Wind speed and direction in July and August
. 
27 nm. Approx 4-5 hours.
Alan Lucas says that the best Trade Winds anchorages in the Palm Group are Casement Bay on Great Palm Island, and Little Pioneer Bay on Orpheus Island.
Casement Bay, Great Palm Island
Little Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island
This trip is roughly the reverse of an earlier trip between Hinchinbrook Island and Point Tribulation.
It references the SV Anui barrier reef resource: Reef Addiction 2021
In the southern part of our cruise, it expands on these reefs.
Offshore of Palm & Hinchinbrook Islands
Keeper Reef (p 105)
Keeper Reef is true to its name: a real keeper! We had been there before, and it did not disappoint the second time around. We had slightly lighter conditions than the previous day, with bright sunshine which makes everything so vibrant. There is a public mooring there, but also some large sandy areas free of bommies to anchor in as seen from both the satellite image and aerial photo.
Lodestone Reef (p 111)
Another short hop further along towards the WNW, Lodestone Reef was a new find for us. We had heard positive comments from other cruisers and the light conditions were gentle for an overnight stop with 10 to 15 knots of breeze and sunny weather. We were so lucky to have this place to ourselves. There is a public mooring there which we took, but there is plenty of clear sand to anchor in 8 to 10 meters of water. This reef system is a platform reef, surrounded by coral gardens on its periphery and a labyrinth of gutters and bommies at either extremity. Here is the satellite image and we have marked the spots for stress free anchoring in sand.
John Brewer Reef (p 121)
32nm, about 6 hours.
Bramble Reef (p 131) 'A little ordinary'
Trunk Reef (p 136)
Walker Reef (p 142) 'Feels safe'.
Otter Reef (p 146)
Eddy Reef (p 151) 'Disappointing'
