On the north-western side of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), the boat anchorage most Yachtshare crews mean by “Myora” sits around Myora Point / the Myora–One Mile shore, where clearer water pushes in through the Rainbow Channel. It is a different place from Myora Springs (Moongalba / Capembah) — the freshwater spring and cultural site on East Coast Road, which is primarily a road or walking visit once you are ashore at Dunwich, not a deep-water yacht park-up at the spring itself.

For many bay sailors the Myora Point / One Mile area is a favoured overnight when a solid south or south-easterly is in, with cleaner water and better fishing than the more landlocked southern channels, and less ferry bustle than the heart of Dunwich on a busy day.

How to get there

Heading out from the leads at Manly Boat Harbour, sail east / north-east across the bay toward North Stradbroke. A common approach is past Green and St Helena (or Green and King via Lockyer Light), then across toward the western shore of Straddie north of Dunwich. The yacht anchorage sits in the Rainbow Channel influence between the Dunwich approaches and Amity Banks to the north — historically spoken of as the “One Mile” between Dunwich and Myora Light.

Strong tidal flow is a feature of this corner of the bay — plan your crossing and approach with tide in mind, and give shipping and ferry traffic room in the main channels. From Manly it is typically a few hours depending on breeze; in a southerly it can be a comfortable reach across. Exact time depends on boat speed, tide and route.

Anchorage Overview

Best winds: South / south-east (commonly recommended for overnight; some local notes prefer easterlies at One Mile)

Depth: Variable — drying banks at low water, sandbanks, shoals and reef patches nearby; sound carefully and stay outside drying areas on a deep-draft yacht

Bottom: Sand / mud (avoid coral heads and seagrass where possible)

Getting into the anchorage

Navigate with current AUS charts, MSQ Beacon to Beacon and a sharp eye on the sounder. This is not a charge-in-and-drop basin: banks can dry at low water, and roll can come across the banks in some south-west conditions. Give yourself swinging room, set plenty of chain for the tidal stream, and be wary of a wind shift into the west through north-east, which leaves you more exposed.

The wider Myora–Amity Banks area is a declared Fish Habitat Area and sits within Moreton Bay Marine Park and Ramsar wetland values. Anchor clear of sensitive habitat where you can, and check zoning before fishing. Overnight stops are popular with cruising yachts, but space can tighten on settled weekends.

What to do there

Clearer water and the flush of the Rainbow Channel make Myora Point a pleasant place to sit on the hook, swim when conditions are right, and wet a line (flathead, bream, whiting and more are taken in the area — always within zoning rules). Dugongs and turtles use the seagrass banks nearby; go slow and keep a lookout.

If you need provisions or a coffee, tender toward One Mile / Dunwich — bakery, fruit shop and the Little Ship Club are long-standing Straddie stops. Myora Springs itself is a short road or taxi hop from Dunwich if you want the spring and cultural site ashore. Amity and the South Passage are further north for more experienced crews timing the tide rip.

Myora is a fine overnight in south to south-east weather and a rewarding day sail from Manly when you want cleaner water. It’s a favourite with Yachtshare owners who like their Straddie stops a little quieter than a packed One Mile Saturday.

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