Do you love fishing? So do we. Here are our top picks for fishing-focussed cruises in the Kimberley:
A quick tip – smaller is better (when it comes to cruise boats, anyway!)
The Kimberley coast is renowned for its rugged beauty, rich cultural history, and unparalleled fishing experiences. With diverse aquatic environments, including tidal rivers, estuaries, and coastal reefs, the Kimberley attracts anglers worldwide. When it comes to choosing a boat that offers most fishing, the general rule is ‘smaller is better’. Smaller vessels have the flexibility to offer more frequent shore excursions, and also to offer a variety of shore excursions for different passengers, depending on their particular interests (instead of the larger boats, which are stuck on a more rigid schedule). And then, there are some specialised cruises cater to fishing enthusiasts, ensuring plenty of opportunities to cast a line in prime locations. Here are some of the our top picks:
Kimberley Quest II
Kimberley Quest is one of the most reputable operators offering fishing-focussed cruises in the Kimberley. All of their cruises offer regular fishing opportunities, and then they also have dedicated fishing expeditions that cater to the more hard-core anglers looking to targeting particular species such as Barramundi.
- Small Groups: For over 25 years, Kimberley Quest’s team have been exploring the Kimberley and their team know all of the secret spots along the coastline so you’ll have a better chance of ‘hooking the big one’. Accommodating a maximum of 18 passengers, you’ll be casting a line with just a small group of fellow punters, so there’s no need to worry about getting your line tangled.
- Prime Fishing Spots: These cruises explore areas such as the Prince Regent River, Camden Sound, and Hanover Bay, known for their exceptional fishing opportunities. You can be sure that the crew of Kimberley Quest know the best fishing holes within these spots, too!
- Facilities: The vessel is equipped with custom-built tenders designed to access shallow rivers and estuaries where prized fish species thrive. The tender vessels don’t have shade overhead, so you don’t need to worry about that when casting a line, however, you will certainly need to pack some good fishing shirts and a hat to protect from the harsh rays of the Kimberley’s sun.
The combination of a small group, expert guides, and specialised equipment makes Kimberley Quest a top choice for serious anglers.
Great Escape
The Great Escape specialises in small group, luxury cruises that include a strong focus on fishing. Each of their trips offer ample opportunities to cast a line, however, their Kimberley Fishing Extravaganza (a 4-night expedition), is particularly tailored to fishing enthusiasts.
- Personalized Experiences: Great Escape’s team have been operating Kimberley coastal cruises for over 20 years, and their 26m catamaran (which accommodates 14 guests) offers small groups a luxurious vessel from which to base from.
- Prime Fishing Spots: Just like Kimberley Quest, mentioned above, the team at Great Escape know the Kimberley coastline like the back of their hand, which comes from many years of exploring the Kimberley coastline. Their team know all the best fishing holes and the best tides to hit those spots.
- Facilities: The vessel is equipped with three custom-built tenders designed to access shallow rivers and estuaries where prized fish species thrive. As mentioned above with Kimberley Quest, the tender vessels of Great Escape don’t have shade overhead, so you’llneed to pack some good fishing shirts and a hat to protect from the harsh rays of the Kimberley’s sun.
This cruise offers a balanced mix of high-end comfort and exhilarating fishing adventures. Here’s a shot of our co-owner, Bruce Connell, catching a Barra many years ago while cruising with Great Escape:

Ocean Dream
Ocean Dream has a very similar offering to the above-mentioned companies (Great Escape and Kimberley Quest) in that they offer bespoke fishing experiences alongside their standard Kimberley adventure itineraries, and to nice, small groups. Though they’ve been around for less years than GE and KQ, they know their stuff and they’re a great choice for fishing enthusiasts who are also keen on scenic exploration of the coastline (swimming, rock art etc).
- Fishing Tenders: The cruise includes the use of three smaller tender boats, catering to four people in each vessel (this cruise boat accommodates a maximum of 12 guests per voyage).
- Luxury Amenities: The vessel combines fishing with luxury, offering well-appointed cabins, a spa, and gourmet dining experiences. Between fishing trips, you can relax in the outdoor lounge areas with a BBQ, so you can enjoy cooking up your day’s catch and dining outside with a view, or the luxurious lounge area in the air-con.
