Horizontal Falls Day Tour from Broome: What to Expect & My Full Review
If you’re thinking about booking a tour to the Horizontal Falls from Broome and that’s how you ended up on this post, my advice is simple: do it! You won’t regret it.
This was one of the most unique and magical experiences I’ve had during my years travelling around Australia, and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Broome.
I went on a full-day tour that combined a scenic flight over the falls with a thrilling speedboat ride through them, and I couldn’t recommend it more. It was incredible! In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know before booking, from what the tour includes and what the experience is actually like to why I’d choose exactly the same tour if I did it again.
Horizontal Falls Day Trip Review
Why Visiting the Horizontal Falls From Broome Is So Special
What Are the Horizontal Falls in Australia?
Booking a Horizontal Falls Tour
Alternative Ways to See the Horizontal Falls
What to Expect on the Day of Your Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure
Is the Trip to Horizontal Falls Worth It?
What to Pack for a Horizontal Falls Day or Half Day Tour
Are You Ready for this Bucket List Experience?
The Horizontal Falls in Australia
Why Visiting the Horizontal Falls from Broome Is So Special
The Horizontal Falls were described by naturalist David Attenborough as one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Located in a truly remote area of north Western Australia, they're not somewhere you can simply drive to. You get there by plane or boat, and that's part of what makes the whole experience so special.
Imagine flying over the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, with their incredible turquoise waters and rugged coastline, before landing directly on the water (yes, you're travelling on a seaplane!) and continuing your adventure by boat to get up close to the falls. From the moment you take off, there's one breathtaking view after another. And that's just the beginning!
I absolutely loved my full day trip to Horizontal Falls, almost as much as swimming with the whale sharks in Exmouth, which is saying a lot! It's definitely one of my favourite experiences in Australia.
What Are the Horizontal Falls in Australia?
The Horizontal Falls are a natural phenomenon in Western Australia's Kimberley region, where powerful tides push seawater through two narrow gaps between rocky cliffs. Tides in this part of Australia can reach up to 10 metres, creating a significant difference in water levels on either side of the gaps. As the water rushes through, it creates the spectacular effect of waterfalls flowing horizontally rather than vertically.
The Horizontal Falls are also a place of great cultural significance to the local Aboriginal people, so it's worth remembering that there's more to this place than its incredible natural beauty.
To see the Horizontal Falls for yourself, you'll first need to make your way to Broome, the most magical town in Western Australia.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pinctada Hotel - Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️ Moonlight Bay Suites - Click here for rates & availability
⭐️ The Billi Resort - Click here for rates & availability
In a Rush? Check Out My Favorite Hotels in Broome
Booking Your Horizontal Falls Trip
There are only a few ways to see the Horizontal Falls: you can either admire them from the air or get up close on a boat. So I thought, why not do both on the same day? There’s only one tour that offers this, and I couldn’t have been happier with my choice. There’s so much packed into it that you really get your money’s worth.
Things to Know Before Booking the Horizontal Falls Day Tour
📅 Time of year: Tours generally operate between April and October, as they don’t run during the wet season due to weather conditions.
🛟 Safety: Safety is a priority, and tours may be rescheduled if weather conditions aren’t suitable. If the conditions aren’t right, the operator won’t take unnecessary risks.
💰 Cost: Expect to pay over $1,500 for the full-day experience.
⏰ Tour duration: The full-day tour lasts around 10 hours, so be prepared for a long day! There’s also a six-hour half-day option, as well as an overnight experience.
🌅 Plan for an early start: The company will message you the day before to confirm your pickup time and location, but expect to be picked up at around 5 am. Yes, it’s an early one!
🌊 Limited availability: The Horizontal Falls are a tide-dependent phenomenon, so tours operate only on specific dates each month. Check availability before booking your trip to Broome, or you could miss out!
Booking well in advance is a good idea, as places are limited and tours can fill up quickly. After all, seeing the Horizontal Falls is a bucket-list experience for many travellers!
Islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago
Alternative Ways to See the Horizontal Falls
Half-day tour
If the full-day tour isn’t an option for you, I’d still recommend considering the Horizontal Falls half-day version, if it’s available. You’ll get to experience the main highlights in a shorter itinerary (plane and boat rides included), although you’ll miss out on some of the extras, such as the visit to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
Scenic flight only
Another alternative is to take a scenic flight over the Horizontal Falls from Broome. You won’t land on the water or experience the boat ride through the falls, but you’ll still get incredible aerial views of the surrounding islands and coastline. It’s still a very cool option!
