7 night BROOME / rowley shoals / BROOME

Broome-rowley shoals-broome


night 1

You are "welcome aboard" the comfortable Odyssey in the frontier pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 1700 - time to stow your gear and meet fellow adventurers before departing at 1800. A light  dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then its an overnight   steam to the Rowley Shoals.

DAY 1

We arrive at Mermaid Reef - the Rowleys most northern atoll and enjoy a hearty breakfast before your first dive on the outer reef. There's plenty of time to explore diving country along the outer reef including "Vee in the Wall" and "Odyssey Alley" with the possibility of seeing a sailfish or humpback whale display its acrobatics in all its glory. The top deck is definitely the place to be for your first spectacular sunset enjoying a nice coldie before munching on a delicious meal. Tonight we anchor inside the lagoon.

DAY 2

Today we have a chance to dive at Mermaid Reef. A stop at the famous "Northern Wall", reported as one of the top three dives in the world will impress you. The sheer gradient to 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.

DAY 3

Lets start the morning with a exhilarating channel drift. Then perhaps revisit the amazing cod hole. This afternoon we visit the mermaid caves. Sneak in and share this labyrinth of caves with teams of tropical fish. Then its will be a short steam southwest to Clerke Reef. Enjoy the sea air and maybe a quick sun bake before your next dive. After a quick troll for some dinner along the outer reef we will anchor up inside the lagoon where you can enjoy a dive on "The Aquarium". 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 4

Brace yourself for a big day as there is lots of diving to be done. We will start on 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. As the sun starts to lower on the horizon we will anchor up for the evening in the lagoon where you can enjoy a beach-comb along the deserted sand cay, or hand feed maori wrasse from the Odyssey's transom. A night dive is on the cards before dinner, if you have the energy. Another perfect night at Clerke Lagoon - stars reflected in a glassy ocean.

DAY 5

A scrumptious cooked breaky for your liking will be served, then maybe a quick troll along the outer reef. Then comes the most adrenalin pumped dive you will do... "The Rollercoaster" is an exhilarating drift dive/snorkel through Clerke Reef channel. You are suspended in turquoise shallows surrounded by delicate lace coral fronds of vivid pink, orange and yellow. Darting in and out is a metallic rainbow of attendants. The coralscape about you is starting to move swiftly past. Faster and faster the disgorging tide is propelling you out of the lagoon and to the very edge of a plunging midnight blue abyss. The next couple of dives for the 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. Anchorage tonight will be inside Clerke Reef again. Hopefully a typical moonrise will be seen on your trip here as we tuck into another meal upstairs.

DAY 6

Those who are early to rise can have a dive before breakfast or even have a stroll along the island checking out the Red-tailed Tropic Birds. After breaky a short steam will see us arrive at the next dive destination "South Park." On your way down, there are many crevices and swim throughs to explore, while surrounded by a huge variety of soft corals, gorgonian fans and sponges. Pelagics and sharks can be seen as you explore this colourful area. There will also be time allocated to explore more areas further south before it is time to pack up and stow all the gear away. After a early BBQ dinner upstairs its time to farewell the Rowley Shoals. Another full nights steaming is required for the journey home so kick back and relax, take the time to watch a movie, fill in your dive log or relive what is guaranteed to be an experience of a lifetime as we sail into the blazing sunset for the last time!

DAY 7

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 Rowley's, the Abrolhos or the Kimberley. 

PLEASE NOTE

Due to tidal and weather conditions ask you use our itineraries as a guide only as it maybe changed to make the most of your Cruise.  We endeavour to optimise each trip to suit your preferences and tidal conditions