Good luck. The boats running to the Kimberley cost a fair bit to run. Put a few boats together and do it yourself, will work out cheaper but be well prepared and expect to pay around 4 dollars per litre for fuel. Also theres nothing like local knowledge from someone thats been doing it for years.

blitto, I owned and ran "Kimberley 1000 Island Charters" for three years, we camped on the beaches etc in swags and mossie domes, we charged around $300 to $350 per head depending on numbers. Our boat was surveyed for 10 passengers and two crew. I loved every minute of the business but its very hard to make money from a business when clients only want to be in the Kimberley in the dry season because it is too hot in the wet, even though thats when the Kimberley is at its best.

As Billcollector said fuel is a huge expense and keeping food and drinks cold is another big challenge. Our aim was to create a "beer and bickies" charter for between three and ten days, rather than the "chardy and caviar" set. You cleaned your own fish and got mud between your toes catching muddys and oysters, you actually caught and cleaned your own fish, made your own bed, did the dishes and kept the camp clean and tidy, we had some very special charters and made some lifelong friends of some of our customers.

We operated out of Broome, doing day charters as well as extended charters to the islands, including the Lacepedes, Beagle Bay, etc.

But what do you do with the boat on the six months when there are no clients, the bills still keep coming and it is expensive to keep a boat in survey, especially trying to operate up north, where there are almost no facilities for repairs and maintenance. 

The islands, bays and scenery in the Kimberley is breathtaking and should be on everyones bucket list to do at least once, you will not regret the experience and will be spell bound by the Kimberley region, its Gods country.

There are still several operators running out of Derby that offer a great service that I would recommend that you chase up, check on the Derby visitor centre site, I am sure they will have all their details.

Old Banga!

get that Kimberly Red Dust it's hard to to want to go back. time after time.

Blessed that I get to go there at least once a year, so many places to visit, so many things to see, so many fish to be caught and released.

Aahh just so damn expensive, not disimilar to a High Maintenance Mrs.

Hope she is not on the forum today, Ouch!!!!!!