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Discover one of Australia's most remote and spectacular wilderness regions on a PONANT Kimberley cruise. Travel between Broome and Darwin aboard a luxury small expedition ship, exploring dramatic sandstone coastlines, spectacular waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art, tidal phenomena and extraordinary wildlife.
A Kimberley expedition is very different from a conventional cruise. With Zodiacs, expert Expedition teams and small-group experiences, PONANT allows you to explore places that are difficult to reach by road and experience the Kimberley from a completely different perspective.
| Feature | PONANT Kimberley Cruises |
|---|---|
| Destination | Kimberley, Western Australia |
| Typical Route | Broome to Darwin or Darwin to Broome |
| Typical Duration | 10 nights / 11 days |
| Cruise Style | Luxury Expedition |
| Best For | Wildlife, nature, adventure, photography and culture |
| Highlights | King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, Hunter River, Aboriginal rock art |
| Exploration | Zodiac excursions, scenic cruising, shore landings and guided experiences |
| Featured Ships | Le Jacques Cartier and Le Soléal* |
Discover one of Australia's most remote and spectacular wilderness regions on a PONANT Kimberley cruise. Travel between Broome and Darwin aboard a luxury small expedition ship, exploring dramatic sandstone coastlines, spectacular waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art, tidal phenomena and extraordinary wildlife.
A Kimberley expedition is very different from a conventional cruise. With Zodiacs, expert Expedition teams and small-group experiences, PONANT allows you to explore places that are difficult to reach by road and experience the Kimberley from a completely different perspective.
Explore Remote Wilderness
Much of the Kimberley's coastline is remote and difficult to access by road. A small expedition ship provides an ideal base for reaching secluded waterways, islands, beaches and coastal landscapes.
Experience Extraordinary Tides
The Kimberley is famous for its enormous tidal range. At places such as Montgomery Reef and Talbot Bay, changing tides can transform the landscape within hours.
Discover Ancient Culture
The region has a deep Aboriginal heritage, with ancient rock art and cultural sites providing insight into the Kimberley's long human history. Cultural experiences vary by itinerary and local access.
See Kimberley's Wildlife
Depending on the season, itinerary and conditions, guests may encounter saltwater crocodiles, humpback whales, turtles, dolphins and a wide variety of birdlife.
All our Kimberley Cruises last 10 nights and 11 days and go from Broome to Darwin, or the reverse. In that time you get to see every major site and feature possible.
The Kimberley is home to untamed landscapes, a rich Aboriginal history and culture, breath-taking tidal phenomena, and unique wildlife from humpback whales to crocodiles - the Kimberley is Australia’s true expedition playground. It is a territory whose area represents two thirds of that of France, shared by 38,000 inhabitants. Half of them are Aborigines, descendants of the first inhabitants of Australia. From these distant ancestors you can still be witness to a culture preserved in rock art whose secrets have not yet all been pierced. It is a region that we fly over or that we approach by sea. It is, in fact, a wild and preserved land. Red soils and cliffs, fiery inlets, roaring waterfalls, saltwater crocodiles and so much more await you.
If you have been contemplating exploring closer to home, now is the time to secure this bucket list Australian adventure on board one of our award-winning luxury expeditions.
The northernmost town in the Kimberley region, Wyndham is a privileged gateway. This town of less than 800 souls is the ideal starting point for exploring Purnululu National Park. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, it is particularly famous for the Bungle Bungle massif and its sandstone domes streaked with ocher and gray. Nothing better than a panoramic flight to admire all the beauty of this landscape formed by erosion over 20 million years.
In the west of the Kimberley, the land seems to have dislocated to merge into the sea. Result: chiseled shores and no less than 800 islands forming the Buccaneer archipelago draw finely cut panoramas. To realize this particular geography, the ideal is to gain height. Aboard a vintage Grumman Mallard amphibious plane , the bird's-eye view of these two-billion-year-old landforms is breathtaking. The rugged and deserted coast is cut out and gives way to confetti of land whose red cliffs blend into the sapphire water. The difficulty of access to this area has naturally contributed to its protection… The nearest town is half an hour away by plane.
It is one of the wonders of the Kimberley. The King George River offers a particularly breathtaking sight. Along the water, the traveler becomes a true explorer. Led by expert naturalist guides from the region, the Zodiacs® glide along the ocher, red, purple, pink and orange colored sandstone walls, in the heart of gorges 80 meters high. In the distance, the twin falls of King George rumble. Their verticality is dizzying. Water rushes down from the cliffs. Hypnotic. Time seems to stop to give everyone the opportunity to appreciate this moment.
