Media Release: Thursday 24 March 2022
The beloved Kimberley Cruise is now accessible again with Coral Expeditions
This week, two Coral Expeditions ships embarked on the inaugural voyages of their 27th annual Kimberley season
Coral Expeditions, Australia’s pioneering small ship expedition line, set sail yesterday on their first Western Australian voyages of the 2022 season. The occasion was marked with much excitement for guests and crew on both Coral Adventurer which departed Fremantle for Broome on a 12-night exploration of the Abrolhos and Coral Coast, and Coral Geographer which departed Broome on a 10-night Kimberley cruise. The fleet will be joined by Coral Discoverer in mid-April. This year, there are 50 planned expeditions in the Kimberley and Western Australia, hosting over 3000 guests between March and October, the highest number in the history of the company.
Coral Expeditions pioneered small ship expeditions in the region and are renowned as the Kimberley experts with strong local roots, Australian-flagged ships specifically designed for the Kimberley environment and expedition crew with years of local experience.
Through the pandemic, Coral Expeditions have operated over 105 successful domestic voyages and paved the way for the Australian cruise industry with their SailSAFE health protocols. Now, with the opening of the Western Australian borders and the entry of the company’s cruise ships into the state, sustainable cruise tourism is poised to come back to the Kimberley. The classic Kimberley Cruise is a rite of passage for many who seek to connect with the unique landscapes and rich indigenous heritage of this remote part of Australia.
Group eneral Manager Mark Fifield was on hand in Fremantle and in Broome to see off both departures. ‘Our loyal guests and crew have been patiently awaiting this day. The Kimberley holds a special place in our heart. Some of our expedition leaders have been guiding guests in the Kimberley for twenty years. Yet they say that every voyage uncovers something new. That is why we love this truly Australian adventure so much.’
With the opening of Western Australia’s borders and greater confidence in the travel industry, there has been unprecedented demand from Australian travellers for the Kimberley region in recent weeks. In response, Coral Expeditions have added additional capacity to their 2022 season, giving a rare opportunity for guests to secure last-minute berths. This week they have also published refreshed 2023 rates and launched their full 2024 Kimberley season sailing schedule which are now open for bookings.
To find out more about Coral Expeditions full series of Kimberley and Western Australian itineraries, fares, and schedule, click HERE.
Celebrating the opening of the season, Coral Expeditions will be turning the spotlight on the Kimberley throughout April with a ‘Live from the Kimberley’ series of images, videos, stories and live webinars featuring our longstanding Expedition Leaders. This will be of interest for those who wish to learn more about the Kimberley from the experts.
Find accompanying imagery including images from Coral Expeditions Kimberley season opening day HERE
For more information about the SailSAFE Plan, click HERE
For media enquiries, please contact
Jeff Gillies | Commercial Director
[email protected]
0418 415 581
About Coral Expeditions
Coral Expeditions, Australia’s pioneering cruise line, has built its reputation with a unique style of immersive expedition cruising focused on nature and cultures. Starting with a single catamaran offering environmentally sensitive cruises on the Great Barrier Reef nearly four decades ago, the fleet now consists of 3 purpose-built blue water expedition ships – the intimate 72 guest Coral Discoverer and the 120 guest flagships Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer. Each ship is designed specially to take guests to remote locations that large cruise ships simply cannot access. With shallow drafts, multiple Zodiacs, and signature ‘Xplorer’ safari boats launched from a hydraulic platform, guests can expect daily village visits, river expeditions or beach landings. An expert expedition team providing interpretive commentary, and the warm Australian hospitality onboard make for a very different cruise experience. Headquartered in Cairns, Australia, Coral Expeditions sails the outer Great Barrier Reef, the Kimberley coast, Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land, New Zealand and further afield to the small Islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Coral Expeditions’ industry leading SailSAFE program forged a pathway back to operation since October 2020 and has seen our three ships complete over 105 expeditions around Australia’s wilderness coastlines.
Find freedom in the farthest reaches with Coral Expeditions.