First Fleet By ihavenoclue04 May 13, 1787 The First Fleet boats left Portsmouth, England May 16, 1787 Last sight of England Jun 3, 1787 The boats stopped at Canary Islands Jun 10, 1787 Boats departed Canary Islands. Aug 13, 1787 Cape of Good Hope sighted.. Aug 14, 1787 Anchors in table bay for supplies Sep 13, 1787 Departed Table Bay Jan 2, 1788 Van Diemen's land sighted. Jan 20, 1788 Whole fleet arrives at Botany Bay. Jan 26, 1788 The whole fleet anchors in at Port Jackson Jan 26, 1788 Colonization of Australia.