Overview

Explore above and below the turquoise waters of northwest Australia’s spectacular Indian Ocean coast on this Ningaloo Reef cruise. Sail overnight from Broome to Rowley Shoals Marine Park, three coral atolls swept by nutrient-rich deep ocean currents. Kayak, snorkel and dive lagoons and spectacular drop-offs in crystal-clear waters shared with turtles, manta rays, whales and dolphins. Discover the Montebello Islands, once the site of nuclear weapons testing, now a breeding ground for ospreys, white-bellied sea eagles, terns, and oystercatchers. On Barrow Island spot rare mammals like the spectacled hare-wallaby, golden bandicoot, black-flanked rock-wallaby and more. Immerse yourself in Ningaloo, the world’s largest fringing reef, and Coral Bay, where humpbacks, whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles swim. Returning north, hike Cape Range National Park’s stunning gorges and admire the Dampier Peninsula’s ancient landscape and seagrass beds where dugongs feed before disembarking in 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Discuss the many highlights of your Ningaloo Reef cruise and compare wonderful photographs.

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