12-NIGHT ABROLHOS ISLANDS & CORAL COAST CRUISE

Explore the Abrolhos Islands, Ningaloo Reef and Western Australia’s Coral Coast on a 12-night Coral Expeditions small ship voyage. Remote islands, marine wildlife and expedition cruising at its best.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S MOST UNDERRATED EXPEDITION CRUISE

12-Night Cruise

Whilst everyone talks about the Kimberley, this 12-Night Abrolhos Islands & Coral Coast Cruise on the West Coast is stunning. Almost nobody notices the extraordinary stretch of coastline quietly unfolding further south:

coral reefs
remote islands
sea lion colonies
whale migration routes
shipwreck history
absurdly clear water

And honestly? That’s part of the appeal.

The 12-night Abrolhos Islands & Coral Coast Expedition explores one of the least understood sections of the Australian coastline — where Indian Ocean reefs meet isolated maritime wilderness and expedition cruising still feels genuinely exploratory.

No crowds.
No overdevelopment.
No cruise ship circus.

Just Western Australia at its most quietly spectacular.

This Is A Very Different Side of Western Australia

Forget the classic outback imagery for a moment.

This voyage is about the ocean.

More specifically, the immense marine ecosystem stretching along Western Australia’s Coral Coast:

Ningaloo Reef
Shark Bay
the Houtman Abrolhos Islands
isolated offshore reefs and islands
remote beaches accessible only by sea

And because relatively few expedition ships operate here, the experience still carries that increasingly rare feeling that you’ve found something most travellers overlooked.

Which, in many ways, you have.

The Abrolhos Islands - Australia's Forgotten Island Chain

Let’s start with the obvious question:

Most Australians barely know the Houtman Abrolhos Islands exist.

And yet they’re one of the strangest and most fascinating marine environments in the country.

Located roughly 60 kilometres off the WA coast, the islands combine:

coral reef systems
fishing settlements
sea lion colonies
seabird rookeries
turquoise lagoons
and one of Australia’s most infamous maritime disasters — the Batavia shipwreck

It feels simultaneously tropical, isolated and historically haunted.

Exactly the kind of place expedition cruising was built for.

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Ningaloo Reef Without The Crowds - And All Yours!

Then comes Ningaloo Reef.

And unlike many reef destinations globally, Ningaloo still feels relatively untouched.

No towering hotel strips.
No endless tourism infrastructure.
No sense the destination has been overwhelmed by its own popularity.

Which makes exploring it by small expedition ship feel remarkably natural.

Depending on conditions and seasonality, experiences may include:

snorkelling opportunities
marine wildlife encounters
reef exploration
beach landings
guided expedition activities

And because guest numbers onboard remain small, the entire experience feels vastly calmer and more personal than mainstream reef tourism.

Shark Bay & Coral Coast

Further south, the Coral Coast unfolds in layers:

dramatic coastal cliffs
turquoise bays
marine parks
empty beaches stretching for kilometres without another person in sight

This region works beautifully by expedition ship because the coastline itself becomes part of the experience.

You’re not simply visiting destinations.

You’re travelling through the environment: watching the colours shift, wildlife appear unexpectedly and isolated anchorages emerge from the horizon as the ship moves quietly along the coast.

It slows Western Australia down properly.

2026 - ABROLHOS ISLANDS & CORAL COAST CRUISE (12 NIGHTS)

FREMANTLE to BROOME (or reverse) on the CORAL ADVENTURER or CORAL GEOGRAPHER

Please see the dates and prices below for the Coral Geographer, which are always subject to change without notice. For live availability, call us on 1300 799 758,

VIEW MAP

VIEW ALL KIMBERLEY CRUISES

2027 - ABROLHOS ISLANDS & CORAL COAST CRUISE (12 NIGHTS)

FREMANTLE to BROOME (or reverse) on the CORAL ADVENTURER or CORAL GEOGRAPHER

Please see the dates and prices below for the Coral Geographer, which are always subject to change without notice. For live availability, call us on 1300 799 758,

VIEW MAP

VIEW ALL KIMBERLEY CRUISES

Why This Itineary Works So Well

The genius of this voyage is the balance.

Unlike some expeditions that focus exclusively on one ecosystem or destination type, this itinerary constantly shifts between:

reef systems
islands
wildlife encounters
maritime history
coastal exploration

Every few days the landscape changes completely.

One morning you’re watching sea lions sprawled across isolated beaches.
The next you’re hearing stories about Dutch shipwrecks while anchored beside coral reefs so clear they barely look real.

It keeps the expedition feeling dynamic from beginning to end.

