AT SEA

SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2025

With everything ashore closed, Sundays are best spent at sea. And what a glorious day of enjoying our beautiful Pursuit this should be! This is your chance to get to know our luxury super yacht, and she’s dressed to impress. Will you enjoy a Spa Day today? Or perhaps you’ll get a little sun poolside? Whatever you choose, you’ll be dripping in luxury and relaxation!

KING GEORGE RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

MONDAY, MAY 12, 2025
ARRIVE: 7am
DEPART: 5pm

The King George River is a breathtaking natural wonder that meanders through the remote and pristine landscapes of The Kimberley in Western Australia. This majestic river is renowned for its spectacular highlight, the King George Falls, which plunge over 80 meters in a mesmerizing display of cascading water.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:

Guests will join the expedition team as they depart the anchorage position in Koolama Bay and journey toward the entrance of the King George River and its iconic falls. This 10-nautical-mile Zodiac expedition winds through a sandstone gorge, showcasing incredible honeycomb formations and striking vertical erosion.

Along the way, passengers are encouraged to watch for saltwater crocodiles resting along the riverbanks, while the Zodiac driver and naturalist point out a wide variety of birdlife. The journey culminates at the breathtaking King George Falls, renowned as the tallest twin waterfalls in Australia, standing at an impressive 80 meters (250 feet) in height.

Weather permitting, the Zodiacs will approach the falls, offering guests the chance to feel the refreshing spray—a perfect way to cool down during this unforgettable adventure.

VANSITTART BAY, AUSTRALIA

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
ARRIVE: 7am
DEPART: 5pm

Vansittart Bay, located on the rugged north coast of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, is a remote and strikingly beautiful destination. Known for its pristine wilderness and stunning coastline, the bay serves as a gateway to some of The Kimberley’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Its shoreline is adorned with dramatic cliffs and hidden, secluded beaches, while its crystal-clear waters teem with marine life. Vansittart Bay is home to the mesmerizing Gwion Gwion rock paintings. The artwork of the Wandjina is a true testament to the richness of Aboriginal culture. Estimated to be over 17,000 years old, these ancient artworks offer a rare glimpse into the lives and traditions of the Australian Aboriginal peoples.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:
Guests will join the expedition team to explore the uninhabited Jar Island. From the ship’s anchorage position, a short Zodiac ride will take them ashore for a wet landing on a pristine white sandy beach.

Once ashore, participants will embark on a brief walk of approximately 250 meters (750 feet) along a flat sandy beach and onto smooth rock surfaces. This journey leads to the base of a rock art gallery showcasing the Bradshaw, or Gwion Gwion, art. After a short scramble over some rocks, visitors will arrive at the gallery itself, where they will enjoy a rare opportunity to glimpse into a fascinating chapter of history, enriched by vivid interpretations from the expedition team.

According to Aboriginal legend, this art was created by birds known as Gwion, who pecked the rocks until their beaks bled and used their tail feathers and blood to create the intricate paintings. The Gwion Gwion art, often referred to as Bradshaw art, was named after Joseph Bradshaw, the first European to document this unique painting style in 1891.

ASHMORE REEF, AUSTRALIA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025
ARRIVE: 9am
DEPART: 6pm

Ashmore Reef is an isolated and pristine atoll located in the eastern Indian Ocean, approximately 450 kilometers from the northwest coast of Australia. The reef is part of the Australian territory and is situated within the region known as the Coral Sea. This remote and comparatively untouched marine ecosystem encompasses Ashmore Island and two coral reefs, and it covers an area of about 580 square kilometers.​ The atoll exhibits exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity, with its clear blue waters, expansive lagoon, and diverse coral formations. The submerged reefs and surrounding waters are teeming with a rich variety of marine life, including colorful coral species, fish, sea turtles, and migratory seabirds. The atoll and its surrounding waters are protected as the Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve, establishing it as a sanctuary for the preservation of its unique ecosystem.​ Ashmore Reef stands as a natural wonder of the Indian Ocean, offering a glimpse into a thriving marine ecosystem and serving as a reminder of the need to protect and steward our planet’s delicate environments. Its isolation and unspoiled beauty make it a vital site for biodiversity conservation and a place of intrinsic value for both scientific study and cultural appreciation.​

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:
Guests will have the opportunity to join the team on deck as the ship sails into Ashmore Reef. This unique experience will be the only chance during the Kimberley journey to enjoy watersports.

