Once In a Lifetime Kimberley Australia Luxury Expedition Cruise With Seabourn

This past summer I was lucky enough to join Seabourn for an expedition-style cruise to the Kimberley region of Australia. In 2022, I sailed onboard the Seabourn Venture to Greenland. Then over the 2023 / 2024 New Year period I again sailed onboard the Seabourn Venture, but this time far south to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. Both were amazing bucket list experiences!

This time I would be trading the extreme climates of the far north and south ends of the world for a more equatorial experience. I’d be ditching the heavy coats for flip-flops and a sun shirt. There would be no need for warming cups of hot chocolate, but instead, I expected to be sipping mojitos on the deck in the sun. Although I didn’t know exactly what to expect, I knew it would be a unique and incredible experience, and that’s exactly what I was hoping for. Keep reading for my Kimberley expedition review and tips on how to take your own once-in-a-lifetime cruise to the Kimberley region in far north Australia.

Disclaimer: This article is in partnership with Seabourn, but as always, all opinions and thoughts are my own. This blog also features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). Learn more about my affiliate policy here. Thank you for the support!

Our previous expeditions had been on the Seabourn Venture, one of two Seabourn expedition vessels. This time, we were to be sailing onboard the Seabourn Venture’s sister ship, the Seabourn Pursuit. Upon boarding, it was immediately obvious that Seabourn had made an effort to keep the ships essentially the same, outside of some art choices. This was nice as a returning customer, as it felt a little like visiting to an old friend who we shared many incredible memories with.

Like the Seabourn Venture, the Seabourn Pursuit hosts 132 ocean view suites, all with walk-out balconies, a storage closet, a queen-sized bed, and a sofa for lounging in any downtime you manage to find. Onboard you will find multiple bars, restaurants, a spa, hot tubs, a sauna, an infinity pool, a gymnasium, and more.

Seabourn also prides itself on providing a 1:1 ratio of crew to guests, and when onboard a Seabourn cruise you really appreciate that. There was always a helpful crew member to assist with any questions. Even when I didn’t think I needed anything, the crew always seemed to know when to offer a drink or share some interesting knowledge on the area that would elevate the moment.

Like our previous Seabourn cruises, we will not be forgetting this one any time soon! Seabourn has made these remote regions of northern Australia accessible to just about anybody, and has brought to me a great interest in a part of the world I had yet to explore.

The Seabourn Kimberley Australia 10 and 11-day itineraries operate on a rotating schedule between Darwin (Northern Territory) and Broome (Western Australia). For 2025 they begin on May 30, with the final 11-day cruise departing on August 24 (see more information here). We did our Kimberley Australia cruise in late July 2024, starting in Darwin and ending 10 days later in Broome.

Looking back I don’t think the direction you go makes a difference. Both offer the same itineraries with plenty of highlights scattered throughout the beginning and end of the trip, so you don’t need to take this into account when deciding which dates you want.

Even though I was born and spent my first 25 years in Australia, I had never explored the country’s far north. I honestly wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What we saw blew my mind and left me eager to explore even more of this magical place. Here are a few special moments from the trip that will stick with me forever.

We took an epic helicopter flight from a remote beach in the Hunter River region to the famous Mitchell Falls (Punamii-Uunpuu). The flight itself was breathtaking, and the falls more than lived up to the hype. Mitchell Falls is a 4 tiered waterfall, with 3 smaller falls ending in stunning pools, before a final 260-foot drop (80 meters). They reminded me a little of an Australian version of Havasu Falls in Arizona but with far fewer people.

One of my favorite things to do on board after a day of adventure is to watch the sunset. There are many great spots on board for this, but my favorite are the hot tubs and the top deck areas. At Hunter River, we enjoyed the most stunning sunset from the deck while sipping cocktails from the Constellation Lounge. The nearby cliffs of the Kimberley coastline were glowing a vivid red as we sailed away, it was glorious!

The King George River zodiac cruise was another highlight of the trip. This was the first full day of the cruise. We saw stunning cliffs, waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife. It was such a great introduction to the Kimberley region! King George Falls was the highlight of the day. Seeing two mirrored falls with a stunning cliff section dividing them was a unique sight. And, as a cherry on top, we saw a monitor lizard lounging right behind the waterfall, how cool! Seabourn also had a zodiac by the falls that was handing out champagne to the guests, which is one of my favorite Seabourn traditions. They’ve done this on every cruise I’ve taken with them, and they always find the most scenic spots for it!

No highlight list of the Kimberley region would be complete without a shoutout to Horizontal Falls. Although you can no longer pass completely through the falls, we were able to sit at the entrance to the falls and feel the immense pressure from the changing tide pass below the zodiacs. The afternoon also had us exploring the greater Horizontal Falls area by zodiac, which again led to many incredible views and wildlife spotting.

Our day at Kuri Bay was another special one. We started the day with a fascinating tour of the Paspaley Pearl Farm where we learned all about the saltwater pearl farming process and history of the area. The farm is located in such a beautiful area, and we took a short walk to get an overview of the farm from above. Later in the day, we boarded a rare mallard plane for a scenic flight. The color of the water from the air was gorgeous, and it was a great way to see the surrounding landscapes from a different perspective.

