Small Ship Kimberley

24 September, 2026

The Kimberley is ancient country — nearly two billion years of water and weather carving red rock into a landscape that's as harsh as it is beautiful. Yet life thrives here, and that's part of the drawcard: a zodiac ride through mangrove-fringed waters buzzing with birds, fish, and crocodiles. Gushing waterfalls. Rock art dating back over 17,000 years — among the oldest on Earth.

Out to sea, humpback whales migrate past. Small coves and hidden beaches open up as you cruise. Not a manmade structure in sight. This is Australia, but not as you know it.

At Wild Earth Travel, we haven't just booked hundreds of happy travellers onto its waters — we've been to the Kimberley ourselves. So, we know with around 35 itineraries across more than 10 vessels, there's no shortage of choice. And the hard part is finding the right adventure for you.

So, before you book, we encourage you to figure out the answers to these three questions:

Q1. How long do you have?

Most of the action happens along the Broome–Darwin route (or reverse), typically around 10 days. For those short on time, we have options from 4 days, covering key southern highlights like Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef.

For those wanting the full experience, 21-day voyages give you time to properly explore, relax, and soak it all in. Most of our travellers land somewhere in between — and still come away feeling they've seen the highlights in-depth at a relaxed pace.

Once you’ve figured out the time range, you’re working with, the next question becomes…

Q2. What do you want to see and do?

Are you an avid fisher chasing barramundi? Keen to tick a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls off the bucket list? Or more drawn to wildlife watching, or exploring ancient rock art up close? What you want out of the Kimberley will shape not just when you go, but who you cruise with — activities and inclusions vary significantly by operator.

Fishing, swimming in freshwater rock pools, guided tender and Zodiac excursions through mangroves and gorges, cultural and rock art site visits, birdwatching and scenic helicopter flights are all part of the Kimberley experience — but not every vessel offers every activity, and not every inclusion is included in the base fare. Helicopter access is a good example: some operators carry a full-time onboard helicopter for daily flightseeing and remote landings, others offer scenic flights as an optional add-on. It's worth checking exactly what's included before you compare price tags.

When you are thinking about what you want to see and do and the season also matters considerably. The Kimberley has two seasons, wet and dry, and the cruise season — roughly April to September — sits within the Dry, when rain and humidity drop away. But within that window are smaller seasons of their own:

Early Dry (April–May) brings the biggest waterfalls and greenest gorges — peak season for waterfall chasers.

Mid Dry (June–July) is the sweet spot of clear skies and stable conditions, and the start of peak whale season as humpbacks arrive from Antarctica.

Late Dry (August–September) is the driest and clearest for wildlife, photography, and — for the anglers — prime barramundi fishing as the season progresses, though the waterfalls have thinned by then.

Q3. How would you like to cruise?

We have access to around 10 vessels in the Kimberley, and they range from an 8-passenger catamaran - perfect for families, small groups or those wanting real depth in a small area; mid-range vessels (<100-passenger ships) offering a personalised, expedition-style feel with a bit more space; and larger vessels up to around 200 passengers bringing full luxury — spas, multiple restaurants, bars — alongside a genuine expedition program. The right vessel matters as much as the right route; it comes down to what you value.

Ready to take the next step? Chat to the team at Wild Earth Travel to discuss your options – [email protected]

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