Indigenous owned Sea Darwin charters to boost Tiwi tourism through new cultural experiences

A new Indigenous-owned venture will boost tourism on the Tiwi Islands by offering authentic cultural and eco-tourism experiences including remote glamping, cruises and waterfall visits.

The new Sea Darwin – Sea Tiwi venture was launched in a ceremony at Wurrumiyanga Beach on Thursday. Picture: Talara McHugh

Tiwi Enterprises has taken ownership of popular tourism charter, Sea Darwin, expanding the service to offer authentic cultural and eco-tourism experiences including remote glamping, cruises and waterfall visits.

Re-launched as Sea Darwin-Sea Tiwi, the now 100 per cent Indigenous-owned business will operate six days a week and also connect residents from the islands and the mainland with transport services during both seasons.

A ceremony was held at Wurrumiyanga Beach on Thursday to celebrate the new venture which chief executive Scott Simpson said was an opportunity to expand tourism and celebrate Tiwi culture.

“We’ve got the boats, we can bring people here, we can branch out to Bathurst Island and see the beaches and do bush tucker tours and go out to waterfalls,” he said.

“On the other side of Melville we’ve got the sea and inland waters that can break new ground on what we can offer when there’s culture alongside it.

“Most importantly for us is to go on to country and deliver quality cultural and eco-tourism experiences.”

Mr Simpson said current Sea Darwin staff would also act as mentors and train the next generation of Tiwi guides.

“We will have the opportunity to take young guides from Tiwi into Darwin and teach them how we do business there and then they’ll have that opportunity on country,” he said.

“The talent pool here is exceptional but they haven’t had that opportunity to go out on country and deliver wonderful tours for domestic and also international visitors and they are just biting at the bit to get that opportunity.

“Then they’ll be able to play that mentor role for the kids and we’re talking to schools now and we’re really excited about what we’ll be able to do.”

The Tiwi Enterprises directors said they were excited to expand the business and hopeful for the future opportunities it would create for the islands.

They said they also looked forward to establishing tourism experiences and products that remain true to their culture and honour their country.

The original Sea Darwin business was established in 2008 by local entrepreneur Jim Smith with Tiwi Enterprises taking ownership in October this year.

Originally published as Indigenous owned Sea Darwin charters to boost Tiwi tourism through new cultural experiences