Expedition (small ship cruising to ‘adventure’ destinations) is growing rapidly – in these places, it’s all about the destinations that are ‘hard to get to except by ship’!
Expedition ships essentially used to be a floating expedition base for shore excursions by zodiac, but a great ship will certainly enhance the experience, and from 2019, a new range of purpose built ‘next generation’ luxury expedition cruise ships are being launched. This began with Aurora Expedition’s revolutionary ‘Greg Mortimer’ and Scenic’s stunning superyacht ‘Eclipse’ and from 2020-2022 will also include brand new ships launched by Quark Expeditions, National Geographic, Seabourn, Crystal & Viking, so you’ll be able to explore these remote locations in considerable comfort!
Popular destinations include Antarctica, Alaska, Spitsbergen, Arctic Canada, Greenland & Iceland, the Galapagos, Kamchatka, Melanesia & Papua New Guinea, the Kimberley and Patagonia.
Antarctica has a good range of small ship cruises with most offering a variety of activities including sea kayaking, camping on the ice and even diving. Do see our Polar pages covering Antarctica and the Arctic.
Alaska is a magnificent destination and without doubt the best way to see the delights of the Inside Passage is on a small ship. You get up close and personal with the wildlife and the scenery.
The Ushuaia to Punta Arenas is a fabulous adventure cruise. Sail through the Magellan Strait and the Beagle Channel between the Chilean city of Punta Arenas and the Argentine city of Ushuaia. Watch penguins, listen to expedition lectures and gaze at the amazing glaciers.
Related experiences
In Search of the Polar Bear – Summer Solstice
11-day Escorted Expedition Cruise-tour NEW DATES: 12-22 June 2023 (ex Oslo) Tour cost from: Quad share (very good value for solo travellers) $10,995 per person, Triple share NZD$11,580 per person Twin with Porthole Cabin $12,595 per person Twin with Window … Continue reading →
In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton aboard Heritage Adventurer
07 January, 2023 to 03 February, 2023 02 February, 2023 to 01 March, 2023 The Ross Sea region of Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Planet Earth and one of the most fascinating places in the continent’s … Continue reading →
Fiordland / Te Wahipounamu small ship cruise
17-23 June 2022, 23-29 June 2022, 21-27 Apr 2023, 3-9 May 2023, 2-8 June 2023 7 day scenic expeditions that are designed for individuals, couples or small groups of family friends to join others and experience the extraordinary history and … Continue reading →
Beyond Fiordland aboard Heritage Adventurer
28 December, 2022 to 08 January, 2023 Heritage Expeditions pioneered expedition cruising in 1985 by cruising the rugged and unique southern coastline of New Zealand’s South Island, including Fiordland and Stewart Island. From those first days exploring the wilderness from … Continue reading →
Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands
3-19 Dec 2022 & 5-21 Dec 2023 Listen to the names: Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie and Chatham Islands. They are music to the ears of nature lovers, adventurers and birders alike. Apart from the Chathams, these islands are … Continue reading →
Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific aboard Heritage Adventurer
28 December, 2022 to 04 January, 2023 You won’t find them mentioned in a travel brochure on your high street; you won’t find them in most guidebooks, you probably don’t know anyone that has ever been there and they don’t … Continue reading →
Galapagos of the Southern Ocean aboard Heritage Adventurer
23 Nov to 4 Dec 2022, 18-29 Dec 2022 This is without doubt one of the most inspirational and informative journeys or expeditions into the Southern Ocean ecosystem that one can make anywhere in the world. Long recognised for their … Continue reading →
Kimberley Icons, Ashmore & The Rowley Shoals
Exploring the Kimberley & Beyond, 12 Nights 12-24 Sept 2022 from Darwin aboard Coral Adventurer 28 Sep-10 Oct 2022 from Darwin aboard the Coral Geographer 26 Sep – 8 Oct 2023 from Darwin aboard the Coral Geographer Departing Broome: 13 … Continue reading →
Ningaloo & The Bluewater Wonders of Australia’s West
