Horizontal Falls scenic flight & boat tour from Derby
Fly low over the Kimberley, then ride the tidal surge through the falls
A half-day tour from Derby combining a scenic seaplane flight to Horizontal Falls with a high-speed boat ride through the tidal rapids, a relaxing creek cruise, and swimming in a marine viewing platform. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; the flight departs from Derby airport and the entire tour runs about 6 hours. Minimum age is 4; weight restrictions apply (maximum 120 kg per person, declared at booking).
6h
Step-by-step itinerary
Derby to Horizontal Falls adventure
- Pick up from accommodation
- Fly from Derby to Horizontal Falls
- Ride fast boat through the falls
- Cruise surrounding bays and creeks
- Swim in croc/shark free cage
- Enjoy breakfast or Barramundi BBQ lunch
- Fly back over Buccaneer Archipelago and Broome
- Return to accommodation by bus
The Experience
You start with a courtesy pickup from your accommodation and head to Derby airport to board a 14-seat turbo prop seaplane. The flight itself is the first part of the experience—you'll fly directly to Horizontal Falls, passing over Derby's tidal flats, King Sound, Cone Bay and the "Graveyard" before touching down in the calm waters of Talbot Bay. The seaplane lands on the water, so you step straight from the aircraft onto the boat.
Once on the water, you board a 900hp fast boat—the fastest in the Kimberley—and your skipper takes you through the Horizontal Falls themselves. The ride is built around the tidal surge; the falls reverse direction with the tide, and the boat navigates the rapids while you experience the full force of the water. After the main event, the pace shifts. You cruise through the surrounding bays and creeks at a slower speed, taking in the untouched landscape. Then comes the swim: you'll enter a large croc and shark-free cage anchored in the water and feed the fish while staying safely contained. A cooked breakfast or Barramundi BBQ lunch is served on board with tea and coffee included.
The return flight departs Talbot Bay and takes a different route—you'll fly low across the Buccaneer Archipelago, Cape Leveque, Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Cable Beach and Broome township before landing back in Derby. The courtesy bus returns you to your hotel. Closed footwear is required throughout; thongs are not permitted.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- round-trip scenic seaplane flight on a 14-seat turbo prop.
- power boat ride through Horizontal Falls with an experienced skipper.
- relaxing cruise through surrounding bays and creeks.
- cooked breakfast or Barramundi BBQ lunch with tea and coffee.
- swim in a marine viewing platform where you feed fish in a shark and crocodile-free cage.
Operated by Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Derby or nearby without a car—the hotel pickup means you don't need to arrange transport to the airport, and the seaplane departs from Derby itself, so the whole experience is built around where you already are. The 6-hour timeframe fits a free afternoon or a half-day break from a longer trip.
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Top questions
What exactly happens when the seaplane lands at Horizontal Falls?
The seaplane touches down in the calm waters of Talbot Bay near the falls. You disembark directly onto the fast boat that will take you through the Horizontal Falls themselves, so there's no separate transfer between aircraft and vessel.
Is the boat ride through Horizontal Falls rough, or is it a smooth cruise?
The boat ride through the Horizontal Falls is an exhilarating thrill ride—your skipper navigates the tidal rapids at speed. The rest of the tour includes a relaxed creek cruise through the surrounding bays, so you get both the intensity and the calm.
Can I really swim during this tour, or is it just viewing?
You do swim in a large marine viewing platform—a croc and shark-free cage anchored in the water where you can feed fish while you're in the water. It's a contained swim, not open water.
How long is the whole tour from pickup to drop-off?
The tour runs about 6 hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off, the seaplane flight both ways, the boat ride through the falls, the creek cruise, and the swim.
What's included for food and drinks?
A cooked breakfast or Barramundi BBQ lunch is served on board the boat, along with tea and coffee. Any special dietary requirements should be noted at the time of booking.
Do I need to declare my weight, and why?
Yes—all guests must declare their accurate weight at booking to ensure safe loading of the seaplane. You'll be weighed again at the airport; the aircraft cannot carry passengers weighing 120 kg (265 pounds) or more, and boarding may be refused if your actual weight exceeds your declaration.
Horizontal Falls scenic flight & boat tour from Derby
6h · EN · at your hotel
from AU$ 1,265 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.8076 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
