

• Includes shore access details and nearby amenities for provisioning or refuelling.

🌬️ Navigation, Tides, and Weather

• Deep analysis of prevailing weather systems, including the dominant Southeast Trade Winds and their seasonal patterns.

• Information on currents, tidal behaviour, and seasonal navigation tips.

• Crucial safety advice for navigating under changing wind directions, especially during cyclone season or when northerlies dominate.

🛟 Alternative Anchorages

• One of the few guides to offer plan B anchorages, allowing sailors to find safe shelter when conditions deteriorate.

• Especially valuable in less-developed or remote regions where options may be limited.

📚 Cultural and Historical Commentary

• Lucas blends technical expertise with storytelling flair—offering tales of maritime history, Indigenous heritage, and quirky coastal folklore.

• Includes commentary on notable natural features, historical sites, and memorable sailing anecdotes.

💡 Who Is This For?

• ⛵ Coastal cruisers and passage-makers

• ⚓ Liveaboard sailors

• 🧭 First-time yacht adventurers

• 📖 Marine historians and armchair travellers

• 🛥️ Powerboaters navigating the Coral Coast

📖 Book Specifications

✅ Why Choose This Guide?

• Trusted by generations of Australian sailors

• Backed by 50+ years of firsthand experience

• Continuously updated with real-world feedback

• Combines practicality with personality

Whether you’re preparing for a multi-week adventure or dreaming of your next great journey, Cruising the Coral Coast is the guidebook that belongs on every chart table and in every sailor’s hands.