Join us aboard the Coral Adventurer and discover the Kimberley, Australia’s real ‘outback’. Due to its wild and undeveloped nature, the region is a wonderful place for the genuine traveller to explore and is simply perfect for expedition style cruising. It was the last great empty section of Australia to be explored, with European settlers arriving only just over a hundred and fifty years ago and even today much of the region remains uncharted. Covering nearly 423,000 square kilometres, the region is truly one of the world’s last great wildernesses, rich in natural, cultural, and historical significance with an incredibly diverse variety of wildlife.
There are so many highlights, it is difficult to know where to begin when extolling the virtues of an expedition in the Kimberley. From the King George River and Falls to the tidal phenomena at the Montgomery Reef, from the fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities of Bigge Island to the horizontal waterfalls near Talbot Bay and the hundreds of islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago. The whole vast area offers a cornucopia of natural world delights on a scale seldom witnessed anywhere else in the world and we have timed our exploration for the end of wet season when you can experience rushing waterfalls and creeks, with abundant wildlife and lush greenery.
For our expedition we have exclusively chartered the Coral Adventurer and working with Coral Expeditions, the Australian owners of the vessel whose local expertise is unrivalled, have devised an exciting itinerary. Coral Expeditions pioneered expedition cruising on the Kimberley coast and the onboard team have a deep knowledge and passion for the region. We will be able to drop anchor in remote bays and use the unique Xplorer tender vessels and the Zodiac landing craft to land in otherwise inaccessible places, making the most of the Kimberley’s extraordinary natural attractions. At the end of each day we return to the Coral Adventurer and indulge in the delights of the celebrated cuisine and wine along with the convivial company of just 100 fellow passengers. We will be joined on board by an expedition team including guest lecturers who have a wealth of knowledge of the unique landscapes, flora and fauna and Indigenous cultures of the Kimberley. Passionate explorers, marine biologists and naturalists, they will provide lectures and interpretation on board and are always keen to chat with you and share their expertise.
Coral Adventurer
For our small ship adventures in Australia and New Zealand, we have chosen to partner with Coral Expeditions and their vessel the Coral Adventurer which was purpose built to explore the remote and tropical regions of Australasia. An Australian-owned and operated company established over forty years ago, Coral Expeditions share our passion for small ships and our aim of bringing small groups of like-minded travellers to some of most beautiful and culturally fascinating places in the world accompanied by a team of experts and in a high degree of comfort.
We have exclusively chartered the Coral Adventurer which was launched in 2019 and is simply the perfect small ship for the region. Accommodating a maximum of 120 passengers (limited to just 100 for our exclusive charters) and featuring a shallow draft and high manoeuvrability, the vessel can navigate inaccessible reef systems, rivers and shores which are out of reach to larger vessels. In addition to a fleet of Zodiacs, the Coral Adventurer carries two unique Xplorer tenders which provide guests with unrivalled access to nature with ease. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and informal with the focus being on exploration and the excellent Australian crew are dedicated to providing attentive hospitality with a warm and relaxed Australian style.
Itinerary
This is an expedition cruise to a remote region. No two trips are ever the same in the ever changing Kimberley region. Your Captain and the Expedition Team will make changes to the daily schedule when necessary to maximise your experience. The following itinerary is indicative of what is planned, however please note some variation may occur due to weather and tidal conditions, safety or local community requirements.
Day 1 London to Perth, Australia.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 Perth.
Arrive and transfer to our centrally located hotel for a two night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey or explore the city independently.
Day 3 Perth.
After breakfast in the hotel we enjoy a tour of Perth which will include a guided walk around Kings Park, perched on Mount Eliza. Absorb the impressive views of the city and the Swan River and see some of Western Australia’s remarkable flora in the Botanical Gardens. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon before we meet tonight for our welcome dinner.
Day 4 Perth to Broome.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Broome. On arrival we transfer to the Coral Adventurer and sail this evening.
Day 5 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, frigatebirds, 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 using the Xplorer vessels and Zodiacs.
Day 6 Horizontal Falls & Buccaneer Archipelago.
