This classic 10-night voyage explores this rugged land carved by the powerful forces of nature. Thrilling rides through Horizontal Falls, showers under King Cascade, ancient rock art, crocodiles basking on rock ledges – this is a truly Australian adventure. Thirty years ago, when Coral Expeditions made the first exploratory cruises in the Kimberley, they had to rely on hand-drawn `mudmaps` and the knowledge of fishermen and early explorers to navigate the vast and unpredictable coastline. Today, with decades of experience behind them, and in-house experts, maps, tidal charts, and landing notes, they have a level of knowledge that cannot be easily replicated.
Now, they invite you to join them on our classic 10-night Kimberley expedition. Witness the power of nature at the magnificent King George River and its towering twin falls, explore ancient rock art with expert guides, and witness diverse marine life and cascading waters at Montgomery Reef. Later in the season, you may also see the majestic Humpback Whales on their migration north to breeding grounds. Every Kimberley voyage is different. Come and discover the Kimberley for yourself with the pioneers.
Seasons:
– 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.
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
– Witness King George River and 80m tall twin King George waterfalls
– Cruise the Prince Regent River to the `hanging garden` King Cascade waterfall
– Encounter 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
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DISCOUNTS, AVAILABILITY & SOLO OFFERS:
These fares are based on full brochure fare. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time availability or pricing. Please check with your consultant at time of enquiry if your preferred cabin type is available and for your best offer!
Single Occupancy Fares: Coral Expeditions have allocated several staterooms for solo travellers. Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer have two staterooms allocated in each of the Explorer Deck, Promenade Deck and Coral Deck categories. Coral Discoverer has two staterooms allocated in the Promenade Deck Category B. These fares are subject to a sole-supplement.
No Sole Supplement Offers: Occasionally Coral Expeditions run special offers on select voyages so you can enjoy a room to yourself at the twin share rate. For these offers they open additional staterooms beyond the ones allocated for solo travellers. These offers are subject to availability.
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The Kimberley Cruise – Cruise only package includes:
– 10 night cruise aboard Coral Discoverer from Broome to Darwin
– All meals onboard, chef-prepared
– Captain`s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
– Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
– 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
– All excursions with our Expedition Team
– Use of Xplorer and Zodiacs
– Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
– All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
– Tips and gratuities
– Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
– Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
– Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging
– Post-cruise transfers to CBD hotel or airport
NOT INCLUDED:
– Pre-cruise transfers
– Alcoholic drinks outside of lunch and dinner service
– Premium Internet services
– Laundry service (available at a cost)
– Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
– Optional helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is approximately $695 per person (This is an indicative price as 2024 and 2025 rates are yet to be released by the flight operator). Subject to a minimum of 12 passengers. Helicopter flights are booked once onboard, with a 24hr cancellation policy.
Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations visited and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition changes may be made 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.
Special Conditions
Special Validity Dates
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2024 | Broome, W A |
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| 14 May 2024 | Lacepede Islands, Western Australia |
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| 15 May 2024 | Horizontal Waterfalls, Western Australia |
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| 15 May 2024 | Talbot Bay, Western Australia |
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| 16 May 2024 | Raft Point, Western Australia |
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| 16 May 2024 | Doubtful Bay, Australia |
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| 17 May 2024 | Montgomery Reef, W A |
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| 18 May 2024 | Prince Regent River, Western Australia |
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| 18 May 2024 | Careening Bay, WA |
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| 19 May 2024 | Prince Frederick Harbour, Western Australia |
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| 20 May 2024 | Mitchell Plateau and Falls, Western Australia |
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| 21 May 2024 | Vansittart Bay, Western Australia |
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| 22 May 2024 | King George River, Western Australia |
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| 23 May 2024 | Darwin, NT, Australia |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
10 Night Cruise sailing from Broome to Darwin aboard Coral Discoverer.
Thirty years ago, when we made the first exploratory cruises in the Kimberley, we had to rely on hand-drawn ‘mudmaps’ and the knowledge of fishermen and early explorers to navigate the vast and unpredictable coastline. Today, with decades of experience behind us, and in-house experts, maps, tidal charts, and landing notes, we have a level of knowledge that cannot be easily replicated.
Now, we invite you to join us on our classic 10-night Kimberley expedition. Witness the power of nature at the magnificent King George River and its towering twin falls, explore ancient rock art with expert guides, and witness diverse marine life and cascading waters at Montgomery Reef. Later in the season, you may also see the majestic Humpback Whales on their migration north to breeding grounds. Every Kimberley voyage is different. Come and discover the Kimberley for yourself with the pioneers.
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.
Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Her shallow draught and manoeuverability make her highly versatile. She boasts ocean views from all public spaces, all outside-facing staterooms (some with balconies), and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. Her Xplorer bar and adjacent sundeck lounge with 360-degree views are much-loved features. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.
Coral Discoverer conducts expeditions across Australia’s coast – Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Australian flagged and staffed by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be memorable.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 63m
- Tonnage: 1,838 tonnes
- Maiden Voyage: 2005
- Refurbished: 2016
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 72
- Crew Nationality: Australian
- Dining Staff Nationality: Australian
- Ship Registration: Australia
Ship Amenities
- All Oceanview Cabins
- Individually Controlled Air Conditioning
- Private Ensuite
- Sitting Area
- i-Pod Dock
Ship Facilities
- Xplorer, Zodiacs and Glass Bottom Boat
- Wireless internet available for laptops, PDAs and onboard computer
- Laundry Facilities (Limited)
- Phone and fax facilities
- Lecture Lounge
- Reference Library
- Sun Deck
- 3 Cocktail Bars
- Main Dining Room
- Gift Shop
- Workout Area
Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.
While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.
A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.
OUR HOME TURF When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.
OUR SMALL SHIPS At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.
OUR CREW Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.
OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.
THE FUTURE As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!
Select the Deck to view detail.
Select the Cabin to view detail.
Encircled by a full-ship promenade, our 19 spacious Promenade Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Located on the exclusive Bridge Deck close to the Lounge and Bridge, our six spacious Bridge Deck staterooms are 20sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Available now, and brand new, Bridge Deck Staterooms offer guests private balconies opening out from french windows providing comfortable indoor outdoor living.
Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category B) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature twin portholes for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature large, twin porthole windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Located in the bow of the ship and encircled by a full-ship promenade, our two Promenade Deck (Category B) staterooms are 15sqm (160 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.
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