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5-Day Dampier Archipelago & Murujuga National Park
Sea Kayaking and Island Camping Expedition
Dampier Archipelago & Murujuga National Park
5-Day Sea Kayak Expedition
Murujuga and the Dampier Archipelago land and sea country supports one of the most diverse marine environments in Western Australia, and includes one of the most significant and diverse collections of indigenous rock art in the world. The traditional custodians of Murujuga, the Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi, Yaburara-Mardudhunera, and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo have taken the lead in putting this area forward for potential inclusion on the World Heritage List. Join us to explore a sea kayaking paradise, with numerous islands, tidal channels, mangrove creeks and sweeping beaches to explore. The combination of an incredible cultural landscape, checkered European history, and diverse marine ecosystems make this tour one not to be missed!
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
Sea kayaking in double or single sit-inside expedition sea kayaks | Island (expedition) camping
Snorkelling is not a focus of this tour, however we do provide snorkelling gear for our guests in case the opportunity arises
DURATION
6 days/5 nights, including one night camping in Dampier town pre-expedition
TOUR INCLUSIONS AT A GLANCE
Pick up and drop off from Karratha (KTA) airport or central Karratha town | Cultural awareness training and rock art tour delivered by indigenous rangers from Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation | Sun protection gear: long sleeve sun shirts (rashies), broad brim hats | Snorkelling gear: Quality snorkel and mask, fins | Kayaking safety equipment and qualified guide | All food and non-alcoholic drinks (BYO alcohol) | All camping gear | Dry bags | Photos taken by your guide
SEASON
Late May to early September
LOCATION
Dampier Archipelago and Murujuga National Park near Karratha, Pilbara region, Western Australia
PRICE
Adult $2560 | Children (14-17) $2310
All pricing is on a twin-share basis. For those wishing to have a private 'solo' tent, a $100 single supplement applies (limit 6 per tour). Requests for exclusive use of single kayaks (limited to 4 per tour) are subject to a $100 supplement.
A 30% deposit is required on booking, with balance payable 30 days prior to departure
TOUR NUMBERS
This tour will run with a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 12 participants, plus guides and volunteers.
TOUR PRE-REQUISITES
Due to the remote location of this tour, and the variety of paddling conditions we may experience (including tidal currents, wind and swell), this tour is only available to experienced sea kayakers who have previously participated in a multi-day sea kayaking tour or expedition. Participants must be capable of carrying at least 15kg (share of a loaded sea kayak) over 200m, and entering and exiting a sea kayak when launching and landing independently and efficiently when required.
Participation in daily camp set up and pack down is welcomed, with guests expected to set up and pack down their own tent and camping gear each day.
TOUR MEETING POINT
Pick up from KTA (Karratha Airport) at 3.20pm (Perth to Karratha flight arriving at 3.15pm) on Sunday, or from central Karratha meeting point at 3.45-4pm.
![Rock art Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tassie-Tiger-Ngajarli-1.jpg)
![Kayaks on a beach, Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kayaks-Beach-1.jpg)
![Kayaks on a beach, Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kayaks-Beach-1.jpg)
![Sea kayaking along a rocky cliff, Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kayak-Dolphin-1.jpg)
![Sea kayaking along a rocky cliff, Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kayak-Dolphin-1.jpg)
The Tour...
Following two very successful departures in August 2023, there are now 4 departures scheduled for June and August 2024. An expedition-style tour for guests who have prior sea kayaking experience, you will spend 5 days and 4 nights exploring the Dampier Archipelago Islands. The geographical focus area of this tour is the islands immediately to the north of the Burrup Peninsula and Murujuga National Park: Angel, Gidley and Dolphin Islands, including Flying Foam Passage.
View a map of the tour area and surrounding areas HERE
Download the Tour Fact Sheet including TOUR ITINERARY HERE (5MB)
![Sea Kayaking amongst islands on the Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kayak-Cliffs-1.jpg)
![Sea Kayaking amongst islands on the Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kayak-Cliffs-1.jpg)
Sea Kayaking
This is an expedition-style sea kayaking tour, meaning that we carry all of our food, water, camping gear and personal effects in the kayaks with us for 5 days. Unlike some other sea kayak expeditions run by Exmouth Adventure Co, there is no opportunity for re-supply on this tour. Our sea kayaks are double Eco Niizh expedition kayaks, and there may be a small amount of single Eco Behzig sea kayaks available on request (subject to availability and tour numbers).
Each day we cover between 8 and 16km in the kayaks, dependant on the area we are exploring. The exact itinerary for each tour will vary depending on the wind, swell and tidal conditions that are forecast. You can expect to encounter a variety of sea conditions, from serene mangrove creeks to strong tidal currents, to rolling swell as we explore the islands.
![Island Camping in the Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Beach-Camp-Sunset-1.jpg)
![Island Camping in the Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Beach-Camp-Sunset-1.jpg)
Expedition Camping
The sites that we use on this tour are publicly accessible ‘wilderness’ camp sites on Angel, Gidley and Dolphin Islands. Exmouth Adventure Co operates under a strict ‘minimal impact’ ethos – we pack all of our waste out with us (yes, even human waste). There are no facilities at any of the campsites, and Exmouth Adventure Co supplies all of the gear that you will need to ensure that your camping experience is as comfortable as possible: twin-share (3-person) hiking dome tents (private tents are available for a $100 single supplement), self-inflating mattresses, sleeping bag and liner, inflatable pillow, camp chair etc. No fires are permitted at any of our camp sites, however the star gazing opportunities are second to none!
![Juvenile white-bellied sea eagle, an example of great wildlife viewing opportunities in Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Juv-white-belly-1.jpg)
![Juvenile white-bellied sea eagle, an example of great wildlife viewing opportunities in Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Juv-white-belly-1.jpg)
Wildlife Watching
Between June and September, humpback whales are commonly seen in the Dampier Archipelago whilst migrating between their Antarctic feeding grounds and Kimberley calving grounds. Four species of turtles (flatback, hawksbill, loggerhead and green) can be seen in the area, with flatback, green and hawksbill turtles nesting on several of the outer islands.
Osprey and white-bellied sea eagles are a common sight, and if you look carefully you may be lucky enough to spot the shy Rothschild’s rock wallaby on some of the larger islands.
![Juvenile white-bellied sea eagle, an example of great wildlife viewing opportunities in Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Fat-Tail-Kangaroo-Ngajarli.jpg)
![Juvenile white-bellied sea eagle, an example of great wildlife viewing opportunities in Dampier Archipelago](https://www.exmouthadventureco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Fat-Tail-Kangaroo-Ngajarli.jpg)
PETROGLYPHS
Your tour begins with a cultural awareness presentation delivered by the indigenous rangers at Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to set the cultural context, followed by a rock art tour at Ngajarli to view an array of rock engravings, shell middens, grinding stones and other cultural artefacts, with some estimated to be more than 47,000 years old.
The engravings show human images, extinct animal species such as megafauna and Thylacines (Tasmanian tiger), as well as existing avian, marine and land animals. These engravings have deep meaning for Ngarda-Ngarli, providing a tangible link to stories, customs and knowledge of their land and resources, connecting them to the events and people of the past and their beliefs today.
As we sea kayak around the islands of the Dampier Peninsula north of the Burrup Peninsula, we'll catch glimpses of more of these incredible petroglyphs. With over 1 million individual engravings, we'll be paddling amongst the largest outdoor art gallery in the world!
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Cultural Awareness presentation and rock art tour delivered by MAC indigenous rangers
- Complimentary airport pick up/drop off
- Dampier town camping accommodation on Day 1 + 4 days expedition camping on archipelago islands
- Double sit-inside sea kayaks with rudder for comfortable cruising, paddles
- PFDs (life jackets)
- Long sleeve sun shirts, broad-brim hats
- Snorkelling gear: snorkel, mask and fins
- Gloves (fingerless paddling gloves are great for sun protection and blister prevention)
- Dry bags for packing clothing, sleeping gear etc
- Comfortable camping gear: tents, pillows, self-inflating mattresses, sleeping bags and liners, camp chairs, shade shelter
- Healthy and delicious food, drinks (alcohol not included, byo welcome). Due to the off grid nature of this tour, some meals towards the end of the tour may be dehydrated
- Transport to and from KTA Karratha Airport
- Qualified and experienced guides
- Complimentary tour photos taken by your guide
GUESTS BRING
- Drinking water bottle (capacity for at least 1 L)
- Sunglasses (polarised are great for seeing under the water)
- Sunscreen, zinc or SPF lip balm. Please consider using ‘reef safe’ sun protection products
- Bathers/boardshorts, surf tights or sarong for sun protection on legs
- Camera (spare batteries, power bank)
- Towel or sarong
- Footwear that may get wet (crocs are our guide’s footwear of choice, sports sandals or reef shoes will also work). Thongs/flip flops are not suitable for this purpose.
