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Broome to exmouth / 900NM / 1 - 24 OCT 2026

AUSTRALIAN CIRCUMNAVIGATION LEG 9 / 23 days / cat 2 expedition / EVENT #2609 / MAGIC MILES, SALT LINES, SILVER FERN & TE KAIHŌPARA: CREW POSITIONS AVAILABLE

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Overview

Discover the rugged beauty and remote treasures of Australia’s Western coast with Ocean Sailing Expeditions. Our 23-day sailing adventure offers an immersive experience through some of the most breathtaking and less traveled waters of the world, from the historic pearling town of Broome to the natural wonders of Exmouth.

Your journey begins in Broome, where the Indian Ocean meets the Outback. As the gateway to the Kimberley, Broome sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure. From here, sail along the endless white sands of Eighty Mile Beach, a serene stretch that invites contemplation beneath stunning sunsets.

Venture into the heart of the ocean’s splendor at Rowley Shoals, a trio of atoll-like coral reefs offering some of the most spectacular diving and snorkeling experiences, with its vibrant underwater canyons and walls teeming with marine life. Then, it’s on to Port Hedland, a dynamic port city where the red dust of the Pilbara meets the deep blue of the sea. Here, the blend of industry and nature defies expectations.

Experience the history and culture of the indigenous peoples on Depuch Island, where ancient rock art tells stories from long ago. Next, Dampier’s archipelago invites you with its clear waters and 42 islands to explore. Enderby Island offers secluded beaches and rare wildlife encounters, a true hidden gem within this marine paradise.

The Montebello Islands beckon with their history as a past nuclear test site, now a vibrant habitat for marine and bird life. Here, you’ll find both haunting history and natural beauty, where thriving reefs and diverse species have reclaimed the land and waters.

As you draw closer to the end of your journey, Exmouth awaits as the crown jewel of the Ningaloo Coast. With its fringing coral reefs just a stone's throw from the shore, you’ll have the chance to swim with whale sharks and manta rays, marking the perfect finale to a voyage of discovery and connection.

Throughout this 23-day sailing expedition, you’ll not only witness the untouched splendor of Western Australia’s coast but also live aboard a yacht where luxury and adventure go hand in hand. Each day with Ocean Sailing Expeditions promises a new horizon, as our expert crew ensures your journey is as comfortable as it is captivating. Join us for a sailing experience where every moment is an invitation to explore, relax, and be transformed by the wonders of the sea.

Passage plan

The passage plan includes these stopovers that we’ll select a range from to explore.

Crew registration

Secure your place on the crew with deposit options from 20%.

Single Berth: AUD$12,750
PRIVATE CABIN:AUD$34,425 (3 BERTHS)

Expedition Description

Broome

Broome, a pearling town rich in history and culture, is a jewel of Western Australia's Kimberley region. Famous for its spectacular Cable Beach sunsets and the natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon, Broome offers a blend of natural beauty, history, and multicultural influences. Its past is etched in the Pearl Luggers Museum and the Japanese Cemetery, telling tales of the pearling industry and its divers. For sailing enthusiasts, Broome’s pristine waters and proximity to remarkable coastal wilderness provide endless exploration opportunities. Visiting Broome means immersing yourself in a vibrant arts scene, enjoying unique wildlife encounters, and experiencing the laid-back lifestyle of this historic town.

Eighty Mile Beach

Eighty Mile Beach, stretching between Broome and Port Hedland, is an uninterrupted natural wonder, famous for its extraordinary length and the richness of its marine life. This remote coastline offers one of the most spectacular beach experiences in Australia, with its stunning sunsets, abundant birdlife, and shimmering waters. For sailors, the beach is a picturesque anchorage point that promises tranquility and beauty. The beach is also renowned for shell collecting and fishing, making it a paradise for those seeking a serene retreat into nature’s embrace.

Rowley Shoals

Rowley Shoals, a trio of pristine coral atolls on the edge of the continental shelf, offers an unparalleled marine adventure. The shoals are acclaimed for their crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral gardens, and abundant marine life, including manta rays and turtles. Sailing to Rowley Shoals is an expedition into a remote underwater paradise, ideal for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts eager to explore untouched coral ecosystems. This marine park's isolation ensures a truly exclusive and unforgettable experience of Australia’s underwater majesty.

Port Hedland

Port Hedland, a powerhouse of the Australian mining industry, also holds a unique charm for sailors and visitors. Beyond its industrial facade, the town offers a gateway to the vast and wild landscapes of the Pilbara region. Its long history, indigenous heritage, and cultural festivals add layers of interest. The coastline and tidal creeks around Port Hedland are excellent for fishing, mangrove exploration, and witnessing the incredible natural phenomenon of the flatback turtle nesting. Port Hedland combines industry, culture, and natural beauty in a way that is uniquely Australian.

Depuch Island

Depuch Island, a hidden gem off the coast near Port Hedland, is notable for its ancient rock art created by the Indigenous inhabitants, showcasing the island's rich cultural history. This secluded island offers sailors a unique opportunity to connect with the ancient landscapes and spiritual heritage of Australia's First Peoples. Its rugged beauty, combined with the cultural significance of the rock art, provides a profound and reflective experience for visitors seeking solitude and a deeper understanding of Australia’s ancient cultures.

