Coral Geographer
Ship Facts
Year Built: 2021
Passenger Capacity: 120
Crew: 48
Length: 93.4 m
Beam: 17.2 m
Draft: 4.5 m
Cruising Speed: 13.8 knots
Flag: Australia
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Australia's Kimberley Coast
All-Lesbian Adventure Cruise 2026
August 04 – 14, 2026
Coral Expeditions Coral Geographer
Calling all bird, nature, and whale lovers! We’re thrilled to be heading to the Kimberley Islands off the west coast of Australia for the first time in Olivia history! Join us aboard the Coral Geographer for an adventure cruise of a lifetime. We will board in Broome and spend 11 days/10 nights sailing through the Kimberley Islands during the height of the majestic humpback whale season on their migration north to breeding grounds. Witness the power of nature, explore ancient aboriginal rock art, experience diverse marine life, scenic cascades, and spot native wildlife and birdlife in their natural habitat as we make our way to Darwin.
Throughout our adventure, we will be guided and educated by a team of onboard naturalists and experts with decades of pioneering experience in this region. Educational topics will include mangrove habitats, geology, flora, fauna, whale migrations and behaviors, unique local weather patterns and tidal conditions, early European navigators, and indigenous history, culture, art and more!
Discover the Kimberley Coast
The Kimberley Coast of Western Australia is a treasure trove of natural wonders, ancient history, and incredible wildlife.
Here are some fascinating insights into this extraordinary region:
• Ancient Geological History:
The Kimberley’s rugged terrain holds nearly 1.9 billion years of Earth's story, showcasing breathtaking geological formations and tectonic events.
• Horizontal Falls Phenomenon:
Found in Talbot Bay, the Horizontal Falls are a natural marvel created by massive tides rushing through narrow gorges, producing a unique waterfall effect.
• Montgomery Reef's Tidal Spectacle:
Spanning over 300 square kilometers, Montgomery Reef reveals dramatic cascading waters and vibrant marine life as the tides recede.
• Rich Aboriginal Heritage:
The Kimberley has been a home to Aboriginal communities for over 40,000 years, preserving deep cultural traditions and practices.
• Diverse Marine Life:
These coastal waters are a nursery for the world’s largest population of humpback whales, with around 35,000 visiting annually.
• Extensive Archipelago:
The Kimberley Coast boasts hundreds of islands and countless smaller islets, creating a vibrant hotspot for biodiversity.
• Dinosaur Footprints:
Along Broome’s coastline, 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints provide a rare glimpse into prehistoric life.
• Unique Rock Art:
The Kimberley is famed for its ancient Aboriginal rock art, including the mesmerizing Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, thought to be up to 20,000 years old.
• Diverse Ecosystems:
Shaped by millions of years of geological forces, the Kimberley’s ecosystems shelter an array of endemic and extraordinary wildlife.
Coral Geographer Expedition Cruise Ship
Launched in March 2021, Coral Geographer is the newest addition to Coral Expeditions fleet, purpose-designed to access remote wilderness shores around the world that are often inaccessible to large cruise vessels. Sister ship to Coral Adventurer (launched in 2019), she has over 1000 square metres of open deck space, multiple bars, majority balcony staterooms and suites, and public areas featuring a collection of Australian Indigenous art.
Coral Geographer is as comfortable as she is capable – her design draws on the latest technical advances as well as Coral Expeditions’ 37 years of experience building and operating expedition ships. The ship’s lightweight dual Xplorer tenders, a trademark feature of all our vessels, extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing deeper exploration on shore excursions. These ‘safari jeeps’ of the sea are fast, sturdy, and comfortable and developed to allow easy boarding from the ship and walk-off disembarkation onto remote shores.
Able to navigate into shallow bays, disembark onto remote islands, and visit small villages without overwhelming the environment or community, Coral Geographer explores the hidden nooks and crannies of Australia’s Kimberley Coast, Australia’s West and South coastlines and international voyages including to New Zealand, Sulawesi, Japan and the Philippines.
Coral Geographer carries a maximum of 120 guests, delivering Coral Expeditions’ renowned warm Australian hospitality, intimate onboard atmosphere, and world-class expedition experience.
The Coral Geographer features all outside-facing guest cabins with ensuite bathrooms; the majority have a private balcony. Our active stabilisers dampen sea motion whilst travelling on your voyage. Coral Geographer also features a well equipped gym, passenger elevator and Wi-Fi in all areas for guest comfort.
Meet like minded explorers during single seating dining, with communal table serves for breakfast and lunch, and multi-course table d’hote dinners. The showcase galley allows for viewing as our chefs create fresh small-batch cuisine featuring Australian and local produce. There are multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer Bar on the sundeck for sunset drinks, and a curated wine cellar featuring boutique wines and exceptional vintage Australian red.
With a maximum of 120 guests, our chefs have the creative freedom to prepare small batch meals from fresh seasonal produce. Our dining room offers open seat dining without the need to reserve a table. Meals are served in a combination of family table platters and table d’hote. Morning and afternoon teas are also provided, as is 24-hour access to tea and coffee.
