Broome Travel Tips

Festival of the Pearl is on in Broome from the 21st August to the 6th September 2026. 2027 dates are yet to be released.

A carnival for the senses, Shinju Matsuri – Japanese for ‘festival of the pearl’ – is a celebration of Broome’s / Rubibi’s unique multicultural and pearling history. Held annually over nine days in August and September, Shinju Matsuri unfolds across a series of events showcasing the fusion of flavours, sounds and colours that make this iconic outback town so captivating.

The annual Shinju Matsuri originated from three cultural festivals – Japanese Obon Matsuri, Malaysian Hari Merdeka, Independence Day from British rule in 1957, and the Chinese Hang Seng. Shinju Matsuri rekindles the excitement and romance of Broome’s early days of being a world-renowned producer of South Sea Pearls when the Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepangers, Filipino and Europeans flocked to Broome from the late 1800’s to be a part of this prosperity. This unique multicultural population of pearl industry workers joined with the local Aboriginal people and Europeans to work on up to 400 Pearling Luggers that sailed out of Broome.

Broome’s people and businesses sees the festival as an opportunity to re-educate and inform the community of the cultural heritage of Broome. Ensuring that education and information is passed on to young people and new arrivals will assure that Broome’s unique and diverse identity is acknowledged and remembered through the generations.

Shinju Matsuri will tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell as the community shares this beautiful locale with the world and the people who call it home.

Race Day 1: Saturday 23rd May
Race Day 2: Saturday 6th June
Race Day 3: Sunday 13th June
Race Day 4: Sunday 28th June- Family Day
Race Day 5: Saturday 11th July
Race Day 6: Friday 24th July – Tradies Day
Race Day 7: Saturday 1st August – Kimberley Cup
Race Day 8: Tuesday 11th August – Ladies Day
Race Day 9: Saturday 15th August – Broome Cup

Broome boasts the 4th highest tidal range in the world, reaching up to 10.4 metres. Due to the gentle pitch of our beaches and tidal flats, this extraordinary range means the distance between the high and low tide marks can vary dramatically — from 1.5 km to 15 km within Roebuck Bay alone. This natural phenomenon, driven by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, is truly astounding, and our cruises showcase it first-hand. We also take time during each experience to explain the fascinating science behind what you’re witnessing.

Every second week, during spring tides, you’ll experience the most significant changes in water movement — offering a breathtaking spectacle and some truly incredible photography moments. During our Spring Tide weeks, the water’s edge can shift by up to 350 metres between the start and finish of your cruise, which may mean a longer walk to or from the water. For guests with mobility or fitness considerations, our Neap Tide weeks offer a gentler option, with minimal tidal movement and less distance to cover on foot.

Conversely, neap tide weeks bring a more stable, tranquil environment — ideal for those who prefer a relaxed pace without sacrificing any of the magic.
Whether you join us during the dramatic shifts of a spring tide or the gentle rhythm of a neap tide, Broome’s extraordinary tides will undoubtedly deepen the wonder of your experience with us

Hidden beneath the waters of Roebuck Bay lies one of Australia’s most extraordinary and poignant wartime sites — the Flying Boat Wrecks of Broome.

On 3 March 1942, fifteen Catalina and Dornier flying boats were moored just 400 metres off the old Broome Jetty, part of a desperate evacuation effort ferrying women and children fleeing the Dutch East Indies — now Indonesia. Tragically, with departure just an hour away, nine Japanese Zero fighters swept in over Roebuck Bay, attacking without warning. More than 80 lives were lost. The planes sank to the bottom of the bay, where they have rested ever since.

Today, these wrecks lie over ten metres underwater at high spring tide, but Broome’s remarkable tidal range means that on just a few occasions each year, the tide retreats far enough to reveal them. Visitors can walk out directly from Town Beach to wander around and explore these war relics, in the very place where history unfolded. It is a sobering, deeply moving experience and one that many travellers plan their entire Broome visit around.

The history of the attack, the aircraft, and the lives lost that day is also woven into our cruising experience. As we navigate the waters of Roebuck Bay, the very bay where these events unfolded, we take time to share the full story, giving guests a deeper connection to this remarkable and often overlooked chapter of Australia’s wartime history.

