15 July 2028 – 12 days from £14,499 per person
Set sail on the ultimate astronomy cruise aboard the Coral Discoverer for an unforgettable expedition along Australia's Kimberley coast to witness the total solar eclipse on 22 July 2028. Lasting more than five minutes, this rare celestial event will be experienced from a remote island within the path of totality, accompanied by renowned astronomer Martin Griffiths, whose expert talks and eclipse briefings will bring the science of the event to life.
Sailing from Darwin to Broome, explore dramatic landscapes shaped by ancient geological forces, from the towering King George Falls and the rainforest-fringed Prince Regent River to ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, remote islands and the remarkable tidal phenomena of Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls. Along the way, discover rich Indigenous heritage, diverse wildlife and some of Australia's most remote and breathtaking wilderness before witnessing a total solar eclipse from Bigge Island, perfectly positioned within the path of totality.
Your home for this amazing adventure is the Coral Discoverer, an intimate expedition vessel carrying just 68 guests. Purpose-built to access the Kimberley's remote bays, river systems and coastal wilderness, the ship offers a unique combination of comfort and exploration, with spacious observation decks, open-bridge access and specialist excursion tenders that allow you to get closer to the region's spectacular landscapes, wildlife and cultural sites than larger ships can reach.
Throughout the cruise, renowned astronomer Martin Griffiths will bring the night sky to life with engaging talks, eclipse briefings and guided observations of the moon, planets and stars. His expert commentary and accessible style will help guests of all experience levels gain a deeper understanding of the science behind this remarkable eclipse. Alongside Martin, the Coral Expeditions team will share their extensive knowledge of the Kimberley’s geology, wildlife, ecology and cultural heritage, revealing the scientific stories behind both the landscape and the sky.
This cruise is designed for those who want more than simply to see an eclipse. It is for travellers who wish to experience one of the world's great natural events within the context of discovery, exploration and science. Combining exceptional eclipse viewing, expert insight, remote wilderness and a small-ship expedition atmosphere, this promises to be a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
Day 1: Arrive in Darwin
You will be met on arrival in Darwin and transferred to the centrally located hotel where you will check in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
In the evening, meet the Â鶹´«Ã½ team for a welcome briefing. The evening is yours to relax before the adventure begins.
Day 2: Depart Darwin. Embark on the Coral Discoverer
After breakfast, your adventure begins with a transfer to Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf, where the Coral Discoverer awaits. Step aboard and settle into your state room. Enjoy a light breakfast as you set sail across Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, entering the remote waters of Western Australia. Take time to explore the ship’s facilities and meet your fellow travellers.
In the evening, gather in the bridge deck lounge and meet with the Â鶹´«Ã½ team and on-board expedition crew for an introduction talk, which will cover the Kimberley and its geology, ecology and cultural heritage. As the sun dips below the horizon, toast the journey ahead at the captain’s welcome drinks.
Day 3: Koolama Bay and King George River
Cruise through steep-sided gorges carved by a river system that flooded this landscape 400 million years ago. These geological corridors lead to the awe-inspiring King George Falls, the tallest twin waterfalls in Western Australia, plunging 80 metres from the Gardner Plateau.
Midway through the waterfall season, you’ll witness the intricate honeycomb erosion patterns of the sandstone cliffs up close.
In the evening, enjoy the first of many expert talks from accompanying astronomer Martin Griffiths.
Day 4: Vansittart Bay and Jar Island
This morning, early risers can join Martin on deck for a pre-dawn peek at a rare pairing of a slender crescent moon and the Pleiades star cluster, the latter of which plays an important role in Aboriginal Australian sky lore. Venus and Mars will also be visible close by.
Step into deep time at Vansittart Bay, home to the Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art galleries, estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. These ancient artworks offer a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural life of Australia’s Indigenous peoples.
On Jar Island, discover pottery shards left by Makassan fishers, early visitors from Indonesia who came in search of sea cucumbers. Nearby, explore the wreckage of a world-war-two-era US Airforce C-53 Skytrooper, a haunting reminder of wartime history.
Day 5: Prince Frederick Harbour and Porosus Creek
At the southern end of York Sound lies Prince Frederick Harbour, a stunning mosaic of islands, mangroves and monsoon rainforests framed by ochre escarpments. Cruise up Porosus Creek aboard the Xplorer tender to view striking rock formations and observe mudskippers, mangrove crabs and white-bellied sea eagles in their natural habitat.
Day 6: Prince Regent River and King Cascade Falls
Martin will be on deck before breakfast to view Mars very close to a 6%-lit waning crescent moon — the final view of our natural satellite before it eclipses the sun in a few days.
Navigate the dead-straight Prince Regent River, a geological anomaly that follows a fault line through the Kimberley. At its end lies King Cascade Falls, a terraced waterfall tumbling over layers of sandstone, sprouting grasses, mosses and ferns in a lush hanging garden.
