What’s important to you on a Kimberley cruise?

Can you fish on a Kimberley cruise? While many small-ship Kimberley trips offer fishing as a recreational add-on, not all do. So if this matters to you then do your research.

Fishing licences are strictly enforced on Kimberley cruises and chances are you will spot the fisheries vessel on your trip (and they will definitely spot you!)

While the crew on all of our cruises are extremely knowledgeable about the Kimberley. If learning as you travel is important to you on a Kimberley cruise, then having expert guides makes all the difference. Some of our cruises include on board marine biologists, geologists, naturalists, and historians, for example, who know this region inside out. They’re not just there to point things out — they bring the landscape, the wildlife and the culture to life with stories and insights you’d never get on your own.

From explaining how the world’s biggest tides shape the coast, to identifying rare bird calls or unravelling the history behind ancient rock art, their knowledge adds layers of meaning to every experience. For many travellers, it’s this depth of understanding that turns a Kimberley cruise from a scenic trip into a truly unforgettable journey.

If culture and history are high on your list, then the indigenous rock art of the Kimberley is something you simply can’t miss. Honestly, standing in front of paintings that are thousands of years old is pretty extraordinary.

You’ll see the elegant Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) figures and the striking Wandjina spirit images, tucked away on rock faces and in caves that, in many cases, you can only reach by water. That’s why doing the Kimberley by cruise isn’t just convenient — it’s the only way to get there. And you won’t just be looking at the art on your own. Expert guides — and often traditional owners — share the stories and meaning behind what you’re seeing, so it all comes alive. For many travellers, this ends up being one of the most powerful and memorable moments of the whole journey.

The ocean water looks lovely in the Kimberley — lovely but risky.

Swimming requires a bit of an effort in the Kimberley, but if it is important to you then you will get plenty of opportunities to swim in beautiful (and safe) water holes — if you choose the right vessel.

When we started our journey to become experts fifteen years ago,  you couldn’t get an expedition cruise to the Kimberley with balcony cabins.

The only option was on the great big cruise line ships that just sailed along the coast — the “see the Kimberley on the way past brigade” not the “experience the Kimberley coast up close and personal” cruises that we work with. Nowadays a number of genuine expedition vessels offer balcony cabins.

As with balconies, swimming pools are rare on genuine expedition vessels.  

Now a few of the smaller vessels offer a spa; some modern expedition vessels (mid-size upwards) now come with pools for a refreshing dip.

Now this is definitely nice to have on a Kimberley cruise.

Helicopters unlock access to remote, otherwise unreachable locations – rugged escarpments, and ancient rock art sites. The Kimberley is such a dramatic landscape that a bird’s-eye perspective gives you so much more.

Starlink internet is available on most vessels (sometimes at a cost) however it is important to note that the nature of your expedition is to visit remote parts of the world that don’t always have mobile coverage. This really gives you the opportunity for the much needed switch off, at least for a few hours, on your expeditions. 

For safety reasons all vessels have satellite phones so they are never completely out of touch in an emergency.

We get asked this one a lot and the simple answer is NO. Snorkelling is not an option on a Kimberley cruise. 

Having said that, we do have cruises that combine the Kimberley coast with other places (such as Ashmore Reef) where you can get off safely to snorkel.

It’s all about priorities.

Balconies and pools are nice to have but they may require you to travel on a larger vessel that might not have the active itinerary you are seeking.

Sometimes compromises might have to be made.

That’s why we encourage you to talk to us. Everyone here at Expedition Partners has visited the Kimberley. We can work through your priorities and help you choose the right Kimberley cruise for you.