Discovery One Kimberley Cruises
Discovery One Kimberley Cruises
Discovery One Kimberley Cruises
4.5
Multi-day ToursBoat ToursHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
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About
Explore the untouched wilderness of the Kimberley Coast aboard Discovery One - a friendly, authentic cruise experience with 22 passengers Discovery One Kimberley Cruises delivers a "once in a lifetime" holiday. We offer cruise packages between Darwin and Broome. Our Captain is passionate about the region & loves sharing the hidden gems & secret spots along the way. Our cruise itinerary is flexible to ensure you see waterfalls & reefs at their best given weather and tides. We cruise the gorgeous Kimberley coastline from Broome.
Broome, Western Australia, Australia
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
110 reviews
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janet
Perth, Australia30 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
An experience I will never forget and will be hard to beat! Such an amazing place is the Kimberley… wildlife is abundant with lots of crocodiles, sharks, fish, turtles, whales, sea snakes, birds and the fauna is beautiful…. We were extremely lucky to have really great people on board that helped make our trip, having lots of conversations, and being all involved in card games and meeting a friend for life was special … And then there was the best crew…. All friendly and involved with us every day making sure we were looked after. Captain Simon made sure we also felt safe the entire trip knowing that if he didn’t feel a place or a swim was suitable then we all trusted him knowing he knows the waters and what’s best … this tour with Discovery One I believe (esp seeing the other boats out on the waters) that we had extremely great value for money, plenty of fresh, yummy food, and heaps of opportunities to go out on the tenders, swim, climb rocks, see aboriginal art and so much more …. Each day you didn’t think could get better but it did … and topped off with the scenic helicopter and plane back to Broome where you could view what we did on the water from air was simply magic. Thank you so much 😊
Written 17 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your amazing review! We are so glad you enjoyed the truly remarkable flora and fauna, as well as the spectacular scenery of the Kimberley as much as we do.
We strive to provide the best experience possible in exploring the Kimberley and the crew thanks you for your kind words.
Written 21 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Craig V
1 contribution
June 2024 • Family
Wow! What a great experience. Planned a father/son trip to the Kimberley with limited expectations and unsure what to expect however I was truly blown away by our recent Explore the Kimberley, cruise 8 experience. The crew were amazing and Simon the captain made everyone feel safe and well informed of the next day's activities and excursions. The food during the whole cruise was amazing and a big thank you must go to Tracey who prepared all the meals throughout the day.
The scenery was awe-inspiring along with the wildlife both on land and at sea. The multiple daily excursions in the tenders included scenic outings spotting flora and fauna whilst viewing some impressive rock formations, short walks to visit local rock art sites, swimming in freshwater waterholes and more. All of which was fantastic.
The boat itself was very comfortable and well suited to the small group of people onboard. Our cabin consisted of 2 single beds which suited our father/son trip perfectly, with a nice view through the picture frame like windows, with ever changing scenery. The helicopter and small plane flight back to Broome at the end of the trip was another highlight as it provided a recap of the cruiser from the air, providing a different perspective on the landscape.
If you are looking for a small boat cruise and ready for an adventure through the Kimberley whilst making great friendships along the way I cannot recommend Discovery One enough. A special thanks to the team at Discovery One and to the amazing bunch of people we met on this cruise to create an unforgettable experience. Five stars all the way!
The scenery was awe-inspiring along with the wildlife both on land and at sea. The multiple daily excursions in the tenders included scenic outings spotting flora and fauna whilst viewing some impressive rock formations, short walks to visit local rock art sites, swimming in freshwater waterholes and more. All of which was fantastic.
The boat itself was very comfortable and well suited to the small group of people onboard. Our cabin consisted of 2 single beds which suited our father/son trip perfectly, with a nice view through the picture frame like windows, with ever changing scenery. The helicopter and small plane flight back to Broome at the end of the trip was another highlight as it provided a recap of the cruiser from the air, providing a different perspective on the landscape.
If you are looking for a small boat cruise and ready for an adventure through the Kimberley whilst making great friendships along the way I cannot recommend Discovery One enough. A special thanks to the team at Discovery One and to the amazing bunch of people we met on this cruise to create an unforgettable experience. Five stars all the way!
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled your father/son trip exceeded expectations on our Explore the Kimberley cruise. It's great to hear you enjoyed the crew's hospitality, the scenic excursions, and Tracey's amazing meals. We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure soon! Warmly, Erle
Written 29 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Clive G
1 contribution
July 2024 • Friends
A once in a life time experience with a fantastic crew. Captain Mark was terrific along with Fritz and Tyla crewing the ship and taking us on the tenders to some interesting indigenous sits, canyon walks, falls and some great water holes. Mel was a terrific host along with Jesse who looked after us so well on board. Josie cooking was fabulous. I cannot speak more highly of the attention, respect and thoughtfulness for all the guests. Discovery One was well appointed and comfortable. I would recommend anyone looking to do a Kimberley cruise to consider this cruise which offered very personalised service. Thank you Discovery One and crew for such a fantastic trip. Clive Goldsworthy
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your amazing review Clive, we loved having you on board. The crew thanks you for your kind words. It is great to hear you had a wonderful time exploring the Kimberley with us.
