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Kununurra, Western Australia

11 Day Cruise (12 Days 2024)

Reef Prince: Kimberley Cruise

Reef Prince: Kimberley Cruise

With a personal family feel, Kimberley Expeditions focus is on value for money for all travellers. MV Reef Prince is a 38 m expedition vessel that has undergone a recent multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2019.

The advanced catamaran design ensures a very quiet operation, spacious interior with phenomenal stability. Perfect for sneaking into secluded shallow bays, she draws only 1.8 meters and is powered by two Mercedes diesel engines. Reef Prince allows for comfort for all guests with a choice of accommodation types to suit all budgets. The friendly and experienced crew will keep you busy with amazing activities, food and plenty of time to relax and unwind.

Most excursions are via the tender vessel “Regent”. Regent is a 10 metre passenger tender that can take all passengers ashore or on expedition at the same time. With safe easy access, commentary, comfortable seating, toilet, shade plus an open area for enjoying the waterfalls, Regent is a fantastic asset to our expeditions. We also have two other small vessels for those who would like to enjoy fishing, mud crabbing and exploring.

Cruise Details

An adventure of a lifetime Kimberley Cruise from Darwin to Broome or vv. Join us aboard Reef Prince to experience the best the Kimberley has to offer.

Expedition Highlights

Jar Island – Gwion Gwion art
King George Falls – the highest in the area
Magnificent Hunter River
Montgomery Reef featuring the marine life of Turtle Gully
Prince Regent River including the beautiful King Cascades
Talbot Bay- ancient geology, mangrove creeks and spectacular Horizontal Water Falls
Vansittart Bay – WW2 aircraft crash
Bigge Islands intriguing ancient art
Silica Beach nestled within the 800 islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago.
Countless perfect beaches, inlets and Kimberley coastal scenery.

Reverse Destination Option Available

Accommodation

Reef Prince had a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2019, with new en-suites added to every room.

Fully air-conditioned
All cabins ensuited
Spacious open dining room
Beautifully prepared meals
Power is available in all cabins
Several undercover decks
Lounge area
24 hour fresh cappuccino, tea, chai or hot chocolate
DVD players in all cabins
Bar fridges in all cabins

Class 4 Interior Twin Cabin

Cabin 13: Single bunk beds; en-suite; DVD player; air conditioning; storage cabinet. Cabin 14: Twin single beds; en-suite, DVD player, air conditioning, storage cabinet.

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

Class 3: Main Deck Interior Cabins

Internal Cabins 1, 3, 5 & 7: Double bed; en-suite; DVD player; air conditioning; storage cabinet.

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

Class 2: Main Deck Exterior Cabins

Cabins 2, 4, 6 & 8: Double bed; en-suite; DVD player; air conditioning; storage cabinet. Cabin 8: Twin single beds; en-suite; DVD player; air conditioning; storage cabinet.

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

Class 1: Main Deck Exterior Cabins

Cabins 9, 10, 11 & 12: Double bed; en-suite, viewing windows, DVD player, air conditioning, storage cabinet.

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

State Class: Mid Deck Exterior cabins

Cabins 15, 16, 17 & 18: Queen bed; en-suite; large viewing windows; television; DVD player; air conditioning; storage cabinet and bar fridge.

*Please note: You can request to have a particular cabin number. Cabins are allocated on booking, but only confirmed 30 days prior to travel. Room Request allocations are not guaranteed.

Cuisine

Our meals are based on healthy local produce and fresh seafood wherever possible (with a light smattering of extremely tasty irresistible desserts that may not be so healthy). Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements upon final payment.

Destination : Broome
Departure : Darwin
Dress Code : Casual

Included:

Accommodation
Meals
Services of staff
Coffee & tea
Non-alcoholic beverages
Shore excursions by tender boat

Not Included:

Alcoholic beverages
National park fees
Souvenirs on board
Flights to/from your cruise
Optional extra helicopter flights

Depart Darwin

A charter coach will pick you up in the morning and transport you to MV Reef Prince, where your crew will welcome you aboard. After a tasty morning tea we’ll wave good-bye to the city of Darwin. This evening as we steam towards the setting sun, you can meet your fellow travellers and friendly crew as you enjoy the view from the decks and the fresh sea air. We start our journey across the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters.
Koolama Bay

