The Dampier Peninsula

The Dampier Peninsula, from Broome to Cape Leveque and around Swan Point to Cygnet Bay is the first section of the Kimberley coast encountered by cruisers sailing up from Perth.  This is also the area with the largest tides, the strongest currents and the least protected anchorages on the Kimberley coast.

Cape Leveque, named by Nicolas Baudin in 1801, is a red rocky headland with white sandy beaches. The Cape lies 120 miles north of Broome, and Leveque Island lies just off the Cape.  On the eastern side of the Cape is the aboriginal settlement at One Arm Point and the pearl farm at Cygnet Bay.  On the western side is Thomas Bay and Beagle Bay.  

Beagle and Pender Bays - Stokes named Beagle Bay after his ship the "BEAGLE", a name made famous by Charles Darwin who spent a year in the Pacific gathering data for his books on theories of evolution.  When we first cruised into Beagle Bay in1982, Steve Arrow (below) was establishing a pearl farm.

Broome, named in 1883 after the W.A. governor, is situated on the northern shore of Roebuck Bay.  Strong currents, huge tides and strong onshore winds make anchoring difficult in the bay.  However, the impressive sunsets off Cable Beach (right) and the many attractions around Broome can captivate cruising sailors for several weeks.  Getting ashore to resupply is another thing.  Most yachts anchor off cable beach these days.  However the logistics of getting ashore and getting to town are pretty complicated.  A cat on Town Beach is another option. This is how we have tackled the task!