How to Navigate Coomera River
This article is for owners of 40ft + Fontaine Pajot and Leopard catamarans to help plan navigation from the open sea ways into the Gold Coast City Marina and The Boatworks.
The Coomera river divides around Coomera Island.
It is advised to take the southern arm.
Markers are provided on the southern arm to help navigate.
The northern arm requires local knowledge and is not suggested.
If in doubt about routes phone the Boatworks office on (07) 5500 0000 or email admin@theboatworks.com.au.
For latest updated information always consult official Maritime Safety Queensland guides before planning your trip.
Tides
Navigation along Coomera river is recommended at mid to high tides. For a vessel at 6 knots it takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach the Gold Coast City Marina from the seaway entrance.
Track back 1.5 hours from mid to high tide in the Coomera River.
At 6 knots average speed track back 1.5 hours from the coastal sea way entrance.
For example if mid high tide at the Gold Coast City Marina is at 12 midday: be in the coastal seaway area at 10:30am
Check the tide times well before your scheduled arrival at the coastal seaway entrance.
Tidal Streams
Velocity of tidal streams (maximum)
• South Channel 2·0 knots
• North Channel 2·5 knots
• Seaway Channel 3·2 knots
During times of heavy rain and minor flooding, expect these velocities to increase.
At the Seaway entrance the direction of the tidal stream is dependent upon the prevailing winds.
As a general rule, the ebb tide will set a vessel towards the north east when southerly winds
generate an inshore current along the beach.
Note: the tide at Paradise Point makes one hour after the tide at the Gold Coast Seaway. Tidal height at Paradise Point is a factor of 0.87 of the height at the Gold Coast Seaway
Interaction with Marine Mammals:
The presence of whales or marine mammals indicates that our ports are seen as environmentally
attractive places. The safety of life and the security of the environment from ship based incidents
is paramount.
All vessel masters are required to fully comply with relevant marine mammal legislation, such as
the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 Chapter 6 Part 1 which
prescribes minimum approach distances and maximum speeds within proximity to whales as
illustrated in the diagram below
Channel Depths
This table shows minimum depths as indicated on the most up to date hydrographic survey
information. For the latest depth information contact the Gold Coast office of MSQ.
Major Update
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority is improving access and connections to the waterways by dredging the Coomera River navigation channel from Sovereign Island to the Gold Coast Marine Industry Precinct at Coomera. Approximately 70,000 cubic metres of sand will be removed.
[2024] This project has been officially completed