The Odyssey is a custom built 24m (78 ft) expedition vessel. Only a few dive excursions per year are on Odyssey’s schedule, as diving the Rowley Shoals is seasonal, trips are only available from November to early December. The Rowley Shoals is the most remote dive location in Australia. From December to November, non-diving excursions along the Kimberley Coast of Western Australia are available on board Odyssey.
Accommodation
Odyssey has 10 cabins for max. 20 guests. 4 are standard twin bed cabins and 6 are deluxe double bed cabins. All are well equipped with individually adjustable air-conditioning, storage units and bar fridges and 240V power outlets.
Only the deluxe double cabins also feature built in desks, a vanity and basin.
The cabins have no ensuites, but four spacious bathrooms for guests to share. Each bathroom has a toilet, shower and vanity. The bathrooms are located on the mid deck.
Facilities
The air-conditioned indoor dining area can seat all passengers comfortably for meals or presentations. Enjoy a drink at the bar located outside on the upper deck where all guests can be seated under shade for alfresco meals. There are 3 other comfortable outdoor viewing decks.
State of the art viewing and surround sound systems, a large plasma TV and 2 flat screen LCD’s are to be found throughout the upper and lowers decks to keep you informed and entertained. Facilities are provided for burning photos to CD's or DVDs. Electricity onboard: 240v with 3 pronged power sockets.
Dive service
The spacious dive deck contains a central dive rack with stations for all 20 divers, which is the maximum number to be taken on excursions. There is ample under-seat storage for dive gear and hanging space for wet items. Up to 4 dives are offered per day, sometimes this includes a night dive (weather permitting). Dive gear rental and dive courses are not available on board.
The 12 meter (40ft) dive tender expedition vessel ‘Homer’ is on of the most luxurious dive tenders one can think of. 'Homer' carries all 20 guests in comfort and safety, whilst two quiet motors will ensure that you don’t miss a word of the dive brief. ‘Homer’ has comfortable seating and lots of shade cover. 'Homer' also boasts an easy access ramp and stairs for landings and on-board toilet and water facilities. It makes an ideal dive platform.
Rowley Shoals
The Rowley Shoals are about 100 miles away from the shore. Diving is seasonal and excursions are offered only between October and December each year. It is reachable only by liveaboards only from Broome on the Kimberley Coast. Rowley shoals is a chain of three spectacular pear-shaped pristine coral atolls - each covering 80 to 90 square kilometres and rising up to 400 meters (1312 ft) from the ocean floor on the very edge of the widest continental shelf in the world. Here you dive amongst the giant clams, shellfish, Giant Potato Cod and Maori Wrasse. Trevally, mackerel and tuna hover in large schools. Discover over 200 species of coral and over 650 species of fish. Visibility in excess of 60 metres (197 ft) is common.
Rowley Shoals are among the few reefs in the world affected by a high tidal range. The dramatic five meter tides pour massive volumes in and out of the coral framework and have created unearthly and enchanting coralscapes. The turquoise lagoons are filled with coral bommies brimming with exotic tropical fish. Drift diving in and out of the atolls sweeps you through pristine reefs with turtles and sharks and more.
Monte Bello and Mackerel Islands
Sometimes (but rarely) Odyssey is taking divers to Monte Bello Islands, from/to Exmouth in Western Australia. Murion, These excursions start and finish in Exmouth. These waters offer some of the most colourful hard and soft coral gardens in the region, along with the opportunity to come face to face with giant potato cod, manta rays and turtles. By day, enjoy brilliant tropical wonderlands with the pristine beaches and islands alive with numerous types of fish, flora and fauna.
Anchoring in secluded turquoise waters fringed by miles of untouched beautiful beaches guests can go ashore to watch hundreds of mating turtles, or catch your own seafood medley. All of the Islands hold their own special beauty, attractions and history, unique only to itself.
Non-diving tours: Kimberley Coast Excursions
Mostly Odyssey offers sightseeing and fishing excursions along the beautiful Kimberley Coast of Western Australia. Those excursions are the best way to explore this part of the world. Send us and email if you are interested. No diving is offered on those itineraries. Explore waterfalls, visit remote beaches, go for scenic bush walks and more. We are happy to email you details of you are interested in one of these special adventures.
We think...
Odyssey offers fantastic value for money in the Rowley Shoals where otherwise only more expensive excursions are on offer. The Exmouth excursions are attractive too, although they are offered outside the whale shark season.