Australia's Pioneering Cruise Line For 40 years, Coral Expeditions has focused on small ship expedition cruises to remote destinations.
Our fleet of three Australian-flagged and crewed ships are purpose-built for exploring. With no more than 120 guests, there are no queues. Our cuisine is small-batch, our wines are Australian artisanal, and our service is personalised. Come explore your world with Australia’s pioneering cruise line. Our range of expedition destinations include the Kimberley, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, South Aus
tralia, Australia’s West Coast, Cape York, Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea, Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, Indian Ocean, Japan and beyond.
22/07/2025
We’re proud to be named a 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner.
This places us among the top 10% of experiences worldwide, based on a year’s worth of real reviews from travelers like you.
We’re deeply grateful to our guests for your support, feedback, and trust. This recognition reflects your experiences and the hard work of our team to deliver something worth remembering.
Thank you for being part of this. We’re excited to keep raising the bar.
Tripadvisor
15/07/2025
Guests aboard Coral Adventurer witnessed a powerful moment of nature at Montgomery Reef, Australia’s largest inshore reef system, which covers approximately 400 square kilometres and stretches over 80 kilometres along the Kimberley coast. Known for its extreme tidal shifts up to 10 metres - the reef dramatically transforms as water rushes away, revealing vast coral flats and creating strong currents. This tawny nurse shark had likely been swimming across the reef during high tide but became trapped as the water receded rapidly. Stranded and fully exposed, the sight offered a rare and striking reminder of the ocean’s power and the challenges marine life face in such a dynamic environment.
📸 Stan
15/07/2025
After a life-altering climbing accident left Paul Pritchard with a severe brain injury and partial paralysis, his world changed overnight. The journey that followed was not just one of physical healing, but of rediscovery—of strength, purpose, and identity. In the face of immense challenges, Paul slowly rebuilt his life, step by step, learning to adapt, to endure, and eventually, to thrive. From relearning basic movements to taking on extraordinary adventures once again, his recovery became a powerful testament to human resilience. Rather than being defined by limitation, Paul embraced a new path—one that celebrated possibility, connection, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.
Our Australian Circumnavigation voyage can now be purchased in three distinct ways.
Join us for the full 60-night experience, or explore a portion of the journey through one of two sub-trips: Across the Top of Australia or Great Southern Shores.
This is a rare opportunity to tailor your adventure - travel from Cairns to Fremantle over 26 nights, or from Fremantle to Sydney over 20 nights.
When the South Pacific looks this inviting, how can you resist diving in? Picture yourself swimming in crystal-clear waters, discovering remote islands, and soaking up unforgettable sunsets.
In January 2026, three epic voyages will take you across the Pacific, each one filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments.
This summer, swap the Australian heat for something extraordinary. Adventure awaits.
Clear, crisp days stretched beneath endless blue skies, and the land felt alive with colour and movement. Wildlife sightings were at their peak, freshwater crocs drifted silently through still waterways, turtles crossed remote beaches, and rock wallabies darted across ochre cliffs.
The rivers were full, the waterfalls flowing, and the best of the Kimberley was on full display. From ancient gorges to glowing sunsets, every moment felt like it belonged in a dream.
Now, as the season deepens, we can’t wait to see the magic of July unfold.
01/07/2025
Dreaming of an escape far from the norm? Imagine venturing to islands so remote they barely register on Google Earth, places you’ve likely never heard of, where the modern world feels a lifetime away.
Journey to Micronesia, where the largest island you’ll visit, Pohnpei, stretches 334.1 km² and offers a world of dense rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and the mysterious stone city of Nan Madol. Over 21 nights, this voyage carries you deep into the Pacific to communities where stone money is still valued, ancestral legends are passed down through song and story, and guests are welcomed with dances, leis, and genuine warmth. Explore Kosrae’s mangrove-lined coasts, dive into the haunting wrecks of Truk Lagoon, and snorkel the vibrant protected reefs of Ant Atoll. On islands like Ifalik and Lamotrek, rarely accessible to outsiders, experience traditional canoe sailing, handwoven crafts, and ceremonial customs that have remained unchanged for generations. Between these rare encounters, unwind on deck with expert-led lectures and fresh locally inspired cuisine. This isn’t just a tropical escape. It’s a journey into the heart of the Pacific’s living heritage.
