Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures Horizontal Falls Tour from Broome

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Fly low over the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, land on the water in Talbot Bay and ride a power boat through the Horizontal Falls, where the tide pours through a gap in the cliffs. Leaving Broome in the morning or the afternoon, it also includes a cooked meal on the floating pontoon and a swim beside the resident nurse sharks, all in about six hours.

Days

About 6 hours

Age

4 years and over

Group size

Shared seaplane tour

Start / finish

Broome / Talbot Bay, Horizontal Falls / Broome
Broome accommodation, about 11am to 11:30am or 5pm to 5:30pm

Return

Broome accommodation, about 11am to 11:30am or 5pm to 5:30pm

Transport

Coach transfers, seaplane and power boat

Meals

Cooked meal on the floating pontoon

Route

Map of Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures Horizontal Falls Tour ex Broome AM

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Included experiences

Buccaneer Archipelago — low-level scenic seaplane flight
Talbot Bay — water landing beside the falls
Horizontal Falls — power boat ride through the wide gap
Talbot Bay creeks — cruise through bays and around islands
Marine viewing platform — shark show and swim with nurse sharks

Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures Horizontall Falls Tour ex Broome AM

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Itinerary

Map

BROOME TO TALBOT BAY BY SEAPLANE

A coach collects you from your accommodation in Broome, the town that by about 1910 supplied most of the world's mother-of-pearl, and takes you to the seaplane. Pick-up is early for the morning departure and late morning for the afternoon one. The flight north to Talbot Bay takes about an hour, low enough to read the coastline. You cross Cape Leveque, the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, where red pindan cliffs drop onto white sand. Then comes the Buccaneer Archipelago, hundreds of islands named after the English buccaneer William Dampier, who sailed these waters in 1688. The seaplane touches down on the calm water of the bay and taxis to the floating base, the only one at the falls.

THE HORIZONTAL FALLS

Here you swap the plane for a power boat. The Horizontal Falls form where the tide, which can rise and fall about 10 metres on this coast, forces the sea through two narrow gaps in the cliffs. Water piles up on one side faster than it can drain through, so you get a waterfall lying on its side, with a drop of several metres on a big tide. Your boat runs through the wider first gap, about 20 metres across. Out of respect for the beliefs of the local Aboriginal people, the boats stay out of the narrow second gap, which you watch from a safe distance. How hard the water runs depends on the tide on your day.

TALBOT BAY AND THE NURSE SHARKS

After the falls the boat slows down for a cruise through the bays and quiet creeks of Talbot Bay and around its islands, with red rock cliffs dropping straight into green water. Back at the pontoon, the shark show begins. Tawny nurse sharks gather below the platform, and these are big animals, growing to about three metres, though they hunt mostly at night and spend the day resting on the bottom. You can swim or snorkel from the marine viewing platform inside a shark-free enclosure and watch them glide past on the other side of the netting. Bring your swimwear and towel for this part.

A MEAL ON THE PONTOON AND THE FLIGHT HOME

A freshly cooked meal is served on the floating dining pontoon: breakfast on the morning trip, lunch in the afternoon. Then it's back into the seaplane for the flight south over the islands and the Dampier Peninsula coast, a second chance at the photos you missed on the way up. The coach meets you in Broome and drops you at your accommodation about six hours after pick-up, late morning or late afternoon depending on your departure, with the rest of the day free.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Coach pick-up from your Broome accommodation.
Departure time: Morning departure: pick-up from about 5am, with the flight around 6am. Afternoon departure: pick-up from about 11am, with the flight around midday. Your exact pick-up time is confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Back at your accommodation between about 11am and 11:30am on the morning departure, or between about 5pm and 5:30pm on the afternoon one.
Duration: About six hours.
Minimum age: 4 years. Children aged 4 to 12 pay a child fare, and anyone under 18 must travel with a responsible adult.
Fitness: You need to climb steps into the aircraft, step on and off boats and keep your balance on floating pontoons. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be taken. Each passenger can weigh no more than 120 kg, must declare their weight when booking and is weighed at boarding.
Please note: Tours only run on days when the tides are not neap, and the strength of the falls changes with the tide, so how fast the water moves on your day cannot be guaranteed. Pregnant travellers should check with their doctor; the boat ride is not recommended past 26 weeks. Luggage beyond one small backpack stays behind at the start.

What to bring

One small backpack, no more than 2 kg
Closed-toe shoes (no thongs)
Swimwear and a towel
Change of clothes
Sun protection
Camera
Any personal medication you need

What is included

Coach transfers to and from your Broome accommodation
Return seaplane flight from Broome, with low-level scenic flying
Power boat ride through the Horizontal Falls
Cruise through the bays, creeks and islands of Talbot Bay
Shark show, with a swim or snorkel at the marine viewing platform
Cooked meal on the floating dining pontoon

Not included

Alcohol (not served on half-day tours)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the afternoon half day tour from Broome and loved every minute: the scenic seaplane flight, several runs through the falls and a cruise up Cyclone Creek. Lunch was delicious, the staff happy and our guide very informative about the culture, geology and waterways.

Pam Levis Verified· Travelled 4th July 2026

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(5/5)

Our morning tour from Broome ran from a 5am pick-up to noon, with the flight, a jet boat run through the falls, breakfast, a shark show and a Cyclone Creek cruise before a scenic flight home. Very well organised with friendly staff, though I'd have liked clearer information on the early start and what the falls will be like on a given date.

David Farmer (austega) Verified· Travelled 4th June 2026

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(5/5)

The scenic flight from Broome was incredible and the fast boat through the falls was so much fun. Odessa was my guide and Andrew my pilot, and the fresh barramundi lunch was delicious. I highly recommend the half day afternoon tour.

Emma Geldens Verified· Travelled 7th October 2025

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(5/5)

I finally did the afternoon half day tour from Broome and it was worth it. Pilot John gave excellent commentary, lunch was fresh barramundi with good salads, and driver Dan took us through the falls several times.

Julie Lewington Verified· Travelled 22nd August 2025

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