Selected beers, wines and spirits are included with lunch and dinner service, as well as soft drinks and juices. Fresh drinking water is available onboard at water stations. We offer two new Wine Selections that guests may purchase in addition to the included house selection.
Coral Geographer features two trademark Xplorer tenders, which seat all passengers and facilitate comfortable shore excursions, and six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration. The lecture lounge allows for daily expedition briefings and expert presentations, and the small onboard library features a range of books on destinations and wildlife. The shallow draft and advanced navigation and propulsion systems allowing access to locations closed to large cruise ships.
Guests can enjoy over 1000 square metres of open deck space, including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views. Our crew invite you to join engine room tours, with a high level of crew interaction with guests.
The vessel is air-conditioned throughout and passengers are able to modify room temperature in their cabin. Please note, for safety reasons the windows and portholes do not open.
What's Included?
• Accommodations for 11 days / 10 nights on board Coral Expeditions’ Coral Geographer
• Excursions and services on a tailor-made itinerary
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; including morning and afternoon teas and 24-hour access to coffee and tea
• Selected beers, wines and spirits are included with lunch and dinner service, as well as soft drinks and juices
• Fresh drinking water at drinking stations
• Lecture series about the destinations we will visit
• Daily housekeeping service and turndown
• Wifi available in all guest areas
• Gratuities, port taxes and fees (as covered by your NDAs)
• Personalized Team Olivia assistance throughout
What’s not included?
• Airfare home to Broome, Australia and from Darwin, Australia to home
• Arrival airport transfer to the check-in location
• Beer, wine, and spirits outside of lunch and dinner service
• Laundry services
• Medical attention
• Travel insurance & personal incidentals
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Australia's Kimberley Coast
Lesbian Adventure Cruise
Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 04 Aug |
Broome, Australia |
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5 PM |
| 05 Aug |
The Lacepede Islands |
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| 06 Aug |
Horizontal Falls & Cyclone Creek |
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| 07 Aug |
Doubtful Bay & Montgomery Reef |
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| 08 Aug |
Doubtful Bay & Montgomery Reef |
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| 09 Aug |
Prince Regent River & Careening Bay |
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| 10 Aug |
Prince Frederick Harbour & Porosus Creek |
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| 11 Aug |
Mitchell Falls & Winyalkin |
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| 12 Aug |
Vansittart Bay & Jar Island |
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| 13 Aug |
Oomari Falls & King George River |
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| 14 Aug |
Darwin, Australia |
8:30 AM |
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Itinerary is subject to change.
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Day 1 - Tuesday, August 04, 2026
Broome, Australia
Welcome to Australia! Broome is a coastal town in Western Australia, where the red desert meets the turquoise sea. It’s a place of rich history, cultural diversity, and natural wonders. Arrive early and explore the legacy of the pearling industry or marvel at the dinosaur footprints that date back millions of years. You’ll have the opportunity to drop your luggage at our hotel hospitality room prior to boarding your ship. The included transfer from the hotel to the ship will be at approximately 3:30 pm on embarkation day and embarkation will commence at 4 pm.
As we set sail from Broome, for the next three days we will be on the migratory path of Australia’s West Coast population of humpback whales moving to warmer waters for calving season. Over the coming days, we will keep a keen eye out to maximize opportunities to witness this seasonal migration.
Our expedition itinerary will evolve due to water, wind, and wildlife conditions, but rest assured: every day, our regional experts will determine the best places for us to go to maximize our Kimberley experience. Adventure awaits!
Day 2 - Wednesday, August 05, 2026
The Lacepede Islands
The Lacepede Islands are a protected class-A nature reserve and are significant as a seabird nesting rookery for brown boobies, lesser frigates, and many species of migratory shorebirds. Other species often sighted at the Lacepedes include Australian Pelicans, egrets, and gulls. The four low-lying islands are also an important breeding and nesting habitat for green turtles. If weather and tide conditions are suitable, you will explore the lagoons by Xplorer and Zodiac tender vessels.
Day 3 - Thursday, August 06, 2026
Horizontal Falls & Cyclone Creek
The Horizontal Falls are one of the Kimberley’s biggest attractions. Naturalist David Attenborough described the Horizontal Falls as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world". This natural phenomenon is created as the ocean’s tide thunders through a narrow gorge in the McLarty Ranges, creating a rushing horizontal waterfall of swiftly flowing seawater. Riding through the bottleneck in one of our fast-paced Zodiac adventures is one of the highlights of our Kimberley expedition. Talbot Bay is at the heart of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where rocks on the 800 or so islands are estimated at over 2 billion years old. At Cyclone Creek, you will see evidence of massive geological forces in the impressive rock formations, before enjoying a vista-deck BBQ dinner as the sun sets over the stunning Kimberley scenery.
Day 4 - Friday, August 07, 2026
Doubtful Bay & Montgomery Reef
The sites we will visit in Doubtful Bay and Montgomery Reef will be determined by the power of the Kimberley ocean tides. Regardless of where we go and when, we are sure to see spectacular scenery, with towering sandstone cliffs and the natural wonder of the world’s largest inshore algal reef. Activities may include sunrise Xplorer cruises and Zodiac rides to get a closer look at the wonders of this unique part of our planet.
