Ningaloo and the Rowley Shoals - Australia Small Ship Cruise
From Broome to the Ningaloo coast, uncover remote reefs, rare wildlife and wild coastlines. Journey with expert guides through untouched marine sanctuaries
Highlights
• Discover Indigenous rock art at Dampier Archipelago.
• Snorkel Ningaloo, Rowley Shoals, and the Muiron Islands.
• Explore Montebello Islands' atomic legacy and relics.
• Opportunity to swim alongside of whale sharks and manta rays.
Enjoy a complimentary transfer to Broome Deep Water Port for boarding at 4:00pm. Settle into your stateroom before our departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard.
170 nautical miles offshore, Rowley Shoals’ offers unique diving and snorkelling. With sheer walls, channels, and crystal-clear water, the site provides striking underwater scenery.
Enjoy a Welcome to Country with local rangers, explore petroglyphs at Conzinc Bay, visit cultural sites, snorkel, dive, kayak, or spot birdlife, sea eagles, ospreys, and Rothschild’s rock wallabies.
*Please note viewing of aboriginal petroglyphs is subject to approval and guidance by traditional owners of the area, and cannot be guaranteed.
Enjoy snorkelling, diving (conditions permitting), swimming, and wildlife spotting, including turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and rare rufous hare wallabies. Birdwatch for fairy and roseate terns, see lagoon rays, and visit Ground Zero at Trimouille or Alpha Islands to view the atomic test site
With fantastic bommies and protected reefs, snorkellers and divers will appreciate the variety of soft corals and gorgonians as well the incredible fish life. After in-water activities, stretch your legs on a stroll down the beach on these untouched islands.
Spend two days exploring the Ningaloo coast. On the first day, enjoy a coach tour of Cape Range National Park, drift snorkel at Turquoise Bay, walk Yardie Creek, see Vlamingh Head lighthouse and the Mildura wreck. The next day, choose from optional local tours (whale shark swim, glass-bottom boat, or snorkel tour) or join our expedition team for a guided Bundegi Beach walk and snorkel at Bundegi Reef.
Serrurier Island is one of the Pilbara inshore islands, which are an important breeding and resting places for migratory and resident shorebirds, seabirds and marine turtles. Enjoy this truly off the beaten path and untouched snorkelling location.
Today we revisit the Montebello Islands to explore a new area of the archipelago, with opportunities for wildlife spotting, snorkelling, or diving. A twitcher’s delight, the islands are considered an Important Bird Area, as they support over 1% of the world populations of fairy and roseate terns, as well as sooty oystercatchers.
As we return to the Dampier Archipelago to explore a different area of this vast island group, we focus on in-water activities with snorkelling, diving, or walks likely on Malus Island (weather dependent).
Relax on deck as we spend a day at sea, with onboard presentations from our Guest Lecturers, workshops, and demonstrations.
Our incredible adventure concludes in Broome this morning as we arrive and disembark at 8:00am. Bid farewell to new-found friends, the Captain and crew. A post-cruise transfer to Broome CBD, Cable Beach or airport is included.
Embrace the unexpected - it's part of the adventure. This itinerary is a guide. We adjust plans based on weather, tides, wildlife, and opportunities we encounter. Remote communities may be unavailable due to local customs. Flexibility makes expeditions special.
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Main Deck B Stateroom
Main Deck A Stateroom
Promenade A Stateroom
Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom
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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
