Kimberley Expedition Cruise Review 4/8
Watch the full review on YouTube by clicking here.
In writing these summaries, it ironically occurs to me that words just can’t do these experiences justices. As always, I’ll try to do my best.
Today we enjoyed two stops, the first took place after Silver Explorer anchored in Deception Bay. We boarded the first zodiac with expedition team member, Damon, and made our way into the gorges. Silversea advertised this stop as, “Gorgeous Gorges”, our expedition leader, Lea, later told us that many of these areas are unnamed and her quite literal description of the gorges as gorgeous would prove true.
Our arrival coincided with the rising tide, and we watched as the riverbank and mangroves began to sink under the rising water. Alluringly blue and looking especially inviting on this hot day, we were reminded that these waters are most definitely part of crocodile territory. We enjoyed the sights, and watched as the birds flew from tree to tree over the course of the next hour or two.
Damon explained the geology of the rock formations, and we learned that these rocks are almost 2 billion years old. Incredible.
With a second stop scheduled, our group soon made its way back to the ship where lunch was waiting. Silver Explorer has two dining venues, in addition to complimentary room service. The succinctly named, “The Restaurant” is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner while “The Grill” operates for lunch and dinner daily. We enjoyed a quick buffet lunch in the main restaurant as Silver Explorer set off for the next stop, Montgomery Reef.
Montgomery Reef is the world’s only reef system of this type - it’s actually built on top of an ancient sandstone tabletop mountain. So much coral has grown on top of this mountain, that thanks to the Kimberley region’s incredibly high-tide activity, a huge portion of the reef is exposed at low tide. Sir David Attenborough reportedly referred to it as a natural world wonder.
En route to the reef, we had time for some whale watching from Explorer’s forward decks. We saw dozens, although they moved much more quickly than our ability to photograph them properly.
Within minutes of Explorer reaching its anchorage, the overhead crane systems whirred into action and the zodiacs were brought from the upper decks of the ship to the surface of the ocean below. We made our way to the boarding area, excited to experience our second excursion of the day, this time with expedition guide, Will.
Will explained that the zodiacs can race up a passage called, “the crack”, where the water depth allows boats to safely navigate the inside of this natural attraction. We zoomed towards the navigable zone, as the tide around us began to drop. Giant whirlpools emerged from nothing, sucking the air and tugging at our zodiac. Soon we could see the reef, and all around us turbulent water flowed, exposing the coral beneath in a dramatic cascade.
We continued to sink below the reefs on either side and watched in amazement as an entire land and ecosystem appeared from the depths. We saw turtles and birds, and an epic West Australian sunset to boot. The sound was deafening, and the whole place smelled of the ocean - if you can imagine.
It was another epic day exploring Australia’s iconic Kimberley.
