Testimonials

What an awesome, totally captivating experience we have had on Mahalo II – Skipper – your skill, expertise, knowledge of the Kimberley, master chef of the year quality and your laconic, laid-back persona were just great.  Ollie – what passion, love for the sea, nature and sill & expertise – we loved the mud crabbing, oyster gathering, fishing off the boat and trawling, sunsets with a coldie or glass of chilled Semillon, swimming & shell gathering at the most pristine beaches in the world, discovering amazing gorges and wondrously beautiful waterfalls – loved it all.  A very special and unforgettable holiday.  Thank you to the whole team including Shani & Jake.

Dear Friends, Eva & me want to say thank you very much for the wonderful time which the whole crew made for us.  We are really surprised to see much more than announced on the internet.  It is not only a Sea Safari, it is a lot more to do like:  feeding and touch many times friendly lemon sharks, see several times whales, and have also a little bit like a real jungle walk – don’t forget that this was a really gourmet tours.  Unfortunately, I’m sure that I increase my overweight for on other about 2kg.  Thanks again to the Captain & all crew members.

To Captain Darryl, 1^st Mate Ollie, Head Chef Kae & Pursuer Colin.  Thanks for memories to treasure – new adventures, fishing skills!  Fabulous & unique vistas & visits each one a lovely surprise.  Friendly, unobtrusive care & consideration by all of you – of course the superb catering.  Most importantly the sheer fun!

Stone temples sculpted by the hand of nature

Shaped by wind, rain & wave

Burnished by the sun

To stand thru’ eons of time

Stone temples!

Just one of the many indelible memories we will take from the sea safari adventure you have taken us on.  Our trip was made even more fantastic by you and your outstanding crew.  It has been the most relaxed & comfortable “group” outing we’ve had the pleasure to be on.  Thanks Darryl, Ollie, Kae & Colin.

Captain Darryl, Chef Extraordinaire Kae, the Lovely Colin & Ollie.  I have had the most wonderful time.  You are a great bunch of people & I love the way you all get along so well! I have been planning this trip for years & I’m so glad I chose you to show me around this beautiful part of Australia

Crikey!  What have we just been through.  Man eating crocs, sharks and a mind bending variety of marine creatures, none of which were at all happy to be jagged by ferocious hooks.  The sea did extreme and unnatural things but the land was something else, like an aussie version of “Lord of the Rings”.  Equal to the task, Darryl, Ollie, Kae & Colin, like competent fair ground operators, turned it into an unforgettable experience for which we thank you.

Thank you for making us discover the “other” Kimberley, the one we could not discover from the road.  We feel privileged to have done it with a team that so obviously feel and love this part of the world.  We have admired the great team work under a great captaincy!  Darryl, Kae, Colin & Ollie, thank you for showing us the magic of this coastline.

At 75 years of age, I was definitely the “Matriarch” of this trip and it was a memorable experience for me.  Such a variety of activities – some completely new!  Thanks Darryl, Colin & Kae & Ollie - & my fellow passengers – you have hauled me up and down hills, in & out of dinghies and taken me safely through the Horizontal Waterfalls (& yes I did have my eyes open!) with such patience.  In short, I have been “looked after”.  Kae – the food was superb – you are a champion!  Loved it all – Sincerely Mollie.  It was such fun!!

Nick Cretan was the organizer, as he had been with Darryl & Shani in 2006.  His sons – James, Peter & Michael – all from Hobart made the Cretan Family Team.  Nick’s mate Brian Gibson from Hobart plus his sons Keiran, David & in law Leigh Cripps made up the Gibson Clan.  What a fantastic trip – fish of many sorts, crocs, a whale or two, sharks etc.  Darryl took us to amazing places, swims available every day.  Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Waterfalls are extraordinary.  Meals were excellent thanks to Kae & Colin. – Brian Gibson

Thanks for a sensational trip.  Darryl, Colin, Ollie & Kae, you guys are great.  We really enjoyed everything you did for us, the wonderful scenery & the fishing.  Kae you are a great cook and a very special person.  Finally the rest of the passengers were a lot of fun to be with and made our trip one to remember.

I realize I had lost my adventurous side until this trip!  I feel like a kid again.

Had an absolute blast.  More than we could ever wish for.  Thanks for the memories and a fantastic time.

Amazing!  Can’t find enough words to say how much we’ve loved this trip.  Only one complaint- what am I going to do about the terrible withdrawal symptoms I’m beginning to suffer.  Sincere thanks to Darryl, Ollie & Corrina

An absolutely sensational trip!  Thanks so much to Darryl, Ollie & Corrina (& Shani) for sharing this very special part of the world with us & for being such fantastic hosts!  We’ll definitely be back but for now – WOW!  And a huge thank you!

