Looking down at a tidal channel

Great Sandy Strait

The Great Sandy Strait separates K'gari from the mainland and is the second largest protection area in Queensland for the dugong. There are over 80 km of waterways between the two tidal inlets at either end of the strait with multiple channels and islands to explore along the way, over 100 km if you start from Tin Can Inlet.

The calm, clear turquoise waters of the estuary provide an excellent paddling experience, with the world's largest sand island sheltering the strait. Dugongs, turtles, and rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are all found within the waters and the marine park and surrounding areas contain almost half of all Australia's bird species.

Hand drawn waves

Tides


A look at the tides in key locations

Hand drawn Windstar

Maps


Map options and distance markers

Hand drawn sun

Location Statistics


Miscellaneous info for selected locations including climate and astronomical dates

Quick Stats

Northern Entrance
Hervey Bay, QLD
Southern Entrance
Rainbow Beach
Length
100 km
Navigable
100 km
Type
Estuary
Time
Multiple days
map
Technical difficulty
Open Water I - II
Ocean Water Classification
Enclosed waters
Dangers
Open water, tidal currents, tidal flats, occassional crocs, other boats.
First Nations
Butchulla
K'gari and most of the strait
Kabi Kabi
Southern areas including Tin Can Inlet
24.4°C
Feels like 22.7°C
11.5°C
04:40am
25.3°C
12:16pm
Gentle Breeze
N at 17 kph, gusts to 19 kph
Strongest Gust: 28 kph NNW at 11:25am
0.0 mm since 9am
Today
Mostly sunny.
5%
(12°C)
25°C
Mon
Mostly sunny.
10% chance 0 mm
15°C
26°C
Tue
Partly cloudy.
20% chance 0 mm
15°C
27°C
Wed
Possible shower.
40% chance 0 to 1 mm
17°C
26°C
Thu
Possible shower.
40% chance 0 to 1 mm
16°C
26°C
Fri
Possible shower.
40% chance 0 to 1 mm
17°C
25°C
Sat
Partly cloudy.
30% chance 0 to 1 mm
17°C
25°C

Sun and Twilight Times

05:51—17:40 / 11hr 48m
Civil: 05:30—18:02 / 12hr 32m
Nautical: 05:03—18:28 / 13hr 25m

Moon Info

Waxing Crescent
8:26am 10:01pm
Banner image is of Inskip Point
© Russell Charters
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