The Wet & Wild Kimberley

For many, a journey to the Kimberley is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—remote, rugged, and unforgettable. Yet those who venture here often find it leaves a lasting imprint. There’s something about the land—the towering geology, the ancient stories etched into the landscape—that stirs a deep sense of wonder and a desire to return. It’s a place where escape truly ignites your adventurous spirit; it demands to be seen and experienced. To understand the Kimberley is to witness it through the rhythm of its changing seasons, each revealing something new. It’s the kind of place worth visiting not just once, but again and again.

This time of year, the Kimberley reveals its best self.

The dry season settles over the land in June and July, bringing cloudless skies and golden light. Days are warm and inviting, nights are cool and still. It’s a time when the red cliffs glow at sunset and the air carries the promise of adventure.
Waterfalls—fed by the memory of the wet season—still cascade down ancient escarpments. King George and Mitchell Falls continue their journey, their power softened but not yet stilled. This is the moment when land and water exist in perfect harmony.
Wildlife stirs all around. Saltwater crocodiles bask in the sun, sea turtles glide beneath the surface, and birds fill the skies with colour and sound. The Kimberley is alive and at ease.
With the humidity gone and the mosquitoes with it, every hike, every excursion, every moment on deck feels more effortless. More yours.
And in this light, so clear and pure, the stories of the land are easier to see. Rock art sites—etched in ochre and shadow—speak of deep time and cultural memory, offering quiet awe to those who make the journey.
There’s no better time to sail this ancient coast.

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A seasonal change is upon us in the Kimberley -
Each year, tens of thousands of humpback whales make the long journey from Antarctica to the warm, sheltered waters of the Kimberley coast—a vital nursery and breeding ground for this recovering population. From June to October, places like Camden Sound, Montgomery Reef, and Doubtful Bay become havens for mother whales and their newborn calves, who spend months bonding, nursing, and preparing for the long swim south. Known for their haunting songs and acrobatic displays, humpbacks are often seen breaching and tail-slapping against the backdrop of the Kimberley’s ancient red cliffs and turquoise seas. It’s a special time of year—when the region’s waterfalls are still flowing from the recent wet season, and marine life encounters become more frequent. Opportunities to witness the whale migration increase as the season progresses, and we are often delighted by surprise visits from inquisitive humpbacks. These gentle giants sometimes approach our vessels out of curiosity, offering unforgettable moments as they glide alongside or breach nearby—reminding us that in the Kimberley, nature often comes to you. These whales are deeply significant to the region’s Traditional Owners, including the Worrorra, Dambimangari, and Bardi Jawi peoples, for whom whales are ancestral beings and spirit messengers. Today, Indigenous rangers help manage marine parks like Lalang-garram / Camden Sound, blending cultural knowledge with conservation science. As part of the ocean’s delicate ecosystem, humpbacks play a key role in maintaining marine health, and their presence is a powerful reminder of the Kimberley’s ecological richness and cultural depth.

Join us as we continue sailing through the Kimberley at this beautiful time of year: https://www.coralexpeditions.com/au/destinations/the-kimberley/the-kimberley-cruise/

West Island, the largest of the Lacepede Islands off the Kimberley coast, is a twitcher’s paradise — a remote and protected haven where thousands of seabirds nest and roost undisturbed. Best visited between May and September, the island hosts Australia’s largest colony of brown boobies, along with frigatebirds, crested and roseate terns, and other migratory species. The surrounding shallows attract green turtles, while humpback whales begin to pass through during the dry season. Once mined for guano in the 1800s, West Island is now a vital wildlife sanctuary. In line with its commitment to conservation, Coral Expeditions explores the area with care, observing the abundant bird and marine life from the comfort of zodiacs and the Xplorer tender, ensuring minimal disturbance to this fragile environment.

To think we have such a place in Australia—a coastline so remote, so ancient, it feels like the edge of the world. Scattered with thousands of islands, cascading waterfalls, and sacred rock art, the Kimberley remains one of the last true wilderness frontiers. We’ve journeyed through this region for decades, expanding our knowledge, learning the rhythms of the tides, the stories of the land, and the deep cultural history that defines it. Every bay, every island, and every encounter holds meaning. That’s why it only feels right to explore the Kimberley with the cruise company that knows it best. With decades of experience and a deep respect for the region, we invite you to discover what true connection to country really feels like.

Join us this June, July or August as see it for yourself: https://www.coralexpeditions.com/au/destinations/the-kimberley/the-kimberley-cruise/

Sailing up the Prince Regent River with Coral Expeditions, few moments rival the first glimpse of King Cascades. This terraced waterfall, known as Maamboolbadda to the Wunambal Gaambera people, spills over ancient sandstone deep in the Kimberley wilderness — remote, powerful, and steeped in story.

Today, guests can enjoy an Xplorer ride to the base of the falls, where tumbling water, cool mist, and vibrant gorge walls create a moment of calm in an otherwise rugged landscape. It’s a place that stirs reflection — a reminder of how few have the privilege to witness such raw beauty.