The Horizontal Falls are one of the Kimberley’s biggest attractions and are a result of the 11 metre mammoth tides which the Kimberley is renowned for. Naturalist David Attenborough described the Horizontal Falls as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.’ This natural phenomenon has been 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. Talbot Bay is at the heart of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where rocks on the 800 or so islands are estimated at over two billion years old. At Cyclone Creek, we will see evidence of massive geological forces in the impressive rock formations and will cruise through the Iron Islands, past Koolan Island, before enjoying sunset drinks at Nares Point.
Day 7 Doubtful Bay.
Red Cone Creek flows gently downstream until it meets the small but impressive Ruby Falls which were named by local mariner Captain Chris Trucker after his daughter. Red Cone Creek is carved through rock formations stacked atop each other like building blocks. These rock walls are great for climbing and clambering over before reaching a series of freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls. Raft Point guards the entrance to sheltered Doubtful Bay, which harbours significant sites such as the ancient Wandjina rock art galleries. Doubtful Bay is the traditional country of the Worrora people who follow the Wandjina. Their stories, knowledge and culture have been recorded in stone for millennia.
Day 8 Montgomery Reef.
Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 300 square kilometres and was named by Phillip Parker King. Twice daily, as the sea recedes in mammoth 11 metre tides, Montgomery Reef rises from the Indian Ocean in a cascade of rushing water revealing a flat-topped reef pockmarked with rock pools and rivulets. As the reef emerges, we will be able to get up close using the Xplorer vessels and Zodiacs to witness the spectacle as members of the 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, dolphins, dugongs and sawfish 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.
Day 9 Prince Regent River & 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 50 metre wide, water tumbles down a staggered terrace of Kimberley sandstone. Layer upon layer of ochre-hued and blackened rock sprouts grasses, mosses and ferns in a sort of lushly vegetated hanging garden. We will reach King Cascade after using the Xplorer tenders to cruise down the steep-sided Prince Regent River which is a remarkable anomaly as the river runs dead straight along a fault line. Lieutenant 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. Over 200 years later, the Mermaid Boab Tree has since split into two trunks and sports a mammoth girth of 12 metres. 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.
Day 10 Prince Frederick Harbour & Bigge 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 use the Xplorer tenders to cruise up Porosus Creek to view some striking rock formations. Bigge Island’s indigenous name is Wuuyuru, and the Indigenous Group of the area is the Wunambal people.
Day 11 Mitchell Falls & Wollaston 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. Today there will be the opportunity to take a scenic helicopter flight (additional cost) to the multi-tiered Mitchell Falls where rock pools cascade down the escarpment and ancient rock art galleries are concealed in caves behind curtains of water. 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. This evening we will enjoy watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean while indulging in a gourmet BBQ.
Day 12 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 Makassan fishermen 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.
Day 13 King George River & Falls.
Fed by the King George River draining across the Gardner Plateau, the 80 metre 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 will cruise through steep-sided gorges carved by a flooded river system that carved a swathe through the Kimberley landscape 400 million years ago.
Day 14 Darwin to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 15 London.
Arrive today.
Exploring Ashore: This voyage is expeditionary in nature, exploring remote regions only accessible by sea. The Captain and Expedition Team will make changes to the daily schedule when necessary based on weather and tidal conditions to maximise your experience. We will be at anchor on most days and will utilise the Zodiacs or Xplorer tenders to go ashore. Most walks are leisurely strolls along beaches, however, there are some more strenuous walks on offer. An alternative excursion will always be offered in place of higher impact walks and the Expedition Team will advise walking conditions and requirements prior to each excursion. There are very limited swimming options in the Kimberley and the saltwater regions are the home of large saltwater crocodiles and some freshwater holes flood with saltwater on high tides. The expedition team will offer swimming options if and when conditions and tides allow. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage please do not hesitate to contact one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
Dates and Prices
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £500 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 31 March to 14 April 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| Promenade Stateroom with picture window | £12995 | £12495 |
| Explorer Stateroom with private balcony | £14395 | £13895 |
| Bridge Stateroom with private balcony | £15395 | £14895 |
| Bridge Suite with private balcony | £16795 | £16295 |
| Coral Stateroom with porthole for sole use | £13995 | £13495 |
Tour Reference Code: SCCA310327
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Two nights hotel accommodation in Perth with breakfast • Dinner on Day 3 • 10 nights aboard the Coral Adventurer on a full board basis • House wines, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Onboard Expedition Team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Australia ETA, optional helicopter flight.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
Please be aware that our website does not display real-time availability. As a result, the categories and prices listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call us at 020 7752 0000 and speak with one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
Coral Adventurer
For our small ship adventures in Australia and New Zealand, we have chosen to partner with Coral Expeditions and their vessel the Coral Adventurer which was purpose built to explore the remote and tropical regions of Australasia. An Australian-owned and operated company established over forty years ago, Coral Expeditions share our passion for small ships and our aim of bringing small groups of like-minded travellers to some of most beautiful and culturally fascinating places in the world accompanied by a team of experts and in a high degree of comfort.