The expedition team will scout the area for the best swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Plans include taking guests ashore via Zodiac to a small uninhabited island for swimming and anchoring additional Zodiacs to provide access to the best snorkeling spots Ashmore Reef has to offer.

The morning will be dedicated to exploring and discovering the wildlife both above and below the water. Accompanied by the expedition team, guests will gain insights into the remarkable biodiversity of this unique destination.

AT SEA

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025

After several days of expeditions, this Sea Day couldn’t come at a better time! It’s the perfect chance to recharge those engines for the second half of our adventure. Sleep in, eat an indulgent brunch, lounge by the pool, and enjoy the company of your fellow Vacayans.

HUNTER RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025
ARRIVE: 7am
DEPART: 5pm

The Hunter River, with its intertwining waterways and verdant floodplains, is a testament to nature’s artistry and power. Originating from the high rainfall catchments of The Kimberley Plateau, the river snakes its way through an ancient landscape dotted with towering sandstone cliffs and lush mangrove forests. The raw terrain with its rich ochre hues, contrasts sharply with the emerald green of the vegetation and the crystal-clear blue waters of the river. Herds of saltwater crocodiles bask on the sun-drenched banks, while a diverse range of bird species dance across the sky, their vibrant plumage glinting in the sunlight.

From here, enjoy access to Mitchell River National Park, one of Kimberley’s two national parks. The park lies in some of the most remote and inaccessible country in Australia, and contains some of the region’s scenic jewels.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:
Guests will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of Hunter River by Zodiac. The journey begins with a cruise alongside the secluded Naturalist Island, followed by a continuation toward the striking Indian Head rock formation. As the sun casts dynamic shadows on the formation, its features are highlighted, creating a mesmerizing view from the river.

The expedition proceeds past the dramatic terrain of The Kimberley, offering stunning landscapes, before reaching the end of Hunter River. From there, the course shifts onto Porosus Creek, aptly named for the numerous saltwater crocodiles that inhabit the area.

KURI BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

KURI BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
ARRIVE: 7am
DEPART: 5pm

Kuri Bay, situated on the remote northwestern coast of Western Australia, is a place of pristine and untouched wilderness. This secluded bay is renowned for its rugged, untouched beauty, where ancient red cliffs meet the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The bay’s waters are rich in pearls, earning it a unique place in the world as a hub for the South Sea pearl industry. Its pearling history dates to the late 19th century; today it is a remote outpost that offers a glimpse into this lustrous past, with the spectacular Kimberley region as its backdrop.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:
Guests will enjoy an intriguing and unique insight into the South Sea Pearl industry, with firsthand accounts from the farmers themselves about the entire process. Travel to and from the ship by Zodiac, where the expedition team will highlight Tawny Nurse Sharks swimming in the crystal-clear waters below.

MONTGOMERY REEF, WEST TERRITORIES & FRESHWATER COVE, AUSTRALIA

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025
ARRIVE MONTGOMERY REEF: 7am
DEPART MONTGOMERY REEF: 12pm
ARRIVE FRESHWATER COVE: 1pm
DEPART FRESHWATER COVE: 5:30pm

Vibrant wonders await at the vast Montgomery Reef, formed some 1.8 billion years ago. This ancient reef is recognized today as one of the most significant geological marine environments in The Kimberley.

Experience the mesmerizing allure of the largest inshore reef in Australia as it magically rises from the ocean during the tidal shifts, revealing a kaleidoscope of marine life. Observe the captivating sight of cascading waterfalls, formed as the reef drains during low tide, which is a spectacle exclusive to this part of the world.

Nested into the spectacularly remote coastline of west Kimberley lies a sacred Aboriginal site, Wijingarra Butt Butt (Freshwater Cove). Home to the Worrorra people for tens of thousands of years, Freshwater Cove is only accessible by seaplane, helicopter, or boat, and is famous for the humpback whales that breed in the cove each year. Worrorra custodians guide visitors through bushland where cotton flowers, bottlebrush, and wattle dot the landscape, to explore significant sites adorned with ancient Wandjina-style rock art – namely, to Cyclone Cave, a sacred space revealing 4000-year-old rock art narratives.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:
Arriving at high tide, guests will leave the ship and head out by Zodiac to the edge of Montgomery Reef. As the tide begins to drop, it exposes the “river”—a narrow channel that will be explored by Zodiac.