Every visit to King Cascades tells part of the Kimberley’s layered story — where nature, history, and culture converge in the most spectacular of settings.

Will you be exploring the Kimberley this year? Contact our reservations team to get onboard for an unforgettable adventure.

#CoralExpeditions #KimberleyCruise #KingCascades #Maamboolbadda #ExpeditionCruising #ExploreTheKimberley

Golden hour, Kimberley style.
Picture this: your bare feet in warm sand, a cool drink in hand, and the sound of waves mingling with soft music drifting across a remote Kimberley beach. Our crew welcomes you ashore with a smile, canapés are served, and the setting sun paints the sky in shades of fire and gold. Take a stroll or simply sink into the moment — this is beach drinks, Coral Expeditions style.

#CoralExpeditions #KimberleyCruise #BeachDrinks #GoldenHour #SmallShipAdventure

During World War II, in February 1942, a US Army Douglas C-53 Skytrooper crash-landed on a remote saltpan in the Kimberley after the pilot lost his bearings on a flight from Perth to Broome. With fuel running low and visibility poor, the crew had little choice but to bring the aircraft down in the rugged wilderness near what is now Truscott Airbase. Miraculously, all on board survived the emergency landing and were later rescued after making their way across the landscape to safety.

Today, the wreck of that C-53 still lies where it fell — weathered but remarkably intact — and Coral Expeditions guests have the rare opportunity to visit it on our Kimberley voyages. Anchoring in nearby Vansittart Bay, we step ashore and walk across tidal flats and bushland to reach the site. The experience is quiet and powerful: standing beside the rusted airframe, it’s easy to imagine the tension of that day, and to reflect on the resilience of those who walked away from it.

This encounter with history is just one of many moments on our 10-night Kimberley expeditions, alongside visits to ancient Gwion Gwion rock art sites, dramatic waterfalls, and rarely seen coastlines.

📸Captured by Expedition Team Member @willgilmoree

With an incredible waterfall season ahead, why not add a helicopter tour to your Kimberley cruise and witness the spectacular Mitchell Falls from above?

Take in the vivid Kimberley landscape by both air and sea with this optional excursion.

Bookings for this unforgettable experience can be made onboard with the ship’s Expedition Team and Purser.

Onboard Coral Adventurer, guests set out early for Montgomery Reef, arriving at the peak of the low tide. The reef stood fully exposed at three meters in height, revealing coral formations and cascading waterfalls rarely seen. The winds had eased as we entered the sheltered waters, and the sun broke through, creating perfect conditions. We spotted reef egrets, terns, and turtles before witnessing a rare moment—a crocodile with a green turtle in its jaws. After a tense 30-minute struggle, the turtle managed to escape, an unforgettable sight. With no other vessels around, we had the reef to ourselves—a perfect way to begin our Kimberley season.

📸Captured by Expedition Team members Luke, Lachlan, and Ester.

#CoralExpeditions #MontyReef #KimberleyCruising #WildlifeEncounter #ExpeditionCruise #RemoteAustralia #ReefExploration #NatureUnscripted #TidalWonders #ExploreTheKimberley #BucketListAdventure #CrocodileVsTurtle #UntouchedBeauty #SmallShipCruising #AdventureAwaits

Not sure when to visit the Kimberley? A tough decision when our Kimberley season is broken down in three distinct periods known as, “Waterfall,” “Peak,” and “Whale”. Find your perfect month and let’s get sailing! 🛳️ 💦🌅🐳
➡️Swipe through to find when to visit these Kimberley highlights!

How many people can say they’ve circumnavigated the entire Australian continent by sea?
 
Sixty days. An entire continent. Endless stories to tell.
 
After an incredible sold-out inaugural voyage, our Australian Circumnavigation returns for a second sailing. This rare and remarkable journey will take you from the towering sea cliffs of Tasmania to the fiery red gorges of the Kimberley, from remote island outposts to vibrant coastal cities—revealing the full breadth of Australia’s coastline.
 
Be one of the few people in the world to experience this rare achievement. Join us while we still have staterooms available for our October 17th 2025 departure.
 
Find out more about this voyage here: https://www.coralexpeditions.com/au/destinations/cruise-around-australia-circumnavigation-of-australia/

Our first Kimberley 2025 expeditions are less than a month away! The Kimberley Icons, Ashmore Reef & Rowley Shoals voyage departs Broome on March 11, 2025, and arrives in Darwin, combining our classic 10-day Kimberley itinerary with an exploration of the remote Rowley Shoals Marine Park and Ashmore Reef. Guests on this expedition will pioneer the Kimberley’s waterfall season at its peak, cruising through towering sandstone gorges, riding the Horizontal Falls, and discovering ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art with expert guides. Witness the dramatic tidal shifts of Montgomery Reef, spot rare birdlife at Ashmore Reef, and snorkel or dive in the pristine waters of Rowley Shoals, home to vibrant coral and diverse marine life. This voyage offers an unforgettable blend of rugged landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and world-class reef experiences.

Thinking of exploring the Kimberley? Contact our reservations team today to secure the best available offer, including options for solo travellers.