Horizontal Waterfalls Seaplane Tour: Buccaneer Explorer from Broome
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required—able to climb into a seaplane and walk short, flat distances at the pearl farm.
Overview
A six-hour seaplane journey from Broome that pairs a low, circling approach over the tide-driven Horizontal Waterfalls with a pearl farm tour, lunch and a coastal return flight along the Dampier Peninsula. Best in the dry season when tides and visibility align.
Horizontal Waterfalls Seaplane Tour: Buccaneer Explorer from Broome
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The first sighting arrives like an argument you can’t ignore: a jagged slash of white water cutting through red sandstone as the seaplane banks low over Talbot Bay. Below, the Horizontal Waterfalls live up to the hype—fast-moving tidal flows forced through two narrow gaps, curtains of water that appear to move horizontally across the reef. On a dry-season Buccaneer Explorer flight from Broome, the landscape moves with purpose: islands older than continents, cliffs stained rust-red, and the rhythmic pulse of tides daring you to keep up.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book in dry season
Flights are most reliable May–October; wet-season storms often cancel or reschedule tours.
Request a window seat
For photography and the best views over the falls and archipelago, reserve a window seat at booking.
Bring sun and wind protection
A wide-brim hat, sunscreen and a light wind layer are useful for the pearl farm and exposed plane ramps.
Mind the weight limit
Maximum individual passenger weight is 120kg—disclose weight when booking to avoid last-minute refusals.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Saltwater crocodiles in estuaries and mangroves
- Green sea turtles and seasonal humpback whales offshore
History
The Buccaneer Archipelago sits within Dambimangari Sea Country; pearling has been central to the region’s economy since the late 19th century and shaped Broome’s multicultural history.
Conservation
Respect native title and pearl-farm biosecurity—avoid disturbing intertidal zones, don’t remove shells, and follow operator guidance to minimize wildlife disturbance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Broome
Recommended Gear
Window-seat camera or phone
Fast shutter and a window seat capture the best aerial views of the falls and red cliffs.
High-SPF sunscreen
Strong Kimberley sun and reflective water increase UV exposure during the flight and on the shore.
summer specific
Light windbreaker
Useful for the plane's ramp and the exposed shoreline at Cygnet Bay.
spring specific
Waterproof phone case
Protects electronics during near-water approaches and beachside stops.