20 Day Best of Both Worlds – Odyssey Expeditions

Mitchell Plateau to Broome to Rowley Shoals

from $14,890 per person twin share

As the Kimberley season winds to a close, there is the perfect opportunity to combine a magical Kimberley Experience with an amazing diving experience at the Rowley Shoals west of Broome.

Situated in the far north west of Western Australia, the Kimberley offers a year round tropical climate, breathtaking scenery and an unspoiled coastline. A diverse array of flora and fauna inhabit the land and waters, including the infamous salt water crocodile.

The Kimberley is blessed with a rich pioneering and indigenous history, offering visitors the holiday experience of a lifetime. Deep gorges, awe-inspiring water falls, the ideal climate and clear night skies bursting with stars, makes the Kimberley a land to be discovered.

Located 300kms from the nearest land the Rowley Shoals are a chain of coral atolls that rise nearly vertically from approximately 440 metres deep on the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world. Rising from the deep blue of the Indian Ocean each of the three coral atolls covers around 90sq km and features a diverse array of snorkelling and diving environments with exceptional visibility.

The Rowley Shoals are amongst the few reefs in the world that are affected by a huge tidal range. The dramatic five metre tides pour massive volumes of water in and out of the coral framework and have created unearthly and enchanting coral landscapes. The Rowley Shoals is home to an amazing 233 species of coral and 688 species of fish including many that are not found on near shore coral reefs.

Less than 400 people a year are privileged to experience the swimming pool like conditions of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park. Be one of the few to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the Rowley Shoals as you dive crystal clear lagoons, shear vertical walls and drift dive through deep, clear canyons amongst turtles, sharks and the many species of marine life that inhabit this unique and remote area.

We place a maximum of 20 guests on board our 24 meter custom built expedition vessel "Odyssey" so you can sit back relax in style and comfort while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of Australia’s Kimberley coast. Our experienced crew are passionate about their work and pride themselves on being able to offer you a personalised holiday experience that will last a lifetime.

Rowley shoals is a remote location. A recognised open water certification is required to dive a the Rowley Shoals. Odyssey Expeditions recommends, for your safety, that all divers have maintained their dive skills on a regular basis and have logged 20+ dives.

Inclusions

Transfers between your accommodation and Odyssey in Broome. Plus a scenic Helicopter flight over the Mitchell Falls to the Mitchell Plateau landing strip and light aircraft transfer between Mitchell Plateau and Broome is also included.
Accommodation; A deluxe or classic style cabin with each cabin fully equipped with all linen, ample storage, a bar fridge, 240 volt power and hair dryer.
- Includes 4 nights accommodation in Broome between the Kimberley and Rowley Shoals sections of the journey
All meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas are all freshly prepared by our on board chef. Dietary requirements are catered for just let us know when booking.
Beverages, complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate, a range of soft drinks and juices are available at all times. Alcoholic beverages are available from the bar, all very reasonably priced.
Excursions, carried out daily and are all optional. Our crew are experienced and will inform you with their knowledge of the Kimberley and guide you safely on all excursions.
At the Rowley Shoals:
- Air Fills are provided by our 21cfm compressor. All fills are free whilst aboard the Odyssey.
- Belts and Weights are provided by Odyssey or you can bring your own if you choose.
Fishing, there is an abundance of fish in the waters of the Kimberley ranging from pelagics to estuarine fish like Barramundi or Mangrove Jack. MV Odyssey is well equipped Shimano fishing equipment or if you prefer bring your own favourite rod and tackle.
Fishing is very restricted at the Rowley Shoals Marine Park; there is an abundance of fish in the waters however fishing is only allowed at Clerke Reef where we will stay for approximately 4 nights. Our experienced crew will take you out in one of our 3 tender vessels equipped with fishing gear and tackle and help you as much as you require.
Whilst all our guest are invited to fish, Odyssey Expeditions has a catch and eat or release licence, if you catch it our chef will scale it, clean it and make a mouth watering feast of it, but no one can take fish home, just a photo, a permanent reminder of your catch.
Fishing is prohibited at Mermaid Reef.
On-Board Entertainment, MV Odyssey is equipped with state of the art viewing and surround sound SONOS system, Two large LCD screens will keep you informed and entertained. Our book and DVD library offers a large range of music, movies and documentaries for you to choose from.
Laundry service, MV Odyssey is equipped with a washing machine and dryer. Days 5, 17 and 22 of your cruise are washing days, place your laundry in the laundry bag provided and our hostess will collect it in the morning and have it returned to you clean by the evening.
First aid / Medical, All the crew of Odyssey hold a current senior first aid certificate and will assist you if a medical emergency should arise. As well as a general first aid kit MV Odyssey is also equipped with a Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) Medical Chest; the chest contains a range of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items which enables emergency and non emergency treatment to be given. The consultation and support of the Royal Flying Doctors Service is available to Odyssey 24 hours a day via satellite phone.

