• Cruise the exotic Kimberley coastline on a small luxury expedition cruise ship. Choose to depart from Broome or from Darwin.
• See all the major iconic sights in the Kimberley such as King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, Vansittart Bay, Lacepede Island, Horizontal Falls. Dei Dei Hot Springs, Raft Point and more.
• Cruise the Kimberely and see Aboriginal rock art, see the hanging garden at King Cascade waterfalls, spot native wildlife.

Perfected over three decades, our 10-night Kimberley cruise takes you on an unforgettable journey from Broome to Darwin. Expert guides interpret 40,000-year-old rock art and retrace the history of Phillip Parker King who first charted this spectacular coastline 200 years ago.

Perfected over three decades, our 10-night Kimberley cruise takes you on an unforgettable journey from Broome to Darwin. Expert guides interpret 40,000-year-old rock art and retrace the history of Phillip Parker King who first charted this spectacular coastline 200 years ago. Later in the season, witness Humpback Whales on their migration north to breeding grounds along the Kimberley coast.

Board a Zodiac and touch the spray from the magnificent King George River and its towering 80-metre twin falls. Join an expert guide to learn about the history of the ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock paintings. Witness waterfalls cascading off Montgomery Reef as it rises out of the ocean on the ebbing tide, whilst discovering the reef’s diverse marine life.

Kimberley Cruise - Expedition Highlights

• Experience the thrill of riding the Horizontal Falls in inflatable Zodiac tender vessels
• Get up close to Montgomery Reef and discover the tidal reef’s diverse marine life
• Experience King George River and 80m tall twin King George waterfalls
• Cruise the Prince Regent River to the ‘hanging garden’ King Cascade waterfall
• Visit Indigenous rock art galleries and learn about ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion art
• Spot native wildlife and birdlife in their natural habitat
• View the Kimberley landscape by air on a scenic helicopter flight to Mitchell Falls (additional cost)
• Enjoy sunset canapés and drinks on the beach as dusk settles over the Kimberley

Kimberley Cruise - DAY 1: DEPART BROOME

Board your Coral Expeditions ship at 4.00pm where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard as we cruise northwards towards Cape Leveque.

As dusk falls meet your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.

Kimberley Cruise - LACEPEDE ISLANDS

The Lacepede Islands are a protected class-A nature reserve and are significant as a seabird nesting rookery for brown boobies and roseate terns. Other species often sighted at the Lacepedes include Australian Pelicans, frigate birds, egrets and gulls. The four low-lying islands are also an important breeding and nesting habitat for green turtles.

If weather and tide conditions are suitable, we will explore the lagoons by Xplorer and Zodiac tender vessels.

Kimberley Cruise - HORIZONTAL FALLS AND BUCCANEER ARCHIPELAGO

The Horizontal Falls are one of the Kimberley’s biggest attractions and are a result of the mammoth 11m tides the Kimberley is renowned for. Naturalist David Attenborough described the Horizontal Falls as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.’

The Horizontal Falls are created as the ocean thunders through a narrow gorge in the McLarty Ranges. Water builds up on one side and is forcibly pushed through the bottleneck, creating a rushing horizontal waterfall of swiftly flowing seawater. Riding the rapids on our Zodiac inflatable tenders is one of the highlights of our Kimberley expedition cruises.

Talbot Bay is at the heart of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where rocks on the 800 or so islands are estimated at over 2 billion years old. At Cyclone Creek, you will see evidence of massive geological forces in the impressive rock formations and cruise through the Iron Islands, past Koolan Island, before enjoying sunset drinks at Nares Point.

Kimberley Cruise - DOUBTFUL BAY AND RAFT POINT

Raft Point guards the entrance to Doubtful Bay, a vast body of sheltered water which harbours significant sites such as the ancient Wandjina rock art galleries, considered some of the finest in the Kimberley. If a Traditional Owner guide is available to accompany us, we will be able to visit the galleries.

Doubtful Bay is the traditional country of the Worrora people who follow the Wandjina, their god, law-maker and creator. Images of Wandjina are found throughout the Kimberley, recording their stories, knowledge and culture in stone.

Other sites we aim to visit in Doubtful Bay include the mighty Steep Island and Ruby Falls at Red Cone Creek.

Kimberley Cruise - PRINCE REGENT RIVER AND CAREENING BAY

King Cascade is a classically beautiful terraced waterfall and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Kimberley. Falling from a considerable height and around 50m across, water tumbles down a staggered terrace of Kimberley sandstone. Layer upon layer of the ochre-hued and blackened rock sprouts grasses, mosses and ferns in a sort of lushly vegetated hanging garden.

We reach King Cascade after cruising in our Xplorer tender vessels down the Prince Regent River which is a remarkable anomaly as the river runs dead straight along a fault line.

Lt. Phillip Parker King named nearby Careening Bay after he beached his leaking vessel HMC Mermaid to effect repairs. While stranded on this remote coastline for 17 days the ship’s carpenter carved HMC Mermaid 1820 into the bottle-shaped trunk of a boab tree near the beach. 200 years later, the Mermaid Boab Tree has since split into two trunks and sports a mammoth girth of 12m. Significantly, the bulbous tree is listed on the National Register of Big Trees and the carpenter’s careful inscription now stands almost as tall as a person.