This is one of the most photographed sites in the region. The interplay of geology and botany here is simply breathtaking.
Day 7: Winyalkan Island including viewing the rock art
Cross the Scott Strait to Winyalkan Island, home to the Wunambal people and rich in Indigenous history. Walk among Wandjina ancient rock art, depicting ancestral spirits and stories of first contact.
In the evening, attend a pre-eclipse briefing with expert Martin Grifiths to prepare for tomorrow’s celestial event.
Day 8: Eclipse viewing day on Bigge Island
Today is the highlight of your journey: a total solar eclipse lasting over 5 minutes. After an early breakfast, you will travel to Bigge Island, a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered species, entirely free from wild predators. This unique environment provides a safe haven for wildlife, including the elusive northern quoll, the nocturnal scaly-tailed possum and the monjon, the tiniest member of the rock-wallaby family. Its rugged cliffs, rocky outcrops and pristine habitats make Bigge Island a remarkable place to observe these rare creatures in their natural environment, offering a rare glimpse into the Kimberley’s rich and fragile biodiversity.
First contact occurs just after 9:17 am with totality starting at 10:47 am at an altitude of 53 degrees looking north. The final contact ends just after at 12:23 pm, after which you will return to the ship for lunch, then a full debrief on this amazing experience with Â鶹´«Ã½’s experts. They will reflect on our experience and show you how it manifested elsewhere along the path of totality.
In the afternoon, there will be a post-eclipse debrief where we will try to connect with our other eclipse groups in the Northern Territory and Kununurra, whose eclipse experience will be 2 hours behind yours.
Day 9: Montgomery Reef
Twice daily, the dramatic 11-metre tides of the Kimberley unveil the hidden marvel of Montgomery Reef, one of the world’s most extraordinary tidal phenomena. This vast 300-square-kilometre marine ecosystem emerges from the sea, creating temporary waterfalls and exposing vibrant coral platforms teeming with marine life. As the reef slowly rises and falls with the tide, you can witness an ever-changing spectacle of wading birds, turtles and tropical fish, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the dynamic rhythms of this pristine and powerful environment.
Explore the reef by Zodiac and Xplorer as birds swoop in to feed and turtles, dugongs, dolphins and sawfish follow the retreating tide. The ocean swirls with eddies and whirlpools –then, hours later, the reef vanishes beneath the waves once more.
Just after sunset tonight, there will be a chance to spot a 2%-lit waxing crescent moon, fresh from eclipsing the sun a couple of days ago.
Day 10: Talbot Bay and Horizontal Falls
At Talbot Bay, experience the awe-inspiring Horizontal Falls, a natural phenomenon where tidal currents rush through twin narrow gorges in the McLarty range, creating a dramatic horizontal waterfall effect. As millions of litres of water surge back and forth with the tide, the gorges come alive with powerful, foaming rapids, making it one of the most unique tidal spectacles on Earth.
A 7%-lit waxing crescent moon will be visible just after sunset, close to bright star Regulus and the planet Jupiter.
Day 11: Explore the Lacepede Islands
The Lacepede Islands are a protected class-A nature reserve and a vital nesting ground for green turtles and seabirds, including brown boobies, roseate terns and frigate birds.
If conditions allow, explore the lagoons by Zodiac and soak in the serenity of this untouched ecosystem.
In the evening, gather for the captain’s farewell drinks, where you will look back at the incredible trip. Your final sundowner onboard comes with a post-sunset view of a 14%-lit waxing crescent moon close to Jupiter as you bid farewell to the Kimberley’s spectacular night sky.
Day 12: Disembark in Broome
After breakfast, disembark in Broome, with transfers to the town centre or airport.
The journey doesn’t have to end here. Â鶹´«Ã½ is arranging optional post-cruise extensions, including:
- A curated tour of Australia’s natural and cultural highlights
- An astronomy-focused journey through New South Wales, similar to: Astronomy and radio telescopes in New South Wales: Australia
Life on board
Each day brings new discoveries. You’ll journey to remote bays and rivers aboard the ship’s Xplorer tender or Zodiacs, with short hikes and guided excursions ashore. On board, enjoy engaging presentations designed to deepen your understanding of the Kimberley’s natural and cultural heritage.
Relaxed and informal, life on board is designed for comfort and curiosity. Meals are casual and you’re free to join activities as you wish. A daily newsletter will be delivered to your cabin each evening, outlining the next day’s adventures, and the Expedition Leader will preview the highlights during pre-dinner drinks.
You will be able to visit the ship's bridge to observe the operations and our experts will be mingling throughout the journey ready to chat, share insights and enjoy the experience alongside you.
Mark Daffey
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and water on which we visit during this tour, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