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Compass20343882115
1 contribution
July 2024 • Couples
We had a fantastic cruise through the kimberleys with discovery one
Captain Simon's passion and enthusiasm for the kimberleys and his stories about the people who have been a part of this area was legendary.
We saw whales, crocs, turtles, sharks and sea snakes, not to mention several amazing aboriginal art sites. Swam in fresh water pools and quick beach swims whilst
visited remote islands. Marveled at the the vibrant colours of the shear sandstone cliffs as we sailed around the isolated coastline, the same coast line as early explorers experienced. Josie our chef had a delicious lunch, cheese platters or dinner ready as we returned to the main boat from our expeditions on the tenders. . Mel and Jess looked after our every need whilst onboard with fritz and Tyler taking care of engineering, boat upkeep and tenders. Awaking after our 12th night we were met by helicopters on an isolated beach taking us for a 25 min scenic tour before
changing into a light plane for a 2.5 hour coastal flight back to Broome. Between the 2 flights we flew over the multiple islands,
reefs, horizontal falls, Mitchell falls and Barkley table lands. It was amazing to see our 12 day ocean journey by air , such an incredible finish to an amazing trip. Thank you Discovery one for an unforgettable holiday. Excellent value for money.
J and K
Captain Simon's passion and enthusiasm for the kimberleys and his stories about the people who have been a part of this area was legendary.
We saw whales, crocs, turtles, sharks and sea snakes, not to mention several amazing aboriginal art sites. Swam in fresh water pools and quick beach swims whilst
visited remote islands. Marveled at the the vibrant colours of the shear sandstone cliffs as we sailed around the isolated coastline, the same coast line as early explorers experienced. Josie our chef had a delicious lunch, cheese platters or dinner ready as we returned to the main boat from our expeditions on the tenders. . Mel and Jess looked after our every need whilst onboard with fritz and Tyler taking care of engineering, boat upkeep and tenders. Awaking after our 12th night we were met by helicopters on an isolated beach taking us for a 25 min scenic tour before
changing into a light plane for a 2.5 hour coastal flight back to Broome. Between the 2 flights we flew over the multiple islands,
reefs, horizontal falls, Mitchell falls and Barkley table lands. It was amazing to see our 12 day ocean journey by air , such an incredible finish to an amazing trip. Thank you Discovery one for an unforgettable holiday. Excellent value for money.
J and K
Written 18 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your excellent review. We are excited to hear you had an amazing experience on Discovery One. Sharing this incredible part of Australia with our customers and having adventures while exploring the beaches, rock formations and aboriginal art is what we love to do. The crew thanks you for your kind words.
Written 21 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LikeToTravel
2 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
Wow what a trip. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on Discovery One. After initial apprehensions we got to know all the other passengers and crew very well and enjoyed their company very much. The facilities on the boat are fairly spartan and basic but the crew make you feel special. Clothes are washed daily. All we had to do was pop them in the wash basket and pick them up later when they were washed and dried. The meals are healthy and expertly prepared by the Josie the chef on board. Mel and Jess were the hostesses on board and look after all the passengers and their requirements. From serving meals and drinks to keeping everything clean and ship-shape; To taking extra care of those passengers who are elderly or not very mobile. Our captain Simon was very experienced in the Kimberley area and took us to many special places that were visually spectacular or significant indigenous sites. Simon would inform us about the significance of the indigenous artwork that we would witness and we could tell he had a deep respect for people and community that created it. Each day there would be up to 3 or 4 activities off the boat. Typically, there would be a scenic cruise around on the tenders to take a closer look at the spectacular scenery and wildlife. Then a walk and climb up and over rocks to a freshwater swimming hole. The third type of activity would be to walk to places containing indigenous artwork. Simon and Tylah would normally drive the tenders with Fritz the engineer joining us sometimes. On the final night of the cruise, we had a bonfire on a beach while we were served our selection of drinks and a charcuterie platter. On the final day we had 2 helicopter land on a beach and collect us to take us to Mitchell Plateau which provided some spectacular sightseeing. From Mitchell Plateau a Cessna aircraft transferred us back to Broome and flew low over the Horizontal falls (which we had experienced by boat during our cruise a few days earlier).
Written 17 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your amazing review. The Discovery One crew is thrilled to hear you had a great time!
Sharing the Kimberley with it's awe inspiring scenery and indigenous culture is what we love to do. Being able to visit sites the larger boats can't reach and offering many activities off the boat is the best way to explore this incredible part of Australia.