Day 5 - Saturday, August 08, 2026
Doubtful Bay & Montgomery Reef
Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 116 sq mi (300 sq km) and was named by Phillip Parker King. Twice daily, as the sea recedes in mammoth 36 ft (11m) tides, Montgomery Reef rises from the Indian Ocean in a cascade of rushing water revealing a flat-topped reef pockmarked with rock pools and rivulets. As the reef emerges, you’ll get up close in Xplorer and Zodiac inflatable tenders to witness the spectacle as the Expedition Team share their knowledge on the formation of the reef and the myriad wildlife. Opportunistic birds and sea turtles take advantage of the emerging reef, feeding on marine life left exposed in rock pools. The ocean is awash in a swirl of eddies and whirlpools as the moon’s gravitational force takes hold. Then, a few hours later the entire water-borne drama is reversed as the tide comes in and Montgomery Reef disappears below sea level.
Day 6 - Sunday, August 09, 2026
Prince Regent River & Careening Bay
King Cascade is a classically beautiful terraced waterfall and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Kimberley. Falling from a considerable height and around 164 ft (50m) across, water tumbles down a staggered terrace of Kimberley sandstone. Layer upon layer of ochre-hued and blackened rock sprouts grasses, mosses and ferns in a sort of lushly vegetated hanging garden.
You’ll reach King Cascade after cruising in Xplorer tender vessels down the steep-sided Prince Regent River which is a remarkable anomaly as the river runs dead straight along a fault line.
Lt. Phillip Parker King named nearby Careening Bay after he beached his leaking vessel HMC Mermaid to effect repairs. While stranded on this remote coastline for 17 days the ship’s carpenter carved HMC Mermaid 1820 into the bottle-shaped trunk of a boab tree near the beach. 200 years later, the Mermaid Boab Tree has since split into two trunks and sports a mammoth girth of 39 ft (12m). Significantly, the bulbous tree is listed on the National Register of Big Trees and the carpenter’s careful inscription now stands almost as tall as a person.
Day 7 - Monday, August 10, 2026
Prince Frederick Harbour & Porosus Creek
Prince Frederick Harbour is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular locations at the southern end of York Sound. The harbor is dotted with islands lined with mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of ochre-hued escarpment. White-bellied Sea Eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide, expansive mudflats reveal large populations of mudskippers and mangrove crabs. You’ll take Xplorer tender vessels on a cruise up Porosus Creek to view some striking rock formations. Bigge Island’s Indigenous name is Wuuyuru, and the Indigenous Group of the area is the Wunambal people.
Day 8 - Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Mitchell Falls & Winyalkin
Tumbling down the Mitchell Plateau in a series of tiered waterfalls, the Mitchell Falls are the photogenic poster child for the Mitchell River National Park. Take a scenic helicopter flight (additional cost) to see the emerald-hued rock pools cascading down the multi-tiered escarpment. Mitchell River National Park is inhabited by significant numbers of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and bird species which are lured by a year-round water source. Sandstone terraces beside tiered rock pools make a terrific viewing platform from which to savor the serenity of this ancient landscape. An alternative option to Mitchell Falls is exploring the sandstone caves of Wollaston Bay or Wollaston Creek. This mass of weathered tunnels, arches and columns form a labyrinth-like maze. Another option while anchored at Winyalkan Bay is a visit to the Wollaston Bay ancient indigenous rock site, a large collection of Wandjina art. In the evening, we will watch the sunset while enjoying drinks on the beach and toasting to another wonderful day in the Kimberley!
Day 9 - Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Vansittart Bay & Jar Island
Vansittart Bay is home to many cultural and historically significant sites like the remarkable Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Aboriginal rock art galleries estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Jar Island is so named after the pot shards found here, brought to the island by Makassan fishermen harvesting sea cucumbers (also known as trepang). Nearby, on the Anjo Peninsula we will have the opportunity to visit the well-preserved wreckage of a US Airforce C-53 Skytrooper aircraft, the result of a pilot losing his bearings flying from Perth to Broome in 1942 and putting down on a salt pan near present-day Truscott Airbase.
Day 10 - Thursday, August 13, 2026
Oomari Falls & King George River
This morning you will witness why this area is one of the most geologically spectacular and highly photographed locations in the Kimberley. We will arrive at the mouth of the King George River system, where we will cruise beneath towering sandstone cliffs that end at the basin of Oomari Falls, the ancestral homeland of the Kwini people. Lined with mangroves, these steep-sided gorges were carved by a river system that shaped the Kimberley landscape 400 million years ago. You’ll view the honeycomb erosion patterns of sandstone cliffs as we get up close to rock faces that have been 1.8 billion years in the making.
Day 11 - Friday, August 14, 2026
Darwin, Australia
Today we disembark our ship. Head to the airport or extend your stay in Darwin, where ancient Aboriginal culture melds with a modern city lifestyle overlooking the Timor Sea.
Note: Swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling in the ocean are not offered due to the presence of crocodiles in this region. If possible, a freshwater swimming hole may be visited on this trip.
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