Island Escape - Rotto

Escape to Rotto with just your ski. Paddle over Sun 15th, Paddle back Wed 18th Nov
Service Description
The concept
Paddle across to Rottnest, base ourselves on the island for the trip, work our way around Rotto exploring the bays, headlands and reef breaks, then ride the Doctor course back to the mainland on the final day.
The setup
Our floating base is a 10m cat, twin 300s on the back, a big working platform, and a professional skipper at the helm. The boat is support only: it's there for safety and to change out a sore paddler, not to ferry the team. So we paddle where we need to go and the cat stays close the whole way.
A typical day
Downwind runs in the mornings on the easterly offshore, no upwind grind. Long lunch on the island or off the boat. Then we paddle home with the wind, targeting bays, transits and reef breaks along the way. We're aiming for 15–20km of paddling a day.
The boat stays close for safety and to swap out anyone who's sore, but it's not a shuttle, so plan to paddle the legs.
Accommodation
Governor's Circle cottages, booked as a group in southern Thomson Bay. Ocean views, walk straight out to the sand. Plenty of room to spread out, fully equipped kitchens and BBQs, the kind of setup that turns a paddle camp into a proper trip.
Food
Chef catering through the camp, cooked for you, you don't lift a finger. A few meals out are on you and easy to sort on the day: the Saturday game-plan dinner at Coast, breakfast on crossing morning, and our Monday night out at the Rotto pub. Drinks are on you too.
What Rottnest brings
Most of you have done the Doctor and know the island, but for the uninitiated: pristine water, world-class paddling, reef breaks and transits we know like the back of our hand, ridiculous snorkelling, and a serious amount of sea life and seafood.
Timing
We've timed this for the lead-up to race week, when the wind is at its best. It's a great time to be in good ocean racing form.
The plan, day by day
Day 1, Saturday: Arrive, shakeout paddle and game plan
Meet the crew for a light paddle off Port Beach to check competence on the ski and dial in the boat setup, then a game plan over dinner at Coast, right on the beach.
Day 2, Sunday: Cross to Rotto and downwind tutorial
Crossing brief, then launch from Cottesloe and paddle across to Rottnest as a group, around 18km, with the boat alongside. Land at Thomson Bay and settle into Governor's Circle. Swim or snorkel the bay, then our downwind tutorial: a deep dive on the technical side and the key points to improve your downwind. Chef dinner at the cottages.
Day 3, Monday: Technique, around one side, night off
Technique tutorial with video work before we get on the water (how to paddle better, easier and more efficiently), then a downwind run along one side of the island, working the bays, headlands and reef breaks. Long lunch in a quiet bay. Paddle back to Thomson Bay, then the afternoon is open: snorkel, surf or rest. Night off: out on the town, with dinner together at the Rotto pub.
Day 4, Tuesday: Follow the wind, the other side
Follow the wind and run the opposite side, so over the two days we cover the whole island. Lunch in another secluded bay. Finish at Transit Reef for a ski surfing session, then in to base. Dinner on the island.
Day 5, Wednesday: Ride the Doctor course home
Time our start to the wind, then paddle the full Doctor course back to the mainland, around 27km, with the boat alongside the whole way. Land, pack down and farewell.
It's a guide only: the wind, swell and sea breeze decide the detail each day.
Pricing
$2,400pp. Fully inclusive: four days of paddling, accommodation in southern Thomson Bay, chef-catered meals through the camp, boat support every paddle day with a professional skipper, ski hire, and all permits.
Excludes: flights to Perth, alcohol, Saturday night accommodation, and a few meals out (the Saturday dinner at Coast, breakfast on crossing morning, and the Monday night at the pub).
Booking
Bookings are open now for the November 15–18 trip. Spots are limited, first in, best dressed. 25% deposit to secure your place, balance due 60 days prior.
Book here: https://www.paddlecollective.com.au/service-page/island-escape-rotto?referral=service_list_widget