It’s a true Kimberley bucket-list experience. If you’re looking for an adventure packed with excitement, spectacular scenery and plenty of wow factor, explore the range of Horizontal Falls tours and discover this extraordinary natural wonder for yourself.
It is a good idea to book ahead as the Horizontal Falls tours are very popular.
The Broome Visitor Centre can assist with information, explaining the different tours and assisting with your bookings. Give our team a call 08 9195 2200 weekdays from 9am - 3.30pm AWST, or you can book online here > Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure tour bookings.
What are the Horizontal Waterfalls?
Deep within Talbot Bay, the Horizontal Waterfalls are one of the Kimberley’s most extraordinary natural spectacles. Twice each day, the region’s huge tides force seawater through two narrow gaps in the McLarty Range, creating powerful rapids that appear to tumble sideways through the rugged sandstone cliffs.
Witness the tide turn and see the incoming and outgoing waterfalls of Horizontal Falls, a remarkable natural wonder only found in Western Australia.
Where are the Horizontal Waterfalls?
These falls are located in the The Lang-garram / Horizontal Falls Marine Park, Kimberley region of Western Australia, specifically within Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago.
What are neap tides in Broome?
Neap tides are periods when the difference between high tide and low tide is smaller than usual. They occur around the first and third quarter phases of the Moon, when the Sun and Moon’s gravitational pulls are working at roughly right angles to each other. Broome has an exceptionally large tidal range, so the difference between spring and neap tides can be particularly noticeable.
What dates do Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures not operate?
The power of the Horizontal Falls water flow is determined by fluctuating tidal movements. Tours are not available with this operator on neap tide dates. They specify particular dates as mid tide dates, which are bookable.
During mid tide dates, the tidal movements are less notable, meaning the horizontal waterfalls are relatively serene making for a more scenic boat cruise and an opportunity to take in spiritual and historical significance of the area in a more relaxed setting. Water movement may be slow, from time-to-time, even on dates not designated as ‘mid tide’ dates.
Which Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure is best for me?
If you're trying to choose between the Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, the best option really depends on what you want to get out of the day.
HALF DAY TOUR
On the Half Day Ex-Broome, you get the spectacular low-level seaplane flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago, a water landing at Talbot Bay, the fast-boat ride through the Horizontal Falls, an island cruise and the marine viewing platform/shark experience. This is also available Ex Cygnet Bay.
FULL DAY ADVENTURE
The Full Day Horizontal Falls & Dampier Peninsula combines the Horizontal Falls with the Dampier Peninsula. A jam packed full day trip with a 4WD bus tour for one leg, and a seaplane flight for the other. You also get two meals and experience much more of the Kimberley rather than simply flying in and out of Talbot Bay.
There are two versions od the full day option:
Fly/Drive – fly from Broome to Horizontal Falls first, then travel overland through the Dampier Peninsula before returning to Broome.
Drive/Fly – travel by bus through the Dampier Peninsula first, then take the seaplane to Horizontal Falls and fly back to Broome.
OVERNIGHT STAYS
The Horizontal Falls Overnight Stay is a fantastic option with FOUR EXPERIENCES & TWO MEALS. Rather than leaving Talbot Bay after the daytime experience, you stay overnight on the floating pontoon/houseboat at Talbot Bay. You get sunset, dinner, stargazing, your own air-conditioned cabin and breakfast before returning the following day. This is an 18-hour tour. Dinner is locally sourced Barramundi and a cooked breakfast is included the next morning. Available Ex-Broome (via Derby), Ex-Derby and Ex-Cygnet Bay. The Ex-Cygnet Bay option includes a pearl farm tour too!
