Blog / Cruise News, published , Tim Cruise Travel Agency Team
Seabourn Pursuit Kimberley Expedition: What to Know Before You Book
Seabourn sails the Kimberley in northwestern Australia on Seabourn Pursuit, a 264-guest expedition ship. The core of each voyage is included Zodiac exploration with the expedition team, nature walks and cultural experiences, including visits connected with the Wunambal Gaambera people, traditional owners of part of the region and godparents of Seabourn Pursuit. Extras such as the Mitchell Falls helicopter flight are optional and usually carry a separate charge. Choose this trip if you want remote coastline, waterfalls, reefs and rock art more than ports and towns, and plan for heat, tides and long travel days to reach Darwin or Broome.
What a Kimberley expedition actually looks like
There are few towns along the Kimberley coast. Days are built around Zodiac cruises into gorges, tidal waterfalls and reefs, guided walks where landings are possible, and talks from the expedition team. Seabourn names places such as King George Falls, Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls among its Kimberley highlights, and Ashmore Reef, a protected Australian sanctuary zone, for swimming and snorkeling when conditions permit.
Not every voyage visits every highlight, and the tides here are among the largest in the world. The expedition team schedules each day around tide times, weather and access permissions. A waterfall that is spectacular at one point in the season can be a trickle later, so ask what the plan is for your specific dates rather than relying on a general highlight list.
Included versus optional
| Item | How it works |
|---|---|
| Zodiac cruises, nature walks, cultural visits | Included, guided by the expedition team, when conditions and permissions allow. |
| Snorkeling at Ashmore Reef | Offered on itineraries that call there, conditions permitting. |
| Helicopter or scenic flights | Optional; confirm cost, weight limits and availability. |
| Image Masters photography | Optional, for a charge, with limited capacity; not offered on every voyage. |
| Flights to and from Darwin or Broome | Not included; often the biggest planning task. |
Pick the voyage, then plan the gateways
Seabourn's Kimberley itineraries include the 10-day "Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls & Wanjinas." Voyages run between Darwin and Broome, and the direction matters for flights. Confirm which city your departure starts and ends in before booking air, because you may fly into one city and home from the other. From the United States this usually means a long-haul flight to an Australian hub, then a domestic connection, so many travelers add at least one hotel night before the voyage and consider time in another part of Australia on the same trip.
Visiting respectfully
Cultural visits happen on the traditional owners' terms. Some places are closed, and photography or access rules can apply at specific sites. Follow the guidance of the expedition team and your hosts; it is part of what makes these visits possible.
Physical readiness
Expect heat and humidity, wet Zodiac transfers and walks over uneven, rocky ground. Swimming is limited in many places for safety reasons, so do not assume you can swim at waterfalls; follow the expedition team's guidance. Seabourn has requirements for boarding Zodiacs, and mobility needs vary by activity. Ask for the current requirements and discuss anything specific with your own doctor.
How to compare Kimberley quotes
Compare the same departure and suite, then add the flights in both directions, any pre- or post-voyage hotel nights, the optional flights or activities you want and insurance. That total is the real cost of the trip, not the cruise fare alone.
Questions travelers ask
Which Seabourn ship sails the Kimberley?
Seabourn Pursuit, one of Seabourn's two purpose-built expedition ships, with Zodiacs and an expedition team aboard.
Is the Mitchell Falls helicopter flight included?
No. Seabourn describes helicopter and scenic flights as optional experiences. Confirm the cost, weight limits and availability for your voyage.
Will I see every Kimberley waterfall?
Not necessarily. The itinerary depends on the voyage, and the expedition team schedules each day around tides, weather and access permissions.
Does the voyage start in Darwin or Broome?
It depends on the departure. Kimberley voyages run between the two cities, so confirm the direction before booking flights.
Ask about one specific voyage
See our Seabourn guide and live Seabourn rates, then send us one departure date with the number of travelers, suites and suite type you want, and your total budget including flights. We will confirm the direction, inclusions and optional costs for that voyage.
Sources reviewed October 8, 2026: Seabourn Kimberley destination page; Seabourn 10-Day Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls & Wanjinas itinerary; Seabourn expedition shore excursions FAQ; Australia's North West regional tourism pages on Kimberley tides and Kimberley waterfalls (background only, not a forecast). Flights and extras are not included unless your quote or package says so. Itineraries and optional experiences can change; confirm current details for your voyage.