Written 21 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharon A
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
I have experienced the Kimberley cruise back in 2021 and it was one of the best experiences I have had (I went with Kimberley Pearl and it was amazing) We loved it so much we wanted to do it again, however this trip on the Discovery One was the worst expensive holiday we have had, such a disappointment from start to finish with conflicting crew or even rude and was obvious they did not get along. It was boring and all 17 of us couldnt wait to get off. We did not get what we were promised and missed so many places on the itinary as we were doing catch up after leaving 3 days late. Those 3 days we were left in a Derby hotel with paperbag lunches of stale food with very little communication from the company . We were all excited to get underway eventually, however the crew had never worked togehter and were not united. We were told that everything was dangerous and that the captian did not want us to get hurt so we were not allowed to do much. Lucky the group of bored travellers were nice people but we all wasted good money for a very disappointing holiday. The Kimberleys are amazing so I strongly recommend it, just choose carefully and I would suggest to use another company. Management had a no care attitude to our feedback and experience, and I feel staff are not easy to get on this boat and after living with our lot for 10 nights of a 14 day trip, I understand why they wouldnt or shouldnt be there. I can strongly recommend the Kimberley Pearl if you are considering a trip of a lifetime it was absolutely amazing with an active, young, adventrous and fun crew - makes the world of difference.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unfortunately weather events do happen and this cruise was impacted by Cyclone Ilsa. The cruise was delayed by 3 days. The weather was wet, raining and the area was still impacted by the record 2023 Kimberley flooding - closed roads, fully booked accommodation, very limited eating options, limited food supplies and trucking access etc. The Company booked passengers into a Motel in Derby and provided accommodation, meals and tours. Local operators were already stretched and were preparing for a cyclone...
Apart from a daily communication with passengers via SMS - it was difficult to provide ongoing updates to passengers as no one knew exactly where the cyclone was headed and how long before we could safely load our supplies. The winds were strong and gusting - dangerous conditions for docking and loading.
Once underway the Captain had to make up 3 days of lost time which impacted on the itinerary.
The Company strongly recommends that you take out Travel Insurance for cover of such events.
We have since recruited some wonderful new crew who are committed and passionate about sharing the Kimberley and delivering an amazing experience to all passengers.
Written 14 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lankylee
Lake Macquarie, Australia13 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
The Broome to Broome June trip was simply everything I could have expected and more. The wilderness was stunning, as were the various crocodiles, sharks, unbelievable rock formation. The aboriginal rock art and petroglyphs were humbling. The food was a major positive. The bar wines could possibly do a slight move upmarket. The boat (apparently a repurposed Sydney ferry) was small enough to explore and sometimes change schedules to accommodate tides. The staff were friendly, helpful, competent, and helpful. The flights back to Broome were a perfect conclusion.
Written 28 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your glowing review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the trip, from the stunning wilderness to the friendly staff. We appreciate your feedback on the bar wines and will take that into consideration for the future. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Warmly, Erle - Operational Manager
Written 29 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aussie36081
Brisbane, Australia134 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
Fabulous!!!!
With a maximum of 22 passengers, a wonderful crew of 6, a ‘family atmosphere’ soon developed and added to the pleasure of the itinerary.
We visited rock art sites, historical sights and beautiful locations as well as enjoying the amazing Kimberley coast vistas as we cruised along.
A helicopter ride over the Mitchell Falls and then a light plane ride back to Broome were the icing on the cake.
And oh, if only we could have taken the chef, Tracey, home with us!!!
With a maximum of 22 passengers, a wonderful crew of 6, a ‘family atmosphere’ soon developed and added to the pleasure of the itinerary.
We visited rock art sites, historical sights and beautiful locations as well as enjoying the amazing Kimberley coast vistas as we cruised along.
A helicopter ride over the Mitchell Falls and then a light plane ride back to Broome were the icing on the cake.
And oh, if only we could have taken the chef, Tracey, home with us!!!
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We agree - the Explore the Kimberley package is fabulous. You have the time for slow travel - to really take in the location and scenery. The sites visited are many and varied - 2 to 3 per day in the adventure boats, the food delicious and fellow companions like minded, good fun and easy going. Exiting the Kimberley via a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is also pretty exciting! Thank you for your review and recommendation.
May your adventures to remote and wild places continue to be fabulous!
Written 26 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lee R
18 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
A fellow traveller recommended this company to us and we're so grateful because the whole adventure was fantastic! Booking was smooth and accommodating for our needs. Thanks Paige.
After reaching Broome, we flew in a small plane to Mitchell plateau, circling over the Horizontal Falls en route. From there we were transported by helicopter over Mitchell Falls and incredible scenery, to land on a beach and join the Discovery One for 12 nights. How could it get better?
It did! Every single day brought us new 'wow' moments and the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature in all its beauty!!