LUXURY STAYS
If you want to go all-out, the Luxury Overnight is a 24-hour stay, with FIVE EXPERIENCES & THREE MEALS, including a guided fishing charter and multiple boat cruises. The Luxury Overnight Stay are on the luxury houseboat Jetwave Pearl at Talbot Bay. Jetwave Pearl is a two-level, 10-room luxury vessel with bespoke furnishings. This is a air-conditioned stay with ensuite bathrooms (with hairdryers). Enjoy a gourmet dinner featuring local produce, prepared by onboard chef and premium wines, beers and spirits included with the pre-dinner drinks (in the rooftop lounge) and your evening meal. Towels are also provided for the luxury overnight stay. Available as Ex Derby, and also Ex-Broome via Derby where coach transfers to and from Derby are included (approx 2.5 hours each way).
There are 3 room types available on Jetwave Pearl; standard cabins on upper or main deck contain a double bed and private ensuite, while our premium cabins contain a queen size bed, private ensuite and balcony.
Will I get to go through both gaps at the Horizontal Falls?
Please note – respecting local Indigenous beliefs, this operator only traverses the Wide Gap (first set of Falls) and do not go through the Narrow Gap (second set of Falls) however guests will see the narrow gap at a safe distance. During mid tide days, there will also be less water movement visible in the narrow gap. The experience of the Falls flow will differ from tour to tour as the environment is different every day. The operator's terms and conditions apply to all seaplane adventures with the power boat experiences.
Please call the Broome Visitor Centre 08 9195 2200 to ask any questions and receive advice on the different tour options or to book over the phone.
Can I consume alcohol?
For safety reasons, no alcohol is to be consumed on full day tours. Overnight guests are welcome to purchase alcoholic drinks from the bar onboard the pontoon which opens at 5pm daily. For Luxury Overnight Stay guests, alcoholic beverages are included within their tour. For Fly/Drive and Drive/Fly full day tours, alcoholic beverages can be purchased and consumed at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm only during the tour.
What does AM or PM mean?
Half day seaplane tours are available to depart in the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM).
Can I do a full day tour to the Horizontal Falls by road only?
No, as the seaplane adventures base in Talbot Bay is a floating pontoon, and is not accessible by road. However, there is a Horizontal Falls & Dampier Peninsula Tour that offers a Fly/Drive or Drive/Fly option. This full day tour allows you to fly from Broome by seaplane direct to Talbot Bay, and return to Broome by 4WD bus, via the Dampier Peninsula. This tour is also available in reverse Drive there/Fly back. Tour inclusions are the same for both full day tours, and it comes down to your preference to fly in the morning or afternoon (and availability of course). The overland portion of the trip includes a visit and tour of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, and also a stop at Beagle Bay to see the famous Mother of Pearl Church.
How long is the flight from Broome to Talbot Bay?
The flight time from Broome to Talbot Bay is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How long is the flight from Derby to Talbot Bay?
The flight time from Broome to Talbot Bay is approximately 40 minutes.
How long is the flight from Cygnet Bay to Talbot Bay?
The flight time from Cygnet Bay to Talbot Bay is approximately 30 minutes.
Can children go on these tours?
Children are welcome however the minimum age for all tour guests is 4 years and minimum weight is 15kg. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult carer at all times to ensure safety.
What are the weight restrictions for adults?
Due to safety requirements on the Horizontal Falls seaplanes, there is a passenger weight limit maximum of 120kgs and minimum of 15kgs.
What footwear is required?
For the safety of all guests and crew, we highly recommend wearing enclosed toed shoes only (no sandals or flip-flops). Boarding may be denied when wearing inappropriate footwear. We know, you are relaxing on Broometime and all that, but the footwear is important!
2027 Neap Tides and 'Mid Tide' dates
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures do not operate on Neap Tides as below marked in orange. Mid Tide dates are marked in green.
Broome Visitor Centre
Looking for tours to do while you are in Broome? Need accommodation options?
The Broome Visitor Centre can help can you plan your stay or assist with your tour bookings.
For recommendations and advice - call the visitor centre on 08 9195 2200
Please note: some details may change since published. Please get in touch with us for up to date information.