Melissa shares some tips about booking your Kimberley cruise
From cruising close to the full moon, to avoiding boats with ‘dodgy tenders’, these are some local tips from our staff who’ve been selling Kimberley cruises for almost 30 years.
- Tides matter
In the Kimberley, tides matter. You’re looking at some of the largest tropical tides in the world. If you want to see spots like Montgomery Reef and the Horizontal Falls at their best, then time your cruise for the full moon. You can find the latest Kimberley tide guides on this website.
- When Can I See Waterfalls?
Do the Kimberley’s waterfalls look spectacular year-round? No, they don’t. To see the waterfalls thundering, visit between March and May, which is the tail end of the Wet Season. Keep in mind that those shoulder season months are hot, though. Whatever time you come, the scenery’s always world-class and there are plenty of spring-fed swimming holes that run year-round, too.
- Whales peak August-September
August and September are peak whale watching months in the Kimberley. And we’re not talking about a few whales here and there; this is the world’s largest humpback whale migration. Your cruise will take you right through the heart of the whale action with incredible opportunities to watch them breaching, playing and travelling with their calves. - Excursion craft
When you’re deciding between boats, check out the excursion craft. Some boats are better than others, offering more comfort and some even have shade and a toilet. So much of your trip is spent out and about on shore excursions, so think about if you want to be bouncing around in an uncomfortable inflatable, or sitting within the comfort of a well-built tender.
Here’s a tip: The locally owned boats and the ones that have been cruising this coastline for longer are generally the ones with the better tenders.
- It’s not really a cruise
Forget spending your days sitting by a pool. Each day, you’ll be jumping into tenders to explore rivers, chase waterfalls and swim in remote billabongs. You’ll see ancient rock art and living dinosaurs … and best of all, you’ll be surrounded by wilderness with no buildings in sight. This isn’t a cruise, it’s an expedition, and it’s one you’ll remember forever.
