Boat rides through the iconic Garaan-ngaddim (Horizontal Falls) north-east of Broome in Western Australia are on the bucket lists of most tourists visiting the Kimberley region.

But time is running out for them to tick it off, with the popular activity at the falls in Talbot Bay, about 250km north-east of Broome, to be phased out by March 2028.

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the Dambeemangaddee Traditional Owners, said the WA government's decision on Friday to phase out boat rides through the dangerous gap was about protecting cultural heritage - rather than preventing tourism - in the region.

The falls are a natural phenomenon as fast-moving ocean water pushes through giant sandstone rock structures, lying perilously close together.

DAC said Traditional Owners had voiced concerns since the 1990s about harmful tourism impacts on cultural heritage there as well as several serious incidents involving tourists, including one in 2022 when more than 20 passengers were injured when their boat struck trouble crossing the falls.

"This has been an emotionally-trying journey for many of us... with this decision, we finally feel we have been heard," DAC chief executive officer Cassandra McCumstie said.

She said Garaan-ngaddim is a powerful, sacred place for Traditional Owners and was usually quiet and calm, but sometimes very dangerous, even for their ancestors who lived there all year round.

"Traditional Owners culturally would travel through the gaps only for a specific purpose, and always at the right time (neap tides, smooth waters) to show our respect," Ms McCumstie said.

"We've seen how Country responds when people don't respect its power."

Ms McCumstie said DAC and Traditional Owners would continue to develop more culturally-appropriate but desirable tourism experiences with Industry so tourists could still visit the iconic destination.

"This is not about stopping tourism or closure... Traditional Owners welcome visitors to our beautiful country," she said.

"We hope that Talbot Bay and Garaan-ngaddim will continue to attract visitors ... but it is about moving away from dangerous thrill rides.

"We believe there are better ways that visitors can experience the magic of Horizontal Falls and support us to protect this sacred site."

DAC said the government's decision followed a year of consultation with Traditional Owners, tour operators and Tourism WA triggered by the 2022 incident, and it thanked all stakeholders for listening to its concerns.

Traditional Owners remained committed to working with industry to develop more culturally-appropriate tourism products at Talbot Bay, throughout the Marine Park and on Dambeemangaddee country that continue to attract visitors to the region.

"DAC has heard that operators need certainty and clear timelines, and we will continue to work with industry and government on a multi-year phased closure that incorporates feedback and provides clear timeframes to account for forward bookings and enable businesses to plan for change," Ms McCumstie said.

She said Traditional Owners were developing their own Visitor and Tourism Plan during 2024, a consultative process with industry and government.

"We have built positive relationships with local tourism operators over the last 12 months and hope to continue to build on this into the future," she said.

"We ask that ... the broader public continue to work with us to protect this sacred site, and that tourists who continue to visit the Falls do so quietly and respectfully ... and respect the power of the place.

"We understand that change can be scary. But like the changes to climbing Uluru, we hope that in time people will understand and respect our decision to put cultural heritage values and safety first."

WA environment minister Reece Whitby said the government had a responsibility to respect the cultural views of Traditional Owners while also supporting the tourism sector, with surrounding waters still accessible, and promising new experiences on the horizon.

"This is a positive change that is based on mutual respect, understanding and a shared vision to showcase WA's cultural and natural values," he said.