Set sail into luxury aboard shiny new boat

A sleek new catamaran sailed into Fremantle Harbour earlier this week, marking an exciting new chapter for its owner John Edwards and the boys from Broome Tours WA, Jackson Howson and Ryan O’Dea.

To celebrate its arrival, Eclipse Expeditions hosted an official launch party on Thursday afternoon at Blue HQ in Fremantle, where I had the pleasure of chatting to Jackson and Ryan as they showed me around their shiny new catamaran.

The 15m (50ft) vessel is a modern explorer’s dream, blending sportiness with luxury while demonstrating a strong environmental ethos.

The catamaran comfortably accommodates up to eight guests in four air-conditioned cabins, each with its own ensuite. There’s also space for the skipper, onboard chef and another crew member.

What’s more, the boat features multiple solar panels and big lithium battery banks, designed to minimise the vessel’s reliance on diesel generators when not under sail.

As for why Jackson and Ryan — who founded Broome Tours WA together in 2021 — have decided to embark on this new business venture, I’m told it was the obvious next step for the duo, who have been lifelong friends since the age of five and share a deep passion for the water and being on boats.

“We love Broome Tours but we’re ready to expand and challenge ourselves by showcasing more of WA’s coastline, which is exactly what we’re going to do with Eclipse,” Ryan says.

“While we love being in Broome, we’ve missed exploring other parts of the Kimberley, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with more people.”

As to where Eclipse will be sailing, there are no fixed itineraries. Instead, guests can pick from a range of suggested multi-day itineraries and liaise with their skipper who will choose a route that best suits their wishes.

“We want to be flexible and give our guests a more intimate way of cruising the Kimberley, the Montebellos and further south in the South West,” Jackson says.

“We’re looking forward to our first charter, which will begin in Cygnet Bay in Broome in a couple of weeks.”

Eclipse Expeditions suggested itineraries and pricing

• The Iconic Kimberley Expedition, from $1750 per guest, per night.
• The Kimberley Islands Explorer, from $1600 per guest, per night.
• Montebello Islands Journey, from $1475 per guest, per night.
• South West Safari, from $1200 per guest, per night.

Pricing includes all meals, snacks, tea and coffee, non-alcoholic beverages with a selection of alcoholic options and transportation to and from Broome to the vessel for the relevant itineraries beginning in WA’s Kimberley region. The company also offers a saving of five per cent on whole vessel bookings.

For more information, visit eclipsewa.com.au.