
Broome Tides
The Kimberley Coast has the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere. The difference between high and low tides is up to around 10 metres. Take time to study our tide charts to make the most of your stay. Low tides offer the best chance to see dinosaur footprints, the flying boat wrecks and the staircase to the moon while knowing when the tide is high can save you getting your car stranded on the beach!
Tide Information
Please find below links to the latest tide information from the Bureau of Meteorology.- 2023 BOM TIDE TABLES FOR BROOME (Click to download pdf)
- 2024 BOM TIDE TABLES FOR BROOME (Click to download pdf)
All data is copyright: Commonwealth of Australia / Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights. The Bureau's liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

Special dates and Tides - Staircase to the Moon, Dinosaur Footprints and Flying Boat Wreck dates...
We have also created a special dates document that is marked up with all of the Staircase to the Moon dates, dates that the Gantheaume Point Dinosaur Footprints are visible (on tides less then 2.16m) and the Catalina Flying Boat Wrecks (visible on tides less than 0.86m).
Please check the sunrise/sunset times for optimal viewing. Sunlight hours are important for footprints / boat wrecks.
This product is based on Bureau of Meteorology information that has subsequently been modified. The Bureau does not necessarily support or endorse, or have any connection with, the product. In respect of that part of the information which is sourced from the Bureau, and to the maximum extent permitted by law: (i) The Bureau makes no representation and gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights; and (ii) the Bureau's liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.

Catalina "Flying Boat" Wrecks
Roebuck Bay contains a sunken armada of World War II flying boat wrecks that are fully visible at tides less than 0.86m. No other place in the world has such a collection of rare and historically significant flying boats. The mud has done a very good job of preserving the aircraft.
At extremely low tides, the plane wrecks are visible to those who wish to walk the kilometre across the Roebuck Bay mud flats from Town Beach.
Submerged by sea, but visible on very low tides, these wrecks are heritage protected and respected by the local community, due to them being 'war graves' of the over 100 lives lost when war came to Broome.
Broome and the pearling industry were impacted by both World Wars. During World War I pearling trade lapsed and hundreds of tonnes of shell were left in warehouses and were ruined. The industry continued after the war, though it never fully regained its earlier momentum.
In February 1942 Allied personnel were ordered to evacuate Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) as an attack by the Japanese was imminent. During February and March over 8000 refugees passed through Broome en route to Perth and Sydney using whatever aircraft was available.
On the 3rd of March 1942, nine Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighters left Koepang, in Timor, and made a daring air bombardment of Broome. They destroyed fifteen flying boats on Roebuck Bay and six aircraft at the Broome airfield. It is estimated over 100 people died during the attack. Heroic rescues by locals and aircrew saved many lives. The attack left no useable aircraft in Broome.
Read more at the Broome Historical Museum website.
To this day, the wrecks of some of the aircraft can be seen at very low tide at certain times of the year.
To this day, the wrecks of some of the aircraft can be seen at very low tide at certain times of the year.
We recommend you allow an hour to walk to out to the wrecks, and an hour to return to shore. Enclosed shoes are also recommended.
The wrecks are protected under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990. Please do not disturb them, do not remove artefacts and do not walk on exposed structures.
We have some fantastic photos of the flying boat wrecks in the shallows of Roebuck Bay by Maddison Hall here.
Yes, you can book online on very limited dates each year to enjoy a shallow boat tour to the flying boat wrecks. These tours are usually an early start and are a fantastic way to get the full commentary from an experienced guide. Email us if you need more information.
The Broome Historical Museum is a fantastic place to start reading. They have lots of information as well as books for sale. When you come to Broome, you can visit the museum and see artefacts and learn more. We also have a new art installation near the new jetty at Town Beach called 9 Zeros - 9 Stories which was created to acknowledge the 80th anniversary of the Broome air raid.
The giant tides are part of Broome's unique charm, but it is important to know the times of the tides if you plan to drive on Cable Beach or want to try your hand at mud crabbing in Roebuck Bay. View our marked up tides chart for dates when the tides are low enough to walk out to the flying boat wrecks (you will need to cross check the sunrise and sunset times for your own safety).
We suggest you plan a visit to the Broome museum, or read some of the information at the Broome Historical Museum website.

Broome's Unique Dinosaur Footprints
Dinosaur footprints dating back over 120 million years can be seen around the Broome area at certain low tides. Enormous Brontosaurus-type seropod and other theropod dinosaur prints, including Stegosaurus, were laid about 130 million years ago.
The prints are scattered around Roebuck Bay and along the coast, some can be reached by foot from at Gantheaume Point when tides are below 2.16m, be aware that the rocks are slippery. Other prints are best reached by on tour with Broome Dinosaur Adventures and walking tours with the team from Broome Dinosaur Experience.
The replica footprints can be found embedded in the rocks near the walkway at Gantheaume Point (no climbing required).
Footprints can be seen at low tide around Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point and Reddell Beach. The Dinosaur Coast Management Group (DCMG) is a not-for-profit organisation, formed in 2015 to protect and promote the dinosaur tracks of the Dampier Peninsula and to educate the public about their cultural and scientific importance. For more information visit the Dinosaur Coast Management Group website.

- There is also a Dinosaur Coast Track Guide app you can download.

Low tide
See some very old and perfectly preserved dinosaur tracks in rock on the beach or marvel at the brightly coloured inhabitants that bask amongst the Mangrove trees lining the coast. You will be amazed by the history that hides on our ocean floor. Join a shallow boat tour featuring the dinosaur footprints with Broome Dinosaur Adventures. Book your Broome dinosaur footprint shallow boat tours online.
Kimberley Tides
Twice a day a 10 metre tidal wave crashes into the Kimberley Coast in ferocious fashion, made particularly spectacular as it bottle necks in the channels of the islands giving rise to terrifying standing waves, enormous whirlpools and majestic waterfall reefs.
Neap tides are when there is the smallest difference between low and high tides.
Below are the dates for neap tides in 2023 between March and October (so no Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure tours operate on these dates).
September 2023 - 24th, 25th and 26th
October 2023 - 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 23rd, 24th, 25th
Neap Tides are part of the normal tidal cycle and occur each month when the sun and moon are at right angles to the earth. During this time, their total gravitational pull on the Earth’s water is weakened because the water flows from two different directions – high tides are lower, and low tides are higher. For this reason, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures does not operate during a neap tide.
Season opening is 22nd March 2024 and season close Friday 8th November 2024.
The power of the Horizontal Falls water flow is determined by fluctuating tidal movements. During slow water dates, the tidal movements are minimal, meaning the horizontal waterfalls are relatively inactive making for a scenic boat cruise and an opportunity to take in spiritual and historical significance of the area in a more relaxed setting. Please note – respecting local Indigenous beliefs, we only traverse 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 Slow Water days, there will be very minimal water movement visible in the narrow gap. The experience of the Falls flow will differ from tour to tour as we operate in an environment that is different every day.
You can download the tides schedule from BOM for 2024 here
2024 Neap Tides and Slow Water dates
for Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures
Note: All dates/availability are subject to change and local conditions may impact availability.