West Coast Explorer - From Fremantle to Dampier

Your adventure begins in Perth where you’ll join your fellow adventurers onboard the mighty True North for a welcome aboard cocktail party and the first of many fine dining experiences as we begin the overnight cruise to the Abrolhos Islands.

Spend two days exploring the beautiful Houtman Abrolhos, a chain of 122 islands and is home to the southernmost true coral reef in the Indian Ocean. Wake up early and join a hell-flight to see stunning reef formations and island communities from the sky. Snorkel in shallow inshore lagoons to see breathtaking colourful coral, a myriad of fish species and curious sea lions. Or, take a scenic cruise in one of our adventure boats and step ashore to find a bird-watching paradise. Additionally, as well as being the home of Western Australia’s delectable rock lobster, the Abrolhos is also renowned for its crayfish. You’ll also be able to fish for Westralian dhufish, groper, snapper and coral trout to be cooked back on board the true North by our chefs. You’ll also make a visit to Post Office Island. Here the Liddon family will set up a long table lunch for us to enjoy fresh crayfish and other local produce. We then learn about the local crayfish & pearling industry before having the opportunity to shop at the local jewellery shop on the island.

Wake up for another day in the Houtman Abrolhos where you’ll snorkel and dive in the crystal clear waters of the Batavia wreck site and learn about its fascinating history. Then we’ll go ashore at Beacon Island and see a remarkably preserved cannon lying in shallow water. Finally visiting Long Island where mutineers were hanged.

Join the adventure boats for a day of fishing, snorkeling and diving. Here we’ll show you some spots that are known to produce coral trout and dhufish if you’re a fisher. Otherwise Fish Point and the Turtle Bay shallows are also perfect for a snorkel, and divers can explore ‘Planet Channel’ and other spots that are home to some excellent overhangs and caves. Then step ashore at West Wallabi Island for a glimpse of the reclusive tamar wallaby and join our guides for a scenic walk amongst the ruins of Wiebbe Hayes’ rudimentary forts.

Start the day with an exhilarating hike to Steep Point the westernmost edge of the Australian continent and part of the Shark Bay World Heritage area. It’s regarded as one of the finest land-based game fishing locations in the world and is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking Western Australian scenery. Head onto the helicopter for a flight over the Zuytdorps to see stunning views of this spectacular coast or visit Dirk Hartog, a spot not accessible by foot. Fishers can wet their lines at South Passage and divers might be able to see the giant gropers that frequent ‘Monkey Rock’.

This morning the True North will cruise to Cape Inscription on the northern tip of Dirk Hartog Island. Here you’ll be able to head off on the tenders for a fish, snorkel, dive on the western side of the Cape or explore Hartog from the air in the helicopter. Then we’ll head to the sheltered waters off Turtle Bay for another dive or an island swim.

Famous for its brilliant white beaches and stunning coral reefs just metres from the shoreline, it’s not hard to see why Ningaloo Reef is one of Western Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. Here just pop on a mask and swim in the swimming pool like conditions to meet whale sharks and possibly dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, humpback whales along with hundreds of species of fish, coral and molluscs. The adjacent beaches are also home to loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. In 2006, researchers discovered gardens of sponges that are thought to be species completely new to science. So today will be spent discovering the many bays and shallow reef areas of this acclaimed coral paradise. We’ll also squeeze in some leisure fishing for the mackerel and visit the settlement at Coral Bay to meet local marine biologist Frazer McGregor.

Wake this morning for three magnificent days in the Montebello Islands. An archipelago of 174 small islands lying 130 kilometres off the Pilbara coast of north western Australia, the islands have a rich and interesting history. The two main islands, Hermite and Trimouille were discovered by the French explorer Nicholas Baudin in 1801 before gaining an infamous history with nuclear weapons testing in the 50’s. However today the Montebello Islands are now just a paradise, so we’ll spend the day enjoying endless opportunities for fishing, snorkelling and diving.

Start the day with an early morning fish or join the ship’s naturalist and head ashore to beachcomb and bird-watch. Identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) the islands support over 1% of the world populations of Fairy Terns, Roseate Terns, Sooty Oystercatchers. Here you could also spot Greater Crested Terns, ospreys, white-bellied sea-eagles, pied oystercatchers, caspian terns, bridled terns and beach stone-curlews. You’ll also be able to take to the skies in the helicopter or snorkel and dive for giant crayfish. After lunch stalk the mangroves for a Monte mud crab and whiting. Finally, spend the afternoon on the beach or head out for another dive or fish.

Spend another day in paradise fishing, snorkeling, diving, beach combing and heading out on a scenic tender ride. Then, depending on the helicopter’s schedule, fly over the Dampier Archipelago for your final breathtaking view from the sky.

With a vast and remarkable coast now discovered, it’s time for your early morning disembarkation and transfer to Karratha.

Itineraries are subject to change.