Boat tour only
Finally, you can visit the Horizontal Falls on a boat tour departing from Cygnet Bay. This full-day option includes a bus transfer to Cygnet Bay, followed by a boat trip through the Buccaneer Archipelago to Talbot Bay and the falls.
It’s a long day, and you won’t get the aerial views that make the seaplane experience so special. However, it’s a more affordable alternative if you’d rather experience the falls by boat. Book this Kimberley Day Cruise here.
Watching the Horizontal Falls from the seaplane
What To Expect on the Day of Your Horizontal Falls Full-Day Adventure
Let me walk you through what the experience is actually like. Because trust me, it's a day to remember!
I did the Fly + Drive option, which means you fly to Talbot Bay early in the morning and return to Broome by bus via Cygnet Bay. There's also the option to do it the other way around, with the same experiences but in a different order. I'm really happy with the option I chose, but I'm sure both are equally epic!
The times below are based on the photos I took throughout the day, so take them as rough estimates.
5 AM-ish – Hotel Pickup
Yes, pickup is early. But that's so you can watch the sunrise from the plane! The company will message you the day before to confirm your pickup time and location. Mine was at 5:10 AM from Moonlight Bay Suites (a great place to stay in Broome, by the way!).
They were right on time, but keep in mind that if you're one of the last people to be picked up, the minivan might run a little late. Don't worry, it'll come. You're on Broome time, after all!
It's only a short drive to the airport, which should take no more than 20 minutes, including all the stops.
5:20 AM – Check-in
Once you arrive at the airport shed, you'll receive some general instructions before being divided into small groups of six. Some groups start the day by flying, while others begin with the bus trip.
5:40 AM – Boarding the Seaplane
Time to board the seaplanes! We followed our pilot out onto the tarmac as the sky started to brighten and listened to his instructions.
Backpacks are stored in a luggage compartment, but if you only have a small bag or tote bag (like me), you can take it on the plane with you. Buckle up and get ready to fly!
I couldn't have been more excited boarding the seaplane!
6:00 AM – Take-off and sunrise
We took off just before 6 AM, and the sky was already glowing orange. At 6:09 AM, the sun started to rise above the horizon. Watching the sunrise from the air was such a special experience!
If you choose the Drive + Fly option, you'll get to watch the sunset from the plane instead.
Enjoy the views along the way. It's fascinating to see how much the landscape changes during the hour-long flight!
After about an hour, you'll get your first glimpse of the Horizontal Falls from the seaplane. Don't worry, the pilot will circle around a few times so you can see them from different angles!
7:10 AM – Water landing and transfer to the pontoon
Remember, you're on a seaplane, which means that when you reach Talbot Bay, you'll land directly on the water! It was such a surreal feeling, and it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
7:20 AM – First boat ride through the falls
With no time to waste, we were welcomed onto the pontoon and transferred to a boat for our first ride to the Horizontal Falls. Yes, I said first! There would be a second one later, after the tide had turned.
We didn't just get close to the falls; we also went through the first of the two gaps! The current rushing through the narrow opening was quite strong, but the captain did an excellent job navigating it.
It's incredible to think that all of this is caused by the changing tides. It really makes you appreciate the power of nature...
8:00 AM – Morning tea
After one of the best experiences of the day, it was time for breakfast. A buffet-style breakfast was served on the top deck of the pontoon, with bacon, eggs, fruit, coffee and, of course, a great view of the bay! We even spotted some sharks from up there.
9:30 AM – Swimming with the Tawny Nurse Sharks
We had some time to relax before gathering at the tawny nurse shark feeding area and swimming pool.
While we listened to some fascinating explanations about the local wildlife, we could also choose to swim right next to the sharks that came up to the platform, with a net separating us from them, of course!
10:35 AM – Second boat ride
Once the tide had turned, we had a second chance to go out on the boat and see how different the falls looked.
Honestly, don't even think twice about it. Go again! It's still spectacular.
11:00 AM – Flight to Cygnet Bay
We hopped back onto the seaplanes and experienced taking off from the water, which was just as surreal as landing on it.
The views of the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago on the way to Cygnet Bay were absolutely stunning. I'd love to sail around this area one day!
A bus was waiting for us at the landing platform to take us to Cygnet Bay. This time, it was just a short drive, and within a few minutes, we were at the pearl farm.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Cygnet Bay
At Cygnet Bay, we were taken to the restaurant for a delicious barramundi lunch. It was fabulous!
Afterwards, you have a little free time to grab a coffee or even go for a dip in the infinity pool. Just look how gorgeous it is!
