Coral Geographer, Coral Frontiers and Kimberley Icons ex Darwin to Broome
Cruise Line Coral Expeditions
Ship Coral Geographer
Destination Australia
Nights 10
Departure Date 21 Sep 2026
Description Coral Frontiers and Kimberley Icons

Day 1: Depart Darwin
Start your Kimberley adventure from either port. Darwin departures board at 8:00am for 9:00am sailing. Settle into your cabin and meet the expedition team over Captain's Welcome drinks as we cruise into Western Australian waters.

Day 2: King George River
Cruise down this scenic river through steep gorges carved 400 million years ago. Our Zodiacs get you close to honeycomb erosion patterns in towering sandstone cliffs. The flooded river system carved this path through the Kimberley landscape, creating dramatic walls that dwarf our small ship. Look for freshwater crocodiles basking on rock ledges.

Day 3: Ancient Rock Art Galleries
Land at galleries showcasing Wandjina and Gwion Gwion art. These sandstone shelters hold some of Australia's oldest continuous cultural stories. Our expert guides share the significance of figures painted on rock walls thousands of years ago. Stretch your legs exploring magnificent rock formations that provided perfect canvases for ancient artists.

*Note: This port of call is subject to tides - Swift Bay or Bigge Island or Wollaston Bay.

Day 4: Ashmore Reef
Visit uninhabited islands where 100,000 seabirds flock annually. This marine park encompasses the West, Middle, and East Islands, as well as their surrounding territorial waters. Declared a National Nature Reserve in 1983, the reef hosts over 70 fish species and 255 coral varieties. Watch for nesting marine turtles and migratory birds while snorkelling pristine waters.

Day 5: Scott Reef
Explore Scott Reef on the continental shelf. Weather permitting, snorkel and dive outer reef walls where diverse coral habitats thrive. The sheer drops and pristine ecosystems showcase nature at its most spectacular. These Timor Sea atolls offer some of the clearest water you'll find anywhere.

Day 6: Montgomery Reef
Twice daily, tidal shifts reveal a massive reef in cascading waterfalls. Named by Phillip Parker King, Montgomery Reef emerges from the Indian Ocean, exposing rock pools and rivulets. Our Zodiacs position you perfectly to witness the spectacle as expedition guides explain the formation of the reef and the behaviour of its wildlife. Birds feed in exposed pools while turtles, dolphins and dugongs hunt in swirling eddies.

Day 7: Horizontal Falls & Buccaneer Archipelago
Witness rapids through narrow gorges where massive tides create horizontal waterfalls. David Attenborough called this "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world." Ocean water builds up and forces its way through bottlenecks in the McLarty Ranges, creating rushing seawater falls. Talbot Bay is situated among 800 islands, many of which contain rocks that are over 2 billion years old.

Day 8: Lacepede Islands
Visit this protected Class-A nature reserve, significant for brown booby and roseate tern rookeries. Four low-lying islands provide crucial breeding habitat for green turtles. Australian pelicans, frigate birds, egrets and gulls frequent these waters. Weather permitting, explore lagoons by Zodiac tender vessels, observing wildlife in their pristine environment.

Day 9 - 10: Rowley Shoals
Spend two days at Clerke, Mermaid and Imperieuse Reefs, 170 nautical miles offshore. Captain Phillip Parker King named these atolls, offering some of Earth's best underwater adventures. Shallow lagoons contain 233 coral species and 688 fish species, many of which are found nowhere else. Giant potato cod and Maori wrasse patrol these waters.

Day 11: Arrival in Broome
Broome arrival: Disembark at 8:00am with transfers to the CBD or airport included. Visit Cable Beach or explore the historic streets of Chinatown.

Embrace the unexpected - it's part of the adventure. This itinerary is a guide. We adjust plans based on weather, tides, wildlife, and opportunities we encounter. Remote communities may be unavailable due to local customs. Flexibility makes expeditions special.

Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.
Sailing Dates
  • 21 Sep 2026
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 21/09 Darwin, NT, Australia Embark 08:00 AM
2 22/09 King George River, Western Australia
3 23/09 Swift Bay or Bigge Island or Wollaston Bay - subject to tide
4 24/09 Ashmore Reef, Australia
5 25/09 Scott Reef Atoll, WA
6 26/09 Montgomery Reef, W A
7 27/09 Horizontal Waterfalls, Western Australia
7 27/09 Buccaneer archipelago, WA
8 28/09 Lacepede Islands, Western Australia
9 29/09 Rowley Shoals, Western Australia
10 30/09 Rowley Shoals, Western Australia
11 01/10 Broome, WA, Australia 08:00 AM Disembark
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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