Everything you need to know about cruising the spectacular waters of The Kimberley plus a complete guide to all the ships; price, star rating, which port to jump on board and just how much luxury you can expect.
The Horizontal Falls from a scenic flight.
When is the best time to cruise the Kimberley?
Cruise season runs March to October. If you’re into waterfalls and don’t mind the heat, target March to May; if comfortable climes are a priority, hit June to August; whales are spotted June to late September, and throwing in a fishing line is most fun from September to October.
Where do Kimberley cruises depart from?
Most Kimberley cruises use Broome or Wyndham (via Kununurra) as their departure and arrival ports. Longer Kimberley cruises may end or start in Darwin.
How many nights does it take to cruise the Kimberley?
Most cruises – big and small, boutique and big-brand – run from eight to 18 days, and while that’s quite the commitment, investing in a journey to the Kimberley is worth giving your all.
There are snapshot cruise of only four or five days, which glide to most of the region’s name-drop spots – Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls and the Buccaneer Archipelago, for example for the rime poor or budget conscious.
For snapshot trips: Kimberley Quest; The Great Escape; Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures
Can you really get helicopters and scenic flights while cruising the Kimberley?
Several Kimberley cruise boats carry choppers, and others provide access to scenic flights, granting expansive, elevated views of Australia’s last true wilderness. Nothing spells out the grandeur and vastness of this land like being airborne.
For choppers: The Great Escape; True North (on board); Ocean Dream; Coral Expeditions; Kimberley Quest; Diversity Charters (as option)
What are the different ship size options for a Kimberley cruise?
The ships vary in size. The larger expedisiton ships are the Silversea’s Silver Discoverer with 110 suites and Le Laperouse with 92 staterooms to 10 bunk style berth fishing focussed charters from Unreel Adventures.
Below is an extended listing and specs of all the Kimberley cruise vessels.
What should I pack for a Kimberley cruise?
Resort wear, shorts, tees and flat sturdy walking shoes if you love a bit of a hike. Don’t forget your bathers, sun screen, insect repellent plenty of memory sticks for your camera and a sense of adventure.
What should I do in Broome before or after a Kimberley cruise?
Ride the camels at sunset along Cable Beach in Broome.
You’ll almost certainly be passing through Broome, once the pearling capital of the world. The local obsession, first with the naturally occurring lustrous shells and then their organic gems, has gripped the town since the 1880s.
Historic tales of fortune chasing, frontier courage, extreme conditions and the birth of Broome’s rich multicultural heritage are told on pearl farm tours, held by the region’s few surviving operators.
You can’t go wrong with a meal at the Broome Courthouse Markets.
To plan the Broome component of your Kimberley trip, we have developed guide to the best Broome accommodation, best places to eat in Broome and best things to do.
If you are travelling through to Darwin, check out our essential guide to Darwin.
Which is the best Kimberley Cruise?
That unfortunately totally depends on you, your budget, your sense of adventure and tastes. To help, below is a every available Kimberley cruise ship, their luxe rating (as expressed in stars), size and pricing guidance.
Ponant Cruises
Luxe rating: 6-star
Cruising style: High-end luxury; aiming for relaxed sophistication with some French flair owing to their French heritage.
Ship name: Le Laperouse
Departure ports: Darwin, Broome
Berths: 92
Price: From $10,720 for 10 days
Silversea Cruises
Luxe rating: 6-star
Cruising style: High-end luxury; a more traditional-style cruising experience thanks to ship size; international staff
Ship name: Silver Discoverer
Departure ports: Darwin, Broome
Berths: 120
Price: From $10,950 for 10 days
True North Luxury Adventure Cruises
Luxe rating: 5.5-star
Cruising style: Intimate adventure expedition with Australian staff; high-end luxury
Ship name: True North
Departure ports: Broome, Wyndham
Berths: 36
Price: From $10,495 for 7 nights up to $15,295 for 13 nights
Great Escape Charter Company
Luxe rating: 5-star
Cruising style: Intimate adventure expedition with Australian staff; extremely comfortable
Ship name: MV Great Escape
Departure ports: Broome, Wyndham
Berths: 14
Price: From $4185 for 4 nights, up to $18,130 for 13 nights
Odyssey Expeditions
Luxe rating: 5-star
Cruising style: Intimate adventure expedition with Australian staff; extremely comfortable
Ship name: Odyssey
Departure ports: Broome
Berths: 20
Price: From $7900 for 9 days
Kimberley Quest
Luxe rating: 5-star
Cruising style: Intimate adventure expedition with Australian staff; extremely comfortable
Ship name: Kimberley Quest II
Departure ports: Broome, Mitchell River, Wyndham
Berths: 18
Price: From $9180 for 8 days
Coral Expeditions
Luxe rating: 4.5-star
Cruising style: More traditional ship-style cruising on a larger build; Australian staff
Ship names: Coral Princess and Oceanic Discoverer
Departure ports: Darwin, Broome
Berths: Coral Princess 48, Oceanic Discoverer 72
Price: From $7390 for 10 nights on Coral Princess, from $8990 for 10 nights on Oceanic Discoverer
Discovery One Kimberley Cruises
Luxe rating: 4.5-star
Cruising style: Intimate adventure expedition with Australian staff; very comfortable
Ship name: Discovery One
Departure ports: Derby and Wyndham
Berths: 22
Price: From $8,490 for 12 days
Diversity Charter Company
Luxe rating: 4-star
Cruising style: Intimate, eco-adventure, with a focus on fishing
Ship name: MV Diversity II
Departure port: Broome
Berths: 12
Price: From $7385 for 7 nights
Unreel Adventure Safaris
Luxe rating: 4-star
Cruising style: Intimate, eco-adventure, with a focus on fishing
Ship name: MV King Tide
Departure ports: A chartered bus takes passengers from Broome to Derby for the start of the cruise, then enjoy a scenic flight from the end-point at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm back to Broome
Berths: 10 twin-share, bunk-style quarters
Price: From $3890 for 5 nights
One Tide Charters
Luxe rating: 3-star
Cruising style: ‘Real’ adventure: rough ‘n’ ready expedition, with beach camping for accommodation
Ship name: Kimberley Explorer
Departure ports: Derby
Price: From $4080 per person for 6 days
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