Horizontal Falls: 8 Critical Mistakes to Avoid Before You Go
Planning a trip to the Kimberley, Western Australia, and wondering if the Horizontal Falls are really worth the money? Before you book a tour, read this. These seven common mistakes could completely change your experience. And they’re easy to avoid if you know what to look for.
If you’re planning a trip through the Kimberly, there’s a good chance the Horizontal Falls are on your radar. They’re talked about as one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders, and for good reason. But before you commit to spending well over a thousand dollars per person, there are a few things worth knowing.
When we were travelling through the Kimberley, we hesitated. The cost for the two of us was over $2,000. That’s a serious amount of money when you’re travelling full-time. We almost let it pass. But in the end, we decided that if we were going to make the effort to get to this remote part of Western Australia, we didn’t want to regret skipping something so unique.
After experiencing the Horizontal Falls ourselves, I realised there are a handful of common mistakes that can genuinely shape, or limit, your experience. None of them are deal-breakers, but knowing them in advance can make all the difference.
➤ Are you staying in or around Broome? Don’t miss our detailed Broome Travel Guide with everything you need to plan your visit.
If you are currently planning your Broome and Kimberley itinerary, we’d highly recommend also reading:
- Our complete guide to things to do in Broome
- Our camping in Broome guide
- A realistic 3-days in Broome
- Our full Broome Travel Guide
1. Thinking the Horizontal Falls are a traditional waterfall
The first mistake is misunderstanding what the Horizontal Falls actually are.
Despite the name, The Horizontal Falls aren’t waterfalls in the traditional sense. There’s no cliff and no water falling down. Instead, they’re created by enormous tidal movements pushing seawater through two narrow gaps in the McLarty Range, deep in Talbot Bay.
The Kimberley experiences some of the largest tides in the world, with differences up to twelve metres between high and low tide. As the tide shifts, millions of litres of water are forced through these narrow gaps. When the flow is strong enough, it creates what looks like a waterfall turned sideways. It’s loud. It’s fast. And it’s entirely controlled by nature. No two days are ever the same.
David Attenborough described the Horizontal Falls as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, and once you see them, it’s hard to argue with that.
Understanding this before you go helps set realistic expectations. You’re not going to see a vertical drop, you’re going to feel the raw power of the ocean moving sideways.
2. Booking a Horizontal Falls Tour without understanding the tides
This is an important one. The Horizontal Falls are entirely tide-dependent. And this is something many people won’t understand when booking.
Large tidal differences create the strongest and most dramatic flow through the gaps. This is what you want to see. During neap tides, when the movement is smaller, the flow is much gentler and you won’t get the full experience. In some cases, tours may not operate at all during certain tidal phases.
We were incredibly fortunate. On our tour, we experienced both an incoming and outgoing tide on the same day. That meant two separate power boat runs through the Horizontal Falls under completely different conditions.
Seeing the Horizontal Falls from both perspectives was extraordinary. If you want to maximise your time at the Horizontal Falls, it’s worth asking the operator about tidal timing when booking.
→ You can book your Horizontal Falls tour here
3. Not asking about incoming and outgoing tides on your Horizontal Falls day tour
If you’re booking a day tour rather than an overnight stay, this question becomes even more important.
Some days align perfectly, allowing you to experience both tidal directions within a singl tour. Other days may only give you one pass under certain conditions.
We didn’t know to ask, we simply got lucky. But if your travel schedule is flexible, you can potentially plan your Horizontal Falls experience around a day that offers both tidal movements.
It truly adds a whole new layer to the experience.
4. Leaving the overnight Horizontal Falls tour too late to book
The overnight Horizontal Falls tour is extremely popular, and for good reason.
It allows you to:
- Experience the falls across two day
- Stay on a floating pontoon in Talbot Bay
- Enjoy sunset and sunrise over the water
- Spend more time on the water
When we looked into booking, the overnight option was already sold out. In hindsight, I would have booked it much earlier.
There’s not a huge price difference between the full-day and overnight Horizontal Falls experience. And the overnight option offers the best overall value. If you’re even slightly considering it, book early.
→ Book your overnight Horizontal Falls tour here.
5. Choosing the wrong departure point for your Horizontal Falls Tour (Broome, Derby or Cygnet Bay)
There are three main departure points for the Horizontal Falls: Broome, Derby and Cygnet Bay.
Most travellers book their Horizontal Falls tour from Broome, especially if they’re already exploring the Dampier Peninsula or following a Kimberley Road trip itinerary. If that’s you, we’d recommend reading our Broome Travel Guide first, as well as our top things to do in Broome, before heading further north.
Broome is the most popular and offers the widest range of tours. Derby is closer to the Horizontal Fall. Cygnet Bay is further north on the Dampier Peninsula and feels more remote.
We chose to depart from Cygnet Bay and stayed at the Pearl Farm. It allowed us to combine a pearl farm tour with our Horizontal Falls experience, and because it’s slightly off the main tourist route, and as it was the end of the season, we ended up with a private seaplane.
On the same day, another aircraft from Derby for the same tour, carrying six passengers. Our plane had just the two of us.
Your departure point can subtly change the feel of the day. From a shared group experience, to something more intimate.