Mitchell Plateau - Broome - Rowley Shoals

Day 1: Mitchell Falls - Porosus Creek - Hunter River

Transfer from your accommodation to Broome Airport, board your aircraft and enjoy a scenic flight over the Kimberley and Mitchell Falls. After a safety briefing, induction and lunch it’s time to explore Hunter River and Porosus Creek. Hunter River presents perhaps the most spectacular river scenery in Western Australia, Our crew will show you this areas flora and fauna focusing on the bird life and crocodiles, eyes peeled for the elusive Chestnut Rail.

Day 2: Prince Frederick Harbour - Roe River

Boarding Homer today to explore the Roe River which will include crocodile spotting, a look at the local flora and fauna and a freshwater swim. We try our hand at fishing from our tenders followed by a cold beverage and dinner to taste your fresh fish of the day while anchored in the secluded Porosus Creek.

Day 3: Careening Bay

Early morning journey to Careening Bay Once there we visit the Mermaid Boab tree made famous by Philip Parker King, who charted the Kimberley waters between 1818-1820. The carpenter recorded their time in this area by engraving a large Boab tree with the letters ‘HMC Mermaid 1820’. We go ashore and spend time understanding the history. We then cruise south to your next location St Georges Basin and Prince Regent River.

Day 4: Prince Regent River - Kings Cascade - Cathedral Falls

The incoming tide will carry us deep into the Prince Regent River today, prepare to get wet on the bow of Odyssey as we nose into the Kings Cascade. Hike to the top of the falls for a swim in the large freshwater swimming hole. After lunch, we board Homer to view the thundering Cathedral Falls and have a refreshing dunk on the bow of Homer. Fishing in the afternoon and overnight in the Prince Regent River.

Day 5: Prince Regent River - Fishing - Camp Creek

Still within the Prince Regent River gives you an opportunity for an early morning fish before visiting the freshwater swimming holes at Camp Creek. After spending time cooling off, it’s back to Odyssey to take the outgoing tide of the Prince Regent. Watch the sunset over St George Basin while enjoying your catch for dinner prepared by your chef.

Day 6: Camden Harbour - Sheep Island - Montgomery Reef

Over to Camden Harbour and go ashore at Sheep Island to visit the last resting place of Mary Jane Pascoe. Hear the story of the ill fated settlement of the Camden Harbour Pastoral Association. Now cruising to Montgomery Reef, we board Homer for a closer look at the marine life turtles, dugong, crocodiles and bird life. Water cascades from the reef on a falling tide exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Depart for Doubtful Bay for our anchorage at Red Cone Creek.

Day 7: Red Cone Creek - Ruby Falls

This morning it’s time for fishing and mud crabbing. After lunch, we will board “Homer” for a leisurely cruise to Red Cone Creek and have a refreshing swim in the water hole above Ruby Falls. Departing Doubtful Bay we will enjoy some mud crabs on the bow of Odyssey while enjoying a spectacular Kimberley sunset over Raft Point and Steep Island.

Day 8: Buccaneer Archipelago - Talbot Bay - Silica Beach - Horizontal Falls

This morning we will take an exhilarating boat ride through the iconic Horizontal Falls, then explore the spectacular geological and scenery of Cyclone Creek. Depart for Yampi Sound, cruising through the Buccaneer Archipelago passing Koolan and Cockatoo Islands. Soon after we spend a relaxing afternoon taking a stroll at Silica Beach before making our way past Cape Leveque, with sunset drinks on the bow.

Day 9 - 12: Broome

As we journey south this day has come all too quickly, enjoy your breakfast on onboard Odyssey watching the endless stretch of Cable Beach pass by. We arrive into at Port of Broome mid-morning where your courtesy bus will be waiting to transfer you to your Broome accommodation which is provided by Odyssey Expeditions.
Enjoy Broome at your leisure for four nights staying in quality accommodation prior to re-joining Odyssey for an 8 Day Rowley Shoals trip.

Day: 13

Meet at Odyssey Expeditions depot in Broome @ 9.00 am. Our dive master will be there to greet you and your check dive certifications. We will transfer you and your luggage to the vessel, please make sure that you have all your equipment.
Cold beverage and a light lunch will be served shortly after leaving Broome and then it's an overnight steam to the Rowley Shoals.

Day: 14

We arrive at Clerke Reef, one of three atolls approximately 300 km north-west off the coast of Broome. On approach to the atoll, we will gather on the bow to view the spectacular reef emerge as we cruise through the channel into the lagoon. Following a dive/snorkel briefing you will be assigned your buddy pairs and be ready for the first dive/snorkel of the day, an introduction dive inside the atoll, "The Aquarium". After lunch, we will head outside the atoll where the water is deeper.

