I found the Margaret River's best views on board Eclipse

From the deck of our catamaran in Geographe Bay, we have million-dollar views of the 360-degree scenery.

The designer beach houses at Eagle Bay on Western Australia’s southwest coast have million-dollar views but mine are better.

From the deck of our catamaran in Geographe Bay the 360-degree scenery takes in the shimmering blues of the Indian Ocean, a bevy of white-sand beaches and the rugged landscapes of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. All enhanced by a glass of local chardonnay and fresh tacos stuffed with gold-band snapper. Life looks pretty delicious from here.

I’ve been to WA’s acclaimed Margaret River several times but never like this, cruising the coast in a catamaran with a friendly crew, exceptional catering and invigorating activities. Eclipse Expeditions launched their South West Safaris in December and I joined one of their first itineraries for a very different perspective on one of WA’s most popular holiday spots.

Skipper Jackson Howson and crew are waiting for us aboard the 15m Eclipse at Geographe Bay Marina with chilled glasses of WA sparkling and posh snacks, setting the tone for the next few days of indulgence afloat. British chef Will Peregrine was raised in Belgium so knows his way around a triple-cooked chip but can also cook abalone to tender perfection. Head stewardess/deckhand Jessie Bolton keeps the guest cabins ship shape and ensures we’re always well hydrated. Her cocktail skills are especially good.

Eclipse Expeditions launched their South West Safaris in December. Picture: Lean Timms.

Eclipse, which was custom-fitted in Cape Town, feels bigger than its size thanks to generous living spaces including a chic “sky lounge” above the flybridge, a forward snug and indoor-outdoor dining. It’s also well-equipped with ice machine (“the hardest worker on the boat”, says Peregrine), coffee machines and a hydraulic swim platform that drops down to sea level for easy entry into the Indian Ocean. The water-sports inventory includes an inflatable platform for swimming and sunbathing, stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear, as well as a tender to take guests into shore or on excursions.

There are four ensuite passenger berths aboard, accommodating up to eight cruisers. We are seven – four from Perth, one each from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra – and an easy camaraderie soon grows between us. Helped along by the warmth and good humour of our crew. It almost feels like I’m sailing with friends.

Eclipse Expeditions launched last year, running charters along the Kimberley Coast in winter before relocating to the southwest coast for summer. Itineraries are dictated by the prevailing winds. If the morning easterlies are light, Eclipse can cruise around Cape Naturaliste towards Yallingup, Injidup and as far south as Hamelin Bay. In the afternoon it returns to Geographe and takes its pick of scenic anchorages such as Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay. En route there’s a very good chance of spotting bottlenose dolphins off the bow, osprey overhead and blue-spotted eagle rays in the shallows.

Eclipse Expeditions launched last year, running charters along the Kimberley Coast in winter before relocating to the southwest coast for summer.

“You’re just doing whatever the weather lets you, and there’s always amazing spots to hang out,” says Howson. “You get easier access to lots of private coves and places that are hard to access by land.”

Each morning he outlines what he reckons are the best options for adventure and lets guests plan their ideal day. This might include frolicking with sea lions in a shark-protected ocean pool, which I do one Sunday morning. Swimming with sea puppies is one of my favourite water sports and it’s all hunky-dory until a grumpy old bull charges me and ends the fun.

Back on board, there are hot showers and cooked breakfasts as we cruise past the gothic outlines of limestone escarpments, caves and stalactites.

Head stewardess/deckhand Jessie Bolton’s cocktail skills are especially good. Picture: Picture: Lean Timms.

Other outings include a snorkel safari along the granite shoreline where sunrays spotlight wrasse and zebra fish, snapper and emoji-eyed puffers. And afternoon hikes through the Wadandi lands of the national park, along sections of the stunning 123km Cape to Cape Track where flaming nuytsias, aka Australian Christmas trees, light the way.

Always returning to the Leopard catamaran to find Peregrine preparing something special – barbecued abalone, charcuterie and gooey cheeses – and Bolton pouring local vintages of chardonnay and cabernet.

I don’t need to schedule visits to any Margaret River wineries because they come to me. One evening around sunset when we’re anchored at Rocky Cove, Kylie and Frank from Cherubino Wines arrive in the tender with a box of nine (count ’em!) wines for us to try, from a breezy white field blend to a silky syrah, which we enjoy with Stirling Ranges eye fillet and pots of crème brûlée as a full moon lifts out of the Indian Ocean.

Swimming with sea puppies is one of my favourite water sports.

In the dead of winter it’s warm memories like this that lift my mood, and remind me it’s time to make plans for the next summer holidays.

Catamaran plan

Eclipse returns to the Margaret River region in December to run two- and three-night itineraries there until March 3. It will then head back north, via the Montebello Islands, to spend winter exploring the Kimberley coastline.

Kendall Hill travelled as a guest of Eclipse Expeditions.

Originally published as I found the Margaret River's best views on board Eclipse