The Ship Experience - Life Onboard

Life onboard mirrors the destination itself: relaxed, outdoors-focused and quietly adventurous.

Days tend to revolve around:

Zodiac excursions
snorkelling opportunities
wildlife spotting from the deck
expedition briefings
long lunches as the coastline drifts past

The atmosphere onboard feels refreshingly unpretentious.

No cruise ship theatrics.
No forced entertainment.
No crowds competing for deck chairs.

Instead:

open bridge access
expert guides
small-group exploration
and guests who are generally far more interested in the landscape than onboard distractions

Which, frankly, makes for much better company.

Who This Expedtion Cruise Is Really For

This voyage is ideal for travellers who:

enjoy marine environments and wildlife
prefer smaller ships
value access over luxury branding
appreciate quieter, more immersive travel
have likely outgrown mainstream cruising already

You do not need to be an experienced expedition traveller.

But you probably should enjoy:

nature
flexibility
being outdoors
and destinations that still feel slightly undiscovered

Itinerary - 12 Night Abrolhos Islands & Coral Coast

Day 1: Depart Bluff | Motupōhue

Charter flight information here.

Board Coral Geographer in Darwin or join via charter flight to Sorong. Settle in, meet your Expedition Team and enjoy the captain’s welcome as the ship departs to retrace ancient maritime routes through Indonesia’s remote and culturally rich Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands.

Stewart Island | Rakiura

Over three days, explore predator-free Ulva Island with expert guides, hike sections of the Rakiura Track, and visit the old Norwegian whaling station. Enjoy a local tour of Oban, and opt for a scenic flight over Mason’s Bay and the Ruggedy Ranges.

Dusky Sound | Tamatea

Cruise the remote reaches of Dusky Sound, a haven of waterfalls, cliffs and rainforest. Join guided Xplorer excursions, kayak secluded inlets, and visit Astronomer’s Point where Cook once observed the stars. Brave a swim in the icy waters.

Doubtful Sound | Patea

Sail into Doubtful Sound’s deep glacial inlet. Look for fur seals, dolphins and crested penguins. Join a guided hike from Deas Cove to Neck Cove or swim in shallow, crystal-clear waters.

Milford Sound | Piopiotahi

Cruise beneath Mitre Peak and feel the spray from Stirling Falls. Explore the dramatic fiord aboard Xplorer and capture postcard views of cliffs, ridges and turquoise waters tumbling into the sea.

Solander Islands | Hautere

Sail near the uninhabited Solander Islands, volcanic islets discovered by Cook and home to rare seabirds. Spot Buller’s albatross and diving petrels and learn about the island’s scientific and navigational history.

Day 9: Arrive Bluff | Motupōhue

Arrive back into Bluff Port by 8:00am. Disembark and join the complimentary coach transfer to Queenstown CBD hotels or airport. Farewell your crew and fellow adventurers after a remarkable voyage.

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While The Kimberley Gets All The Headlines

The Coral Coast Steals The Show

This expedition reveals a side of Western Australia most travellers never properly discover:

remote reefs
isolated islands
marine wildlife
and coastlines that still feel genuinely wild

Small ship expedition cruising simply fits this region perfectly.

Request live availability and best cabin options for upcoming departures.

Call us now for live availability for upcoming 8-night departures: 1300 799 758

Top Coral Expeditions Cruises

As a quick guide, here is a list of the top Coral Expeditions cruises:

KIMBERLEY	View here: Kimberley cruise departure dates
RAJA AMPAT & SPICE ISLANDS	View here: Raja Ampat & the Spice Islands
PAPUA NEW GUINEA	View here: PNG Cruises
	* 12-night Frontier Lands cruise
	* 12-night Beyond Frontiers of Papua New Guinea
	* 14-night Passage Through the Melanesian Arc
GREAT BARRIER REEF	View here: Great Barrier Reef
THE GREAT BIGHT	View here: Australia's South cruises
NEW ZEALAND	View here: New Zealand cruises
	* 8-night New Zealand Sounds & Stewart Island cruise
	* 10-night South Islands & Fiordland Cruise
AUSTRALIA'S WEST COAST	View here: Australia's West Coast Cruises
	* 12-night Abrolhos Islands Coral Coast Cruise
	* 10-night Whales & Tails of Western Australia
	* 6-night Short Coastal Adventures of Western Australia
TASMANIA EXPEDITIONS	View here: Tasmania Cruises
CAPE YORK & ARNHEIM LAND	View here: Cape York & Arnheim Land cruises

For more information on our 12-Night Abrolhos Islands & Coral Coast Cruise or get the latest prices and availability

Call 1300 799 758 now.

Available to chat - 7 days a week!