27 May – 6 June 2022. Join our 10-night discovery of Western Australia’s Coral coast onboard Coral Discoverer, and explore the extraordinary marine environment, historic islands, and striking coastline. Departing Broome, we will visit the spectacular Rowley Shoals Marine Park, … Continue reading →
Abrolhos Islands & the Coral Coast
Exploring Ningaloo, Montebello & Abrolhos Islands 12 Nights | Departing Broome | Arriving Fremantle Departures: Oct-Nov 2022, Mar & Oct 2023, Feb & Mar 2024. Prices from AUD$9,570 pp. This expedition explores Western Australia’s wild and largely untouched coast, with … Continue reading →
Across the Great Australian Bight
Explore Remote Islands & Iconic National Parks 13 Nights | Departing Fremantle to Adelaide 23 Oct 2022, Adelaide to Freemantle 16 Nov 2022, Freemantle to Adelaide 21 Oct 2023 Onboard Coral Geographer Set sail onboard Coral Geographer on an all-new 13-night … Continue reading →
Wild Islands and Walks of South Australia
10 Nights | Departing Adelaide 6 Nov 2022 & 4 Nov 2023 | Onboard Coral Geographer This voyage offers the opportunity to explore and hike South Australia’s wild islands, where forested National Parks give way to sheer wave-carved cliffs and … Continue reading →
Coastal Wilds of Tasmania
10 Nights | Departs & Returns to Hobart | 27 Jan 2023 & 6 Feb 2023 Coral Expeditions’ Tasmania cruises explore Australia’s island state poised at the edge of the world where the Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans collide. Tasmania’s pristine … Continue reading →
Circumnavigation of Australia
59 Nights | Departing Cairns 17 Oct 2022. Sailing aboard Coral Adventurer, our voyage will commence from Cairns, Coral Expeditions home base, on 17 October 2022 and undertake a full circumnavigation of the Australian Coastline over 60 days (59 nights). With … Continue reading →
Circumnavigation of Tasmania
Departures on 1 Jan 2023, 26 Feb 2023, 2 Jan 2024, 27 Feb 2024. 16 Nights | Hobart to Hobart | Coral Discoverer Join us onboard Coral Discoverer for our full circumnavigation voyage around Tasmania, showcasing the best of the … Continue reading →
The Top of the South by small ship
16 – 25 May 2022 Picton – Nelson 9 – 18 December 2022 Picton – Nelson From $7,425 pp twin-share We’re excited to see a new vessel in the Heritage Expeditions fleet – Heritage Explorer. Built by renowned wooden boatbuilding … Continue reading →
Discover the Marlborough Sounds by small ship
09 May, 2022 to 15 May, 2022 20 November, 2022 to 26 November, 2022 17 December, 2022 to 23 December, 2022 05 April, 2023 to 11 April, 2023 17 April, 2023 to 23 April, 2023 27 November, 2023 to 03 … Continue reading →
Cruise and Walk – New Zealand’s Queen Charlotte Discovery
30 October, 2022 to 04 November, 2022 06 January, 2023 to 11 January, 2023 08 February, 2023 to 13 February, 2023 12 March, 2023 to 17 March, 2023 $2350 pp Twinshare Day 1 – Board Picton 4pm Day 2 … Continue reading →
Ultimate New Zealand Cruise, Top of the South
08 October-18 October, 2022 & 21 March-31 March, 2023 $4900 pp Twinshare Days 1 – 10 Cruising Top of the South Your adventure starts from Wellington Domestic Airport with a fantastic scenic flight over the Marlborough Sounds to Golden Bay. … Continue reading →
Cruise New Zealand’s Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds
07 November, 2022 to 13 November, 2022 29 December, 2022 to 04 January, 2023 (reverse) 14 January, 2023 to 20 January, 2023 30 January, 2023 to 05 February, 2023 (reverse) 16 February, 2023 to 22 February, 2023 03 March, 2023 … Continue reading →
Doubtful Sound Cruise Package
3 nights/ 4 days Queenstown return Departures from Oct 2021 – Apr 2022 From NZ$1780 per person, share twin Single supplement price on request Discover the breath-taking, pristine wilderness scenery of Doubtful Sound deep in the heart of Fiordland National … Continue reading →
Fiordland and Stewart Island group charters: Introducing MV Strannik
Let the adventure begin: Embark on your own New Zealand expedition aboard MV Strannik. Anchor overnight in some of the most spectacular anchorages in the world and enjoy visiting areas of cultural and natural history. Strannik, is available for group … Continue reading →
Stewart Island Discovery Cruise
