weather is dependant factor, i have been out in my 4.6m centre console no problems but watch weather and i am confident in my capabilities of my boat. having said that if the weather turns and the fish still biting then i always opt for geting home safe regardless of fish on board. safety first out there. the wind can come up very quickly and any sign of southerly means you will be punching into it coming back. the gulf particurly can get rough very quickly and mixing that with the swell from the ocean side can create a washing machine ocean and the area immediatly south of the islands is where this mix happens. speak to the lads at bluewater and they will give advise on chart maps. most go west or east of this area then swing back into the islands. if you can launch at bundegi then opt for this as it saves at least 14kms of water from town jetty and plenty of time. if you are 4 wheel drive savy then you shouldn't have a problem launching here. plus bundegi reef is always worth a fish....there is plenty of fishie water but stick clear of protection zones. depth depends on what you chase but at that time of year the red emporer are in close (less than 20m) just sound around. watch for manta rays and the cobia under them, we had one day of non stop action.......

generally bottom/trolling on west side and east side more sheltered with sight casting for queenies, trevs etc. really plenty of options depending on your fix.

good idea to have fully functioning safty gear especially radio and flares...but there is usually good traffic if weather is good.

the peak islands are killer but many more miles than murians.....

enjoy 

Is it safe to pass between the two islands?

www.rockyreefmarine.com.au

usual weather dependant yes and goto comply with protection/santuary areas if you fish between(east side of island/gap) , if you fish then i recomend one persons to always skipper the boat and direct the fishing action. when we fish the outer reef area for GT etc 1 person always skippers the boat and leaves motor running and we usually position boat bow facing ocean. any problems then skippers yells and you hold on as the boat moves out of wash area. just takes practice and good way of catching GT's...if ya gear can handle it.

some guys float through fishable area of islands casting etc. great place to snorkel but have been warned of big tigers......the east side of islands is a good alternative for this though 

for me the weather is always the factor that determines my fishing....one reads the weather well with time

alternatively the lower gulf is killer but escaping the wind means you have to watch the tides in this area. definitly worth the time if you can, i am told the best fishing in exmouth comes from the east side of gulf. it is long trip across and once again weather dependant, but exceptionaly fish rich and very little pressure...wish i had a bigger boat to make it easier to get to......

just to much to do in exmouth.....

I have a 5.5mtr Trailcraft.
I have fished the east side of the gulf out at exmouth reef and cleaned up in a short time. Like you say it all depends on the weather!

www.rockyreefmarine.com.au

i had similar experience at exmouth reef but most i speak to avoid the place as they catch nothing......obviously not fish gods like us.......last time i went it was 28 km from town jetty so looking at charts the east side of gulf could be double that. simpson island area i have been told is killer.

was once in ex when i was camped next to an old guy in small (roughly 5m) really old fibre boat and he went right across. thumper baldies but.

last trip in march killed the fish with plastics  

your boat would have sufficent room for swag so i would venture out, just take enough fuel for the trip! i would give it a go...... plenty of water to fish across.

have you ever fished south of south passage, south of tantibiddi, i have experienced good fish and not many boats. 

Havent really done much fishing from tantabiddi.
Once or twice. Got some good chinamen, trout and trevs
but didnt really head far down the south side. Like you said before, so many diff spots to try and so little time to explore them all. Ex reef was about 10NM from the marina when i went out to it last.

www.rockyreefmarine.com.au

worth the trip south seeing not as much pressure as area around tanti but so many options and good fish.....good mix of pelagics

i would be heading up in August but recently broken jaw has somewhat hampered my movement, doctors orders.....

enjoy