GETTING THERE and AWAY

 We have sailed around both the northern and southern sides of Montgomery Reef on a number of occasions.  However, the winds and tides have generally been unsuitable to allow time to access the reef inlets at low spring tides to observe the water rushing out of the lagoons in the reef and down over the sides of the reef. 

In 2005, we anchored overnight at Raft Point just to starboard of the LEEUWIN II (right) and motored out at sunrise (left) to the south-eastern corner of Montgomery Reef. We planned our arrival for 7 am, about 1 hour before low spring tide.

 Approaching Montgomery Reef on a WNW course, we passed a small sandbar (marked as a reef on Aus 732) about 1 mile to starboard.  The larger sandbar shown an the map above is also marked as a reef on Aus 732.  When this larger sandbar was abeam, we turned right around a 3 m sand patch onto a NNW course.  Keeping to the centre of the channel between this larger sandbar and Montgomery Reef, and passing some unmarked reefs on our starboard side, we headed up the centre of the channel in the reef to the anchorage shown. 

Notes:

We passed over an area due west of the northern end of the sandbar that is marked as reef on Chart AUS732.

There was no reef there.  We were surprised to be in 10m of water over this section.

       The Tidal Falls and Reef Walking

About 2 hours before low tide on springs, the water held in the lagoons on the top of the reef begins to cascade down into the deep channel in the reef (left and right).  These flows accelerate and roar loudly until low tide, and even continue on into the rising tide.  The visual effects and the noise are both awesome. 

 It is easy to go ashore and secure the dinghy between the flow channels, and walk onto the top of the reef (wear strong shoes).  There are all sorts of creatures here including starfish, clams, turtles and fish trapped in smaller pools of water.  The reef-top is fairly sandy so it is pretty easy to get around.

 There is a large patch of shells on the western side of the large sandbar.  This can also be accessed by dinghy near low tide.  We trust this information is useful and you can plan and enjoy a trip to Montgomery Reef.

 It would be feasible to stay at anchor in the channel for 2 or 3 hours until the rising tide covered the reef as there is very little current in this channel.  However, we returned to Raft Point on the incoming tide where the "LEEUWIN" was still anchored in a spectacular position.  We circled the "LEEUWIN", waved to the guests, then proceeded across Doubtful Bay to a snug little anchorage in Red Cone Inlet.