The Southern ocean provides incredible habitat for all sorts of amazing marine wildlife and birdlife. Explore the Deep South on this expedition discovery cruise of stunning and remote Stewart Island. From the comfort of the Milford Wanderer, this bespoke experience … Continue reading →
Chatham Islands: A Land Apart
8-17 March 2023 Pricing from USD$6250 (2023) per person for a Main Deck Twin Cabin. Discover amazing endemic wildlife, meet the locals and experience conservation in action as we journey through the incredibly-diverse archipelagos of the Chatham, Antipodes and Bounty … Continue reading →
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
You’re ready to explore King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula – and no Drake Passage crossings required! Included charter flights between Punta Arenas and Antarctica have you experiencing the majesty of the Seventh Continent with a spectacular aerial view … Continue reading →
Chilean Fjords – The Kaweskar Route
Enjoy a stunning cruise along the west coast of Chile with its glacier-studded fjords, emerald lakes and channels. For the nature lover, this opens up opportunities to see the multitude of wildlife found in these waters including dolphins, seabirds, foxes … Continue reading →
Coastal Treks of Tasmania
17-27 Jan 2023, 16-26 Feb 2023, 18-28 Jan 2024 See the best of the Tasmanian coastline with these brand new cruise & hike voyages. On your voyage enjoy time ashore completing hikes that allow you to experience the imposing cliffs, … Continue reading →
Easter Island to Papeete: Pacific Islands Expedition Cruise
Join us for a journey that reverses part of the odyssey of the mutineers of the Bounty when they were looking for a new home in what today is French Polynesia. Starting on Easter Island we will get to see … Continue reading →
The Kimberley: Broome to Darwin and v.v (Coral Expeditions)
Departures from April to September 2022, 2023 & 2024. Trip runs in reverse from Darwin to Broome also. Perfected over three decades, this 11-day Kimberley cruise takes you on an unforgettable journey from Broome to Darwin (or Darwin to Broome). … Continue reading →
Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
Eerily beautiful, starkly secluded and richly interwoven with Norse myth, the Arctic territories of Scotland, Denmark and Spitsbergen stand as travel destinations both spectacular and captivating. In cruising from isle to inlet, fjord to fishing village, you’ll develop a deep … Continue reading →
Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings
This extended expedition encompasses the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), as well as the extraordinary beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll experience a great diversity of environments and landscapes, which will provide unprecedented wildlife … Continue reading →
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
This expedition offers the perfect chance to discover the best of the Antarctic Peninsula, the last continent’s most northern region. You’ll be delighted by penguins, seals and whales as they accompany you on your journey along the Antarctic coastline. Landing … Continue reading →
Spirit of Antarctica
Embrace the spirit of polar exploration on this classic expedition to the coveted white continent. Sail across the famed Drake Passage, admiring spectacular seabirds and approaching the ice as the explorers of old did: by sea. With a chance to … Continue reading →
Galápagos — West & Central Islands aboard the Monserrat
On this cruise you’ll view the Galápagos from the deck of the comfortable Monserrat as she cuts through blue waters bound for another island paradise loaded with natural splendour. You’ll get up-close and personal with aquatic wildlife like sea lions … Continue reading →
Galápagos Islands aboard the Monserrat
There’s simply no better place to appreciate the magic of this precious little blue planet of ours than the Galápagos Islands. Join us aboard the roomy Monserrat for a mind-expanding cruising adventure through the archipelago’s central, southern and eastern islands. … Continue reading →
Spitsbergen Explorer
If there is such a thing as a “classic Arctic” expedition, this is it. You’ll get all the best of Spitsbergen, by exploring the western edge of the island and venturing to some outlying northern areas home to polar bears … Continue reading →