Dampier – Montes Bellos – Dampier
Wash away the dust with some hot fishing, diving and snorkelling!

This itinerary is provided as example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
Helicopter flights can be purchased as a package or individually.

Night One - Don’t race-off home just yet – here’s a unique opportunity for the local mining community to sample one of Australia’s most renowned tourism experiences. Spoil yourself with four nights of stylish adventure onboard the magnificent TRUE NORTH. Action-packed days laced with the finest in fine dining and the revered comforts of the TRUE NORTH.

Embarkation proceedings begin at 1700 – then join the sunset cocktail party as we commence our overnight cruise to the Monte Bellos Islands. A sumptuous dinner, a glass of fine wine and, the comforts of your cabin, will ensure that you are adequately prepared for the coming days activities!

Day One - Awake at your very own island paradise – the Monte Bellos! A rarely visited chain of 174 islands featuring some of the best fishing action on the West Australian coast!

The islands have a collective area of about 22 square kilometres. They consist of limestone rock and sand and they are predominantly covered in hummock grasses and scattered shrubs. Patches of mangrove grow in the sheltered bays and channels of the archipelago. The two main islands, Hermite and Trimouille were discovered by the French explorer Nicolas Baudin in 1801 and the group attained economic significance for pearl fishing from the end of the nineteenth century until the outbreak of the Second World War.

But real infamy came more recently in October 1952 when Trimouille Island was the site of Operation Hurricane, the first British nuclear weapons test. There were two further tests on Alpha and Trimouille Islands in 1956. The second of these, codenamed G2, was the largest device ever detonated in Australia, with a yield of 98 kiloton. Contamination from this test reached Queensland on the other side of the Australian continent. Even more recently the Montes have developed a reputation as island paradise with seemingly endless opportunities for fishing, snorkelling and diving.

An irresistible TRUE NORTH breakfast will prepare you for the day’s activities and then its ‘away in the tenders’ to explore the delights of Trimoule Island and the many beaches and bays of Stevenson Channel.

Matching wits with a ‘seriously prepared’ mud crab is definitely on the agenda and there will be non-stop fishing and diving action. Our intrepid explorers will encounter huge stingrays, massive schools of fish and shallow waters teeming with marine life!

Then it’s back onboard to enjoy the ultimate comfort of the TRUE NORTH and a balmy evening in paradise!

Day Two - This morning join a ‘tender adventure’ to Claret Bay and Ah Chong Island – here crayfish abound and diving for this delicacy will be a highlight! The area is also a favourite with mud crabs and, the ‘true enthusiast’ will not want to miss the opportunity to add the delicate flavour of whiting to the menu!

Join the ship’s naturalist and head ashore for some for beachcombing and bird-watching - the islands have been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because they support over 1% of the world populations of Fairy Terns, Roseate Terns, and Sooty Oystercatchers. Greater Crested Terns also breed, sometimes in large numbers and other breeding species include ospreys, whitebellied sea-eagles, pied oystercatchers, caspian terns and bridled terns. The islands also support a small number of breeding beach stone-curlews.

After lunch the ship’s helicopter will provide a unique perspective whilst the snorkellers and divers get wet once again! Spend the afternoon on the beach or head out for another fish – the Montes will live up to its reputation as island paradise!

Day Three - A short cruise this morning will take us to the south east corner of the islands and our anchorage at Vodka Beach. Here we’ll go ashore to savour an idyllic setting – swim in the crystal clear waters, take up the challenge of the ‘beach activities’ and enjoy a classic TRUE NORTH picnic!

In the afternoon, make the most of your last chance to join the fishing and diving expeditions or simply relax on the beach before getting together with everyone onboard for a farewell dinner to remember.

Day Four - Early morning disembarkation in Dampier.

Montes Extravaganza Cruise - 2012 Departure Dates
Cruise 1 - Dampier – Monte Bello Is – Dampier - From 19 March 2012 To 23 March 2012
Cruise 2 - Dampier – Monte Bello Is – Dampier - From 24 March 2012 To 28 March 2012

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