From penguin watching among grounded icebergs in Alaska to swimming alongside marine iguanas in the Galápagos, wildlife cruises let nature lovers sail through a wonderland of spectacular scenery to some of the most epic destinations on Earth.
These ice-strengthened small ship cruises offer an unparalleled way to reach some of the most remote locations, otherwise impossible to access by land or by larger vessels.
With a limited number of passengers, you get to venture into extraordinary wildlife destinations and enjoy intimate encounters with spectacular animal and bird life in their natural habitats.
With expert guides like Naturetrek leading the way, you can explore hidden coves to discover rare marine life, witness nesting birds, or photograph Southern Rockhopper Penguin rookeries on the Falkland Islands during your wildlife cruise.
In this guide, we round up five of our favorite wildlife cruise destinations for the year ahead.
1
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Best for: Galápagos giant tortoises, Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, and 28 endemic bird species among the roughly 9,000 wildlife species found here.
Perhaps the best place on the planet for wildlife photography and a naturalist-led cruise, the legendary Galápagos Islands were made famous by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
The islands are part of a large archipelago straddling the equator about 960 km off the coast of Ecuador, mainly volcanic in origin, each with its own distinct shape and character.
The major draw is undoubtedly the wildlife. On any given trip you can expect to encounter giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, and 60 bird species, 28 of which are endemic, such as the Darwin finch.
What makes a Galápagos wildlife cruise so special is the astonishing natural behavior on display, like blue-footed boobies performing their mating dance, thanks to the near-total absence of natural predators.
As you cruise between islands, keep an eye out for seabirds and cetaceans, or snorkel in crystal-clear waters with curious young Galápagos sea lions. Watch for playful dolphins swimming in the bow-wake of your intimate schooner at the end of the cruise.
2
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Best for: Komodo dragons, frigatebirds, white-tailed tropicbirds, false killer whales, spinner dolphins, and the endangered yellow-crested cockatoo, among others.
A nine-night cruise from the picturesque island of Bali takes you to Komodo Island, known to nature lovers as home to the largest lizard in the world: the Komodo dragon.
The cruise provides excellent snorkeling opportunities, alongside the search for the formidable dragon on Rinca Island. Island birds found here include the green junglefowl, Wallacean drongo, and flame-breasted sunbird.
All the islands in the region lie in warm tropical waters home to over 3,500 fish species and an array of tropical whales and dolphins, enough to keep any avid snorkeler enthralled.
As you travel from island to island, you can take in the scen