The crew of only six were so organised, efficient and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. Captain, Simon ensured we had the maximum number of excursions and adventures, including more than were listed in our information. Gluten Free food for me was some of the best I've ever had .....delicious GF desserts too! I didn’t ever miss out!! Chef, Josie, Thankyou! Melissa, Mia, Tyler and Adjat worked tirelessly to keep us fed, watered, boat clean(even the windows every day!) Even our washing was done. They were an amazing team!!!!
We saw Indigenous rock art, caves, stunning rock formations, wildlife, reefs, swam in beautiful places - every day was different and exciting.
This is not a luxury cruise so if you like to dress up for dinner every night, this won't be for you. It was casual, friendly and our whole cruise group seemed to be adventure minded. Cabins are comfortable, shared bathrooms were never an issue.
I can highly recommended this cruise.
Thankyou Discovery One and especially our amazing crew. You are ALL legends!!
After reaching Broome, we flew in a small plane to Mitchell plateau, circling over the Horizontal Falls en route. From there we were transported by helicopter over Mitchell Falls and incredible scenery, to land on a beach and join the Discovery One for 12 nights. How could it get better?
It did! Every single day brought us new 'wow' moments and the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature in all its beauty!!
The crew of only six were so organised, efficient and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. Captain, Simon ensured we had the maximum number of excursions and adventures, including more than were listed in our information. Gluten Free food for me was some of the best I've ever had .....delicious GF desserts too! I didn’t ever miss out!! Chef, Josie, Thankyou! Melissa, Mia, Tyler and Adjat worked tirelessly to keep us fed, watered, boat clean(even the windows every day!) Even our washing was done. They were an amazing team!!!!
We saw Indigenous rock art, caves, stunning rock formations, wildlife, reefs, swam in beautiful places - every day was different and exciting.
This is not a luxury cruise so if you like to dress up for dinner every night, this won't be for you. It was casual, friendly and our whole cruise group seemed to be adventure minded. Cabins are comfortable, shared bathrooms were never an issue.
I can highly recommended this cruise.
Thankyou Discovery One and especially our amazing crew. You are ALL legends!!
Written 19 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We loved having you onboard Discovery One and we're thrilled to hear that your adventure exceeded expectations. It sounds like you had an incredible journey from start to finish, with unforgettable moments like the small plane and helicopter rides and discovering new 'wow' moments every day. We hope to welcome you again sometime soon, warmly, Erle
Written 29 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RobynCh
Greater Melbourne, Australia37 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
From sunrise to sunsets what an amazing time we had on our DiscoveryOne trip. The staff were fantastic and made our bucket list trip everything we could have asked for. Our daily tender trips (27 in all) were varied and we saw so much wildlife: crocodiles, whales, ospreys, sea eagles, dolphins and sharks not to mention the iconic natural wonders: Montgomery reef and the horizontal falls. We swam in pristine locations, hiked to swimming holes and saw some amazing rock art. Back from our tender excursions amazing meals were prepared for us. Very casual clothes on the list sounded our type of trip and so it was.
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a wonderful review and thank you for exploring with us! The Kimberley is truly amazing and to experience the natural wonders with Discovery One is the best way to do it.
We are so pleased your bucket list trip was what you expected and the excursions showed off the beauty of this remote part of Australia in all it's glory.
Written 1 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello,
we are not strangers to small vessel adventure cruises. We have been on boats with from 6- 151 passengers and from 1 to 5 star . We really enjoy them. This company was recommended to me by a past guest...she raved actually. I note from a review that the cabins are not en-suite. How many bathrooms are onboard please? Are they close to the cabins? The reason I don't like camping is the long walk at 3 am to the bathroom. Are they unisex? Any comments would be much appreciated. Thank you
Written 9 September 2020
Hello - thank you for your interest in exploring the Kimberley with Discovery One. Our cabins are modest but comfortable with pillow-top beds and air conditioning. The bathrooms are on the deck below the cabin deck, accessed via the back of the boat down 10 carpeted stairs. There are night lights to assist with the midnight dash. There is one shared female and one shared male bathroom. Let me know if any further queries. Discovery One - Paige
Written 10 September 2020
Just curious that all the reviews on TripAdvisor were submitted in the last 4 weeks, mostly for cruises several months ago. Were you prompted to submit your review. I notice that there are no older reviews. Comments appreciated.
Written 7 December 2019
There is a competition at the moment with a free cruise for the lucky winner.
I am sure that many people, like me, were not on Trip Advisor and do not normally tell the world when they enjoy something.
What people are saying is absolutely true !
The top deck does not have a helicopter sitting there as some of the cruises do and has a free upper deck instead for 360 degrees off the incredible scenery!
It does have one obstruction - a spa to relax in and also enjoy the views.!
I am really looking forward to my 3rd trip in April !!
Written 8 December 2019
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