Download Maps
Hinchinbrook Settings Map 1 Settings, significant bird site, transit lanes and cruise ship anchorages - 319.9 kb
Related Links
Hinchinbrook Plan of Management(Format: pdf; 1,742 KB)
The waters around Hinchinbrook Island are a Dugong Protection Area because they are a very important feeding and breeding area for dugong. To help ensure that moving vessels don't disrupt or injure dugong, there are voluntary boat transit lanes in the popular boating area to the north of Hinchinbrook Island.
You can do your bit to help protect dugong by using the transit lanes whenever you are in the area.
Where are the transit lanes?
The transit lanes are between Cardwell, Goold Island and the northern section of Hinchinbrook Island (see Download Maps at top right of page). They are generally marked with yellow buoys or beacons.
What speed should I go?
When you are in this area please never go faster than:
- 25 knots within transit lanes
- 10 knots (less than planing) outside the transit lanes over seagrass beds
- 10 knots when travelling near a large sea animal (for example a dugong, dolphin or marine turtle).
What else can I do?
Please also follow the responsible reef practices for dugong protection whenever you are in the Hinchinbrook area.
