Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls: A First-Of-Its-Kind Floating Hotel

No photos can do justice to this natural phenomenon. Make the most of it with 24 hours aboard Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls.

After my first-ever seaplane ride over the red dirt vistas of the Buccaneer Archipelago to Talbot Bay, a short jetboat ride takes us from the main pontoon in Talbot Bay to our accommodation for the night: Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls.

From helicopter rides to swimming with sharks to sleeping in luxury on the water in the striking Kimberleys; this is what you can expect on a 24-hour tour aboard this unique floating accommodation.

aerial view of Horizontal Falls — See Horizontal Falls from above. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

The story behind Jetwave Pearl

This newly refurbished 26-metre liveaboard offering is from Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures (owned by Journey Beyond) – the region’s longest-running Horizontal Falls tour operators. In fact, they pioneered seaplane tours over this part of the world and have their own fleet of Cessna turboprop seaplanes.

While they offer day trips and short stays for more of a budget-friendly option onboard the main pontoon or the neighbouring houseboat, the Ultimate Horizontal Falls Luxury tours have been added to their repertoire as a way to level up the luxe, and help guests fully immerse into the beautiful surrounds.

Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls exterior — Spend a night onboard Jetwave Pearl.

Getting there

Seaplanes depart from Broome and Derby, taking about an hour until you reach Talbot Bay. You can find direct flights to Broome from Perth and now Sydney as well. To reach Derby you’ll likely have to pass through Broome anyway, whether by plane, a Greyhound Australia bus during the week, or driving the 2.5 hours.

While both are good options, the company does note that departing from Derby is the only way to guarantee the experience of viewing the Horizontal Falls on both an incoming and outgoing tide.

Horizontal Falls Seaplane — Catch a seaplane from Broome or Derby. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Your journey

Watching our pilot from my seat on the 17-seat seaplane as she fiddled with dials and knobs I didn’t understand was almost as much of a thrill as the red dirt vistas of the Buccaneer Archipelago outside my window. But then that red dirt gave way to water so blue it was like someone had spilt food dye into the bay, and I forgot all about the pilot.

The plane zooms low over Horizontal Falls, giving all passengers a bird’s-eye glimpse of this natural wonder. You won’t have too long to take it all in – yet – as the plane comes in for a landing between the mountains on that incredibly blue water, right beside a fairly large pontoon – almost the only sign of human life.

The plane and the pontoon are owned by Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, as is the jetboat we jumped straight into that took us to an even more remote resting place: Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls in the calm, protected waters of Cyclone Creek (where the company anchor their liveaboards during rough weather).

horizontal falls seaplane adventures landing in talbot bay — Start the adventure with a seaplane ride. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

First impressions

My jaw is already on the jetboat floor as we zoom through the iconic red, white and green of the land here in The Kimberleys. There is literally not a soul around (besides the staff) now that we’ve rounded a few corners and the serenity is palpable.

The staff are lined up on the floating platform in front of Jetwave Pearl, waving to us in greeting. We’re offered welcome drinks and nibbles while one by one we are shown to our room for the evening before being welcomed by the Traditional Owners of Dambeemangarddee Country, who have lived on this sacred land for 56,000 years.

Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls crew — Be greeted by Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls’ friendly crew. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Every staff member is genuine, friendly and goes above and beyond when it comes to being helpful (one kind woman even took a sanitary item from her own stash for me when I realised I’d forgotten to pack mine). It was a vibe they managed to keep up during our whole stay – from our private chef to our stewards to our activity guide. It feels like they genuinely love being out here, which frankly made me love it all the more, as well.

The accommodation

Intentionally designed with a colour palette that complements the hues of Talbot Bay (think teal greens, rusty browns, and cool sand tones), Jetwave Pearl almost blends into its surroundings. Even the bespoke carpeting features a design representing the view of Horizontal Falls from the seaplane. The shared spaces are beautiful, encouraging guests to spend time out of their rooms and mingling with each other – whether that be over a meal at the long dining tables next to the kitchen downstairs, lounging on the sofas with a few boardgames upstairs, or soaking in the Kimberleys air on the back deck.

Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls loung room — Relax in the upstairs dining room.

Jetwave Pearl can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests with three cabin options: Main Deck Standard Cabin with double bed, Upper Deck Standard Cabin with double bed and Upper Deck Premium Cabin with queen or twin beds. Each has its own private bathroom, a few shelves and a perfectly comfortable bed. They’re nothing super fancy, but they have all the essentials you’ll need (including air-conditioning).

Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls rooms — Find everything you need in your room.

What really makes the Jetwave Pearl spectacular, however, is its mooring location. In this peaceful place, you’re surrounded by unique geometric shapes in cliff walls – that change colours from white to red and every shade between as the sun makes its daily journey – and the trees that cling to them. You’ll want to be settled in on the deck with a coffee or local Matso beer for sunrise and sunset because they truly are spectacular here. Glimpses of bright green mangroves can be seen down narrower water channels. And you can hear the constant soundtrack of nature: small splashes from fish who brave the surface, birdlife chirping to each other and small rustles as unseen creatures move between the brush and trees on land.

A couple of local fishermen found their way into the best fishing spots near us at one stage, but we didn’t begrudge them; it still felt like we were all alone in this pristine location.

Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls dining room — Join fellow guests to share a meal in the dining room.

The food and drink

You might think that ordering grocery supplies for floating accommodation as remote as this one is a challenge (especially when you factor in the strict weight limit of seaplanes), and you’d be right. Nevertheless, the chef very much pulls off the task successfully. Three times a day we’re treated to a freshly cooked meal with a creative flair, alongside plenty of snacks served in between (think fruit platters and muffins).

chef onboard Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls — Enjoy gourmet meals by the onboard chef. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

The menu won’t ever be the same from one group of visitors to the next as it very much depends on supplies available at the time – but expect fresh produce (like locally caught Barramundi) whipped up into restaurant-quality meals. They also cater for dietary requirements (just let them know when you book). Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the package, and everything else is BYO.

charcuterie platter served on Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls — Relax on the back deck with a charcuterie platter.

Activities

Over two days, we are lucky enough to explore the Horizontal Falls (and the surrounding area) in several ways: via seaplane (obviously), and multiple boat rides through the middle of the larger gap (the smaller is sacred and left alone out of respect). While they all offer a different and beautiful point of view, the absolute highlight is a helicopter ride over the falls and the surrounding Maclarty Ranges.

jetboat ride through Horizontal falls with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures — Zoom through the incredible Horizontal Falls.

With no side doors to obstruct our views (don’t worry, we are strapped in good and tight), our pilot takes us soaring over the approximately 1.8 billion-year-old landscape. As we make our way to the falls we spot the sinister shadow of one of the local sharks (which we’ll meet much closer up in the days to come, thanks to a viewing platform on the main pontoon), and it holds our attention before we get to the rushing waters of Horizontal Falls and forgot all about him.

swimming with Lemon Sharks Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures — Swim with lemon sharks. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Only a bird’s-eye view really captures the majesty of this unusual phenomenon. Despite the whirling propellers and the occasional insights from our pilot over my headphones, soaking in the sacred majesty of this view made me feel completely at peace in a way only the beauty of nature can. The flight isn’t short, but we touch down all too soon – it’s time for the next pair to take their turn.

helicopter ride with luxury Jetwave Pearl tour package — Get a bird’s-eye view from a helicopter. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Later in the day, we get out on the water with fishing rods to try our luck. While fishing itself isn’t so fruitful for our small group, we soon discover we have much bigger fish to fry. A quick trip into the mangroves lands us up close and personal with one of the local residents: a large male crocodile. He has no smile for us as he makes a beeline for the boat to warn us away from his territory. This is the unpredictable, wild nature of The Kimberlys, and I am loving every minute.

crocodile at Horizontal Falls — If you’re lucky, spot a crocodile on one of your included adventures off the Jetwave Pearl. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

What to pack

As mentioned, seaplanes have a strict weight limit, and therefore, so does your luggage (there’s a five-kilo limit). Not to mention you won’t want a large suitcase taking up precious space in your room. The good news is, you also don’t need a lot.

Pack a small bag with sunscreen, one change of clothes (if you have weight left you can pack one more to change into for dinner after a day in the sun, but it’s absolutely not necessary), swimmers and a towel plus any personal medication and essential toiletries.

shark near main pontoon at Horizontla Falls — Land in Talbot Bay at the main pontoon. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

The details

An overnight package out of Broome or Derby costs from $1700 per person, which is actually something of a bargain when you consider all that’s included. You’ll get coach transfers to and from your accommodation at the town of origin, return seaplane flights to Horizontal Falls, all activities, meals and, of course, your stay aboard Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls.

For more incredible inspiration and insider tips, read our travel guide to the Kimberleys.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .

24 hours on luxury floating hotel, Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls