What began as a serene off-the-grid excursion turned into an ordeal for dozens of Silversea cruise passengers on 26th June 2025, when a fast-falling tide left their zodiac boats stranded off Adele Island, along Australia’s remote Kimberley coast.
The incident unfolded during an expedition from the 254-passenger Silver Cloud, which was midway through a 10-day luxury Kimberley voyage from Darwin.
Around 70 guests and 10 expedition guides had set off earlier that day for a zodiac tour of Adele Island – a rugged outpost famed for its birdlife and coral beds – when they were suddenly caught off guard by a dramatic tidal drop.
As the tide retreated rapidly, multiple zodiac boats were grounded in shallow water, leaving passengers knee- to thigh-deep in the sea and unable to return to the ship. One passenger described the unfolding scene on social media:
“What started as a fabulous trip across to Adele Island ended with all 100 odd passengers and staff getting caught by the rapid tide going out and stranding us on the wrong side of the deeper part of the water to get our zodiacs back to the ship.”
Crew quickly sprang into action, guiding passengers across 500 metres of coral beds to reach deeper water, where other zodiac boats were dispatched from the ship to ferry them back.
Photos from the scene show guests slogging through shallow waters, some with the assistance of crew, as the sun began to set.
Rescue Continued Into the Night
By 8:00 p.m. local time, most passengers had been recovered, and ship medical staff treated guests for minor scrapes and twisted ankles.
However, the captain informed guests that 10 passengers and some crew still remained on Adele Island, waiting for the tide to return so their zodiacs could safely re-float.
Silver Cloud remained positioned near Adele Island late into the night. Tide forecasts predicted another high tide at 11:59 p.m., with an expected 20-foot rise in water levels.
Observers have raised questions about why the tide’s dramatic movements weren’t better accounted for, particularly given Silversea’s strong reputation for expedition expertise.
Adele Island is known for its extreme tidal shifts, and a low tide at 5:48 p.m. saw sea levels dip into negative measurements.
Although no serious injuries were reported, passengers described the hours-long experience as disorganised and physically taxing.
Zodiacs are not equipped for extended delays, and no provisions such as food or water were immediately available for the stranded group.
Luckily, temperatures hovered between 23°C (74°F) and 27°C (80°F), preventing heat-related issues, though discomfort was still high for those navigating coral terrain without preparation.
Some passengers retained their sense of humour, calling it a “true expedition,” while others voiced surprise at the miscalculation from such a seasoned cruise operator.
About Silver Cloud and the Kimberley Itinerary
The 16,800-gross-ton Silver Cloud is one of Silversea’s purpose-built expedition vessels, equipped with 20 zodiacs and designed for polar and remote coastal cruising.
Its Kimberley Coast voyage includes stops at uninhabited islands and regions accessible only by sea – areas described by Silversea as “wild and remote… untouched by humans.”
Before the Adele Island stop, the vessel had successfully visited Ashmore Islands on 25th June. It is scheduled to continue to the Buccaneer Archipelago, Yawajaba-Montgomery Island, and other locations before returning to Darwin on 2nd July.
Silversea is part of the Royal Caribbean Group, and a spokesperson for the company confirmed that everyone was OK and back on board and that “the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority”.
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