The Kimberley is one of the world’s most remote wilderness areas, rich in indigenous history, wildlife and breathtaking scenery – and it’s in our own backyard. Here’s why your adventure-seeking clients will experience an unforgettable voyage in the Kimberley with Silversea’s ultra-luxe expedition ship Silver Cloud.
Until you see it with your own eyes, the sheer scale of Western Australia’s Kimberley region is unimaginable. It’s twice the size of Victoria, a starkly beautiful coastal and inland wilderness where rugged ochre cliffs and deep sandstone gorges are punctuated by spectacular waterfalls and sudden glimpses of meandering waterways and vast open spaces.
There’s simply nowhere else like it. The Kimberley is home to the world’s oldest continuous living culture; Aboriginal artworks dating back some 50,000 years are etched into rocks in a land that’s so ancient it predates fossils.
Whales, dolphins, turtles, saltwater crocodiles and an extraordinary array of rare bird species inhabit areas untouched by modern life; powerful tides create mesmerising displays of nature in all its glory in places such as Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls.
Silversea has operated small-scale, luxury experiential voyages in this remote destination for many years and as Conrad Combrink, the company’s distinguished Senior VP, Expeditions Destination & Itinerary Management, has said in an exclusive interview with Karryon, that an expedition is always about the destination first.
“The fact that we’ve got these incredible vessels to use as a platform to deliver the destination is really a bonus. But it’s about that immersive experience, about being with the expedition team. For me, the definition of an expedition really is when you leave that voyage and you’ve learned something that you didn’t know before.”
Why explore the Kimberley with Silversea
Silversea’s expedition ships provide the highest levels of service, superb dining and extremely luxurious accommodation, along with expedition teams and staff who are renowned the world over for their expertise and knowledge.
Whether your clients are art-lovers, photographers, avid wildlife observers or just looking to explore a pristine natural wonderland in the company of like-minded travellers, Silver Cloud‘s 2026 Kimberley expedition voyages are in a class of their own.
Between them, Silver Cloud‘s expedition leaders have decades of experience in fields such as ornithology, marine biology, environmental sciences, geology and history. They pilot Zodiacs, share their knowledge with guests on and off the ship, present fascinating lectures and recaps of the day’s activities and are also very entertaining lunch and dinner companions.
Immersive experiences
Every day is a journey of discovery. The naturalist guides take guests on Zodiac trips and small-group hikes to places they know intimately, pointing out features and creatures that the casual observer might miss.
Depending on the tide conditions – in the Buccaneer Archipelago they rise and drop up to 12 metres – Zodiac expeditions to Montgomery Reef reveal the massive reef’s hidden marine life and cascading waterfalls as the tide drops, and the 300 square kilometre reef appears to rise out of the ocean.
Dozens of species of seabirds gather at the Reef to hunt for crustaceans and fish – as in the Lacepede Islands, which Silver Cloud visits on her 17-day Darwin to Perth itineraries, this is a paradise for birdwatchers.
On the mainland adjacent to Montgomery Reef, at Freshwater Cove (known locally as Wijingarra Butt Butt), visitors are welcomed ashore by Indigenous guides in a traditional ochre ceremony. Rock art in nearby caves can only be visited with local guides; at Vansittart Bay, guests can see two distinct styles of rock art with Silver Cloud’s expert guides.
Among many other unforgettable experiences are a dip in crocodile-free freshwater pools at the top of the majestic Mitchell Falls; a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles; a wildlife-spotting cruise on the peaceful Ord River; and a visit to the famed El Questro Station from the outback township of Wyndham.
All about Silver Cloud
Accommodating a maximum of 254 guests and 212 crew, Silver Cloud provides one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry – almost 1:1. About 80 per cent of the spacious suites have private balconies and all offer butler service.
There are four dining venues (including Silversea’s signature La Dame and La Terrazza restaurants) plus 24-hour in-suite dining service, five bars and lounges, a theatre, a beauty salon and spa, a separate fitness centre, and a pool and jogging track.
The ship’s expedition equipment includes 20 Zodiacs and 10 kayaks, plus a professional photo studio where guests can take photography masterclasses and enjoy full use of the editing suite.
Guests can choose all-inclusive Port-to-Port or Door-to-Door fares, depending on whether they wish to include flights and transfers (Door-to-Door); all food, beverages, Zodiac excursions and gratuities are included in both packages.
Highlights of Silver Cloud’s 2026 Kimberley season
Between May and August 2026, Silver Cloud is sailing a variety of itineraries, starting with a 16-day voyage from Singapore. Departing on May 8, the ship sails through the Indonesian archipelago and spends several days in the Kimberley, round-trip from Darwin.
Then a series of 10-day voyages between Darwin and Broome visit Ashmore Reef, Wyndham, King George River, Vansittart Bay, the Hunter River Region and the Buccaneer Archipelago Region.
In early August, Silver Cloud offers two 17-day voyages between Darwin and Perth, and from Perth two incredible longer itineraries – a 40-day sailing to Lautoka in Fiji and a 77-day sailing to Valparaiso in Chile, both of which include the Kimberley.
To view all itinerary details, head to the brochure flip-book.
For more information, visit silversea.com
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