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.

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

24 hours on luxury floating hotel, Jetwave Pearl Horizontal Falls