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Red Cone Inlet on the eastern side of Doubtful Bay, provides a true hideaway and good fishing for cruisers willing to detour off the direct route from Yampi Sound to Sampson Inlet. Red Cone Inlet can be accessed from secure anchorages at Raft Point, Sale River or from further afield at the Kingfisher Islands, Talbot Bay, Prior Point Inlet WHAT TO EXPECT Red Cone Inlet, easily distinguished by the red cone (left) is a deep, wide inlet that can be entered safely on a mid channel course. Approximately 3 miles upstream, there is a pleasant anchorage in mid-stream in the northern fork of the inlet (1a on map) and an even more protected anchorage around the next corner. There is an open anchorage favoured by the large charter boats (1b on map) before the inlet forks to the north and east. TIDE TIMES AND HEIGHTS The tides in Red Cone Inlet are similar in time and height for Lizard Island. Although tides of up to 12 m are experienced on springs, the inlet is short and tidal currents are therefore moderate. PLACES OF INTEREST - Ruby Falls
A short climb up the cliffs to the left of the falls affords a magnificent view down onto a pool at the base of the falls, a private little waterfall (left) and a spa pool for safe swimming. Further upstream from Ruby Falls there are a number of billabongs (right) also safe for swimming. Sapphire Falls
CONCLUSION After a visit to Red Cone Inlet for a few days during a spring tide cycle, it is difficult to bypass the area on any Kimberley cruise. For the tranquility, fishing, Ruby Falls and Sapphire Falls we rate Red Cone one of the top spots to visit in the Kimberley. | |
This page was last updated 10 April, 2008 - download Red Cone Inlet.pdf | |
or Deception Bay. Arrival should be timed for a couple of hours before high tide to utilise the 3 to 4 knot currents running through Foam Passage into Doubtful Bay. 
About 3.5 miles further upstream in the eastern fork, the beautiful Ruby Falls (left) are encountered. The trip up to the falls in the dinghy can be taken with the incoming tide but is best made during springs to reach the pool at the foot of the falls (right) without having to wade through mud & slush. Many charter boat 
guests swim in the lower pool. However, salt water 
enters this pool at high spring tides and therefore, crocodiles can also enter the pool.
Sapphire Falls (left) is another well kept Kimberley secret and comprises a small set of waterfalls located at the head of a side creek as shown on the map. The bottom pool (right) is close to the saltwater, however, the pool is clear and shallow and it is easy to check for crocs. Further upstream there are other pools for swimming and another set of falls.
There is nothing quite like the smile on the face of a girl who has just landed a Red Cone barra. This one, and several others that were released, was caught by Annette along the edge of the mudbank at low tide. The rockbars on the southern bank of the inlet towards the mouth also produce good barra and mangrove jacks at times.