- 10 Days Colours of the Coral Coast Itinerary

Arrive in Broome, where we meet you on arrival and transfer you to your expedition ship. Your first night on board starts as it should, with a relaxed dinner.

Prepare for a full day of adventure as your ship cruises into the Rowley Shoals Marine Park this morning. This incredible area is made up of three coral atolls that are believed to have been formed more than 10 million years ago. Home to clear lagoons, untouched coral gardens and an abundance of marine life, Rowley Shoals is a true marine paradise. You’ll find some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling sites here. Join your expedition team, hop aboard a Zodiac and head to pristine Mermaid Reef, home to more than 200 species of hard coral. Catch your first glimpse of life below the surface during a snorkelling expedition.

Relax today as the MS Island Sky sails across the Indian Ocean bound for Karratha in the heart of the Pilbara region. Arrive in Karratha in the late afternoon.

Today, explore the unique Burrup Peninsula. The region is rich in Indigenous cultural heritage, with up to a million ancient rock petroglyph carvings that will soon be nominated for World Heritage listing. View these marvels with an Indigenous guide. You will also visit Woodside’s industrial complex at the North West Shelf Visitor Centre. The tour provides an insight into the scale of these massive operations and their importance to the WA economy. As an option at your own expense, you can swap the water for the open skies on a scenic helicopter flight over the spectacular Dampier Archipelago, made up of 42 islands and islets.

Arrive at the Montebello Islands Marine Park today and set out on a Zodiac exploration to discover its rich maritime heritage. The islands gained international notoriety when three British atomic weapons tests were carried out here in 1952 and 1956. To this day, concrete bunkers, monitoring stations, roads and scrap metal can still be found on some of the islands. The atomic weapons were exploded on Alpha and Trimouille islands, and on the warship HMS Plym, which was anchored on the west side of Trimouille Island. You’ll have the chance to join your expedition team and step ashore on Trimouille Island to see the wreckage of the HMS Plym.

Cruise to the Muiron Islands today, consisting of the North Muiron and South Muiron islands, which are separated by a deep-water channel. Vibrantly coloured soft corals can be found in abundance here, and the waters are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving – which is what you’ll be doing today. Turtles love the soft corals here, so be sure to keep an eye out for them as you discover life underwater.

Cruise outer Ningaloo Reef in search of humpback whales. These incredible creatures migrate through the coast near Ningaloo in pods from July right through to November. If you’re lucky enough, perhaps catch a glimpse of them slapping their tail flukes on the surface as they play in the water.

Today you explore World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, one of the longest fringing coral reefs in the world. It is among the most diverse marine environments on the planet.

At Dirk Hartog Island, set out on a guided exploration of the Homestead to discover the island’s fascinating history. Head to Surf Point, on the southern end of the island and look 𠊏or sharks schooling in the shallow waters before continuing to Steep Point, just across South Passage. As the westernmost point of Western Australia, Steep Point is an ideal place to see the spectacular Zuytdorp Cliffs, rising some 170 metres above sea level. The cliffs provide the perfect viewpoint for a spot of whale watching.

Today will be spent exploring the Abrolhos Islands. More than 120 unspoilt islands lie clustered here, spanning more than 100 kilometres just off Western Australia’s north coast. Join your expedition team and hop aboard a Zodiac for an in-depth discovery of this coastal wonderland. Large breeding colonies of sea birds can be found on the islands, with more than 90 different species identified. Keep watch for sea lions, dolphins and migratory whales as your expedition team member navigates through the turquoise waters. The Abrolhos Islands are also rich in maritime history, and the famous Batavia wreck lies on the ocean floor on Morning Reef. The Batavia came to grief in 1629 on her maiden voyage from Holland, the first Dutch ship lost off the west coast of Australia.

Arriving into Geraldton, it’s time to say goodbye to your expedition ship. Be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.