The Kimberley Reef Connect project, initiated in 2022, showcases collaborative conservation by uniting traditional owners, rangers, researchers, and government stakeholders to protect the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Uunguu Wundaagu Indigenous Protected Area and North Kimberley Marine Parks. A 10-day biodiversity survey in November 2023 explored uncharted shallow-water reefs, collecting over 2,500 specimens and identifying nearly 1,000 species. Funded by Parks Australia, the project brought together Western Australian Museum and Curtin University scientists with Wunambal Gaambera Uunguu Rangers, uncovering species new to science, new species distributions, high coral cover habitats, refuges for threatened species, unique ecosystems, invasive species, and genetic data to support taxonomic and systematic research and eDNA monitoring. A saltwater knowledge-sharing camp enhanced the initiative, engaging Wunambal Gaambera elders, youth, and stakeholders in cultural site mapping and intergenerational knowledge transfer, strengthening connections to sea country. This was complemented by an Emerging Curator workshop where Rangers gained taxonomic and curatorial skills. The project’s outcomes were showcased in a public exhibit, emphasizing the region’s biodiversity and cultural values while identifying priorities for future research and management. This innovative approach to “right-way science” highlights the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge with Western science to safeguard Australia’s marine heritage.