Some of the most prolific areas for whale-watching in the Kimberley are around Montgomery Reef and in the northern parts of Collier Bay.
These whales "played" with the boat between Battery Point and right along the coast to Kuri Bay for about an hour during our 2004 Cruise. There were very six large whales in this pod.
LOWER SAMPSON INLET
The map above, reproduced from the FSC Cruising Guide, shows the waypoint for the anchorage in the narrow southern arm of Sampson Inlet. This waypoint is handy (if you don't have radar) as you may have to enter the inlet at night after a trip up from Raft Point or across Collier Bay from Yampi Sound with the current. Whales are a worry at night!
At the head of this small inlet there is a watercourse and a freshwater soak. Phil & Marion (from Silvergull Creek) spent the 1996 wet season with their small Compass 29 anchored in this inlet, and established a camp site under the trees adjacent to the soak at the head of the inlet (right). Remains of the campsite and a small vege garden are still visible, together with aboriginal art under a rock ledge near the camp site.
UPPER SAMPSON INLET
From any one of the secure anchorages in Sampson Inlet, motor upstream with the incoming tide past the moorings and anchor just before the inlet begins to narrow and turn south. Launch the dinghy and motor further up the narrow inlet past the rock ledge on the left and still further up to the tidal rock bar. It is then just a short 100m stroll to the first shady swimming pool. Care is required here because the spring tides flush salt water (and crocs) into this pool. However, the water is usually clear and about 1m deep so crocs can be easily spotted.
About 200m further upstream there is a long narrow billabong (right) which is over 3m deep in places. It would be unwise to swim in this billabong as it is a likely place for large crocs to lurk. Near the south western corner of this lagoon, and on the opposite bank from the walking trail, there is a small perennial waterfall which can be easily accessed on foot.
After walking another 200 to 300m upstream the gorge narrows to form a large pool below a 3 to 4m high waterfall (left). This pool looks a bit too spooky for swimming.
However, it would be safe to swim upstream of the falls (right) in the shallow pools stretching through the rocky gorge which runs east then veers back to the south again. The view back downstream (left), from the falls across the billabongs is quite stunning and well worth the effort to visit this upper section of Sampson Inlet. This area doesn't attract any charter boat groups and only a very few yachties so you will have it to yourself most days.
Some of the most prolific areas for whale-watching in the Kimberley are around Montgomery Reef and in the northern parts of Collier Bay.
Whales are a worry at night!
From any one of the secure anchorages in Sampson Inlet, motor upstream with the incoming tide past the moorings and anchor just before the inlet begins to narrow and turn south. Launch the dinghy and motor further up the narrow inlet past the rock ledge on the left and still further up to the tidal rock bar. It is then just a short 100m stroll to the first shady swimming pool. 
Care is required here because the spring tides flush salt water (and crocs) into this pool. However, the water is usually clear and about 1m deep so crocs can be easily spotted.
large crocs to lurk. Near the south western corner of this lagoon, and on the opposite bank from the walking trail, there is a small perennial waterfall which can be easily accessed on foot.
After walking another 200 to 300m upstream the gorge narrows to form a large pool below a 3 to 4m high waterfall (left). This pool looks a bit too spooky for swimming. 
However, it would be safe to swim upstream of the falls (right) in the shallow pools stretching through the rocky gorge which runs east then veers back to the south again. The view back downstream (left), from the falls across the billabongs is quite stunning and well worth the effort to visit this upper section of Sampson Inlet. This area doesn't attract any charter boat groups and only a very few yachties so you will have it to yourself most days.