The Buccaneer Archipelago is a stunningly rugged area off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia, consisting of up to 1000 islands. The scenery is spectacular with secluded white sandy beaches, patches of rain forest, mangrove estuaries, plunging cliffs, indigenous rock art and hidden reefs that litter offshore waters.
Situated approximately 2800 kilometres north of the Western Australian capital of Perth, its distant location has meant it has remained an unspoilt and remarkably pristine location to explore and experience.
Tides of up to 11 metres are among some of the biggest in the world, and certainly the largest in Australia. In some places they are treacherously strong and unpredictable, surging up rivers and ripping through inland passages.
These tides create such phenomena as the horizontal waterfall in Talbot Bay. Here the tide rushes through the gaps in the cliff which are only a few metres wide forming the effect of a horizontal waterfall. At the peak of the tidal inflow or outflow the difference in levels is some four metres, which creates an astounding picture.
The warm weather, water and remoteness of the archipelago have created an incredible breeding ground for a huge array of wildlife including crocodiles, snakes, birds, bats and most importantly fish. Visitors to the Buccaneer Archipelago find the fishing here exceptional and many species habitat the region in abundance. Your catch could include Barramundi, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Trevally, Snapper Tuna and Spanish Mackerel, as well as oysters and enormous mud crabs.
Aboriginal people have lived in the Archipelago for thousands of years and their rock art can be found on many islands and the adjacent mainland. Using rafts of mangrove logs and canoes, tribes travelled between the islands. Indigenous groups today still visit their traditional sites and communities are established in the area.
Exploring this area in sea safari style from the town of Derby is a unique holiday experience. Visitors are transport by boat between the islands, while accommodation is a truly unique experience of camping under the stars in swags and mosquito domes on sandy beaches. Fishing, bird watching, bush walking, exploring gorges and mud crabbing can be a part of a very special holiday. Scenic flights, for a birds eye view of the islands below, also operate from Derby.
For a luxurious and exclusive experience there are several cruise operations from Broome which conduct regular seasonal trips to the Buccaneer Archipelago.
Some, such as the luxurious North Star Cruises offer extended 12 day trips from Broome covering 2000 kilometres on board the 34 metre True North. The vessel comes complete with five tender boats and its own helicopter, providing guests with a unique opportunity to fish billabongs that have never been fished.
Other operators, such as Red Sky Charters provide a similar experience in a more intimate environment on board a 42 foot sailing catamaran, Red Sky a Night. Extended Kimberley Cruises of up to nine days are ideal for two couples and provide a great soft adventure wilderness cruise.
For more information about visiting the Buccaneer Archipelago, contact the Western Australian Visitor Centre on 1300 361 351. The Derby Visitor Centre is another good source of information and is contactable either by email at derbytb@comwest.nat.au or by calling (08) 9191 1426