Kimberley Cruise - MONTGOMERY REEF

Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 400sq km and was named by Phillip Parker King. Twice daily, as the sea recedes in mammoth 11m tides, Montgomery Reef rises from the Indian Ocean in a cascade of rushing water revealing a flat-topped reef pockmarked with rockpools and rivulets.

As the reef emerges, we get up close in our Xplorer and Zodiac inflatable tenders to witness the spectacle as our Expedition Team share their knowledge on the formation of the reef and the myriad wildlife. Opportunistic birds take advantage of the emerging reef, feeding on marine life left exposed in rock pools. Turtles and dolphins too are also attracted to feeding opportunities as the ocean recedes.

The ocean is awash in a swirl of eddies and whirlpools as the moon’s gravitational force takes hold. Then, a few hours later the entire water-borne drama is reversed as the tide comes in and Montgomery Reef disappears below sea level.

Kimberley Cruise - PRINCE FREDERICK HARBOUR AND BIGGIE ISLAND

Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular locations at the southern end of York Sound. The harbour is dotted with islands lined with mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of ochre-hued escarpment.

White-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide, expansive mudflats reveal large populations of mudskippers and mangrove crabs. We will take our Xplorer tender vessels on a cruise up Porosus Creek to view some striking rock formations.

Kimberley Cruise - MITCHELL FALLS, WINYALKAN, & SWIFT BAY

Tumbling down the Mitchell Plateau in a series of tiered waterfalls and emerald green rock pools, the Mitchell Falls are the photogenic poster child for the Mitchell River National Park. Take a scenic heli flight (additional cost) to multi-tiered Mitchell Falls where emerald-hued rock pools cascade down the escarpment.

Mitchell River National Park is inhabited by significant numbers of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and bird species which are lured by a year-round water source. Sandstone terraces beside tiered rock pools make a terrific viewing platform from which to savour the serenity of this ancient landscape.

An alternative option to Mitchell Falls is exploring the sandstone caves of Wollaston Bay or Wollaston Creek. This mass of weathered tunnels, arches and columns form a labyrinth-like maze and was once an Aboriginal midden. Another option while anchored at Winyalkan Bay is a visit to a series Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art galleries at Swift Bay.

In the evening we will enjoy watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean while indulging in a gourmet BBQ.

Kimberley Cruise - VANSITTART BAY

Vansittart Bay is home to many cultural and historically significant sites like the remarkable Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Aboriginal rock art galleries estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Jar Island is so-named after the pot shards found here, brought to the island by Macassan fisherman harvesting sea cucumbers (also known as trepang).

Nearby, on the Anjo Peninsula lays the well-preserved wreckage of a US Airforce C-53 Skytrooper aircraft, the result of a pilot losing his bearings flying from Perth to Broome in 1942 and putting down on a salt pan near present-day Truscott Airbase.

Kimberley Cruise - KING GEORGE RIVER AND FALLS

Fed by the King George River draining across the Gardner Plateau, 80m tall King George Falls are the most impressive Kimberley waterfalls and the highest twin falls in Western Australia. Before reaching the mist-like spray rising from the base of King George Falls, we cruise through steep-sided gorges carved by a flooded river system that carved a swathe through the Kimberley landscape 400 million years ago.

Early in the waterfall season, we may cruise around the base of impressive King George Falls while in later months we take the opportunity to view the honeycomb erosion patterns of sandstone cliffs up close.

As our incredible Kimberley adventure draws to a close, on our last evening aboard we enjoy the Captain’s farewell drinks amongst new-found friends.

Kimberley Cruise - ARRIVE IN DARWIN

Our incredible adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes in Darwin this morning at 8:30am.  Bid farewell to new-found friends and the Captain and crew. Post cruise transfers to CBD hotels or the airport are included.

If you’re not transferring directly to the airport why not spend the day enjoying the tropical city of Darwin with its landscaped waterfront and harbourside Wave Pool.

Kimberley Cruise - 2021 Schedule

Coral Discoverer
Date Departs
20 August 2021 Darwin
30 August 2021 Broome
10 September 2021 Darwin
20 September 2021 Broome
01 October 2021 Darwin
11 October 2021 Broome

Coral Adventurer
Date Departs
27 August 2021 Darwin
17 September 2021 Darwin
27 September 2021 Broome
08 October 2021 Darwin
18 October 2021 Broome

Coral Geographer
Date Departs
23 August 2021 Broome
3 September 2021 Darwin
13 September 2021 Broome
24 September2021 Darwin
04 October 2021 Broome

Kimberley Cruise - 2022 Schedule

Coral Discoverer
Date Departs
15 April 2022 Darwin
25 April 2022 Broome
06 May 2022 Darwin
06 June 2022 Broome
17 June 2022 Darwin
27 June 2022 Broome
18 July 2022 Broome
29 July 2022 Darwin
08 August 2022 Broome
19 August 2022 Darwin
09 September 2022 Darwin
19 September 2022 Broome

