Abrolhos Islands Cruise & Kayak

For those arriving on the late afternoon flight from Perth, you will be met by your kayak guide at the airport and transferred to the Silverado. For those already in town, please make your way to the Silverado, anchored in Geraldton marina (meeting time will be confirmed on your final itinerary). You’ll meet the crew, and the captain will conduct a safety briefing. A group dinner is held in town with your kayak guide, who will present a trip briefing. After dinner, the group returns to the Silverado to spend the night on board at anchor, ready for an early transfer to the islands. Please note, if the weather is particularly favourable, the captain may decide to head out to the islands this evening. This gives the advantage of waking up in the Abrolhos Islands, ready to start the adventure after breakfast! NB* Due to the unique nature of this area and the variability of weather, there is no fixed route or schedule. The following itinerary is a sample only. Please note that the weather, logistical conditions and group preference will determine the day to day activities. We aim to experience the true wilderness of the Abrolhos Islands and the best of expedition sea kayaking.

Meals:  D

An early departure for the Abrolhos Islands, about a four and a half hour transfer (weather dependent). On arrival into the islands, the group will customise the kayaks and organise gear for the first kayak outing. Depending on the conditions, we may first head for the southern islands, named the Pelsaert Group. The islands located here contain the most southerly true coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. On Pelsaert Island, thirteen species of seabird breed regularly across the whole island, including the largest colonies of lesser noddies, sooty terns and brown noddies. We’ll explore the shallow waters and reefs around the island, sometimes only possible by kayak. Weather permitting, we paddle from our anchorage at Wreck Point, on the southern tip of Pelsaert Island, to the northern tip. A halfway stop point is Fish Hook Bay, where we can walk along the beautiful sand spit covered in seabirds such as terns, cormorants and gulls. On one side of this extremely thin island is the big Indian Ocean swell and on the other side, the water is turquoise and calm. We continue paddling to the northern tip of the island, passing sea birds and quite often, Australian sea lions. There are opportunities while in the Abrolhos to snorkel with the seals and delight in their ballet like gracefulness in the water. Northwest of Pelsaert is Gun Island, used by survivors of the Zeewijk shipwreck (1727). Survivors built a new ship from the remains of the wreck and timber collected from mangroves on nearby islands. This ship successfully sailed back to Batavia (present day Jakarta). A large guano mining settlement occupied this island in the late 1800s. Artefacts such as occupation sites, quarries and tramline foundations can still be seen. We return to the Silverado for a sundowner, dinner and our comfy cabins.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, Silverado crosses the Zeewijk Channel, arriving at the Easter Group of islands. Anchoring at Morley Island, we launch the kayaks and explore the area. Sea lions can often be seen around Morley Island as well as the largest colony of white-faced storm petrels in the Abrolhos. On our paddle to Wooded Island, we’ll often be accompanied by playful sea lions diving around the kayaks. Wooded Island has a large internal lagoon surrounded by mangroves, providing a breeding habitat for lesser noddies, bridled and sooty terns, little shearwaters and the largest pied cormorant colony in the Abrolhos. Unless there are designated tracks, we walk around the perimeter of the islands to avoid disturbing birds and damaging burrows in soft sand. Continuing our paddles, we cross the 2.5 kilometre stretch to Rat Island. Heading north along the island, we’ll see cray fishing shacks and paddle under old jetties, built over stunning turquoise waters. Tiny, sandy White Island, just north of Rat island is home to many species of seabirds and at times, two hunting Ospreys and sea lions with pups. Snorkelling above the coral reefs surrounding White Island is a highlight, with hundreds of tropical fish and even nudibranchs to be seen. The group and kayaks will be picked up at the end of the day and transferred back to Silverado. On return to Silverado, at the end of the day’s activities, your guide will often recap the highlights and present a talk on the marine environment and maritime history of the islands.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we paddle along Suomi Island, then cross our first deep water passage to Leos Island. Here, we stop for lunch and a stroll to the large lagoon, home to a giant cod that often appears when visitors arrive. The lagoon, at times, also serves as a swimming pool for newly born sea lions. Leos Island hosts the largest colony of Caspian terns known to exist on an island in Western Australia. Continuing our paddles, we explore a stretch of small islands, spotting sea eagles and ospreys above us. We meet Silverado in the north of the channel where it has moved to anchor. The tender can take us to a nearby coral reef for superb snorkelling. Back on Silverado, we transfer to the Wallabi Island group and anchor in the late afternoon. During the trip, the group will have opportunities to catch crayfish by hand and fish from designated fishing areas. A freshly caught crayfish option is usually offered for dinner on most nights!

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, the kayaks will be towed to Beacon Island (otherwise known as Batavia Graveyard) while paddlers jump on the tender to the Batavia wreck site for an amazing snorkelling experience. For a close encounter with maritime history and with good visibility, snorkellers will see cannon, huge anchors and other structures of Batavia left after the initial excavation. There’s also huge numbers of fish, healthy coral, seaweeds and kelps. Please note, snorkelling over the Batavia wreck site is subject to weather and sea conditions. After our underwater adventures, we’ll be dropped at Beacon Island and enjoy lunch before our land explorations. Beacon Island is the main site associated with the Batavia shipwreck. The island provides a great vantage point for understanding the events that occurred over three months following Batavia's wrecking. We explore the island and the leftover coral structures from the original Batavia era, Including the prison of coral that held the infamous Jeronimus Cornelisz, who was one of the leaders in the most bloodiest mutinies in history and for which he was eventually tried, convicted and hanged. Hopping back in the kayaks, we’ll paddle around Beacon Island, then past Traitors Island and land on Long Island. Mutineers from the Batavia were imprisoned on Long Island and sent to the gallows. The island is composed of coral rubble with a series of tidal ponds and colonies of breeding birds including roseate terns. While kayaking along and between islands, we may be joined by dolphins and seals which is always a thrill. With such clear water, the view under your kayak can be amazing, with magnificent coral gardens, colourful fish, anemones and seagrass meadows to spy. We continue island hopping until meeting Silverado.

Meals:  B,L,D

We head to Turtle Bay, on the northern tip of East Wallabi and its pristine beach, perfect for walking, swimming and snorkelling. There is a walking trail and lots of coastline to explore. We’ll look out out for Tammar wallabies, carpet pythons and the Abrolhos painted button quail. From our kayaks, we spot seabirds and beached sea lions as we make our way to West Wallabi. West Wallabi is the largest island in the Abrolhos and relics of the forts built by soldiers from the Batavia can be seen. Access to its eastern shoreline is difficult due to the surrounding shallow waters and reef, and this is where kayaks are at their most useful! Tammar wallabies and carpet pythons are often seen, and this island supports the largest colonies of wedge-tailed shearwaters in the Abrolhos. Paddling back to Silverado, we can then hop on the tender for a final snorkel over another beautiful coral reef. Our last evening on board is enjoyed with a cheese platter, fresh crayfish entrees, a roast dinner and a slide show recap of the trip.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we depart the islands, aiming to arrive in Geraldton between 1-2pm. After farewelling the crew, the group will disembark Silverado. It is possible to catch the evening flight from Geraldton to Perth.

Meals:  B,L