Wake in the tranquil setting of Koolama Bay. Over breakfast we’ll discuss the day’s activities. On the high tide we’ll enter the first of the Kimberley’s ‘big’ rivers, the mighty King George. Within the King George River we’ll marvel at the soaring cliffs leading to two breathtaking falls. The best views are from the upper sun deck and bow. Feel the spray mist produced from billions of litres of water falling hundreds of feet as MV Reef Prince or its expedition tender is steered expertly to the majestic falls. We’ll enjoy a night anchored at the base of these perfect falls.
King George River

We depart the amazing King George River this morning. Within Koolama Bay lies many hidden treasures for us to explore. A fascinating mangrove system brimming with life or an idyllic fresh water pool for a dip or perhaps a morning walk on the first of many isolated Kimberley Beaches. Departing Koolama we cruise through the night on calm waters to arrive at our next destination.
Jar Island & WW2 Crash Site

Our crew will lead you to several stunning displays of the distinctive Aboriginal rock art in beach caves. These easily accessible paintings are very early Bradshaw art. Within Vansittart Bay lies a more recent reminder of our past. After running out of fuel on its way to Broome in 1943, a DC3 crashed. Well go ashore to explore this well preserved site. Departing Vansittart Bay we’ll cruise west within a multitude of Kimberley Islands.
Bigge Island Indigenous Art

We awake at the northern end of Bigge Island, where we’ll go ashore to visit a very significant aboriginal art galley. Here we will discover examples of the first contact with sailing ships and pipe-smoking European seafarers of the 19th century. The lack of feral predators makes the Kimberley islands an ideal habitat for vulnerable mammal species. Departing Bigge Island we cruise into Prince Fredrick Harbour then further up into the Hunter River and Porosus Creek. On the low tide we can all investigate the ecosystems hidden within the mangroves and mud flats from the comfort of our 11m expedition tender – “Regent”. This ecosystem is a favourite for those who enjoy our native birds. For the keen fisherperson, the chance to flick a lure into the low tide run-offs.
Naturaliste Island with Optional Scenic Flights & Careening Bay

Enjoy the solitude as the Kimberley sun rises over the spectacular sandstone cliffs and invites you to share another day in Kimberley Country. This morning we move a short distance to Naturaliste Island. We are pleased to offer a very scenic helicopter flight over the Mitchell Falls. Register your interest upon booking your cruise. Alternatively, you can try your luck in our favourite fishing patch on the incoming tide. Departing after lunch we steam for Carreening Bay. Careening Bay was named by an early explorer Phillip Parker King after his ship, ‘HMC Mermaid’, was careened for repairs during his first voyage of discovery in the Kimberley. Our crew will lead you ashore to the site of a large boab tree, inscribed by the ships carpenter “HMC Mermaid – 1820”, still clearly visible almost 200 years later. This evening we enjoy yet another Kimberley sunset as we cruise towards The Prince Regent River. Awaiting the incoming tide we anchor in St George Basin for the night.
Prince Regent River

On the high tide we take our vessel Reef Prince many miles up the Prince Regent River to discover a spectacular waterfall cascading over terraced rock formations. We can nose the bow of our expedition tender Regent, under the cascading falls to indulge in an unforgettable wash in the cool fresh water. This afternoon opens many other option for us. We may choose to explore another hidden waterfall further up the Regent or take a steep climb up the banks of the river to reveal the mysterious Aboriginal Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), thought to be some of the world’s oldest indigenous art; or climb to the top of King Cascade waterfall. Tonight we ride the tide out of the river to anchor just off a perfect little Kimberley beach.
Ruby Falls

Within Collier Bay lies many Kimberley gems for us to enjoy. We’ll plan our day around the huge 12m tides rising and falling every 6hrs. After a healthy breakfast we’ll walk to the top of an escarpment to view a special gallery of modern Wandjina style art. Some may like the optional Indigenous tour were local aboriginals will welcome you to their land with a smoking ceremony and ochre face painting followed by story telling and a walk to their significant cyclone cave. Register your interest upon booking. On the high spring tide we can explore Red Cone Creek for a refreshing swim within Ruby Falls. Red Cone Creek may also entice us to try our luck for a mud crab or barramundi.
Montgomery Reef

