The Abrolhos Islands made me: The Jay Cox story

Jay Cox carried a laminated picture of the boat he needed to start his eco-tourism business in the Abrolhos Islands for 12 months before taking the plunge and purchasing it. People thought the idea of bringing tourists to the islands was crazy. “It’ll never work,” they said. But for Jay, this negative talk went in one ear and out the other: “You don’t know the Abrolhos I know,” he told them.

“When you’re talking about the Abrolhos, it just evokes emotion and you just want to get it out, you just want to tell people.”

Finding himself in the Abrolhos after chasing the islands’ legendary surf, Jay quit his apprenticeship and started crayfishing – and he still sees this as one of the best decisions he’s made. It was during this time that he met and married Sonia, then a barmaid at the local pub in Geraldton. These days, son Bronson is also part of the family business.

“The Abrolhos has been recognised as a world ‘hope spot’. The more exposure it gets, the more we can protect it as a community,” Bronson says. “The experience is very unique. No disruptions whatsoever, no distractions, you can recharge, switch off.” The history of the shipwrecked Batavia adding yet another layer to these fascinating islands.

Discover the beauty of the Abrolhos Islands, plus other extraordinary natural wonders such as World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, with a road trip along the Coral Coast Highway.

For more information on The Coral Coast Highway visit: http://bit.ly/2MB7jMO


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