I'd say if you're not comfortable waterstarting then Bongaree on an incoming tide would be better or wello as they are both onshore locations.
in the photos where the light area is you can pretty much stand up. at mid tide you can definitely stand up. I dropped a few gybes in areas I thought were shallow and couldn't touch. the water was crystal clear.
even in the holes the wind usually comes back in again so you can water start. if not then the tide will drag you into the channel. on an incoming tide with small swell its as safe as any open ocean sailing spot.
you need to be able to comfortably sail upwind to sail there. outgoing tide and offshore wind at any location is a recipe for trouble. I don't take the chance anymore myself.
the bar can be dangerous on an outgoing tide and especially with a big swell. people have died there. the problem is the tide drags you out and the waves pound you until you are out of energy. there is also a rip that pulls you up to kings beach and by the time you're at the end of happys it's the dead zone for wind. at that point don't fight it and enjoy the ride to kings. I guess everyone just need to sail to their limits.
Mistral Nick said..
I've heard of some horror stories sailing there on an outgoing tide however that looked great. In light conditions though if you miss a gybe on the Bribie side and there isn't enough wind to water start is there a sand bar to gybe over or should one have enough volume to uphall?