For anglers who want a blend of high-quality fishing with luxurious accommodations, Ocean Dream is an excellent option.
True North
True North, one of the original Kimberley cruise operators, is synonymous with luxury Kimberley cruising, and its itineraries include plenty of fishing activities. Again, just like the small operators mentioned above, they offer guests an opportunity to choose between various tender excursions. So, you can go fishing while your partner does another activity. This is the beauty of travelling on one of the smaller boats, rather than a bigger boat with a more rigid itinerary.
Note – True North now has two cruise vessels – the True North and True North II. Both are excellent options. The True North II is actually a cruise boat that they previously operated in the Kimberley before selling it … then they purchased it back, re-furbed it and brought it back to the Kimberley, to run alongside the newer True North.
- Excursion craft: With six specialised fishing boats accompanying the True North, you’ll have the flexibility to quickly reach the best fishing spots. The fleet of luxury tenders allows your crew to customise your fishing experience to match your preferences and skill level. Whether you’re an experienced angler or trying fishing for the first time, you’ll enjoy a comfortable experience and the exceptional personal attention that True North is famous for.
- Heli-fishing: Heli-fishing is one of True North’s most sought-after activities, offering you the chance to discover secluded fishing spots rarely visited by others and experience the thrill of casting your line in untouched waters. Please note that these are not included in the cruise fare – the helicopter is additional. We can provide costings upon enquiry.
- Enjoying your catch: True North’s chefs are just as passionate about the adventure as you are! When the day’s catch comes in, your culinary experts will transform it into a delectable meal for lunch or dinner. Your chefs love getting their hands-on a good mud crab haul, too. They’ll prepare irresistible dishes and sometimes even join you in the thrilling challenge of catching these feisty crabs. It’s a culinary journey that’s as exhilarating as the fishing itself!
True North’s fishing adventures are perfect for those who appreciate high-end cruising and local knowledge gained from many, many years of cruising the Kimberley coast.
Lady M
Accommodating a maximum of 12 guests (plus, sometimes, a 13th passenger if someone books the sole use cabin) in en-suite, your Kimberley adventure promises to be an intimate and personal journey. Lady M’s itineraries are adapted daily to suit tides/weather and to avoid the larger passenger vessels arriving at destinations at the same time.
- Small, family-run operation: The Lady M is a family owned and operated vessel, designed specifically for the Kimberley to ensure your cruise is as comfortable as possible. The owners love fishing and there is a good focus on this activity throughout each of their cruises.
- Diverse Wildlife: Beyond fishing, these cruises provide opportunities for a variety of activities like swimming in waterfalls, hiking and checking out indigenous rock art.
- Two itinerary options: You can choose between two different itineraries – the Southern Kimberley coastline, which includes a scenic flight one way, or the full Kimberley coastline which operates between Broome and Darwin, or reverse. The full Kimberley itinerary is recommended for those who want to fish and explore the huge gorges that the northern Kimberley coastline is renowned for, like the King George and the Berkeley.
With their small groups and family-run operation (with keen fishermen at the helm), Lady M is a fantastic choice for anglers.

Diversity
Just like the above-mentioned boats, Diversity is a smaller operator. They offer trips aboard two vessels – Diversity II (12 guests) and Diversity III (also 12 guests). Both vessels offer three dedicated tender boats.
Choosing the Right Cruise
When selecting a Kimberley fishing cruise, consider the following factors:
- Group Size: Smaller groups often provide more personalised experiences, allowing for flexibility in the itinerary.
- Amenities: Decide whether you want a luxury experience or a more rugged adventure. Each of the boats mentioned above offer comfortable lodgings, however some are more luxurious than others (like the True North, for example) and this is reflected in the price.
- Fishing Focus: Some cruise itineraries are fully dedicated to fishing, while others include it as part of a broader itinerary. But each of the smaller cruise boats generally offer a good mix of fishing opportunities within each of their itineraries. Just check with us at the Kimberley Cruise Centre at the time of enquiry. We look forward to chatting to you soon!