We have exclusively chartered the Coral Adventurer which was launched in 2019 and is simply the perfect small ship for the region. Accommodating a maximum of 120 passengers (limited to just 100 for our exclusive charters) and featuring a shallow draft and high manoeuvrability, the vessel can navigate inaccessible reef systems, rivers and shores which are out of reach to larger vessels. In addition to a fleet of Zodiacs, the Coral Adventurer carries two unique Xplorer tenders which provide guests with unrivalled access to nature with ease. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and informal with the focus being on exploration and the excellent Australian crew are dedicated to providing attentive hospitality with a warm and relaxed Australian style.
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Information Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the ship or click on the adjacent Directory to download. SHIP TECHNICAL DETAILS
Passengers: 120 (limited to 100 for Noble Caledonia charters)
Length: 93.4 metres
Width: 17.2 metres
Registered: Australia
Crew: 48
Year Built: 2019
Language: English
Gross Tonnage: 5516AIR-CONDITIONING
The entire ship is air-conditioned. All cabins feature individual temperature controls. In order to keep the air-conditioning system working efficiently, please keep doors closed when in use.BRIDGE
There is an open bridge policy on board. Coral Adventurer features a navigator lounge to provide guests with a view of ship operations. All guests are welcome in the bridge at any time unless otherwise advised by one of the officers.CABINS
On board there are 60 spacious and well-designed staterooms and suites. All staterooms feature a junior king size bed, en-suite bathroom, wardrobe, desk and armchair. The two suites have a super king sized bed, separate bath and shower and a lounge area.• Staterooms on the Coral Deck are 17 square metres and feature a porthole window.
• Staterooms on the Promenade Deck are 17 square metres and feature a large picture window.
• Staterooms on the Explorer and Bridge Deck are 21.4 square metres and feature private balconies with chairs.
• Suites on the Bridge Deck are 55.8 square metres and feature a private balcony with sun loungers.All staterooms and suites feature the following amenities:
• Electrical outlet.
• Hairdryer.
• Heating and air-conditioning (individually controlled).
• Toiletries: body wash, hand soap, shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion.
• Telephone.
The beds in each stateroom can be configured as either a double or twin (suites feature a fixed super king bed). Please advise the Reservations Department at Noble Caledonia or the Reception on board what configuration you require.COMMUNICATIONS
Satellite Internet & Wi-Fi
While travelling through remote areas, you may not have access to Internet/mobile reception through your own provider for extended periods of time. The Coral Adventurer is equipped with advanced satellite and 4G broadband connectivity providing reliable and high-speed service when exploring remote areas. Complimentary access to standard Wi-Fi will be available to all guests and there is also the option to purchase a package upgrade enabling access to higher bandwidth.Internet access on the ship is contracted by Coral Expeditions to an external industry service provider and is a satellite connection. While every effort is made to ensure uninterrupted service, from time to time there may be disrupted service due to lack of satellite coverage or other technical issues that are beyond our control. Internet access is best in public areas but not guaranteed in staterooms due to the steel structure of the ship.DAILY PROGRAMME
A Daily Programme outlining excursion information, meal hours, and onboard activities for the following day will be delivered to your cabin each evening during turn down. The Expedition Leader will also provide information on the next day’s activities at pre-dinner drinks each evening.DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board, please speak to the Chef or the Maitre D’ at dinner on your first night on board to reconfirm your needs.DINING & DRINKING
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Restaurant. Complimentary tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day. House wine, beer and soft drinks are included at lunch
and dinner. The Coral Adventurer operates an open seating policy which greatly enhances the convivial atmosphere on board. Room service is not available on board and as the ship operates an open seating policy, reservations cannot be made. Please note that passengers are not permitted to consume their own supplies of alcohol on board. Fresh drinking water is available on board at water stations. There are fully stocked bars on board with an excellent selection of beers, wines, and spirits. Bar hours are 10:00 am to midnight.DOCTOR
