Snubfin Dolphin Cruises

Roebuck Bay is an incredibly diverse ecosystem and its extensive seagrass meadows are home to a myriad of marine life. Our Eco Tour takes our guests to see our resident snubfin dolphins in the stunning turquoise bay, and other residents are frequently seen throughout the tour.

As pioneers of whale watching in the Kimberley, our passion for marine life and desire to share the incredibly diverse ecosystem of Roebuck Bay has become our next venture.

In 2015 Roebuck Bay became of international importance and was declared a Marine Protected Area. What was once an embayment for pearling and a channel for trade, is increasingly becoming known as one of the most diverse mudflats in the world, making it one of 12 Ramsar sites in Western Australia.

If you are looking for some things to do in Broome, this eco dolphin cruise should be added to your Broome bucket list. Whatever month you choose to cruise Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, there is bound to be some friendly dolphin, turtle or dugong ready to say g’day.

MORNING DOLPHIN CRUISES

Relax on a morning discovery as we search for one of Australia’s largest population of snubfin dolphins and an array of marine life in Roebuck Bay. Spot snubfin dolphins or bottlenose dolphins socialising and having fun in the sun on your morning dolphin cruise. Depending on the seasons, you could catch a glimpse of the graceful manta rays or watch turtles bobbing their heads on the water.

If time allows, add a bit of adventure to the end of your wildlife encounters. Why not have a go at swimming in the boom net? Boom netting involves securely riding within the edges of a large net that is attached to the rear of a boat. Our vessel ‘Orcaella’ will slowly cruise along the shallows of Roebuck Bay as you hop into the net. The boom net will drag you through the water whilst holding on and enjoying the stunning contrasting colours of the Kimberley coast. Swimming is only permitted during certain times of the year when water conditions are suitable. This activity requires a reasonable level of fitness and you must be a competent swimmer. Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Boom netting available during certain times of the year.

Free door to door bus service provided with freshly baked morning tea and hot beverages on board.

Departures for the Morning Eco Dolphin Cruise: 

8.30am – 12 pm (Available Mid-September till late June)
8.00am – 11.30 am (Available Late June till Mid-September)

INCLUSIONS: Morning tea, fruit platters, hot beverages provided.

We are here to make memories with you!

AFTERNOON SUNSET CRUISES

Fancy the warmth and beauty of a magnificent Broome sunset? Why not join us on a 3-hour Sunset Cruise? Jump into our boom net for a refreshing swim and then join us on the top deck to take in the sights of the Kimberley coastline. Our friendly team treat you to delicious canapes. Click on link for availabilities.

WHO ARE OUR FRIENDLY LOCALS OF ROEBUCK BAY?

Roebuck Bay is an incredibly diverse ecosystem and its extensive seagrass meadows are home to a myriad of marine life. We often refer to the bay as a food generating machine and it is this that allows it to support so much marine life all year round.

Snubfin dolphins

• Roebuck Bay is home to the world’s only resident population of snubfin dolphins. Measuring around 2 metres in length, the snubfin dolphin is much smaller than the more commonly seen bottlenose and was only identified as a unique species in 2005. Named for its tiny dorsal fin, this species is a slow-moving marine mammal and just like the locals in our town, seems to run on Broome Time! They are often nicknamed as ‘snubbies’ to go with their endearing nature.

Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins

• These playful dolphins are slightly larger than ‘snubfin dolphins, at around 2.7 metres long. Occasionally seen riding the bow of our catamaran, these playful dolphins will live in close association with other dolphin species and mixed pods are often seen along our coastline.

Turtles

• Roebuck Bay is home to five out of seven of the world’s sea turtles and they are frequently seen breaking the glassy surface of the water to take a breath and warm up their cold-blooded bodies.

Dugongs

• An extremely rare and bizarre-looking marine mammal, the dugong’s closest land relative is the elephant. The dugong’s tail is very different from that its closest aquatic relatives, the West Indian, Amazonian and Florida manatees, as it is fluked like a dolphin’s tail, rather than being shaped like a paddle.

Seabirds

• Roebuck Bay is a globally important seabird habitat and is the overwintering site for numerous species, many of which are endangered. After performing their 6-day non-stop migration from their breeding grounds around the Yellow Sea in China, the birds spend the next six months feeding on the plentiful food in the mud flats, using their specialised bills to feed on crustaceans, fish and molluscs.

Coastal Manta Rays

• The second biggest ray in the world, the coastal manta ray can grow to have a wingspan of over five metres and feeds exclusively on plankton, which is in plentiful supply in Roebuck Bay. Believed to live for around 40 years, coastal manta rays will only produce a single pup every two or three years.

Sea Snakes

• These reptiles look and move just like their on-land relatives, bar their slender, eel-like tails. As they are reptiles, they must come to the surface to breathe and this is where they are often seen while on tour. One of our sea snakes is actually the most venomous snakes in the world but, luckily for us, they are terrified humans so will very quickly slither away when they see us.

Sharks

• The health of any habitat can be determined by the presence of top predators, and the pristine ecosystem that is Roebuck Bay is the feeding place of hammerhead, bronze whaler and tiger sharks. These very well-fed predators are occasionally seen from the boat but hard to spot due to their clever camouflage, known as counter-shading.