Day: 15

Into Homer at 6.30 am for a 7.00 am dive/snorkel at Clerke Wall before tucking into a hearty cooked breakfast. After a short break, its off to another of the many dive/snorkel sites, so much to see; schools of Hump Headed Wrasse, Parrot Fish, Pelagic species, game fish like Trevally, Tuna, Wahoo not to forget the amazing colourful reef. Our next dive/snorkel is after lunch exploring some of the many caves and crevices of Clerke Reef. Late afternoon or evening dive/snorkel depending on conditions at Eel Creek.

Day: 16

Clerke Gutters will be our first dive/snorkel of the day before a mid-morning roller coaster ride through the channel. After a surface break, it is back into Homer to head for the north tip of Clerke Reef for an afternoon dive/snorkel at Blue Lagoon.

Day: 17

After our first dive/snorkel we take a last look at Bedwell Island before we head off to Mermaid Reef, 20 miles to our North. We cruise through the western face of Mermaid Atoll before entering the inner reef. Our first dive/snorkel "V in the Wall", a huge chunk of reef that has broken of the main atoll in the shape of a V. Mermaid Channel dive/snorkel is next.

Day: 18

Mermaid Wall rising from a depth of 400 meters is a sheer wall alive with corals and fish. Dolphins, manta rays and turtles are frequently spotted in this area. Coral Gardens is our second dive/snorkel. Labyrinths is next and to finish of this amazing day we will drift dive/snorkel the channel.

Day: 19

Back to spectacular Mermaid Wall this morning followed by a visit to the Cod Hole for a farewell dive with the curious Potato Cod. These two dive/snorkel spots are ones that nobody could ever get enough of. Mermaid Caves will be our afternoon dive/snorkel around 1.30 pm and then it is time to store our gear and depart Mermaid Reef for an overnight cruise back to Broome.

Day: 20

Cruising over night this day has come all to soon we arrive back to the Port of Broome at approximately 9:00 am. After breakfast your courtesy bus will transfer to your Broome accommodation or airport.

This is an example itinerary only. All our cruises are individual due to changing tidal movements, prevailing conditions, guest preferences and what is found on any given day.
Whilst we will always visit the most iconic locations in the Kimberley, if you have a specific location you want to visit, please let your skipper know once onboard.

Light aircraft transfers are included in the cost of your cruise. For your convenience please pack luggage into soft bags which weigh no more than 12kg total per person.

What to Bring?

Pack simply and lightly for your Adventure with Odyssey, in soft bags please for easy storage. In tropical conditions, shorts and lightweight shirts are the most comfortable and loose, long sleeved shirts and long pants in a natural, lightweight fabric (e.g. cotton) offer protection against the sun. Nights are usually cool & a cool breeze will often accompany us. We dress Kimberley Casual for dinner, definitely not formal and shoes are not normally worn on-board.

The following packing list may be helpful:

Kimberley:

Personal toiletries (we supply towels, sunscreen, body wash, insect repellent, tissues & hairdryers)
Hat
Bathers, we supply additional towels for excursions.
Camera equipment, all cabins have 240v outlet for recharging.
Hard sole shoes that you do not mind getting wet which are secure on your feet, reef walkers or old sneakers are suitable.
Casual clothing shorts and lightweight shirts are most comfortable and loose, long sleeved shirts and long pants in a natural lightweight fabric (e.g., cotton) offer protection against the sun. (Typically, around 35 degrees during the day and around 18 degrees at night).
Light jacket or windbreaker is recommended.
Water bottle with wide opening for ice
Small backpack suitable to carry camera equipment and water bottle.
Prescription drugs or vitamins, each cabin has a personal bar fridge for storing medication.
Motion sickness preventative
Binoculars (for bird watching)
Fishing gear is provided on the vessel, however, keen fisher men & women might want to bring their own lures or they are available for purchase on board Odyssey

Rowley Shoals:

Sun hat / sunscreen.
Personal toiletries (we supply sunscreen, body wash, insect repellent, tissues & hairdryers)
Water bottle with large opening for ice
Camera with plenty of memory, all cabins have 240v outlet for recharging.
Dive and snorkelling gear (tanks 80c/11.1 litre, weights & weight belts are supplied).
Skin suit or wet suit (3mm recommended) – water temperature is around 25^oC
Spare parts kit that should include glow sticks, safety sausage and dive touch.
Dive log and Dive certification
Dive torch and spare batteries
Light summer clothing (typically around 30 degrees during the day and less than 20 during the night)
Warm clothing as the mornings/evenings can be cool, long pants and a jumper are suggested