Abrolhos Islands and the Coral Coast

Pricing is based on departure date: 05 November 2027

Alternative departures available from September 2026 to October 2027.

This is not just a cruise. It is a frontier passage through Australia’s most secluded marine sanctuaries and cultural landscapes. Guided by Traditional Rangers in the Dampier Archipelago, you encounter millennia-old petroglyphs before drifting across reef systems alive with turtles and coral cathedrals. Ningaloo and Shark Bay deliver world-heritage spectacle, while the Abrolhos reveals sea lions, pearl farms, and storied maritime history. Bird colonies, atomic relics reclaimed by nature, and island chains few ever reach create a voyage defined by rarity, access, and raw beauty.

Itinerary highlights

Dampier Archipelago

Explore islands that contrast brightly with turquoise waters and view petroglyphs under the cultural guidance of the Murujuga Land and Sea Rangers. Twenty-five are nature reserves that protect both Aboriginal and European heritage. Named after William Dampier, who visited aboard the Cygnet in 1699, the Yaburara people left thousands of rock engravings, shell middens, and stone arrangements.

Montebello Islands

The 'Montes' archipelago delights birdwatchers, supporting over 1% of the world's fairy and roseate tern populations. Alpha and Trimouille Islands hosted three British atomic tests in the 1950s. Visit the Ground Zero plinth, where nature has reclaimed the nuclear site. Wildlife includes the rare rufous hare wallaby.

Pilbara Islands

This remote chain of 92 islands stretches from Exmouth Gulf to Cape Preston, with access to the mainland and the Indian Ocean. Vital for migratory shorebirds and nesting turtles, its diverse shallow reefs support abundant fish, marine species, and all four turtle species found in the region. Snorkelling and dive sites will be chosen based on local conditions in area's like Serrurier Island and the Murion Islands.

Exmouth & Cape Range National Park (Ningaloo Reef)

Ningaloo's narrow continental shelf brings deep waters, reefs, and coastal communities close together, creating massive arrays of marine life. Today we take a bus tour to Cape Range National Park and have the opportunity to snorkel at Turquoise Bay.

Shark Bay World Heritage Area

Explore Australia's first Western Australian UNESCO World Heritage site from 1991. This region showcases colourful landscapes, rare flora and fauna, as well as 35% of Australia's bird species. Visit Dirk Hartog Island and Francois Peron National Park and walk the Wanamalu Trail at Cape Peron, conditions permitting.

Abrolhos Islands - Wallabi Group

Snorkel scenic beaches, spot tammar wallabies, skinks and endemic Abrolhos dwarf bearded dragons. Cruise past the Pidgeon Islands, a coral-lagooned outpost steeped in both rich marine life and fishing heritage. Conditions permitting, visit Beacon Island, the site of a tragic event that occurred 400 years ago during the Batavia mutiny.

Abrolhos Islands - Easter Group

Visit Little Sandy Island's sea lion colony, the largest in the Abrolhos Islands. Australian sea lions love swimming and playing with snorkelers in protected waters. Later, snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Squid Hole, Anemone Lump or Morley Island, where marine life thrives in clear waters.

Abrolhos Islands - Pelsaert (Southern) Group

Visit Liddon Pearl Farm and crayfishing operations on Post Office Island. Learn about pearl cultivation, including different shells and categories, from families working in the Abrolhos waters for four generations. Snorkel blue holes from the jetty where coral formations create underwater cathedrals.

Your Ship: Coral Adventurer

Launched in April 2019, Coral Adventurer is a tropical expedition ship purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores in Australia and internationally, that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels.

Coral Adventurer features spacious and vibrant living spaces created by Brisbane interior design firm, Arkhefield, inspired by the company’s Australian ethos and the wide-open spaces the ship visits. The ship’s lightweight dual Xplorer expedition tenders, another trademark feature of all Coral Expeditions vessels, extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing deeper exploration on shore excursions. These ‘safari jeeps’ of the sea are fast, sturdy, and comfortable and developed to allow easy boarding from the ship and walk-off disembarkation onto remote shores.

The perfect balance between being large enough for ocean voyaging in comfort yet creating the intimate and relaxed atmosphere for which Coral Expeditions is renowned, Coral Adventurer embodies our Australian philosophy of adventure, relaxation, generosity, storytelling, and appreciation for the great outdoors. Carrying a maximum of 120 passengers – Coral Adventurer is purpose-built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style, and safety.

What’s included with your vacation

Inclusions

• All excursions with our Expedition Team
• Post-cruise transfers to CBD hotel or airport
• Voyage log & Photo gallery documenting the highlights of your voyage
• Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
• Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
• All meals, chef-prepared on board
• Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs, & Kayaks
• Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
• 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
• Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
• All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
• Tips and gratuities
• Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging
• Pre-cruise transfers on Broome departures
• All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities

Exclusions

• Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
• Laundry service (available at a cost)
• Premium Internet services
• Alcoholic & non alcoholic specialty beverages outside of lunch and dinner service
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
• Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
• Pre and post cruise accommodation
• Pre Cruise Transfer in Fremantle
• Scuba Diving (additional Cost)

Fremantle, Dampier Archipelago, Montebello Islands, Pilbara Islands, Exmouth & Cape Range (Ningaloo), Shark Bay, Abrolhos Islands, Broome

All fares are displayed in AUD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.