Destinations: North West
Abrolhos Islands
Steeped in rich maritime history, the Abrolhos Islands is an archipelago chain consisting of 122 coral reefs. Located approximately 80 km west of Geraldton, the Abrolhos Islands is made up of three island groups- the Wallabi Group, Easter Group and Pelsaert Group.
A diver’s paradise, the famous 1629 wreck of the Dutch ship Batavia lies in shallow, clear water on Morning Reef. The watery grave of the Zeewijk also rests nearby.
Traverse the clear, sparkling waters of the archipelago – abundant with native wildlife, it is one of the world’s most important seabird breeding sites and is the centre of Western Australia’s largest single species fishery, the western rock lobster. The islands are home to other intriguing wildlife such as the Australian sea lion, bottlenose dolphin, samson fish and even whales.
The Abrolhos Islands provides some of the best snorkelling, diving and deep-sea fishing in the world, thanks to the astonishing total of 389 species of fish that have been recorded from the islands
With no tourists permitted to stay on the islands overnight, the Abrolhos Islands truly is an exclusive and far-flung destination that you can enjoy in five-star style and elegance with MV Phoenix.
Shark Bay – Dirk Hartog Island
A World Heritage Site located in the Gascoyne region, Shark Bay is a marine treasure trove. Spanning a jaw-dropping 2.3 million protected hectares, of which roughly 70 per cent are marine waters, Shark Bay is home to 10,000 dugongs, a huge amount of bottlenose dolphins and over 323 fish species, including many sharks and rays. Positioned 800 km north of Perth and the westernmost point of the Australian continent, the Shark Bay area includes Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia’s largest island. Dirk Hartog Island is an important nesting site for green and loggerhead sea turtles, and the sheltered coves surrounding the island provide the perfect elements for snorkelling at a leisurely pace.
With such a massive amount of the World Heritage Site marine waters, the best way to explore this magnificent Shark Bay region is by sea. Gently cruise around the pristine waters, home to the largest and richest sea-grass beds in the world. The waters surrounding Dirk Hartog Island are an angler’s Garden of Eden, with the opportunity to land species such as pink snapper, groper, cod, mackerel, coral trout, tuna, kingfish, sailfish, marlin and flathead. The experience of Shark Bay will afford you the luxuries of game fishing, diving, snorkelling, spear fishing and surfing in an intimate setting with personal one-on-one service. In the shallow warm waters of Monkey Mia, hand-feed friendly and playful dolphins in their natural habitat.
Coral Bay (Ningaloo Reef) Exmouth – Montebello Islands
Exmouth, Montebello Islands and Coral Bay are all positioned within close proximity to each other, located approximately 1300 km north of Perth. The three locations all form part of the Ningaloo Coast, a World Heritage Site that is home to the Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s largest fringing coral reef. A rich and diverse range of marine life thrives in the tropical and temperate waters, including the star attraction – the gentle giant of the ocean and the world’s biggest fish, the Whale Shark. Every year from April to July, they glide to the reef in mass numbers in search of plankton to feed on. This awe-inspiring feat of nature presents you with an unforgettable opportunity to snorkel alongside these remarkable marine creatures under the careful guidance of the experienced and capable crew members.
The exquisite Ningaloo Coast boasts a plethora of water-based activities for our guests. Widely regarded by many anglers as Australia’s premier fishing destination, there is an astounding array of prized game and sport fish to catch, with colourful species such as spangled emperor, blue, black and striped marlin, sailfish, broadbill swordfish, shortbill spearfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, giant trevally and so much more.
Island hop the archipelago of the Montebello Islands, an unspoilt haven consisting of 174 islands. Due to the remoteness and exclusivity of the location, don’t be surprised if you don’t spot another human.
