02 Jul 2025

Enjoying Tranquillity at Ashmore Reef

After spending the night at sea, we awoke in the middle of nowhere - yet somewhere very special and pristine, Ashmore Reef. The reef is situated nearly 200 nautical miles from Australia's Kimberley Coast and about 100 nautical miles from Indonesia. With its colourful history regarding who owns the land versus the sea around the island, this highly protected Marine Reserve was awaiting exploration.

We entered the Zodiacs and headed towards the eastern island of the three islands that make up Ashmore Reef. There were options this morning to either Zodiac cruise the waters and lagoon or snorkel amongst the coral bombies. Those who cruised saw the many birds that call Ashmore Reef home, including frigates, tropicbirds, Brown Boobies, along with Black and Brown Noddies. 

Within the water, the snorkellers enjoyed shoals of colourful fish and tropical corals, whilst some saw turtles, Blacktip Reef Shark and a pod of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, including a mum and calf. It was a morning well spent exploring these far-flung waters and meeting some of the special creatures who call it home. 

Images © E. Bell, Heritage Expeditions