Wandering if anyone anchor at Byron bay. I know Julian rocks area but not sure if possible to anchor west side close to the shore.

Byron is an open roadstead ie an Anchorage exposed to the sea, there is moorings to the NE of Julian rocks generally used for dive charter boats, at the right time it's beautiful, the rest of the time no so. Allan Lucas indicates an area that's sorta protected from the southerly swell. Byron is renowned for its surf ..... ( tends to be a rolly anchorage)

I've anchored there overnight.
Best to contact Marine Rescue for directions to the best anchorage in the open roadstead.
What looks like the best out towards the headland is not safe.
You will find that you end up well to the west past a bit of reef area.
Holding is good on sand but can be a bit rolly with a NE swell.

Great, appreciate your info

Spent a night there, I hope to not repeat the event!
cheers Richard

K, you are in a Defiance, so you have about 20min from when you see a ship on the horizon.
On that part of the coast southbound ships will be outside the 100 Ftm line and northbound in much closer.
Go to Bunnings and buy either a pool bean bag or outdoor cushions
Nap for 15 min and up for 5 min check horizon and nav, nap for 15 and repeat.
Also be up from an good hour before sunrise as Indians attack at dawn on that coast.
You will quickly get the hang of it.

Byron Bay is a great anchorage in the right conditions, SW winds are the best, with a low swell, I've anchored "between the flags", fairly close in , in front of the surf club, sitting up on deck with a beer listening to the live music.
Marine Rescue will advise of the preferred anchoring spots, they don't want people anchoring over reefs etc.
Good spot to anchor to avoid the overnighter when going north, as with all open roadsteads have an exit plan to get out of there during the night if needed.

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BlueMoon said..
Byron Bay is a great anchorage in the right conditions, SW winds are the best, with a low swell, I've anchored "between the flags", fairly close in , in front of the surf club, sitting up on deck with a beer listening to the live music.
Marine Rescue will advise of the preferred anchoring spots, they don't want people anchoring over reefs etc.
Good spot to anchor to avoid the overnighter when going north, as with all open roadsteads have an exit plan to get out of there during the night if needed.

Appreciate advice - thank you

Select to expand quote

lydia said..
K, you are in a Defiance, so you have about 20min from when you see a ship on the horizon.
On that part of the coast southbound ships will be outside the 100 Ftm line and northbound in much closer.
Go to Bunnings and buy either a pool bean bag or outdoor cushions
Nap for 15 min and up for 5 min check horizon and nav, nap for 15 and repeat.
Also be up from an good hour before sunrise as Indians attack at dawn on that coast.
You will quickly get the hang of it.

Great advice