The North Kimberley Marine Park extends from the southern reaches of the Bonaparte Archipelago to Cape Londonderry, including numerous islands (including rock art galleries, such as what can be found at Bigge Island), reefs, and tidal areas. Its remote location and limited human activity have allowed its ecosystems to remain largely intact.

The park’s habitats include fringing coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, estuaries, and rocky shorelines. The area’s geological features are equally striking, with dramatic sandstone cliffs, hidden coves, and tidal creeks forming a rugged and ever-changing coastline.

Biodiversity

The North Kimberley Marine Park is home to an extraordinary diversity of species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The park provides critical habitat for threatened species, such as green turtles, hawksbill turtles, and flatback turtles, which nest on its remote beaches. Dugongs, which rely on the park’s extensive seagrass meadows, are also regularly sighted in the area.

The waters teem with fish species, including barramundi and snapper, making the region a popular destination for recreational fishing. Many of the smaller Kimberley cruise vessels offer good fishing opportunities – please ask our staff here at the Kimberley Cruise Centre for more information.

Additionally, the park is a haven for birdlife, with ospreys, white-bellied sea eagles, and shorebirds frequenting the coastline and islands. Migratory species, including humpback whales, pass through the park during their annual migrations, adding to the area’s ecological significance. Click here to see more information about the Kimberley’s seasons.

Cultural Significance

The North Kimberley Marine Park holds profound cultural importance for the Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Wunambal Gaambera, Dambimangari, and Balanggarra peoples. These groups have cared for and lived in harmony with this environment for tens of thousands of years.

The park is part of the Wanjina Wunggurr cultural landscape. Many cultural sites, including rock art galleries, ceremonial grounds, and burial sites, are found throughout the park.

Conservation and Management

The North Kimberley Marine Park is co-managed by the Western Australian Government and the region’s Indigenous traditional owners through joint management agreements. Programs like the Uunguu Rangers and other ranger initiatives are central to the park’s conservation efforts. These Indigenous-led teams combine traditional ecological knowledge with modern science to protect the park’s ecosystems, monitor wildlife populations, and manage visitor impact.

The park is zoned to balance conservation with sustainable activities such as tourism, recreational fishing, and cultural practices. Specific areas are designated as sanctuary zones, where human activity is restricted to ensure the preservation of sensitive ecosystems and species.