6 Night Rowley Shoals Expedition, Broome to Broome
Day 1: Depart Broome
You are “welcomed aboard” the comfortable MV Reef Prince in the frontier pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 1600 – time to stow your gear and meet fellow adventurers before departing at 1800. A light dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then it’s an overnight steam to the Rowley Shoals.
Day 2 to 4: Clerke Reef
We arrive at Clerke Reef – the Rowleys’ middle atoll and enjoy a hearty breakfast before your first dive at “The Aquarium”. There’s plenty of time to explore diving country along the outer reef including “Parrot’s Edge” and “Coral Gardens”, with the possibility of seeing a sailfish or humpback whale display acrobatics in all their glory.
The top deck is the place to be for your first spectacular sunset enjoying a nice coldie before munching on a delicious meal. Brace yourself as each day depending on weather and tides we do our best to offer you at least 4 dives or snorkels. These include the outer reef at “Jimmy Goes to China” followed by “Blue Lagoon”, which are both frequented by large pelagics and curious reef sharks – be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the many species of shells on display.
Each night as the sun starts to lower on the horizon we anchor up in the lagoon where you can enjoy a beach-comb along the deserted sand cay. A night dive is on the cards before dinner on one of the evenings, if you have the energy. Each perfect night at Clerke Lagoon, where the stars reflect in the glassy ocean, is followed by scrumptious breakfasts to your liking. At different times you may be offered a quick troll along the outer reef.
Clerke Reef
As we gently cruise through the reef you will be offered “The Superman” dive. This is an exhilarating drift dive/ snorkel through Clerke Reef channel. Here you are suspended in turquoise shallows surrounded by delicate lace coral fronds of vivid pink, orange and yellow. The final couple of dives on this day will be spent exploring many of the caves, crevices and alleyways that the outer reef has to offer. Anyone who feels like a bit of a troll is welcome to have a go.
Our final morning at Clarke Reef starts with an exhilarating channel drift, then perhaps revisit the amazing “Clerke Wall” or “Cupcakes”. That afternoon we visit the labyrinth; a maze of caves with teams of tropical fish. Then it will be a short steam north east to Mermaid Reef. Enjoy the sea air and maybe a quick sun bake before your next dive. Enjoy your first taste of Mermaid Atoll with a dive on around the stunning “Vee in the Wall” and “The Wet Spot”.
Dinner will be served and if you can keep your eyes open long enough enjoy a DVD movie from the large selection or put on a slide show from your digital camera for your new friends.
Day 5 & 6:
Today we explore Mermaid Reef. You will be impressed by a stop at the world famous “Northern Wall”, reputedly one of the world’s top three dives. The sheer gradient to a depth of 80 metres, gigantic gorgonians, mesmerising colour, huge dog tooth tuna, green turtles and every imaginable tropical reef species is here!!! Then we are off to the unforgettable “Cod Hole” where you will come face to face with giant potato cod that are extremely friendly (so don’t forget the camera).
After a hearty lunch there’s time for another couple of dives before we moor up for sunset in the lagoon and enjoy our final night out at the Shoals before departing tomorrow afternoon.
Let’s start the morning with an exhilarating channel drift, then perhaps revisit the amazing Mermaid Wall and or Cod Hole. As the diving expedition is drawing to an end we bid farewell to the breathtaking Rowley Shoals at about 3pm and settle in for the overnight steam back to Broome.
Day 7: Disembark Broome
Arrive back at Broome around 8.30am and unload all the gear. It is time to say goodbye until we catch up with you again at the Rowleys, Abrolhos, Montebellos or in the Kimberley.
This itinerary is an indication of what destinations are usually visited and activities are usually on offer. Throughout the expedition changes may be made to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel.