9 Day Ashmore Reef Birding & Mammal Trip

Board Diversity II in Broome for a morning departure (around 7:00am, precise departure time to be advised). We set sail across the edge of the continental shelf, keeping watch for seabirds and marine life as we head offshore. Enjoy a welcome dinner on board as we continue steaming through the night.

Today we cruise through waters that are prime territory for seabird encounters. Keep your eyes peeled for Abbott’s Booby, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Brown Boobies, Silver Gulls, terns, Humpback Whales and playful Dwarf Spinner Dolphins. Overnight, we continue north past Scott Reef towards Ashmore.

Around mid-morning we arrive in Ashmore Reef’s sheltered lagoon. After lunch on board, we venture ashore by tender to West Island, home to an incredible diversity of birdlife. Possible sightings include White and Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Brown Boobies, Crested Terns, Eastern Reef Egrets, Buff-banded Rails, Siberian Peregrine Falcons, plovers, greenshanks and more. We remain on the island until dusk before returning to the vessel.

At first light, we return to West Island for early morning birding before enjoying a hearty breakfast on board. The late morning offers a chance to snorkel or simply relax. After lunch we set off by tender to East Island and nearby Splitgerber Cay. These smaller islands are highlights for their large colonies of noddies and shorebird roosts at high tide.

This morning we head ashore to Middle Island, a key site for breeding seabirds. Later, we visit Horseshoe Sandbar, a favoured shorebird roost during high tide. After returning to the vessel for lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to further viewing activities and island exploration.

We return once again to West Island in the morning for further exploration and birding. Midday brings a refreshing snorkel opportunity in the pristine reef waters, before an afternoon landing on one of the islands depending on tides and conditions.

Our final morning at Ashmore begins with a dawn excursion to West Island. After several hours of birdwatching, we bid farewell to Ashmore mid-morning and begin the journey south. En route to Browse Island, enjoy dinner on board as the vessel steams overnight.

At first light we board tenders to access Browse Island, an important seabird nesting site and turtle rookery. We spend the morning ashore before setting sail once again for Broome. The return steam takes approximately 35 hours, giving time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the vessel’s comforts.

Arriving around midday, Diversity II docks back in Broome. Guests are transferred by coach to their accommodation or the airport, marking the end of an unforgettable expedition.