Dampier

Dampier, nestled in the Pilbara region, serves as a vital link to the rich maritime and industrial history of Western Australia. Named after the British explorer William Dampier, the town is a starting point for exploring the Dampier Archipelago's 42 islands, known for their Aboriginal heritage, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Sailing around Dampier offers access to world-class fishing, snorkeling, and boating in crystal-clear waters. The nearby Burrup Peninsula, with its ancient rock art, provides a cultural excursion that complements the natural exploration.

Enderby Island

Enderby Island, part of the Dampier Archipelago, is a secluded paradise with white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and a rich marine ecosystem. This tranquil island is perfect for sailors seeking a peaceful anchorage, with opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, and beachcombing in a pristine environment. Enderby Island offers a rare chance to escape the crowds and enjoy the untouched beauty of the Pilbara coast, making it an idyllic stop on any sailing adventure.

Montebello Islands

The Montebello Islands, a remote archipelago off the Pilbara coast, are a testament to nature's resilience, having recovered from nuclear testing in the mid-20th century to become a marine paradise. The islands offer breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary marine life, and fascinating historical sites, including WWII relics and evidence of the nuclear tests. For sailors, the Montebello Islands present an opportunity for adventure and exploration, with pristine beaches, superb fishing, and diving in crystal-clear waters, all steeped in the intrigue of their past.

Exmouth

Exmouth, situated on the Ningaloo Coast, is a haven for marine enthusiasts and nature lovers. This small town is the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef, one of the world's largest fringing reefs, offering unparalleled snorkeling and diving experiences with its accessible coral gardens and abundant marine life, including whale sharks and manta rays. Sailing around Exmouth allows visitors to explore the stunning Cape Range National Park, with its dramatic gorges and unique wildlife. Exmouth combines the allure of the reef with the rugged beauty of the outback, making it a must-visit destination for anyone sailing Western Australia’s extraordinary coastline.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD

  • Sailing: Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).

  • Watch duties: Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.

  • Weather: Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.

  • Navigation: Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.

  • Leadership: Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.

  • Safety: Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.

  • Training: Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.

  • Personal wellbeing: Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.

  • Passage planning: Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.

Weather impact

With any regatta or expedition we have to plan around the weather. We always aim to plan our events to coincide with the optimum time of the year, for the best conditions. Safety and comfort of the crew and vessel, always takes priority over the original schedule. Sometimes we’ll need to adapt the schedule and modify plans, to maximise the onboard experience and enjoyment to keep everyone happy and safe.

Extra reading

OCEAN SAILING PODCAST

EPISODE 118: MATT HARVEY / DAVID HOWS - AUSTRALIAN CIRCUMNAVIGATION REVIEW: 8,500NM IN 4 MONTHS

Skippers David Hows and Matt Harvey catch up to review their 2-yacht circumnavigation of Australia in 2023. With 8,500nm covered in just 4 months, they share the highs and lows of covering the 7th largest coastline in the world. The event was spread over 5 legs and 102 crew in total, across the two 72-foot yachts; Silver Fern and Salt Lines, including 3 circumnavigators that completed all 5 legs. With 4,600 meals prepared, it was a planning exercise of military proportions.

With engine failures, crocodiles, storms and boat fatigue to deal with, sailing some sections of this vast country are not for the faint hearted. The stunning Great Barrier Reef, North Queensland islands and reefs, Cape York, Thursday Island, the Kimberley’s, 9 metre tides in Broome, the Montebello Island Group, the Great Australian Bight and the wilderness of Tasmania, there is just so much thats remote and incredible to explore.

SAILING.BLOG

Read the sailing.blog articles from last circumnavigation

Itinery

You'll fly into Broome on the 1st of October 2026. We'll have a crew welcome dinner that night and complete final preparations for departure the next day. On the 2nd of October we'll depart Broome and head for our first of many stopovers. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 1st of October, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 1st, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore. 

We’ll aim to be tied up in Exmouth by 3pm on the 23rd of October for our final crew dinner and you can plan to depart Exmouth from the 24th of October onwards.

  • Arrive at the vessel in Broome by 4pm on 1/10/26

  • Crew welcome dinner on 1/10/26

  • Crew training and safety familiarisation 2/10/26

  • Depart Broome around 12pm on 2/10/26

  • Arrive in Exmouth by 3pm on 23/10/26

  • Crew farewell dinner on 23/10/26

  • Depart Exmouth on 24/10/26

Getting to and from the yacht

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard and ashore, and accommodation onboard throughout the duration of the event. It also incudes your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, marina fees, any cruising permits and local taxes, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.

Private Cabins

There are 2 and 3 berth options available in singles and doubles. If you reserve a 3-berth cabin for the use of 2 or less people, the rate is the 3-berth rate, less a 10% discount. If you reserve a 2-berth cabin for the use of 1 person, the rate is the 2-berth rate, less a 10% discount.

 

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.  Visa applications for entry (if required), related fees and travel insurance are also excluded.

Review sailing calendar for all events