11 Day Ningaloo Reef Cruise Adventure

Broome

Embark the Greg Mortimer in the afternoon. After boarding, take time to settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings. Enjoy the thrill of departure as we pull away. In the evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean

Rowley Shoals

Sail overnight to Rowley Shoals Marine Park, three pristine, coral atolls that rise from the seabed to the Indian Ocean surface (and above it at low tide). Renowned as one of the world’s finest snorkeling and dive destinations, it features deep drop-offs festooned with soft coral, protected lagoons brimming with tropical fish and channels alive with larger marine animals, including sea turtles, manta rays, whales and dolphins. Spectacular kayaking and Zodiac-cruising await those who prefer their adventures above the sea, although warm water will entice everyone. Beach walk to caves where seabirds nest including red-tailed tropicbirds and the rarer white-tailed tropicbird and a host of other seabirds.

 Rowley Shoals

Enjoy another day at Rowley Shoals, and take the opportunity to take up an activity you didn't get to do yesterday!

 Montebello Islands, Barrow Island

Explore Montebello Islands, an archipelago of some 174 small limestone islands about 130 kms off the Pilbara coast. The site of nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s, including the United Kingdom’s first ever atomic weapon, the islands are now the breeding ground for beach stone curlews, fairy and roseate terns, ospreys, white-bellied sea eagles and sooty oystercatchers. Mala, (rufous-hare wallaby) has been reintroduced to the islands. After lunch, we anchor off Barrow Island, one of the most important conservation reserves in WA where oil and gas fields coexist with rare and endangered mammals like the spectacled hare-wallaby, golden bandicoot and black-flanked rock-wallaby. Among the 43 species of reptiles on the island is the perentie, Australia’s biggest lizard.

Ningaloo Coast and Reef, Cape Range National Park

Immerse yourself in UNESCO’s Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, the world's largest fringing reef and major migratory route for dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales. Swim, snorkel, dive and kayak Coral Bay’s prime spots like Asho’s Gap, where cleaner wrasse attend to the teeth and parasites of grey reef sharks, and loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles nest nearby; and discover why this part of the world is designated a ‘Hope Spot’ by Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue team. A sunset walk to Point Cloates Lighthouse to finish the day. At Norwegian Bay, visit the ruins of its whaling station which harks back to the early 1900s, when a Norwegian whaling company ran whaling and factory ships before building the shore-based processing plant in 1915. In the afternoon, land on the western side of North West Cape and hike into stunning limestone gorges to discover pristine beaches of Cape Range National Park.

Ningaloo Coast and Reef, Cape Range National Park

Enjoy another day at Cape Range National Park, and take the opportunity to take up an activity you didn't get to do yesterday!

Murion Islands

Explore the magnificent coral gardens of Muiron Islands that feature an abundance of soft corals, sponges and nudibranchs, and boasts a range of aquatic animals, including ospreys, shearwaters, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, dugongs and humpback whales

Dampier Archipelago

Named after William Dampier, an English buccaneer and explorer who visited in 1699, the 42 islands feature brilliant sapphire waterways, set against the Pilbara’s red and ochre-hued landscape, alive with hawksbill turtles, dolphins and shy dugongs. Snorkel, dive or kayak, or land on sandy beaches to discover amazing Aboriginal rock engravings of turtles, fish, kangaroos and wallabies.

At Sea

Enjoy a day at sea as your Captain skirts the coastline back to Broome. Consolidate your appreciation of the Ningaloo Coast’s compelling natural and human history with informative talks – anything from oceanography to natural history, maritime exploration and human history – from our team of experts. Toast your adventures in the wash of a lingering WA sunset, and celebrate with friends – both new and old – at the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

Disembark in Broome

In Broome – the ‘port of pearls’ – farewell the crew, expedition team and fellow travellers before your transfer to the airport or your hotel accommodation.