Coral Adventurer
Date Departs
18 March 2022 Darwin
28 March 2022 Broome
08 April 2022 Darwin
18 April 2022 Broome
29 April 2022 Darwin
09 May 2022 Broome
20 May 2022 Darwin
30 May 2022 Broome
10 June 2022 Darwin
20 June 2022 Broome
01 July 2022 Darwin
11 July 2022 Broome
22 July 2022 Darwin
01 August 2022 Broome
12 August 2022 Darwin
22 August 2022 Broome

Coral Geographer
Date Departs
02 April 2022 Broome
13 April 2022 Darwin
23 April 2022 Broome
04 May 2022 Darwin
14 May 2022 Broome
25 May 2022 Darwin
4 June 2022 Broome
15 June 2022 Darwin
25 June 2022 Broome
6 July 2022 Darwin
16 July 2022 Broome
27 July 2022 Darwin
6 August 2022 Broome
17 August 2022 Darwin
27 August 2022 Broome
07 September 2022 Darwin
17 September 2022 Broome

Kimberley Cruise - 2023 Schedule

Coral Discoverer
Date Departs
04 April 2023 Darwin
24 April 2023 Broome
05 May 2023 Darwin
15 May 2023 Broome
26 May 2023 Darwin
05 June 2023 Broome
16 June 2023 Darwin
26 June 2023 Broome
07 July 2023 Darwin
17 July 2023 Broome
28 July 2023 Darwin
07 August 2023 Broome
18 August 2023 Darwin
28 August 2023 Broome
08 September 2023 Darwin
18 September 2023 Broome
30 September 2023 Broome

Coral Adventurer
Date Departs
28 April 2023 Broome
09 May 2023 Darwin
19 May 2023 Broome
30 May 2023 Darwin
09 June 2023 Broome
20 June 2023 Darwin
30 June 2023 Broome
11 July 2023 Darwin
21 July 2023 Broome
01 August 2023 Darwin
11 August 2023 Broome

Coral Geographer
Date Departs
29 April 2023 Darwin
09 May 2023 Broome
20 May 2023 Darwin
30 May 2023 Broome
10 June 2023 Darwin
20 June 2023 Broome
01 July 2023 Darwin
11 July 2023 Broome
22 July 2023 Darwin
01 August 2023 Broome
12 August 2023 Darwin
22 August 2023 Broome
02 September 2023 Darwin

View more Kimberley cruise options

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Broome

Departure Time

• DAY 1: DEPART DARWIN OR BROOME: Board in Darwin at 8:00am for a 9:00am departure. Board in Broome at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure
• DAY 11: ARRIVE BROOME OR DARWIN: Disembark in Darwin at 8:30am. Disembark in Broome at 8:00am
• Waterfall Season March to May: At the end of the wet season, experience rushing waterfalls and creeks, with abundant wildlife and lush greenery.
• Peak Season May to July: The most popular time to see the Kimberley. Enjoy optimum weather with cooler temperatures and no rain. The wildlife is abundant, and the landscape vibrant.
• Whale Season July to October: Humpback whales migrate to Kimberley waters and may be spotted during these months. The weather is hot and dry, with beautiful sunsets.

Destinations

• Broome
• Darwin City
• Prince Frederick Harbour
• LACEPEDE ISLANDS
• HORIZONTAL FALLS AND BUCCANEER ARCHIPELAGO
• DOUBTFUL BAY AND RAFT POINT
• MONTGOMERY REEF
• PRINCE REGENT RIVER AND CAREENING BAY
• PRINCE FREDERICK HARBOUR AND BIGGIE ISLAND
• MITCHELL FALLS, WINYALKAN, & SWIFT BAY
• VANSITTART BAY
• KING GEORGE RIVER AND FALLS

Months of Operation

March - October

Duration

10 Nights

Available for Purchase / Hire

Mitchell Falls helicopter flight

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Smart casual attire for the evenings on board
• Comfortable active wear during your days of exploration
• Shorts
• Swimwear
• TShirts
• Collared & long sleeve shirts to avoid sunburn
• Light jacket and long pants for cooler evenings at sea
• Good pair of hiking boots is recommended
• Shoes you dont mind getting wet
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Toileteries

Children upon request

• CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:
• Notification of cancellation must be received in writing. At the time we receive your cancellation the following penalties will apply:
• Up to 90 days prior to departure – forfeit your deposit of 20% of the fare.
• 60 to 89 days prior to departure – forfeit 50% of the fare.
• No-show to 59 days prior to departure – forfeit 100% of the fare.
• TRANSFER FEES:
• Date change fee made more than 90 days before departure – $500pp fee.
• Date change within 90 days of departure is considered a cancellation and standard Cancellation Policy applies.
• A name change/transfer of the booking to another person is considered a cancellation and Cancellation Penalties (as above) will apply.
• A $200 per person fee is applicable for any amendments not requiring a date change after booking is confirmed.
• TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION INSURANCE:
• We strongly recommend that all passengers purchase cruise cancellation and interruption insurance as protection against any circumstance which may force you to cancel or leave an expedition whilst it is in progress.