🚨 HURRY! Only 2 Hours Left! 🚨
Our End of Financial Year Sale is almost over!
This is your last chance to grab unbeatable deals!
🕒 Sale ends in just 2 HOURS – Don’t miss out!
Save big this EOFY with cruises departing from August 2025 to February 2026. Set sail and enjoy a last minute international holiday.
25/06/2025
⭐️ Set Sail with Our End of Financial Year Sale ⭐️
For four days only - from 26 to 30 June 2025 - take advantage of exclusive savings on a curated selection of voyages!
Whether you've been dreaming of waterfalls in the Kimberley, coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef, or island-hopping through Japan, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Spice Islands or Borneo- now is your chance.
International Day of the Seafarer 🛳⚓️
Today we pay tribute to the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to the sea.
At Coral Expeditions, our seafarers are the soul of our voyages. They bring knowledge, passion and care to every journey. They are the ones who guide us safely through remote waters, who share stories and insights with our guests, and who quietly take care of every detail behind the scenes.
Their commitment to the maritime industry and to our team is something we never take for granted. We are proud and grateful to have them as part of our Coral family.
To all the seafarers around the world and especially to those who sail with us, thank you. Your work is extraordinary and deeply valued.
24/06/2025
Winter in the Kimberley is our kind of wonderland.
Trade cold mornings for sun-drenched days, red cliffs, and turquoise seas. It’s the perfect time to escape the chill and explore one of Australia’s most extraordinary regions.
Jump into one of our upcoming cruises before the season ends or start planning your winter escape for next year.
22/06/2025
Explore more of Western Australia's iconic coastline with our new voyage releases for 2026 & 2027.
New Dates
16 September 2026 | 1 October 2026 | 5 November 2026 | 12 February 2027 | 27 February 2027
Join us as we uncover the wild beauty of Western Australia’s remote coast – where red desert meets turquoise sea. This expedition takes us through a region rich in maritime and Indigenous history, from the ancient stories of the Yaburara people to the voyages of Dampier, Hartog, Baudin and Freycinet. Along the way, we’ll explore vibrant marine parks, spot unique birdlife, and snorkel pristine reefs. With our expert guides leading the way, we’ll visit the iconic Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Montebello and Muiron Islands, Cape Range and the Dampier Archipelago – each with its own story to tell.
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Started by a fisherman-entrepreneur with a passion for life at sea, the original Coral Princess, a converted ‘Fairmile’ submarine chaser was commissioned in 1983.
The company has always been based in Queensland, in the tropical north of Australia. Moving from Townsville in 2002 to its current base in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the company pioneered small ship expedition style cruising in the Kimberley, the Islands of the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea. Coral Expeditions remains the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
Many of the additions and developments during this period were innovative for the industry, including the use of interpretive guides and the build and launch of Coral Discoverer (formerly Oceanic Discoverer) in 2005 – a landmark vessel with global ocean capabilities built to very high standards in Australia. The Coral Discoverer remains the only Australian-flagged passenger vessel operating unrestricted international voyages.
Today, the Coral Expeditions fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the rugged coast of Tasmania and now, the coastal villages and great rivers of South East Asia.
We are pleased to announce the build of a new vessel, Coral Adventurer, to be delivered and take her maiden voyage in April 2019. This new ship is designed for ocean voyages to remote areas inaccessible to large cruise vessels. The design draws on the latest technical advances as well as Coral Expeditions’ 34 years of experience building and operating expedition ships. She will carry a maximum of only 120 guests in 60 cabins, preserving Coral Expeditions’ traditionally relaxed and intimate onboard atmosphere with no queues or waiting. She will be our largest vessel, with space for 120 guests, and will enable us to take more journeys into the remote coastal regions of South East Asia and Papua New Guinea.
Following a long maritime tradition, she will be Australian flagged and crewed and conform to the highest standards of build quality, operational redundancy and environmental compliance.
