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Western Cape Explorer
Two fisheries. One epic adventure.
Discover the wild Gulf of Carpentaria on an unforgettable 8-day live-aboard fishing expedition from Weipa to Horn Island.
Wild rivers. Untouched estuaries. Explosive bluewater fishing. And a luxurious 70-foot mothership waiting at the end of every extraordinary day.
The Western Cape Explorer takes you deep into one of Australia’s last true fishing frontiers—the remote western coastline of Cape York. Travelling between Weipa and Horn Island, you’ll experience the best of two completely different fisheries, combining offshore action with exceptional river and estuary fishing.
One morning might find you casting beneath mangroves for barramundi and mangrove jack. That afternoon, you could be battling giant trevally, tuna or Spanish mackerel in the open blue.
With only six anglers, private fishing guides and access to waters few people will ever see, this is much more than a fishing charter.
It’s a genuine Cape York expedition.
8 days / 7 nights · Maximum 6 anglers · Fully guided
Fish the untamed western coast of Cape York
The western coastline of Cape York is remote, spectacular and remarkably diverse.
Your expedition travels through a constantly changing landscape of tidal rivers, mangrove-lined creeks, pristine estuaries, rocky headlands and open bluewater. Key fishing areas may include the Jackson, Skardon, Doughboy, Wenlock, Ducie and Pennefather rivers, as well as the productive coastal waters surrounding Vrilya Point.
Protected from the strong southeasterly winds, this region is an outstanding winter fishing destination, with warm, stable days and fishing opportunities across a wide range of tides and moon phases.
Following a strong wet season, the run-off can transform these waterways into a feeding ground of almost unbelievable abundance.
Every location presents a new challenge. Every tide creates another opportunity.
Two remarkable fisheries in one expedition
Rivers, creeks and estuaries
Explore winding river systems and hidden mangrove creeks aboard purpose-built 20-foot centre consoles.
Cast hard-bodied lures into tight structure, work soft plastics and vibes through deeper water, or tempt fish on fly. These wild waterways are home to some of northern Australia’s most iconic sportfish.
Depending on conditions, target species may include:
- Barramundi
- Mangrove jack
- Threadfin salmon
- Queenfish
- Fingermark
- Golden trevally
- Milkfish
- Estuary cod
Reef and bluewater
When conditions allow, leave the rivers behind and head into the blue.
The near-coastal reefs and offshore grounds support an extraordinary variety of pelagic and reef species. Troll pressure points, throw surface lures, work jigs through the depths or cast at fast-moving schools of fish.
Potential encounters include:
- Giant trevally
- Tuna
- Mahi-mahi
- Spanish mackerel
- Coral trout
- Red emperor
- Nannygai
- Reef cod
No two days follow the same formula. Your guides will use the tides, weather and fish movements to select the most exciting opportunities available each day.
Choose how you want to fish
The Western Cape Explorer caters to a wide variety of fishing styles, allowing you to experience some—or all—of the following:
- Estuary spinning and vibing
- Barramundi fishing with soft plastics
- Barramundi fishing with hard-bodied lures
- Bluewater vibing and slow-pitch jigging
- Bluewater trolling
- Topwater popping and surface fishing
- Live-bait fishing
- Fly fishing
Premium Shimano rods, reels and terminal tackle are supplied, so you can travel light and fish with confidence.
Your floating base camp: Blue Martini
After a day exploring the Cape, return to the air-conditioned comfort of Blue Martini, FNSF-NOMAD’s flagship 70-foot live-aboard mothership.
Purpose-built for extended expeditions into remote waters, Blue Martini combines serious long-range capability with the comfort and service of a premium private retreat.
Relax with a cold drink on the sundeck, swap stories over dinner or simply watch the sun disappear beyond the Gulf of Carpentaria.
On board you’ll enjoy:
- Comfortable twin-share, air-conditioned accommodation
- Three separate levels and multiple relaxation areas
- Indoor and outdoor dining
- Elevated flybridge dining area
- Spacious saloon and sundeck
- Barbecue and swim deck
- Outdoor shower
- Daily housekeeping and laundry service
- Entertainment system with movies and music
- Fully licensed bar with local and craft beers, spirits and a curated wine list
With a cruising range of approximately 10,000 miles, Blue Martini allows you to reach remote fishing grounds that are inaccessible to conventional charter operations.
Exceptional food in an extraordinary setting
Great fishing deserves a great finish.
Your onboard chef prepares three generous meals each day using quality, locally sourced ingredients. Whenever possible, freshly caught seafood is transformed into memorable dishes and served in one of Blue Martini’s three dining areas.
After hours on the water, return to chilled drinks, warm hospitality and a beautifully prepared evening meal.
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Alcoholic beverages are available from the fully licensed bar.
Purpose-built fishing boats and expert guides
Fishing is conducted from three custom-built 20-foot Hooker centre consoles, with only two anglers and a private guide aboard each boat.
Designed specifically for Far North Queensland conditions, these vessels provide a comfortable and highly practical platform for casting, jigging, trolling, popping, live-bait fishing and working soft plastics.
Each centre console features:
- Reliable Yamaha 115HP outboard power
- Garmin marine electronics
- Advanced side-scan technology
- Garmin electric motors
- Premium custom rods and Shimano reels
- An experienced local fishing guide
With your guide managing the boat, reading the conditions and positioning you on the fish, you can concentrate on making the next cast count.
Sample 8-day itinerary
Day 1 — Welcome aboard
Fly from Cairns to Weipa, where the crew will meet you and welcome you aboard Blue Martini.
After settling into your accommodation, enjoy lunch and your first half-day fishing session.
Days 2–7 — Six full days of fishing
Fish each day according to the tides, weather and local conditions as the expedition moves north along Cape York’s western coastline.
Explore remote rivers, estuaries, reefs and bluewater grounds, returning to the mothership each evening for drinks, dinner and a comfortable night’s rest.
Day 8 — Horn Island departure
Disembark at Horn Island and fly back to Cairns.
Trips may also operate in the reverse direction, beginning at Horn Island and finishing in Weipa. Final flight arrangements, timings, departure points and applicable transfer fees will be confirmed in your complete trip itinerary.
What’s included
- Seven nights aboard the 70-foot Blue Martini
- Six full fishing days and one half-day session
- Maximum of six anglers
- Two anglers per guided centre console
- Professional skipper, fishing guides, chef and onboard host
- Premium Shimano rods, reels and terminal tackle
- Three chef-prepared meals each day
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Twin-share air-conditioned accommodation
- Daily housekeeping and laundry service
- Flight arrangements between Cairns and Weipa/Horn Island coordinated on your behalf
Book individually or bring your own crew
You can join the Western Cape Explorer as an individual angler or gather your own group for a private charter.
Private departures offer the freedom to share the experience exclusively with friends, family or fishing mates, with customised pricing options available for group bookings.
With only six guest places on each expedition, availability is strictly limited.
Go beyond the ordinary
This is fishing at the edge of the map.
It’s the sound of a barramundi crashing a surface lure in a silent mangrove creek. A giant trevally appearing behind your popper in clear blue water. A Gulf sunset from the deck of Blue Martini. And the anticipation of waking somewhere new, knowing the next great fishing moment could be only one cast away.
If you’ve ever dreamed of fishing one of Australia’s wildest and most remote coastlines, the Western Cape Explorer is the adventure you’ve been waiting for.
More fish. More adventure. More stories worth telling.
Call Doug Leoni on 0418 777 772
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