Dampier Archipelago and Murujuga Sea Kayak Expedition

Guests fly into Karratha (KTA) airport at 3.20pm. Our staff will meet you at Karratha airport arrivals area, and after a brief stop in town for any last-minute essentials, transfer you to our campsite (in Dampier town) for the night. For guests arriving in Karratha a day early, pick up can be arranged from a central Karratha city location at approximately 3.45pm. Upon arrival at our campsite, your guides will ensure you are familiar with your camping equipment, and we set up tents for the night. Dry bags for packing personal items will be issued, and if time allows we will fit some of our activity equipment. At approximately 6pm we’ll head to a local Dampier restaurant SOAK for a group dinner (at own expense), where we can discuss the plan for the next 5 days.

Meals:  Nil

We have an early start this morning, as we have to pack up our camp, have breakfast, load the bus and drop off our excess luggage for storage, all before 8am. This morning we head to the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) at 8am to participate in a Cultural Awareness presentation, followed by a rock art tour at Nganjarli. The presentation will provide guidance on how to be culturally safe and enjoy the wonders of Murujuga; provide an insight to the history and management of the area, as well as the opportunity to yarn with one or more of the indigenous rangers. At the conclusion of the rock art tour (around 11am), we take the 15-minute drive to our expedition launch point. Your guides have a lot of talking to do today, as the group navigates getting the kayaks and gear packed and prepped to be self-sufficient for the next 5 days. Following a paddle briefing and safety talk, we’ll launch our kayaks and head north towards Flying Foam Passage. Along the way we may stop to look at some more incredible examples of rock engravings and a late picnic lunch on the beach, before we arrive at our campsite for the night. After setting up camp there may be time for a swim or some beach combing before we start dinner prep for the evening meal. Enjoy your first night of island life under the stars!

Meals:  B,L,D

The prevailing weather conditions determine the exact itinerary for this tour: every tour will be different depending on the forecast wind, tide and swell. Luckily there is plenty to explore amongst the Dampier Archipelago Islands: shallow mangrove habitats alive with juvenile turtles , rays and baby reef sharks; jumbled rock piles etched with thousands of years of artwork; sandy coves and turquoise water tucked amongst towering cliffs, and remains of early European pearling operations are some examples. If conditions allow we may enjoy a snorkel (either by anchoring the kayaks and sliding over the side, or swimming from shore) at some locations.

Meals:  B,L,D

We pack up our tents for the last time this morning and begin the paddle back to the mainland. We aim to arrive back at our launch site by noon, to allow ample time to unpack our kayaks, load them on the trailer, and return to town to pick up extra luggage, before we drive to the airport around 3pm for the 5pm Qantas Karratha to Perth flight.

Meals:  B,L