A Lens on Nature: The Kimberley Small Ship Cruise
A Nature Photography Themed Expedition
Designed for photographers and visual storytellers, this 8-night Kimberley expedition, delivered in partnership with Australian Geographic, offers extended time in remote landscapes and rich wildlife habitats. Expert-led photography workshops are paired with explorations timed to the best available light conditions, whether at dawn or dusk. Together, they create opportunities to capture the region’s birdlife, wildlife and dramatic scenery at its most compelling.
Highlights
• Designed for the Lens - Enjoy an itinerary connecting you with the nature and landscape of the iconic Kimberley region.
• Expertise - Travel alongside award-winning photographer and specialists throughout the expedition.
• Like-Minded Community - Enjoy the camaraderie and shared passion for nature with our small group experience.
• Step Up Your Skills - Learn photographic and travel content tips and skills that are yours for life.
Make your way to Cable Beach Resort ahead of a 3:00pm check-in. Once settled, join your fellow photographers, hosts and expedition team for an orientation session ahead of tomorrow's embarkation. Enjoy drinks and canapes with new friends as the sun sets over Cable Beach.
After a hearty buffet breakfast, meet your expert hosts for an intro preparation workshop to prepare you for your journey ahead. After a late checkout and lunch, depart for Broome port on a complimentary transfer.
Arrive at Broome's Deep Water Port for boarding at 4:00pm, with time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard before meeting your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.
Be welcomed to the region by expert guide Rosanna Angus and her team; and learn about the Jawi connection to land and sea through story, song, dance and traditions. Back on board, engage in today's workshop and briefing on how to identify local birdlife, and how to best capture the diverse range of species ahead of tomorrow's expedition.
Photography Highlights
Capture old pearling remains, layered sandstone cliffs, coastal birdlife and the striking contrast of turquoise waters, red rock and green mangroves.
Explore the remote Lacepede Islands, jointly cared for by Nyul Nyul, Nimanburr and Jabirr Jabirr/Ngumbarl Traditional Owners. Cruise by Xplorer and Zodiac through wildlife-rich lagoons, practicing your new found bird photography skills. Later today, our expert hosts will offer critique and troubleshooting from the comfort of the bridge deck lounge.
Photographer Highlights
Try and spot brown boobies and lesser frigatebirds within internationally significant breeding colonies, alongside green turtles in one of WA’s key nesting habitats.
Visit remote Adele Island, a low-lying bird sanctuary shaped by vast tidal sandflats. Cruise by Zodiac and Xplorer to observe prolific seabird colonies, dolphins and, in season, humpback whales, with possible shore visits dependent on tides and conditions.
Today's workshops will focus on tips and techniques capturing marine species and guidance and tips as you begin to build out your portfolio.
Explore either Montgomery Reef, where waterfalls cascade as the tide falls, or the mangrove-lined creeks of Doubtful Bay, rich in birdlife and marine species. Today's location will be decided by your knowledgeable expedition and bridge teams according to tides, weather and optimal photographic conditions.
On board today, workshops and skills sessions explore how to capture landscapes using light, composition and movement, in preparation for tomorrow's magnificent Talbot Bay.
Photography Highlights
Capture unscripted moments of turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, seabirds, snubfin dolphins, dugongs and humpback whales, with opportunities shaped around the best available wildlife and light conditions.
Witness the immense tidal power of Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim), where rushing waters surge through narrow gorges. Cruise by Xplorer and Zodiac to the falls’ entrance and explore Cyclone Creek, learning how geology, tides and Unggudja stories shape this remarkable Kimberley landscape.
Here we put our new skills and learnings into practice, capturing dramatic landscapes, layered geology, wildlife, seabirds and marine life in one of the Kimberley’s most photogenic regions. Here, we have the benefit of exploring some of Australia’s most incredible and diverse landscapes during the best available light conditions, whether at dawn or dusk.
Photography Highlights
Today, we have opportunities to photograph crocodiles, fruit bats and diverse birdlife among mangrove habitats, alongside the striking folded and buckled rock formations of Cyclone Creek.
Cruise among ancient islands first charted by Dampier, shaped over two billion years. With flexible routing, explore tidal passages, sculpted siltstone formations and wildlife-rich reefs, choosing excursions that best suit conditions, tides and guest abilities on the day.
As we near the end of our expedition, be guided by your expert hosts to select your standout shots for your portfolio, as well as workshops on how to take these images to the next level. We welcome you to present your winning captures to your fellow photographers ahead of the captain's farewell drinks.
Photography Highlights
Here we will keep an eye out for sea eagles, ospreys, brown boobies, turtles, dolphins, dugongs and seasonal humpback whales throughout the Buccaneer Archipelago.
Arrive in Broome this morning at 8:00am. A post-cruise transfer to Broome CBD or Airport is included.
Itineraries are subject to change.
|
Book now |
Main Deck B Stateroom
Main Deck A Stateroom
Promenade A Stateroom
Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom
|
Book now |
Main Deck B Stateroom
Main Deck A Stateroom
Promenade A Stateroom
Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition
Length: 63 metres
Passenger Capacity: 72 (in 36 rooms)
Built: 2005 / Refurbished: 2016
Coral Discoverer is a small expedition yacht purpose-built for navigating remote and rarely accessed regions of Australia, including Tasmania, Cape York, Arnhem Land, and the Kimberley. Designed for adventure, she offers an intimate and immersive experience for just 72 guests, with all staterooms facing outwards and public areas showcasing sweeping ocean views. Thanks to her shallow draught, active stabilisers, and advanced navigation systems, Coral Discoverer can access destinations beyond the reach of larger vessels. Onboard, guests enjoy a relaxed, sociable atmosphere with single-seating dining, showcasing small-batch Australian cuisine, and a sundeck bar ideal for sunset drinks. The vessel also features an Xplorer tender for all-passenger shore excursions, zodiacs, kayaks, a glass-bottom boat, and a lecture lounge for expert presentations.
Accommodation includes five stateroom categories, from the spacious Bridge Deck Balcony rooms to cosy Main Deck options, all featuring ensuites and ocean views. Life onboard combines comfort with exploration: guests enjoy over 1,000 square metres of open deck space, a wraparound promenade, and access to the bridge. The atmosphere is informal yet refined, with no assigned seating, included drinks with meals, and a focus on Australian hospitality. Wi-Fi is available throughout, and facilities include a library, gift shop, and laundry service. With a dedicated Australian and New Zealand crew, Coral Discoverer delivers a truly local and enriching expedition experience.
Inclusions
• All excursions with our Expedition Team
• Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and Kayaks
• Snorkelling & SCUBA equipment (SCUBA diving at an additional cost)
• Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
• All meals, chef-prepared on board
• Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
• Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
• 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
• All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
• Tips and gratuities
• Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
• Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
• Post-cruise transfers
• Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging
• Snorkelling equipment – On selected voyages only where snorkelling is available
Exclusions
• Pre-cruise transfers
• Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights – Please note on some of our international voyages we do have charter flights as an option. This can be included in the cruise fare price, this information will be listed under each itinerary
• Pre and post cruise accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
• Alcoholic & non alcoholic specialty beverages outside of lunch and dinner service
• Premium Internet services
• Laundry service (available at a cost)
• Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
• Optional helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is approximately $890 per person. Subject to a minimum of 12 passengers. Helicopter flights are booked once onboard, with a 24hr cancellation policy. – Please note this in on our Kimberley voyage only
• Scuba Diving – Optional extra on selected voyages only
Luxury Expedition
Our Associates Include