While 10% of the Kimberley has been systematically explored by archaeologists, hundreds of thousands of painted designs in galleries and on rock faces have already been identified. Some of them are estimated to have been drawn 20,000 years ago and are Gwion Gwion style rock art . The latter is characterized by the delicacy of its features and a rare aestheticism that allow us to learn more about the daily life of these past civilizations. Clothing, food, weapons, tools, ceremonies, exchanges… The precision of these drawings is a real mine of information for researchers. Admiring these paintings, which are among the oldest artistic expressions in the world, is one of the highlights of a trip to the Kimberley.
Water is the essential element of Collier's Bay. Indeed, the gigantic movements of the tides have shaped these unique landscapes, to the delight of photographers. Able to exceed 14 meters in amplitude, these tidal movements are among the largest in the world. They cause exceptional phenomena, as in the Montgomery Reef, the largest coastal reef on the planet. As the water recedes, it causes strong currents and mini waterfalls. In Talbot Bay, when the tide rises or falls, the waves rush in and accumulate in a bottleneck. It then flows out creating “horizontal falls”.
Discover one of Australia's most remote and spectacular wilderness regions on a PONANT Kimberley cruise. Travel between Broome and Darwin aboard a luxury small expedition ship, exploring dramatic sandstone coastlines, spectacular waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art, tidal phenomena and extraordinary wildlife.
A Kimberley expedition is very different from a conventional cruise. With Zodiacs, expert Expedition teams and small-group experiences, PONANT allows you to explore places that are difficult to reach by road and experience the Kimberley from a completely different perspective.
Le Jacques Cartier is a PONANT Explorer-class expedition ship designed for voyages where access to remote destinations is as important as onboard comfort.
For the Kimberley, the ship provides a comfortable base between daily expeditions along one of Australia's most remote coastlines. Current PONANT Kimberley itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier are 10 nights / 11 days, with departures operating between Broome and Darwin or Darwin and Broome.
The ship is particularly well suited to the Kimberley because the experience is centred on exploration rather than simply travelling from one conventional port to another.
Designed for expedition exploration
A Kimberley cruise involves much more than scenic cruising. Depending on the itinerary and conditions, guests can leave the ship for Zodiac outings, explore rivers and coastal areas, observe wildlife and visit selected sites ashore.
PONANT describes its Kimberley voyages as including activities led by naturalist guides, including outings and landings by Zodiac.
Learn more about Le Jacques Cartier →
Le Soléal can also be relevant when discussing PONANT's Western Australia programme, but I would be careful about presenting it as the primary ship for the current core Kimberley itineraries.
PONANT currently lists a 10-night Western Australia voyage from Broome to Fremantle aboard Le Soléal, alongside its Kimberley itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier.
Le Soléal: Luxury Expedition Cruising in Western Australia
Le Soléal combines PONANT's luxury approach with the ability to operate expedition-style itineraries.
For travellers considering a broader Western Australia voyage, the ship may provide an alternative way to experience the region beyond a dedicated Kimberley itinerary.
However, ship assignments can change between seasons and departures, so travellers should always check the specific sailing rather than choosing a ship based solely on a general destination guide.
👉 Learn more about Le Soléal →
BlueSun Cruises is a Ponant Kimberley Cruise specialist that has been rated number one in Australia.
If you wish to look at other Kimberley cruise options, BlueSun Travel is the owner of Kimberley Boat Cruises. We work with all 35 cruise vessels in the Kimberley and would happily provide cruise advice on any one of them.
For more information on our Ponant Kimberley Cruises, or any of our Ponant Cruise Packages, call us now on 1300 799 758.
Alternatively, click here to visit our main site for BlueSun Cruises, where you can access 650 cruises ships going to over 4,500 ports in the world.
We are available to chat 7 days a week, even on Sundays!
Planning a Kimberley expedition cruise may seem like a big adventure, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, answered by our PONANT experts to help you plan with confidence.
Have a read through our Kimberley Cruise FAQs, and reach out to us any time: 1300 799 758.
Most PONANT Kimberley itineraries are approximately 10 nights and 11 days, although travellers should check the specific departure for exact duration.
PONANT Kimberley cruises commonly operate between Broome and Darwin, with departures available in either direction depending on the itinerary.
Highlights can include King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, the Hunter River, dramatic sandstone landscapes, Aboriginal cultural sites and a variety of Australian wildlife.
Saltwater crocodiles inhabit Kimberley waterways and may be observed during expedition activities, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Yes. A Kimberley cruise can be an excellent introduction to expedition cruising because it combines remote wilderness exploration with luxury accommodation and an experienced expedition team.
Yes. PONANT offers selected departures and promotions for solo travellers. Availability and solo supplements vary by sailing.
Suitability depends on the specific sailing, age requirements and the activities involved. Families should check the current PONANT conditions for their chosen itinerary.
For more information on our Ponant Kimberley Cruises or any of our Ponant Cruise deals and packages,
Call 1300 799 758 now.
Call us 7 days a week!