6. Underestimating how physical the Horizontal Falls Boat Tour is
The Horizontal Falls boat road ride is powerful.
It’s loud. It’s fast, and when the tides are strong, it’s intense. At some point I was filming the falls, not holding on properly, and due to the strong current and an unexpected movement, I almost fell out of my seat. Leaving me with a massive bruise the next day.
The skippers are highly experienced and completely in control, and at no point did we feel unsafe. But note it’s not a gentle cruise. Sitting in the front of the boat is probably the most intense area to be.
The Horizontal Falls are an adventure. Knowing that beforehand helps you lean into the experience rather than being surprised by it.
7. Focusing on the price, not the value
Yes, the Horizontal Falls are expensive.
We paid A$1,150 per person for our half-day (which is more like a full day, to be honest) with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures. For many travellers, that’s a significant expense.
But when you break it down, you’re paying for:
- Scenic return seaplane flights over the Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago
- Remote access to Talbot Bay
- Highly trained pilots and skippers
- A full day of guided experiences
- Meals and marine activities
Landing on the water in the seaplane, cruising through turquoise bays, and passing through the falls multiple times. These aren’t everyday experiences. And honestly, this is one of those experiences where the remoteness is part of what you’re paying for. Getting aircraft, fuel, staff, food, and infrastructure into this part of the Kimberley isn’t simple. Once you actually experience the scale and isolation of Talbot Bay, the price makes a lot more sense,
If you decide to book, commit to it mentally. Go in ready to appreciate what makes the Horizontal Falls so rare. That mindset alone changes how you experience the day.
→ You can book your Horizontal Falls tour here.
8. Choosing the wrong time of year to book your Horizontal Falls Tour
One of the most overlooked mistakes when planning a Horizontal Falls trip is choosing the wrong time of year.
The tours operate during the Kimberley dry season. Typically from May to September. Peak season, particularly June and July, books out quickly. Overnight tours often sell out months in advance, and even day tours can have limited availability.
In our experience, travelling just outside the busy peak period (mid-September) was ideal. Conditions were still excellent, but there were fewer travellers. We were fortunate enough to have the seaplane to ourselves (leaving from Cygnet Bay), which made the day feel even more special.
If your schedule allows, consider aiming for late August or September. You’ll still experience the Horizontal Falls in great conditions, with a slightly quieter atmosphere.
What our Horizontal Falls Tour from Cygnet Bay looked like (half-day tour)
We chose to go with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures. And to give you a clear picture, here’s how our tour ran;
- Pick up at our accommodation at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
- Scenic seaplane flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago
- Landing on the water in Talbot Bay
- Welcome on the pontoon with morning tea
- Power Boat cruise through the horizontal falls with multiple passes through just one of the two narrow gaps as the tides rush through
- Relaxing cruise through the creek system
- Fresh barramundi lunch
- Swim and snorkel in the marine viewing platform
- Enjoy the shark feeding show with local Tawny Nurse Sharks
- Another power boat trip through the falls
- Return flight with the seaplane over the falls and coastline
The seaplane flight alone was spectacular, and even more special because we had it to ourselves. We flew over islands, reef systems and beautiful turquoise waters. As it was just the two of us, I was sitting in the co-pilot seat for the flight and that was an unexpected highlight.
Can you still visit the Horizontal Falls after 2028?
Right now, yes. But thins are changing.
Current tourism operators through the Horizontal Falls are expected to continue until the end of the 2028 season, while the WA Government and Dambimangari Traditional Owners continue discussing the long-term future of tourism in the area.
Even once boat traversals eventually stop, visitors will still likely be able to experience the surrounding Talbot Bay region through scenic flights, cruises and cultural experiences.
But if your dream is to actually travel through the Horizontal Falls by boat, we personally wouldn’t leave it too long. Book your Horizontal Falls tour today.
Is visiting the Horizontal Falls worth it?
If you value unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in remote parts of Australia, then yes. The Horizontal Falls are absolutely worth it.
For us, it was everything we hoped for. After this full-on day, our cups were full, and our smiles were big.
If you’re already making the effort to travel through the Kimberley, and you have the opportunity to experience the Horizontal Falls, my advice is simple.
Avoid these common mistakes, plan carefully and book early.
And once you’re there, take it all in.
The Horizontal Falls truly are one of Australia’s most remarkable natural experiences.
Planning a Broome and Kimberley Road trip?
If you’re planning your trip to Broome, start with our complete Broome Travel Guide, and find more detailed information here:
Or find more inspiration to plan a full 3-week Kimberley 4WD adventure.
FAQs about Horizontal Falls
Can you still go through the horizontal Falls?
Yes. Horizontal Falls tours are still operating, although changes have been announced for tourim access beyond 2028.
What is the Best Horizontal Falls Tour?
In our experience, the seaplane tours offer the most complete experience because you get both the scenic flight and the boat ride through the falls.
Is the horizontal Falls Tour worth the money?
For us, yes. It was one of the most unique experiences we had in the Kimberley and something we still talk about today.
Can you visit the Horizontal Falls From broome?
Yes, Broome is the most popular departure point for Horizontal Falls tours. But you can also book Horizontal Falls tours from Cygnet Bay and Derby.
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