There is no doctor on board. The ship has a number of First Aiders in the crew to deal with medical issues. Sea sickness tablets are available from Reception.DRESS CODE
The dress code on board is defined as casual. During the day, comfortable and casual attire is appropriate. The evenings are smart casual. Jackets and ties are not required. However, we kindly ask you to refrain from wearing shorts during evening meals in the Restaurant. It is recommended to wear footwear at all times whilst on board.ELECTRICITY
Voltage on board Coral Adventurer is 220/250v, 50Hz AC (standard Australian 3 pin plug). A slanted 2-pin adapter plug will work while on board, however, with the 3rd pin missing, the item will not be grounded. A limited number of adapters are available on board but we recommend you bring your own if required. Please check your equipment to be sure you bring what is necessary for your personal needs. Bathrooms on board Coral Adventurer are equipped with both 110V and 200/240V outlets for electric shavers only.GRATUITIES
All gratuities to the ship’s crew and whilst on excursions are included in your cruise price.GYM
Located on the Explorer Deck, the gym has aerobic and weight-lifting equipment as well as room for stretching and yoga.KEYS
Coral Adventurer operate a “no key” policy for safety reasons on board. If required, our Purser will care for any of your valuable items in the ship’s safe.LAUNDRY SERVICE
Limited laundering services are available on board. Laundry bags and forms are stored in your wardrobe for collection by Housekeeping. Charges for this service will be posted to your onboard account. As the service is for laundering only, ironing services are not provided. Mini ironing boards and irons are available from Reception.LIFT
Coral Adventurer is equipped with a lift on all accommodation levels, however all guests must be able to make their own way up and down stairs in case of an emergency.LOST PROPERTY
Before you disembark the ship, please check your cabin to ensure you do not leave anything behind. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection, and to advise of any associated costs.ONBOARD ACCOUNT
All passengers will have their own “ship account” which allows you to sign a receipt for any expenses and then settle your bill at the Reception Desk at the end of the cruise. You will need to register your card at Reception shortly after sailing. If you are sharing a cabin with a friend and would like separate bills, please inform Reception. Prices on board are shown in Australian Dollars and your final account will be presented in Australian Dollars. Your ship’s account can be paid by cash (Australian Dollars) or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).QUESTIONNAIRE
Your comments are important to us therefore before your cruise ends, you will receive a questionnaire. We are always looking for ways to improve your holiday experience and appreciate the time you take to complete the questionnaire. Kindly hand your completed questionnaire in to a Noble Caledonia staff member.SAFETY DRILL & SAFETY
International Maritime Law requires a lifeboat safety drill to take place prior to sailing. Upon boarding, you will be briefed about the emergency procedures and given tips for how to move about the vessel in rough conditions. Throughout the cruise, safety announcements will be made via the public address system and can be heard throughout the ship. Always listen to the advice of the Captain, Purser, and onboard team.SMOKING POLICY
Smoking is permitted only in the designated smoking area. There is a no smoking policy throughout the interior of the ship. There is a total smoking ban when travelling on tender vessels and refuelling.ZODIAC & XPLORER TENDERS
Coral Adventurer features two trademark Xplorer tenders, which seat all passengers and facilitate comfortable shore excursions, and six Zodiacs for more intrepid exploration.
Xplorer ONE and Xplorer TWO – Coral Adventurer’s lightweight dual Xplorer tenders, a trademark feature of all Coral Expeditions vessels, extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing deeper exploration on shore excursions. These ‘safari jeeps’ of the sea are fast, sturdy, comfortable and developed to allow easy disembarkation onto remote shores. Located on a hydraulic platform at the stern, passengers are able to walk straight onto the tender from the deck. Xplorers are equipped with shelter and toilet facilities.
Zodiacs - Coral Adventurer carries six inflatable landing craft (Zodiacs). Designed for expeditions, these large, heavy duty inflatables are extremely safe and manoeuvrable. The flat bottom design permits these crafts to land directly onto beaches.Please note: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.
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Deck Plan
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