Within the heart of Collier Bay lies 400 square kilometres of Kimberley Reef System. Join a reef cruise in our expedition tender to study the marine life. Leaving Montgomery we cruise to Talbot Bay for the evening, the location of the commanding Horizontal Falls. After we drop anchor we’ll be greeted by our resident tawny nurse sharks who come for a friendly snuffle at our transom.
Horizontal Falls

This morning we’ll experience the awesome power of the Horizontal Falls. On a trip through the falls our attention will be taken by the incredible geology that abounds this area. Cruising through Yampi Sound witness the effects of the iron ore mining operations on Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. Visit Crocodile Creek to enjoy a fresh water swim under a cool waterfall. Finally, we toast to our Kimberley Expedition and enjoy afternoon drinks as the sun sets over the Buccaneer Archipelago.
Disembark in Broome

Today we disembark in Broome at around 10.00am. We will arrange transfers to your hotel.

Pricing

2023 11 Day Kimberley Cruise

Cabin Location	Twin Share
Class 4 Interior / Cabin 13,14	$11,900 pp
Class 3 Interior / Cabin 1,3,5,7	$12,485 pp
Class 2 / Cabin 2,4,6,8	$13,100 pp
Class 1 / Cabin 9,10,11,12	$13,690 pp
State Class / Cabin 15,16,17,18	$14,685 pp

2024 12 Day Kimberley Cruise

Cabin Location	Twin Share
Class 4 Interior / Cabin 13,14	$13,595 pp
Class 3 Interior / Cabin 1,3,5,7	$14,595 pp
Class 2 / Cabin 2,4,6,8	$15,595 pp
Class 1 / Cabin 9,10,11,12	$15,995 pp
State Class / Cabin 15,16,17,18	$17,495 pp

Single Travellers *:
Limited sole use occupancy available – please enquire regarding pricing.

Cruise Fare Includes:
Cruise transfer to Broome hotel; Cruise transfer to CBD Hotels in Darwin only; All meals on board; Boat ride through the Horizontal Waterfalls, Port fees, Excursions and tender transfers, Govt. Fees & Taxes.

Not Included:
Travel and medical insurance; Emergency evacuation; Shopping on board; Bar expenses; Transfers from Hotels in Darwin outside of the CBD and airport; Optional shore experiences – heli flights and adventure high speed boat rides; Medical treatment; Telephone and internet charges.

Cruise Dates

2023

9 -21 March 2023	Geraldton- Broome
24 Mar – 3 Apr 2023	Broome – Darwin
6 – 16 Apr 2023	Darwin – Broome
19 – 29 Apr 2023	Broome – Darwin
2 – 12 May 2023	Darwin – Broome
15 – 25 May 2023	Broome – Darwin
27 May – 6 Jun 2023	Darwin – Broome
9 – 19 June 2023	Broome – Darwin
21 Jun – 1 Jul 2023	Darwin – Broome
4 – 14 July 2023	Broome – Darwin
17 – 27 Jul 2023	Darwin – Broome
29 Jul – 8 Aug 2023	Broome – Darwin
11 – 21 Aug 2023	Darwin – Broome
23 Aug – 2 Sep 2023	Broome – Darwin
4 – 14 Sep 2023	Darwin – Broome
20 – 27 Sep 2023	Exmouth- Exmouth
29 Sep- 6 Oct 2023	Exmouth- Exmouth

2024 Kimberley is a 12 day cruise

23 Mar – 3 Apr 2024	Broome – Darwin
6 – 17 Apr 2024	Darwin – Broome
19 – 30 Apr 2024	Broome – Darwin
2 – 13 May 2024	Darwin – Broome
15 – 26 May 2024	Broome – Darwin
29 May – 9 Jun 2024	Darwin – Broome
12 – 23 June 2024	Broome – Darwin
25 Jun – 6 Jul 2024	Darwin – Broome
8 – 19 July 2024	Broome – Darwin
22 Jul – 2 Aug 2024	Darwin – Broome
6 – 17 Aug 2024	Broome – Darwin
20 – 31 Aug 2024	Darwin – Broome
2 – 13 Sep 2024	Broome – Darwin
16 – 27 Sep 2024	Darwin – Broome
3 Oct 2024	Exmouth- Exmouth