Broome to Horizontal Falls: Seaplane, Fast Boat & Lunch Tour

Summary

Low flights over Buccaneer islands, fast boats at Horizontal Falls, Kimberley wildness

You’ll fly low over wild Kimberley islands from Broome before landing at Talbot Bay for a heart-thumping boat ride through Horizontal Falls. Swim safely in a marine platform, eat freshly grilled barramundi with new friends, then drift back over Cape Leveque as afternoon light hits Cable Beach. It’s loud, messy fun — with moments of real quiet mixed in.

What’s the experience like?

I was still half-awake when the minibus pulled up outside my hotel in Broome — I’d barely finished my coffee. There were only a handful of us, all looking a bit nervous-excited as we climbed into the seaplane. Our pilot, Matt (who had that sun-baked Kimberley look), grinned and said “Don’t worry, it’s smoother than it looks.” He wasn’t lying; once we lifted off, Broome shrank behind us and suddenly there was nothing but that jigsaw of turquoise and burnt red below. I pressed my forehead to the window so hard I left a mark. The Buccaneer Archipelago is wild — like someone scattered islands just for fun.

Landing on Talbot Bay was weirdly gentle. It’s quieter out there than I expected — just the slap of water against the pontoons and someone’s laugh echoing back from the cliffs. We swapped plane for boat (900 horsepower, apparently — not that I know what that means but it felt fast) and our skipper, Jase, gave us a quick “hold on tight” before gunning it straight at the Horizontal Falls. The sound is what got me: this deep roar as water squeezes through those gaps. My stomach dropped a bit on the first pass but after that I couldn’t stop grinning. You get soaked if you sit near the front — which I found out too late.

After all that adrenaline, drifting along the creeks felt almost sleepy. Mangroves everywhere, some kind of bird calling overhead (Jase said it was a whistler? I didn’t catch the rest). Lunch was barramundi on deck — smoky from the grill, eaten with wet hands because none of us bothered to dry off properly after swimming in their marine cage thing. No crocs or sharks in there (they promise), just curious fish bumping your toes if you stand still long enough. Someone tried to feed them by hand; got splashed for their trouble.

The flight back to Broome took us low over Cape Leveque and Cable Beach — you could see camels lined up like dots in the sand. By then everyone was quiet again, tired in that good way you get after sun and saltwater and laughing too much with strangers you’ll probably never see again. Sometimes I still think about how small everything looked from up there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Broome to Horizontal Falls adventure

• Pick up from accommodation
• Fly from Broome to Horizontal Falls
• Board fast boat for thrill ride
• Cruise surrounding bays and creeks
• Swim in croc/shark free cage
• Enjoy cooked breakfast or BBQ lunch
• Fly low over Buccaneer Archipelago
• Return to accommodation by bus

Top questions

How long is the Broome to Horizontal Falls tour?

The half-day adventure typically lasts several hours including flights, boat rides, swimming time, meals and transfers.

Is pickup included for this Horizontal Falls tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Broome are included as part of your booking.

What do you do at Horizontal Falls?

You’ll take a fast boat ride through the falls themselves, swim safely in a marine viewing platform cage, cruise around bays and creeks, enjoy lunch or breakfast on board and feed fish.

Are meals provided during this day trip?

Yes—depending on timing you’ll have either a cooked breakfast or BBQ lunch with tea or coffee included onboard.

Can children join this tour?

Children aged 4 years or older can join but must be accompanied by an adult throughout.

Is there a weight restriction for passengers?

Yes—due to aircraft safety rules each passenger must weigh under 120 kg (265 pounds).

What should I bring for swimming at Talbot Bay?

A swimsuit and towel are recommended if you want to swim in the marine viewing platform during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Broome accommodation, return scenic flights by seaplane across Buccaneer Archipelago and Cape Leveque, an exhilarating fast boat cruise through Horizontal Falls with an experienced local skipper, time to swim safely in a marine viewing platform (no crocs or sharks), fish feeding fun, plus either a cooked breakfast or BBQ lunch served fresh onboard with tea or coffee before flying home again.