- Head torch (spare batteries)
- Drinks for sunset happy hour. Note: NO GLASS please. Drinks must be in cans, plastic or cardboard container
- Camp clothes. Please pack warm clothes for cool nights. Camp clothes should include as a minimum: 1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of warm long pants; 1 x T-shirt and 1 x warm fleece; beanie and warm jacket/puffy (August can have some cool, clear nights); 1 pair of shoes and socks for around camp; rain jacket/wet weather gear (not often required at this time of year in the north-west, but if you don’t bring it, you know what will happen! Your guide can give you information on the expected weather conditions on the day prior to departure); something to sleep in, underwear etc.
- Toiletries should include insect repellant, and (biodegradable) wet wipes or a flannel that you can wet with a little fresh water for a wash. Please keep in mind that fresh water is prioritized for drinking and cooking (we carry all of our water for 5 days in the kayaks with us), and little to no fresh water may be available for personal washing.
FAQ
I'd like to bring the whole family. Is this tour suitable for kids?
Minimum age for this tour is 14 years old, due to the remote location and the physical aspects of the tour.
I'm not a strong swimmer, and have never snorkelled before. Am I able to join this tour?
All levels of swimming ability are welcome. All of our guests wear PFDs (lifejackets) whilst kayaking and are welcome to wear them whilst snorkelling if needed. However, as there can be some strong currents in this area, if you are not a confident swimmer/snorkeller, our guides may ask you to refrain from going into the water at some locations.
How many people will be on this tour?
We need a minimum of 6 people to confirm tour departure, and take a maximum of 12 guests, plus guides and volunteers.
How far will we kayak each day? Do I need to be an experienced sea kayaker?
Prior sea kayaking experience is required to participate in this tour. We may paddle anywhere between 8 and 20 kms over the day, depending on how the group is travelling and prevailing weather conditions. There may be some longer days if the conditions require it. The daily itinerary is designed to make the most of the conditions on the day. We make stops on the beach for lunch, and to view points of interest.
What style of camping will I experience?
This tour is ‘expedition’ style, meaning we carry all of our gear (including food and water for 5 days) with us in the kayaks, and set up camp at a different location each day. We provide all the gear to make you as comfortable as possible: quality tents, self-inflating mattresses (Thermarest-style), sleeping bags and liners, inflatable pillows, camp chairs. The campsites we use are un-developed with no established facilities; we carry a portable toilet with us. Access to fresh water for washing is very limited as we carry all our fresh water in the kayaks.
I'm vegetarian/gluten free/have allergies. Can you cater for this?
Yes, as long as we have ample notice, it is no problem catering for specific dietary requirements, intolerances and allergies. Specific dietary requirements other than vegetarian (i.e vegan, gluten free, FODMAP etc) incur an additional fee of $5 per person per day
How can people contact me while I'm on the tour?
There is limited mobile phone reception in the tour area, we carry a satellite phone for emergencies. This is usually reserved for outgoing calls only (to preserve battery life). If you need to be contacted urgently, our office can be contacted on 0477 685 123, and if necessary, our emergency plans can be actioned to deliver a message.
Can I recharge my devices whilst on this tour?
We are completely off-grid on this tour. We recommend bringing spare batteries for camera and Go Pros, and switching your phone to 'flight mode' to save battery. If you have a small power bank or solar charging device, these can be handy to bring to recharge your devices if necessary.
CONTACT US
INFORMATION
OFFICE HOURS
Office open Monday - Sunday
8.30am - 4.30pm
7 Days
After hours HIRE drop off is available at no extra charge