As the group ventures further, they will witness torrents of water cascading over endless waterfalls. As the water continues to recede, the reef becomes more exposed, trapping fish in pools and attracting a variety of birdlife. Guests should keep an eye out for the white and gray morph eastern reef egret, ospreys, white-bellied sea eagles, and the beach thick knee.

In the water, there is a chance to see dugongs, Stokes sea snakes, tawny nurse sharks, and hammerhead sharks. When the tide is low, many turtles are concentrated in the “river,” and over the course of a few hours, guests may spot dozens of them, often found both swimming in the water and stranded on the reef.

TALBOT BAY, AUSTRALIA

MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
ARRIVE: 6am
DEPART: 2pm

Delve into the stories of its First Nations heritage and marvel at the ancient rock art found throughout Talbot Bay, where extreme natural wonders await exploration. Explore its rocky shores and steep cliffs, comprised of deformed quartz sandstones blended with volcanic rock. Or investigate the diverse seabeds, which can dramatically transform from 100-foot deep channels to exposed rock formations. Water enthusiasts will also want to explore Turtle Reef, named over its abundance of turtles on the reef, and home to coral reef and crocodiles. The pinnacle of this great region is the iconic Horizontal Falls, a jaw-dropping natural wonder, hailed by Sir David Attenborough as “Australia’s most unusual natural feature.” The effect of the waterfalls is created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean-side of gaps in the sandstone cliffs. Waters on the inland side of the gaps cannot escape fast enough, resulting in a “horizontal waterfall” created by the cascades, with water levels differing sometimes by several meters on either side of the gaps.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCE:
With 14m/45ft tidal changes, a Zodiac tour to the Horizontal Waterfalls in Talbot Bay is an unforgettable experience. Leaving the ship, guests will make their way directly to the “gap”—a small passage that has been eroded over time. The expedition team will time the journey with either slack high or slack low tide to give everyone the chance to “shoot” through the gap.

Guests will witness firsthand why this phenomenon is referred to as the Horizontal Waterfalls. After experiencing the waterfalls, the Zodiac cruise will continue into the narrower gorge, where guests will marvel at sandstone formations, tidal eddies, and geological upliftment.

Please note that passage through the “gap” is dependent on weather and tidal conditions and may not always be possible.

LACEPEDE ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
ARRIVE: 6am
DEPART: 2pm

The Lacepede Islands in Western Australia – known simply as the Lacepedes – are a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to what’s possibly the world’s largest colony of Brown Boobies, with 18,000 breeding pairs. Located just off The Kimberley coast about 75 miles north of Broome, this chain of four small sandspits (West, Middle, Sandy, and East) is also home to around 20,000 Roseate Terns, along with a host of other seabirds, including masked boobies, Australian pelicans, Pacific reef heron, common noddies, and sooty oystercatchers. Grey-tailed tattlers, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and other wading birds also visit the Lacepedes, which have been designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. What’s more, these low-lying cays – formed from fragments of course sand and coral – are Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for endangered green turtles, and migrating humpback whales are frequently sighted in the area during the winter and early spring. While Zodiac landings are prohibited in this sensitive environment, Seabourn’s expert Expedition Team members will get you close enough to witness all the avian action.

BROOME, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
ARRIVE: 7am

Our time together has finally come to an end, but what a journey! Perched on the Northwest edge of Western Australia, Broome was once an isolated gem, reachable only by a rugged dirt road until the mid-1980s. The town is nestled on a narrow peninsula, encircled by the crystal-clear sapphire waters of the Indian Ocean and the tranquil expanse of Roebuck Bay. It stands as a global haven for migratory birds, offering them a scenic stopover on their long journeys.

Broome sprang to life following the discovery of the world’s most abundant pearl shell deposit. This revelation sparked a frenzy akin to a gold rush, drawing in hundreds of people lured by the promise of precious treasures. Despite a downturn in the pearl industry during the last century, the allure of Broome’s natural splendor and serene ambiance held many captives, anchoring them to this coastal sanctuary.

Today, Broome boasts a unique architectural landscape, a testament to its diverse history. A blend of colonial buildings, old mission houses, churches, and the huts of former pearling masters share the streets with more modern homes. These structures collectively echo a distinctive style that took root over eighty years ago. So, whether you choose to stay a few days in Broome or head off to other nearby adventures like Bali, Indonesia, this trip will be indelibly etched into your consciousness as one of the best adventures ever.