10 Nights The Kimberley Cruise: Darwin to Broome and reverse

Type of Vessel

Coral Expeditions I is a classic ocean catamaran, accommodating a maximum of just 46 guests, Coral Expeditions I offers an intimate expedition atmosphere. Coral Expeditions I is fully equipped for the ultimate expedition cruising experience in Australian coastal waters.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Darwin, Northern Territory: Depart in the morning and as you cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters, join the expedition staff in the lounge for an informative introduction to the Kimberley. With fellow travelers and friendly Coral Expeditions' crew, enjoy the Captain's welcome drinks.

Day 2 | King George River and Falls: Discover the first of the Kimberley's "big" rivers, the mighty King George. Board Xplorer, the specially designed excursion vessel and explore scenic gorges then take to the inflatable Zodiacs and cruise close to the base of magnificent King George Falls. This is the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Western Australia, towering some 80 metres above the river below. Visit secluded Tranquil Bay for beach walking and exploration.

Day 3 | Vansittart Bay DC3 and Jar Island: Join the Expedition Leader on a walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3 which crash landed on the beach during World War II. Visit Jar Island and discover the island's outstanding rock art gallery. With the Guest Lecturers, see fine examples of the Kimberley's mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), dating back some 20,000 years.

Day 4 | Hathaway's Hideaway and Mitchell Falls: Anchor in Winyalken Bay and travel ashore aboard Xplorer to explore the maze of natural sandstone caves known as Hathaway's Hideaway. Consider an optional scenic heli-flight over the Mitchell Plateau for close up views of the mighty four-tiered Mitchell Falls. This evening enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as we indulge in a gourmet BBQ on the sundeck or the beach.

Day 5 | Biggie Island and Careening Bay: Discover the rock art gallery on Bigge Island featuring fine examples of both Wandjina and Bradshaw art and hear from the Guest Lecturers about these traditional art forms and the myths from the dreamtime that inspired them. Explore Careening Bay; named by early explorer Phillip Parker King after his ship HMC Mermaid was careened for repairs during his second voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. The Expedition Team will lead you to the site of a remarkable Boab Tree bearing the inscription "HMC Mermaid - 1820', still clearly visible almost 200 years later.

Day 6 | Prince Regent River and King Cascades: Cruise the mighty Prince Regent River aboard Xplorer to breathtaking King Cascades, an unusual and picturesque waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. Enjoy a picnic lunch at beautiful Camp Creek, where there is also time for a cooling dip in the freshwater pools.

Day 7 | Montgomery Reef and Doubtful Bay: Savor a truly unforgettable moment as Montgomery Reef "rises" out of the ocean as the tide ebbs. Join the Expedition Staff aboard the Xplorer and Zodiacs to experience this natural phenomenon up close. Discover the reef's diverse marine life including turtles, manta rays and reef sharks then enjoy a cruise through scenic Doubtful Bay.

Day 8 | Raft Point: Cruise through Kuri Bay, home of the south sea pearl industry. Travel ashore at imposing Raft Point and visit a secluded and very interesting Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art and some of the Kimberley's most well-preserved Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion). Explore Red Cone Creek.

Day 9 | Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago: Meander through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to over 800 islands. In Talbot Bay the region's 12 metre tides create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls, described by legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough as "one of the greatest natural wonders in the world". The amazing power of the falls is revealed when the tide turns, forcing millions of liters of water to rush through the narrow gaps between cliffs. Board the Zodiacs for an exhilarating ride through the falls then explore Silica Beach on Hidden Island with its stunning white sands and crystal clear waters.

Day 10 | Lacepede Islands: Explore Pender Bay and subject to weather and tides, visit the Lacepede Islands, a series of low islands consisting of coarse sand and coral rubble lying atop a platform reef. This nature reserve has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area as it supports up to 18,000 breeding pairs of Brown Boobies and Roseate Terns, possibly the largest such population in the world. Board the Zodiacs and explore the island's lagoon, keeping an eye out for many species of marine birdlife including Australian Pelicans, frigate birds, egrets, gulls and terns. The islands are also renowned as Western Australia's most significant breeding grounds for the Green Turtle, often seen nesting here. This evening we reflect on this wonderful expedition with new-found friends as we enjoy the Captain's farewell drinks.

Day 11 | Broome: The adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes in Broome this morning. If you're not transferring directly to the airport why not spend the day visiting world-famous Cable Beach or stroll the historic streets of Chinatown in central Broome. Post cruise transfers included.

Guest Services

Amenities include laundry service, gift shop and luggage storage.

Food and Dining

There are two fully stocked cocktail bars and a spacious modern dining area where guests can enjoy meals. Meals are served in the modern dining room, and with space for all guests to dine during one sitting and no assigned seating, meal times are a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.

Onboard Activities/Events

The ship's forward lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery in air-conditioned comfort and features a comprehensive reference library and plasma screens. The Sun Deck at the rear with a new bar outdoor area added in 2016 is another popular place to relax and take in the panoramic views.
Guests can also enjoy the library during their cruise.

Staterooms or Cabins

The 21 onboard rooms are bathed in natural light, with a fresh and modern decor creating a breezy feel. You can choose between double and twin bedded rooms, each fully equipped with a spacious private ensuite, air conditioning and ample storage space.
Enjoy the comforts of an en suite bathroom, featuring hairdryer and international power outlets. Rooms also feature picture windows for expansive ocean views (except some Cabin category rooms featuring portholes), ample storage space and air-conditioning. All rooms are serviced daily and feature Australian toiletries.
Staterooms feature modern decor and comfortable furnishings. At 151 square feet in size these rooms offer plenty of space to relax and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views along with a desk, ample storage space and your choice of fixed double or twin beds.
Deluxe Staterooms are located across the top decks of the ship, in close proximity to the Bridge and the Sun Deck. With brilliant natural light and fresh modern decor, these rooms offer a spacious 185 square feet in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views along with a comfortable settee, desk, ample storage space and your choice of fixed double or twin beds.