Jar Island was a stop that surprised me. This remote island is home to some of the oldest aboriginal artwork in the Kimberley region. It was truly hard to comprehend how old some of this artwork was. 25,000 years ago someone stood in the exact spot I was to paint them which was so fascinating to me. It prompted thoughts of just how different the world was back then, and how different our lives are now to those who came before us. Although not all of the works had stood the test of time, some were in remarkably great condition.

Lastly, Montgomery Reef was an incredibly unique place and an experience you just don’t get many other places on earth. This is the world’s largest inshore reef, and also home to some of the largest tidal changes on earth. Sometimes up to 25 feet (8 meters) difference! In typical, organized Seabourn fashion, they planned it so we were there right at the perfect time to see the tidal change. As the tide dropped, the reef appeared to rise out of the open ocean as cascading waterfalls fell down all around us. Birds flocked to get an easy meal from sea life that was trapped on the exposed reef, and we even saw a small shark flopping itself onto the reef to catch its own easy meal. So cool!

Our last stop on this expedition was a special one. We boarded a zodiac and landed on a remote shoreline where a team of Seabourn bartenders awaited us, presenting champagne and other drinks to celebrate our journey. We enjoyed our drinks to a beautiful view, explored nearby cliffs and caves, and shared some of our favorite memories of the trip.

The Kimberley Australia region is known for its unique and diverse wildlife, and we were lucky enough to have many encounters with them during our expedition. This trip turned out to be a bird lover’s dream, with sightings of frigate birds, eastern reef egrets, boobys, Australasian darters, white-bellied sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles, whistling kites, peregrine falcons, osprey, rainbow bee-eater, and much more!

No trip to the Kimberley Australia region would be complete without some saltwater crocodile spotting, and I’m happy to report we saw quite a few. We even witnessed a crocodile catching some small jumping fish in its mouth, which according to an onboard biologist, was quite a rare thing to see. Among other things, we also spotted kangaroos, monitor lizards, a dugong, sharks, and many whales. You will not be starved of wildlife on this expedition that’s for sure. Don’t forget to pack some binoculars and the longest camera lens that you have so you can take home some great memories to share with your family.

Seabourn has chosen these Kimberley Australia cruise dates to coincide with the dry season in the region, which is the best time to visit. The Kimberley has a tropical monsoon climate, meaning that summers are the wet season, with high temperatures and high humidity. In contrast, the winter months and late spring through early fall are much less rainy and humid. Temperatures are still warm, and temperatures get cool (but not cold) overnight. Expect daily highs ranging between 84 degrees (29 Celsius) and 89 degrees (32 Celsius), with lows between 57 and 62 degrees (14 and 17 Celsius).

Life on board an ultra-luxury Seabourn cruise is a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, where every detail is designed to provide an unparalleled experience for guests. From the moment you step aboard, you can tell that Seabourn takes the guest experience seriously.

Accommodations are nothing short of spectacular, featuring spacious suites with private balconies that offer breathtaking views of the ocean. Each suite is well-curated, combining modern aesthetics with classic touches. Guests enjoy personalized amenities, including a well-stocked bar (they even take requests!) and 24-hour room service. The feeling of exclusivity is somewhere Seabourn really shines, with a guest-to-staff ratio that allows for attentive service and a sense of care rarely found on large cruise ships.

Dining aboard a Seabourn cruise is always a treat, especially after a long day of adventures! World-renowned chefs craft menus that showcase a mix of local ingredients and global cuisines, offering everything from casual bites to multi-course gourmet dinners in the elegant restaurant. The fine dining experience is complemented by a large selection of wines and spirits, expertly paired to enhance each meal.

Onboard activities are tailored to offer guests a combination of relaxation and enrichment. You can choose to indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, unwind by the infinity pool, keep fit in the gym, or participate in lectures and workshops offered by the fantastic academics, scientists, and naturalists on board. Entertainment is also never in short supply. If you like sipping a cocktail while listening to some talented musicians, you’ll have no problem finding that experience each night. Seabourn also does an excellent job of creating community amongst guests and workers, offering many fun activities such as trivia and other unique games that I have only ever seen played on board Seabourn cruises. My personal favorite was the bear toss!

Lastly, we have to talk about the crew. They truly elevate the experience to another level. From the moment you step onboard, you’re greeted by an attentive and friendly staff members who seem genuinely dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience for all of the guests. The service is exceptionally personalized; crew remember your preferences, whether it’s your favorite drink or dietary needs, and always create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Having taken three Seabourn cruises now, the staff have been exceptional on each and helped to make my experience on board so much more memorable.

Expeditions on the Seabourn Pursuit, like their sister ship the Seabourn Venture, are a tight operation with safety at the forefront of all decisions. Our 26 person expedition team kept us safe throughout all of our off-ship excursions and ensured we had the best time possible. The expedition team is also full of seasoned naturalists, biologists, geologists, and other scientists. This meant that when we were on our off-ship excursions, we had live commentary to teach us all about what we were seeing and any other interesting facts about the area.

The expedition team also have numerous scheduled talks while onboard. These covered various topics relevant to the current expedition such as the native Australian people of the area, the bird life, saltwater crocodiles, in-depth geology discussions, and more. If you can’t make it to the Discovery Center to watch the talk in person, you can catch in your room from the comfort of your suite. They even record the talks so you can watch them later.

The Seabourn Venture and its sister ship the Seabourn Pursuit have a range of expedition destinations, including the Arctic (we sailed in 2022), Antarctica (we sailed in 2023/24), South America, Europe, Alaska, Africa, and more. Browse all the expedition voyages here.