The 43 occupants of an outrigger canoe which was located at the Cape York Peninsula on January 18, departed Weipa late today.

The group of 30 males, six females and seven minors boarded a RAAF Hercules around 7.30pm EST to fly to Christmas Island.

The men in the group will be accommodated at the Phosphate Hill Detention Centre, while the women and children will be placed in staff housing.

The members of the group were medically examined in Weipa and cleared for travel.

The group was also accompanied by a RAAF medical team for the seven-hour flight.

Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) officers will interview members of the group on Christmas Island.

DIMIA has acknowledged the assistance of, and contributions to the operation by the Australian Customs Service, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Defence, Australian Search and Rescue, Queensland Department of Health and Queensland Police Service.