1:40 PM – Pearling masterclass
The day wasn't over yet! Next up was a one-hour pearl-harvesting masterclass. Our host was amazing: super knowledgeable and entertaining.
I learned a lot about the history of the pearl farm and how pearl harvesting has evolved over the generations, but I don't want to spoil too much. I'll leave the rest for you to discover on your own tour!
You'll also get to see an oyster being opened to find out whether it contains a pearl and learn how much that pearl is worth. We were lucky enough to find a lovely pearl inside!
To top it all off, you can even try a piece of pearl meat at the end. I wouldn't say I loved it, but it wasn't bad, and it was definitely interesting to try!
2:45 PM – Bus ride back
Finally, at around 3 PM, it was time to hop back on the bus and start heading towards Broome.
Our driver shared some interesting information over the microphone during the journey, but I must admit I couldn't help dozing off for a while. It had been an intense day!
4:00 PM – Beagle Bay Community
There was just one more stop left on this action-packed day: a visit to Beagle Bay Community.
Here, you'll find a church with something truly special: an altar decorated with mother-of-pearl. It was beautiful and a lovely way to round off the day.
After this final stop, the bus continued all the way back to Broome, dropping us off at our hotels at around 6 PM. I won't lie, I was absolutely knackered by the end of it, but I was also so happy and inspired!
Pearl at Cygnet Bay and Beagle Bay's mother of pearl altar
Is the Horizontal Falls Tour Worth It?
So, is a full-day tour to the Horizontal Falls from Broome really worth the early wake-up call, the high price tag, and committing an entire day to it?
ABSOLUTELY, YES! This is one of the most magical and unique experiences I've had while travelling around Australia. The excitement of seeing the falls from the plane for the first time, followed by getting out on the water and going through them by boat, is just unreal.
When I first visited Broome, while doing my half lap of Australia in a 4WD, I decided to skip it. It was a lot of money to spend on a single experience when I was travelling on a backpacker's budget, and I wasn't sure it would be worth it. Plus, my travel partner at the time wasn't interested...
But I'm so glad I went for it a few years later! I did the tour by myself and still had an amazing time. The crew was fantastic, from the pilots to the hosts at the pontoon and the bus driver on the way back. And honestly, there are no better tour mates than Australians. They'll strike up a conversation with anyone and make you feel included!
Tips Before You Go
Bring swimwear if you want to swim with the tawny nurse sharks. Even if you don't think it's your thing, it's better to have it and not need it than to wish you'd packed it!
Bring a snack if you're skipping breakfast. Although morning tea and lunch are included, you won't eat until you reach the Horizontal Falls pontoon or Cygnet Bay. You might get hungry during the flight or bus ride.
Pack light. You're only allowed to bring a small bag weighing no more than 5 kg, as you'll be flying in a small plane.
Ask about luggage storage if you're staying overnight. Check with your accommodation in Broome to see if they can hold your larger luggage while you're on the tour. Hotels are used to these requests, and most will be happy to help.
What To Bring on a Horizontal Falls Day or Half-Day Tour
Small backpack (5 kg weight limit)
Sun protection
Camera!
Closed-toe shoes
Swimwear
A snack
Headphones for the bus ride
Islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago
Are You Ready for This Bucket-List Experience?
If seeing the Horizontal Falls with your own eyes is on your bucket list, or even if this is the first time you've heard of them, I highly recommend adding them to your Broome itinerary.
It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you'll remember forever! Don't make the same mistake I did by leaving it for your next visit. The Horizontal Falls are on Aboriginal land, and you never know when access or visiting regulations might change. If it's something you want to experience, why wait? The best time to go is now! Book the tour I did here.
See you out there!
Half Day Seaplane & Boat Tour - Click here for rates & availability
Half Day Flight Only - Click here for rates & availability
Full Day Kimberley Cruise - Click here for rates & availability
Check Out Other Horizontal Falls Tours from Broome
Check out my Broome Best Hotels Guide
Plan your trip around Australia
If you book your trips using these links, you get to enjoy some discounts and I may receive a small commission to keep updating the content on this blog. Cheers!
FLIGHTS - the cheapest combinations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE with 5% off.
NOMAD INSURANCE for long term travel and Working Holidays.
ESIM FROM $4,50 and get $3 off.
FREE WISE TRAVEL CARD for money transfers and minimal fees abroad.
ACTIVITIES in Australia.
RENT A CAR in Australia.
CAMPERMATE - free app to find campsites, public toilets, trekkings...
STUDENT VISA in Australia.
Recommended for you
© 2022 AMANECER POR AHÍ | Terms of use | Cookies policy | Privacy policy
hello@amanecerporahi.com