Wahine Drive runs down to the eastern shore of Russell Island, where the ramp launches into the Canaipa Passage, the channel between Russell and the southern end of North Stradbroke. It is two concrete lanes at a ten per cent grade with plenty of room to park on the unmarked ground above it, and nothing else: no pontoon, no toilets, no water. The state register lists it as usable on all tides, and locals say the water is there almost all the time.
The Passage is the attraction. It runs south past Canaipa Point to the Jumpinpin bar and the northern Broadwater, with the sheltered western side of Straddie, its beaches and campsites, along the far bank, and fishing for flathead, bream, snapper and jewfish at the rock bars and drop-offs. The tide runs hard through the channel and the sand bars shift; use the Beacon to Beacon guide and go carefully at night.
Fuel, bait and shops are near the ferry jetty at the north of the island. Jock Kennedy Park on Alice Street is the island's other ramp, with a pontoon. Marine Rescue Queensland Victoria Point covers the islands on VHF 16.