The Kimberley dry season is characterised by clear blue skies, easterly winds, balmy days and pleasant nights. The wet season however is a different story.....

During the "build up", the beginning of the wet season, rain occurs in the form of thunderstorms. Huge cloud masses pile up in the afternoons, spectacular lightening shows offer hours of entertainment. The rain is localised, short-lived and heavy. It is also very refreshing and welcomed. When you visit during the wet season and it rains... You're in for the experience of a life time.

During the “Big Kimberley Wet” the landscape is vastly different to the dry. The land rejoices in the rains that bring life to an already spectacular environment. Sandstone gorges are brought life with a kaleidoscope of colour, spectacular arrays of flora appear on barren landscapes turning them into floristically rich environments. Hidden pockets of rainforest re-appear turning into an orchestra of sound as the local fauna revel in the life bringing rains.

To see the colours and characters of the Kimberley during this time of year is truly breathtaking.

What’s included when you cruise the Kimberley with Odyssey Expeditions?

We will pick you up from your accomodation and take you to Broome airport. There you will take a scenic seaplane flight to Dugong Bay where "Odyssey" and her crew will be waiting for you. Eight nights on board Odyssey with all meals provided. Our onboard chef will provide you with freshly prepared, Kimberley style gourmet delights daily. If you have any dietary requirements or are celebrating a special event let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavour to accommodate your requirements. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, a range of soft drinks and snacks are complimentary and are conveniently available at your leisure. In your room linen is provided so no need to fill up your luggage with extra towels or blankets we have plenty on board. Hair dryers are provided in each cabin.

Excursions are carried out daily and are all optional, if you feel like a nature walk to see ancient aboriginal art works or a refreshing swim under a waterfall in a safe, fresh water rock pool then it is entirely up to you. If your energy levels are low on the day then perhaps a bit of bird watching or just taking in the amazing scenery that the Kimberley provides is enough for the day.

Our crew are experienced and will inform you with their knowledge of the Kimberley and guide you safely on all excursions. They will also let you know what fitness level is required for each excursion undertaken; most walks only require a low to moderate fitness level. Our easy access, exploration tender (Homer) is usually the one who will take us to visit places such as;

• The spectacular Horizontal Falls
• Montgomery Reef, featuring the marine life of Turtle Gully
• Aboriginal Art Gallery
• Sale River gorges and rainforests
• Talbot Bay’s ancient geology and mangrove creeks
• Crocodile Creek’s fresh water swimming hole
• Silicon Beach, nestled within the 800 islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago.

Fishing

There is an abundance of fish in the waters of the Kimberley ranging from pelagic such as Trevally and Tuna to estuarine fish like Barramundi or a Mangrove Jack, MV Odyssey is well equipped Shimano and Penn fishing equipment to help you catch them or if your prefer bring you own favourite rod and tackle.  Our experienced crew will take you out to our known fishing spots in one of our 3 excursion tenders equipped with fishing gear and tackle and help you as much as you require.

Whilst all our guest are invited to fish, Odyssey Expeditions has a catch and eat or release licence, if you catch it our chef will scale it, clean it and make a mouth watering feast of it, but no one can take fish home, just a photo a permanent reminder of your catch.

On-Board Entertainment

MV Odyssey is equipped with state of the art viewing and surround sound systems. A large plasma TV and 2 flat screen LCD’s will keep you informed and entertained. Our DVD and CD library offers a large range of music, movies and documentaries for you to choose from.

Our open helm hosts a library of books for you to read ranging from general interest novels and magazines to Kimberley historical facts and publications. There is also a selection of board games that you are welcome borrow at your leisure.

Cuisine

All meals are prepared fresh daily using only fresh produce or your catch of the day. We cater for all dietary requirements, when booking please note down any allergies or requirements so chef can be well prepared.

Breakfast consists of a healthy selection of cereals, homemade breads, fresh fruits and yogurt; every other day chef will prepare bacon, sausages, eggs and baked beans for those who prefer a more wholesome start to the day.

Lunch is served buffet style with a selection of delicious salads, hot or cold meats and freshly baked breads.

Dinner is also served buffet style and may consist of anything from your catch of the day to fall of the bone lamb shanks or prime rib steak cooked to your liking. Finish that off with delicious desserts like sticky date pudding with vanilla bean ice cream.

Morning and afternoon tea is also provided and usually ready for guests returning from morning and afternoon excursions. Delicious cakes or savoury dishes such as chicken pate with red onion marmalade are all freshly prepared by chef.

Snacks are available throughout the day. Guest are welcome to help themselves to the bottomless bickie tin located in the dining area that is always full of chefs own baked cookies.

Coffee, Tea, Hot chocolate and a range of soft drinks are complimentary and are conveniently available at your leisure.

A few of our chef's signature dishes include: 

• Freshly caught by you, grilled filleted Barramundi served with chilli tomato, avocado & lime salsa.
• Macadamia and parmesan encrusted oven baked Mangrove Jack fillets with wasabi mash and Asian greens.
• Chicken liver pate with red onion marmalade.
• Fall off the bone slow roasted lamb shanks (chef's own recipe).
• Sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla bean ice-cream.    

Drinks / Beverages

All non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary whilst on Odyssey; there is also good selection of beer, wine and spirits available on board. Should you wish to bring your own alcohol please make arrangements with our office a minimum of two weeks prior to your departure so we can make necessary arrangements to get it to your cabin, as strict weight restrictions apply when traveling by seaplane.

Laundry

MV Odyssey is equipped with a washing machine and dryer, Day 4 or 5 of your cruise is washing day all you have to do is place your laundry in the laundry bag provided and our hostess will collect it in the morning and have it returned to you clean by the evening.

First Aid / Medical

All the crew of Odyssey hold a current senior first aid certificate and will assist you if a medical emergency should arise. As well as a general first aid kit MV Odyssey is also equipped with a Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) Medical Chest; the chest contains a range of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items which enables emergency and non emergency treatment to be given. The consultation and support of the Royal Flying Doctors Service is available to Odyssey 24 hours a day via satellite phone.

What to Bring?

Pack simply and lightly for your adventure with Odyssey, in soft bags please for easy storage aboard the seaplane. In tropical conditions, shorts and lightweight shirts are the most comfortable. loose, long sleeved shirts and long pants in a natural, lightweight fabric (e.g. cotton) offer protection against the sun. We dress “Kimberley Casual” for dinner- definitely not formal & shoes are not normally worn on-board.

The following packing list may be helpful

• Camera with plenty of film/spare memory card
• Personal toiletries
• Bathers
• Hard sole shoes that you do not mind getting wet
• Motion sickness preventative
• Any prescription drugs or vitamins
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen & chap stick
• Small Backpack (preferably waterproof) suitable to carry camera equipment and your water bottle (provided by odyssey)
• Binoculars (for bird watching)
• Light summer clothing (typically around 35 degrees during the day and a humid 20-25 degrees at night)
• Hat
• Fishing gear is provided on the vessel however keen fisher men & women might want to bring their own lures or they are available for purchase on board Odyssey