2026 Wreck Viewing Dates

The wrecks are accessible, at a specific time, on the following dates in 2026.

September: 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 29th & 30th October: 12th, 13th, 28th & 29th

Walk out from Town Beach following the tide out during the low tide window. Wear booties, and always be mindful of the returning tide. You will need excellent fitness and mobility to walk out to these wrecks.

Broome’s greatest natural phenomenon takes place along the Roebuck Bay foreshore, an amazing visual reminder of the moon’s gravitational force on the mighty Kimberley tides. Join thousands of people who gather to watch the full moon rise over the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, casting a giant golden staircase in its rising path.

There are two great public vantage points to witness this breathtaking spectacle, the Mangrove Hotel or the Town Beach foreshore. Both offer wonderful views, and the atmosphere on these evenings is something truly special.

Below are the dates and times this phenomenon is visible. The dates with an asterix is when the Town Beach Night Markets are on to elevate your staircase to the moon experience:

March 2026

Wednesday 4th 6.44pm

Thursday 5th 7.19pm

Friday 6th 7.53pm

April 2026

Friday 3rd 6.27pm

Saturday 4th 7.04pm

Sunday 5th 7.45pm *

May 2026

Sunday 3rd 6.25pm

Monday 4th 7.12pm *

Tuesday 5th 8.02pm

June 2026

Monday 1st 5.57pm

Tuesday 2nd 6.49pm *

Wednesday 3rd 7.43pm

July 2026

Wednesday 1st 6.32pm

Thursday 2nd 7.25pm *

Friday 3rd 8.18pm

July/August 2026

Thursday 30th July 6.13pm *

Friday 31st July 7.05pm

Saturday 1st August 7.57pm

August 2026

Saturday 29th 6.43pm

Sunday 30th 7.36pm *

Monday 31st 8.31pm

September 2026

Sunday 27th 6.22pm

Monday 28th 7.20pm *

Tuesday 29th 8.21pm

October 2026

Tuesday 27th 7.10pm

Wednesday 28th 8.17pm

Thursday 29th 9.24pm

Broome is a treasure trove of prehistoric wonders, boasting 21 different types of fossilised dinosaur trackways, more than any other place on the planet. This extraordinary distinction makes Broome a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

To fully experience these ancient marvels, you’re in the right place. With a customer satisfaction rating of 99.5% across all review channels, we are the highest-rated adventure cruise company in the Kimberley and dinosaur trackways are our speciality. Our cruises operate daily, offering a unique and unforgettable glimpse into the world of dinosaurs alongside the rich natural and cultural history of Broome.

But here’s the thing, you don’t need to be a dinosaur enthusiast to be completely captivated by this experience. The trackways sit on one of the most breathtakingly beautiful coastlines on earth. We land on a remote, pristine beach on sacred Yawuru Country, where the colours of the rock, the cliffs, the sand and the sea are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The birdlife is extraordinary, the energy of the place is palpable, and the sense of standing somewhere truly ancient and untouched is genuinely overwhelming. For many guests, the beach landing alone is the highlight of their entire Broome visit and the 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at their feet turn out to be the most extraordinary bonus imaginable.

For scheduled times and bookings, head to our Tours tab. This journey through time is an experience not to be missed.

The Yawuru people are the native title holders of the town of Broome, Rubibi in Yawuru.
The Yawuru calendar shows six seasons, outlined below.

Broome experiences a tropical climate, which is considered as hot/semi-arid. Average yearly temperatures have a high of 32.3 degrees and a low of 21.3. Month by month averages are in the following table.

Broome’s dry season (April – October) is made up of warm days, balmy nights and perfect holiday weather most of the time. Not a cloud in the sky.

Broome’s wet season (November to March) brings rain, hotter weather and humidity. Broome is absolutely beautiful at this time of year. It is humid, however no more humid than Indonesia and Singapore, and tourist travel there all year round. Broome in the wet season has the most incredible sunsets with golden linings and an abundance of turtles and wader birds. The months of January and February are associated with monsoonal weather and the risk of cyclones.