Cruising on the briny blue
Sailing with “Mahalo 11”
Kimberley vistas leave all in awe
Expecting some, but getting more
Fishing, crabbing, oyster gathering
Had us all salivating
Dining on the catch of day
Cook never ever kept us waiting
Rock climbing, swimming made us fit
Oh, to have more of it
Awesome days and magic nights
Mere words cannot describe the sights
Give “Buccaneer” a champagne toast
A sea safari that is the “most”

To Darryl, Chris & Steve, "What can a girl say?! This was fantastic, phenomenal. I had a brilliant time. The food was great & just delish! The activities fun & kept me busy. The scenery defies description. To the Utopia crew you were professional, fun & relaxed. The whole atmosphere was one of peace & joy. You were all too happy to answer questions & share your knowledge and just chat. Everything over the last four days was fabulous. Thank you all so very much. Take care of yourselves and I know I'll be back."

To Darryl, Chris & Steve, "THANK YOU!!! I can only reinforce what Angela has said. Definitely 5 star from beginning to end. We wish you continued success and will definitely be passing the word around."

"What a great experience! - dolphins, turtles, crocodiles, crabs and sharks - unexpected surprises each day. Beautiful beaches, great fishing, fun company. Darryl, Chris & Steve, thank you for a memorable holiday for all the family."

"We are definitely richer from this life experience! Thank you for a fantastic adventure on Utopia and for showing us a bit of the magic of the Kimberley."

"Thank you Darryl, Steve & Chris, for a superb sea safari, for your easy hospitality, your generosity of spirit, and for sharing your knowledge and experience with us... and the fish wasn't bad either! Thanks for the 'adventure of a lifetime' & good luck to each of you in your own lifetime adventures."

"How do you get it better? Australian Landscape supreme, a boat trip sensitively packaged, a laid back skipper, industrious deckhands, a motly mob of fussy guests (all with interesting travel tales) and a fulfilled dream - landing our first barramundi."

"Finally did the Kimberleys and after this amazing journey, the Kimberleys did me. Amazing experience of a lifetime. Love to do it again with my daughter!! Thanks to the amazing crew, and the brilliant captain behind the wheel, in front of the grill and in waterholes." Many thanks.

"Darrel, Steve & Ollie we had fun, laughs, tears, great food, smooth motoring, great camp fires, great beaches, fantastic swimming holes, fun bathing spots, exciting fishing, big crocks!!!, a lifetime adventure. Love ya guts. Keep on Keeping on. "

"After having camped through the Kimberleys in the late 80's, I have always looked forward to a coast trip. Darryl, Steve & Ollie - you have been fantastic & lived up to my expectations. Thanks."

"The Ultimate Kimberley Experience. We got to experience all we expected and more. Fantastic crew, great group. We're now hooked on fishing! And the meals - Wow. Thanks for the memories."

"Darryl, Steve & Ollie - we had a ball! This is an extraordinary place - wonderful to camp on the beaches at night, sharing campfires under the beautiful Milky Way. I caught the biggest fish I have ever caught, swam under waterfalls, visited the delightful paradise built by Phil & Marion and so much more. Thank you, you are all so hard-working and generous to your temporary residents."

"Sensational week. Great food, company, fishing and walks. Well done Utopia."

"What a safari! Amazing week - everything was perfect from the choice camping spots, fabulous fishing, sensational food, great company. Utopia indeed!!!"

"A fantastic outback experience for two poms. You looked after us magnificently. Thank you so much."

"Thank you Darryl for a wonderful journey of discovery. The adventure was everything we hoped it would be. The fishing was better than my wildest dreams."

"To Ollie & Peter, a special thanks for all your help with the camping and the good humor. Hope to see you again some day soon."

"Our trip on Utopia far exceeded our expectations whether it be the magnificent scenery, the pristine waterways, secluded beaches & waterholes, all were truly fantastic. Not to mention the food which included oysters, mudcrabs, varieties of fish prepared is a special way by our courteous , knowledgeable & professional Captain Darryl, the crew consisting of Ollie & Peter were also very helpful, considerate & at all times made our holiday an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend a trip on the Utopia to truly enjoy the wonders of the Kimberley coastline."

"Fantastic trip, extremely well looked after by all the crew. Would recommend to anyone looking to do a similar trip. Sincere regards,"

"A wonderful experience and a great concept for a wonderful holiday, we would recommend this trip to anyone."

"So sad we are about to arrive in Derby after the best 4 day holiday ever! Everyone was great, every day a surprise! I ate more fish over the last 4 days than last 4 years! Thanks so much for making me smile and laugh so much!"

"Fantastic fishing, crabbing, swimming holes, awesome sunshine & tuna steaks, we saw it all, whales, crocodile, turtle, dolphins & great characters, Phil & Marion. Many thanks to 'Captain Shani', Ollie & Pete - you all made it a very special experience."