Colours of the Coral Coast (Island Sky)

Description

Colours of the Coral Coast 10 day Small Ship Cruise aboard Island Sky.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

Trip Name

Colours of the Coral Coast (Island Sky)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116 Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Arrive Broome

Arrive in Broome, where we meet you on arrival and transfer you to your expedition ship. A relaxed dinner this evening allows you the chance to meet your fellow travellers and sets the tone for the next nine nights on board.Stay: Nine Nights, MS Island Sky

Day 2 - Day 2 Rowley Shoals, Mermaid Reef

Prepare for a full day of adventure as your ship cruises into the Rowley Shoals Marine Park this morning. This incredible area is made up of three coral atolls that are believed to have been formed more than 10 million years ago. Home to clear lagoons, untouched coral gardens and an abundance of marine life, Rowley Shoals is a true marine paradise. You’ll find some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling sites here. Join your expedition team, hop aboard a Zodiac and head to pristine Mermaid Reef, home to more than 200 species of hard coral. Catch your first glimpse of life below the surface during a snorkelling expedition.

Day 3 - Day 3 Day at Sea, Karratha

Relax today as the MS Island Sky sails across the Indian Ocean bound for Karratha in the heart of the Pilbara region. Arrive in Karratha in the late afternoon.

Day 4 - Day 4 Karratha, Burrup Peninsula, Dampier Archipelago

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCESwap the water for the open skies today as you embark on a helicopter flight over the spectacular Dampier Archipelago.Today, explore the unique Burrup Peninsula. The region is rich in Indigenous cultural heritage, with up to a million ancient rock petroglyph carvings that will soon be nominated for World Heritage listing. View these marvels with an Indigenous guide. You will also visit Woodside's industrial complex at the North West Shelf Visitor Centre. The tour provides an insight into the scale of these massive operations and their importance to the WA economy. As an option at your own expense, you can swap the water for the open skies on a scenic helicopter flight over the spectacular Dampier Archipelago, made up of 42 islands and islets.

Day 5 - Day 5 Montebello Islands

Arrive at the Montebello Islands Marine Park today and set out on a Zodiac exploration to discover its rich maritime heritage. The islands gained international notoriety when three British atomic weapons tests were carried out here in 1952 and 1956. To this day, concrete bunkers, monitoring stations, roads and scrap metal can still be found on some of the islands. The atomic weapons were exploded on Alpha and Trimouille islands, and on the warship HMS Plym, which was anchored on the west side of Trimouille Island. You’ll have the chance to join your expedition team and step ashore on Trimouille Island to see the wreckage of the HMS Plym.

Day 6 - Day 6 Muiron Islands

Cruise to the Muiron Islands today, consisting of the North Muiron and South Muiron islands, which are separated by a deep-water channel. Vibrantly coloured soft corals can be found in abundance here, and the waters are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving – which is what you’ll be doing today. Turtles love the soft corals here, so be sure to keep an eye out for them as you discover life underwater.

Day 7 - Day 7 Coral Bay

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCECruise outer Ningaloo Reef in search of humpback whales. These incredible creatures migrate through the coast near Ningaloo in pods from July right through to November. If you’re lucky enough, perhaps catch a glimpse of them slapping their tail flukes on the surface as they play in the water.Today you explore World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, one of the longest fringing coral reefs in the world. It is among the most diverse marine environments on the planet.

Day 8 - Day 8 Shark Bay, Dirk Hartog Island

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEHead to Ocean Park Aquarium, an award-winning eco-friendly aquarium located on the shores of the Shark Bay Marine Park.Arrive in Shark Bay today, home to hidden bays, shimmering turquoise lagoons, remote peninsulas, towering limestone cliffs, and pristine white-sand beaches. Stretching over more than 1,500 kilometres of coastline from Kalbarri to Carnarvon, Shark Bay became Western Australia’s first World Heritage-listed area in 1991. The area is one of Western Australia’s most biologically rich habitats. Its sheltered bays and beds of sea-grass provide the perfect habitat for dugongs, sea turtles, humpback whales, dolphins, stingrays and sharks.

Day 9 - Day 9 Abrolhos Islands

Today will be spent exploring the Abrolhos Islands. More than 120 unspoilt islands lie clustered here, spanning more than 100 kilometres just off Western Australia’s north coast. Join your expedition team and hop aboard a Zodiac for an in-depth discovery of this coastal wonderland. Large breeding colonies of sea birds can be found on the islands, with more than 90 different species identified. Keep watch for sea lions, dolphins and migratory whales as your expedition team member navigates through the turquoise waters. The Abrolhos Islands are also rich in maritime history, and the famous Batavia wreck lies on the ocean floor on Morning Reef. The Batavia came to grief in 1629 on her maiden voyage from Holland, the first Dutch ship lost off the west coast of Australia.

Day 10 - Day 10 Geraldton, Disembark Ship

Arriving into Geraldton this morning means it’s time to say goodbye to your expedition ship. Be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.

Day 11 - Please Note:

Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Soar Over Dampier Archipelago. See the striking colours of the Dampier Archipelago from above on an included helicopter flight.
The Wonders of Ningaloo Reef. Keep an eye out for incredible marine life as you cruise outer Ningaloo Reef in search of humpback whales.
Historic Dirk Hartog Island. Uncover the fascinating history of Dirk Hartog Island on a guided exploration.