General Tour Information

We hold a Kimberley and Pilbara Fishing Tour Operators Licence, so guests do not require a  ‘WA Fishing from Boat Licence’. Our experienced local guides will endeavour to provide the fishing experience of your life. To maintain the quality of our fishing grounds for ourselves and future generations we have a policy of sustainable minimum extraction fishing. In common with all the other fishing tour operators we know in the Kimberley, we only keep sufficient fish for consumption on board. So the majority of our catch is released.

We have a range of new and sturdy rods and reels, chosen to match our fishing techniques.

However you are welcome to bring your own favourite equipment. Most of our tours will include a transfer by light plane so keep this to an absolute minimum (luggage allowance total of 10kg per person). Big rod tubes just will not fit! Trips to the Rowley Shoals begin and end at Broome Port so you can bring more gear for these.

For Dive Tours and Charters, we supply tanks, weight belts and air fills. We will have at least two dive masters on board, two dive compressors, oxygen and an RFD first aid kit. Of course we have a couple of PCs so you can download and view pictures and videos.

Guests must supply their own wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator, safety sausage, cyalume stick, dive torch, camera dive computer, etc. Please have all equipment serviced and checked before your trip; we have limited spares. This is adventure diving at its best and as such we recommend divers be at least PADI Advanced standard or equivalent; however, if you are less qualified but experienced and confident, come along and we’ll look after you.

Some equipment can be hired in Broome. Be sure to book in advance.

Dive computers are mandatory. Please make sure yours is in good service with plenty of battery life. If it fails, we may decide it is unsafe for you to continue diving. Travel and DAN insurance is mandatory. We are diving in a very remote area.

We must restrict guest’s baggage allowance to 10kg per person, in soft bag for easy stowage on-board light aircraft and our small ship. May we suggest that you bring the following items: personal toiletries and medications if required, light tropical style, quick dry clothing, bathers, a hat, sunglasses, a pair of walking shoes that you don’t mind getting wet e.g. reef sandals, some warm clothing for the nights (long pants and long sleeve top), sunscreen, a camera, and some personal insect repellent.

King Tide has ample 240v power outlets and access to lap tops to store your pictures and movies.

We supply all fishing, crabbing and oyster gathering equipment and bait.

If you are driving to Derby, we can put you in touch with a Derby local where you can securely park your car and/or caravan, for a nominal fee, or you can just use the local caravan park.

We are a BYO alcohol ship. Your drinks can be pre-ordered and we will have them on the boat chilled for you when you arrive.

Please contact Cellarbrations at Rusty’s IGA on (08) 9191 1210 to order and pay by phone. If that is not possible we will pre pay on your behalf and bill you.

Please order well in advance if you are on a fly out tour as we must load your drinks with the back-to-back tour booked before you

Please let us know if you have any existing medical condition or allergy. To participate in all activities on our cruises, we recommend that our travellers are in good health; however, we look after our less agile guests with love.

We have Satellite and HF Radio communications direct to maritime emergency providers and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Also carried on board the vessel is a fully comprehensive RFDS medical kit. Crew all have advanced first aid training.

Our delightful cook and hostess prepare simple and healthy food in our well-equipped galley from fresh local ingredients each day.

Be awakened by the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread every morning. A cooked breakfast is may be served on some lazy days but fresh fruit, yogurt, selection of cereals, toast, condiments, tea, coffee and fruit juice are available each morning.
Lunches can include fresh fish cooked to your desire, fresh local oysters, sashimi, and mud crabs, cold meat selections, sandwiches, wraps, home-made pies, salads, fruit platters and BBQ’s.

Naughty nibbles are supplied at cocktail hour, along with yet another breath taking, glorious sunset. Your cold beers and wine are served straight off the ice.

Relax and enjoy the evening meal which may include dishes such as freshly caught fish of the day cooked to perfection, Thai and Indian curries, pastas, Roasts, or a good old Aussie BBQ, complimented by fresh vegetables and salads. We all love to eat and we all love to cook.

Tour prices now include transfers from your accommodation in Broome to the vessel and return.

Broome flights with accommodation packages are often available with big savings.

We very strongly recommend you to take out travel insurance before your tour. This should cover medivac and unexpected cancellation due to injury or illness of guests or extreme weather conditions (cyclone etc).

For example:

We had a client embed a large treble hook in his arm, the barbs were not crushed and it could not be removed by the crew. We took him to the paramedic on Cockatoo Island who also could not do anything. He had to hire a light aircraft to fly him to Broome (accompanied by his wife), visit the hospital and find accommodation that night.

We organized a flight by seaplane the next morning (which does not come cheap) to meet the vessel. At 10am he was on board and back in action.

His $100 travel insurance policy covered the whole lot, a good investment!