Christmas island & Ningaloo

REEFS, RAINFORESTS & RED CRABS

04 - 18 NOV 2028 •  15 DAYS •  14 GUESTS

Journey into Australia’s wild Indian Ocean frontier on an incredible adventure and experience one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles - the annual Red Crab Migration. From the striking reef-and-outback landscapes of the Ningaloo Coast to the ancient rainforests, dramatic coastlines and coral encrusted walls of remote Christmas Island, this is a rare opportunity to experience two of Australia’s most extraordinary and least-visited wilderness destinations.

Immerse yourself in Ningaloo, where the world’s largest fringing coral reef meets the ancient limestone ranges of Cape Range National Park. Slip beneath crystal-clear waters to explore vibrant coral gardens and sandy channels, searching for turtles, wobbegong sharks, eagle rays, giant clams among clouds of colorful tropical fish. Above the reef, explore spectacular gorges and wild coastal landscapes, feeling the contrast between the rugged outback and turquoise Indian Ocean as you search for native wildlife.

Spend a week exploring Christmas Island - “the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean” - where lush rainforest tumbles towards dramatic cliffs and pristine reefs plunge into the depths of the Java Trench. Watch the unforgettable spectacle unfold when millions of brilliant red crabs emerge from the forest at the start of the wet season and sweep towards the coast to spawn, transforming roads, rainforest and beaches into a living sea of red. Follow their movement with a flexible itinerary shaped by the unfolding migration, with the possibility—if conditions align—of witnessing the fleeting spawning spectacle before dawn.

Below the surface, discover exceptional diving and snorkeling on coral reefs, dramatic walls, caverns and swim-throughs, at the edge of seemingly bottomless drop-offs. Search for endemic pygmy angelfish, unique hybrid fish, turtles, and eagle rays, while keeping watch in the blue for pelagic visitors beyond the reef. Venture into the heart of the ancient rainforest and wild coastal landscapes to secluded beaches, dramatic blowholes and towering sea cliffs, where the island’s wildlife awaits discovery – the Christmas Island Frigatebird and Flying Fox, endangered Abbott's Booby, graceful Golden Bosun tropicbird, striking Blue Crabs and giant Robber Crabs.

Shaped by nature, this is a rare opportunity to experience reef, rainforest, outback and one of the planet’s great wildlife migrations in a single expedition.

Enhance your journey on a 3-day Pre-Extension to explore the modern coastal metropolis of Perth. Discover stunning Rottnest Island and its famous smiling quokkas, and indulge in a day at the picturesque Swan Valley, sampling award-winning boutique wines, artisan spirits and gourmet food.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Immerse yourself in the incredible wildlife, landscapes, and world-class diving and snorkeling of Australia's Indian Ocean wild frontier.

• Witness the extraordinary annual Christmas Island Red Crab Migration, one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles with an estimated 45-100 million crabs.

• Encounter the stunning Blue Land Crab and the world's largest population of Robber Crabs—the largest land-living crustaceans on Earth. The island is home to 20 different land crab species.

• Dive and snorkel Christmas Island’s spectacular fringing coral reef and dramatic walls on the edge of the Java Trench, one of the longest drop-offs in the world.

• Revel in breathtaking coral gardens, swim-throughs, volcanic walls, caves and caverns, and search for the endemic Pygmy angelfish and unique hybrid fish species.

• Experience the wildly dramatic and unspoiled beauty of Christmas Island’s explosive blowholes and dramatic sea cliffs, ancient towering jungle canopies, hidden waterfalls and secluded beaches.

• Uncover a seabird breeding Eden for the world’s rarest booby and frigatebird, and the stunning Golden bosun tropicbird.

• Explore the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef where vibrant coral gardens, bommies, walls and sandy channels create an ever-changing underwater landscape alive with alive with turtles, reef sharks, wobbegongs, rays and tropical fish.

• Discover Cape Range, where the reef meets ancient limestone ranges and rugged outback, home to black-flanked rock-wallabies, emus, kangaroos, wedge-tailed eagles, and dingoes.

RESERVE MY SPACE & ENQUIRIES

You've got that "I don't want to miss out" feeling for a good reason. Our expeditions are life changers and we have a solid following of Wild Earth Explorers who love returning to adventure with us. Don't hesitate in reserving your space today. 

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

CHRISTMAS ISLAND & NINGALOO - Reefs, Rainforests & Red Crabs

04 - 18 NOV 2028 •  15 DAYS •  14 GUESTS

Day 01 | Nov 04 Fly to Perth, Australia / Welcome cocktails and dinner

Day 02 | Nov 05 Fly to Exmouth / Marina Rockwall walk

Day 03 -04 | Nov 06 - 07 Spend 2 days diving & snorkeling Ningaloo Reef

Day 05 | Nov 08 Ningaloo Coast Land Safari

Day 06 | Nov 09 Sunrise Beach Coastal Track walk / Fly to Perth

Day 07 | Nov 10 Fly to Christmas Island

Day 08 - 13 | Nov 11 - 16 Red Crab Migration / Dive & snorkel / Island exploration

Day 14 | Nov 17 Explore the settlement / Fly to Perth

Day 15 | Nov 18 Fly home

PRE-EXTENSION - PERTH, QUOKKAS & WINE TASTING

02-04 NOV 2028 ● 3 DAYS ● 14 GUESTS

Day 01 | Nov 02 Fly to Perth, Australia / Afternoon city tour

Day 03 | Nov 03 Rottnest Island / Cycle & Snorkel / Meet the Quokkas

Day 03 | Nov 04 Swan Valley / Boutique Wineries / Artisanal spirits & food delights

WILD EARTH LEADERS

PHOTO CREDIT © Christmas Island Tourism, Chris Bray, Rachel Claire, Scott Portelli, Basel Imagery, Udo Van Dongen, Mathieu Meur, Justin Gilligan, Gary Bell, Yvonne McKenzie, Tobias Friedrich, & K. Faulkner