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Cruises to Ashmore Reef

Ashmore Reef (Photo: Borisoff/Shutterstock)

About Ashmore Reef

Located in the northern Coral Sea between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the Australian marine park of Ashmore Reef is a carefully protected natural wonder. It lies just 30 nautical miles from the outer edge of the northernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef, where the Coral Sea currents meet the slightly warmer currents of the Torres Strait, which makes it a wildlife diversity hotspot.

In the depths, expect to see huge dogtooth tuna, marlin, sailfish, yellowfin and longtail tuna. The vast lagoons and reef flats are home to massive coral trout, red bass, emperors and maori wrasse.

Birders will be thrilled by the abundance of tropical pelagic birds such as Jouanin's Petrel, Abbott's Booby and Wilson's Strom-Petrel. Among the waves, you'll see pods of dolphins, a variety of whales and other rarer cetaceans.

  • More about Ashmore Reef

  • Why go to Ashmore Reef?

  • Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

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National Geographic Orion
National Geographic Orion

14 Night
Kimberley Expedition: Australia’s Wild NorthwestDetails

25 Reviews
Leaving:Darwin
Cruise Line:Lindblad Expeditions
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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SH Minerva
Swan Hellenic's Minerva at the ship's christening ceremony in November 2021. (Photo: Swan Hellenic)

10 Night
The Astonishing KimberleyDetails

5 Reviews
Leaving:Darwin
Cruise Line:Swan Hellenic Cruises
Jul 4, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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SH Minerva
Swan Hellenic's Minerva at the ship's christening ceremony in November 2021. (Photo: Swan Hellenic)

10 Night
The Wilds Of The KimberleyDetails

5 Reviews
Leaving:Broome
Cruise Line:Swan Hellenic Cruises
Jul 14, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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SH Minerva
Swan Hellenic's Minerva at the ship's christening ceremony in November 2021. (Photo: Swan Hellenic)

10 Night
The Astonishing KimberleyDetails

5 Reviews
Leaving:Darwin
Cruise Line:Swan Hellenic Cruises
Jul 24, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Virgin Voyages

10 Night
The Wilds Of The KimberleyDetails

5 Reviews
Leaving:Broome
Cruise Line:Swan Hellenic Cruises
Aug 3, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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10 Night
South Pacific CruiseDetails

2 Reviews
Leaving:Darwin
Cruise Line:Ponant
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

10 Night
South Pacific CruiseDetails

22 Reviews
Leaving:Darwin
Cruise Line:Ponant
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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More about Ashmore Reef

Why go to Ashmore Reef?

Pros:

The diversity of birds and marine life caters to nature lovers.

Cons:

Weather and sea conditions can affect ship access.

Bottom Line:

An ideal alternative to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The official currency is the Australian dollar, but the islands are uninhabited so there are no opportunities to withdraw or spend money.

Language?

The official language is English. But as the residents of the reef are animals, you won't get to use it much - apart from to speaking to your fellow passengers.


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