Small chunks of ice, once attached to the glaciers we can see  in the distance, bump against the plastic hulls of our kayaks.  The ice is glittering like diamonds in the sunshine as we make our way towards Half Moon Bay on Livingston Island, part of  Antarctica’s South Shetland Archipelago. The water is so  clear we can see all the way to the bottom as we paddle  towards a waiting Zodiac and hitch a ride to the shore.

We’ve sailed south on Aurora Expeditions’ 23-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula cruise and our mission for the day is to visit a colony of chinstrap penguins.

We carefully avoid a penguin highway – despite our good intentions, they quickly realise our heavier footsteps are far easier to follow. Within minutes, we find ourselves giving way to our feathered friends as they go about their day.

Expedition cruises aren’t just about venturing off the beaten track, they’re about getting properly acquainted with each destination you visit – which in our case means bidding a polite “how do you do?” to the tuxedo-clad locals passing us by. Here are 10 other options to suit every type of adventurer.

1. Experience the eclipse

If the question is Iceland, the answer is always yes. However, it will be  even more special next year, when a total solar eclipse falls on August 12 – and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is ready. Add an extension to the 15-day Arctic Odyssey: Iceland, Greenland and Canada and spend a few days enjoying the spectacular volcanic geology of Iceland’s extraordinary Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The celestial show will last about two hours (weather permitting), plunging the otherworldly topography into shadow.

2. See a marine marvel

The Kimberley is a land of towering escarpments, cascading waterfalls and colours that appear as though someone has turned the contrast knob on the TV all the way up. Silversea’s season starts in June and one of its highlights is a Zodiac tour to Montgomery Reef, one of Australia’s most underrated attractions. This submerged wonderland makes a daily appearance thanks to the four-metre tidal swing, revealing a world filled with turtles, manta rays and tropical fish. See it on a 10-day round-trip from Darwin with Silversea.

3. Go above and beyond

South America’s west coast is so beautiful, and so immense, you need time and space to process it properly. Scenic’s 18-day Fjords and Glaciers of Southern Chile and Patagonia is the perfect way to experience it, offering a front-row seat to see Mother Nature in all her glory. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see stunning destinations from above and below (for an extra cost) with helicopter rides and submersible dives on the state-of-the-art discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse.

4. Swim with whale sharks

Few places are as evocatively named as the Spice Islands, where merchants have long travelled to trade silk for cloves, cotton for nutmeg and coffee for pepper. But there’s more to Coral Expeditions’ 18-night Raja Ampat and Spice Islands cruise than ancient kingdoms and aromatic markets. The Coral Geographer will whisk you away to rarely visited Indonesian islands and stop at Cenderawasih Bay, where you can enjoy the surreal experience of swimming alongside giant-but-gentle whale sharks in turquoise water.

5. Trek through the Arctic

Ponant offers northern exposure to another level on its 10-night Inuit Spring of Ammassalik cruise, with an overnight Nordic skiing trek in Greenland. You’ll sail up the coast on the world’s only luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, before leaving the comfort of the ship to immerse yourself in the wilderness. It’s not for the faint of heart – you’ll be a part of a fully self-reliant team of up to 10 people – but it’s an unforgettable way to experience the raw beauty of the landscape while having it all to yourself.

6. Dance on an island

The Kwaio people fiercely guard their traditional way of life on Malaita, an idyllic corner of the Solomon Islands. Visitors may be invited onto their ancestral lands to witness a dance so sacred you have to take part in it to experience it. Heritage Expeditions, a New Zealand-based small-ship cruise line, developed a deep and ongoing connection to the community and you can experience it on the 17-day cruise, Discover the Secrets of Melanesia: Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

7. Plunge into the Arctic

There’s cold plunging, then there’s the polar plunge. If you venture far enough north (or south) with Quark Expeditions, you can leap from the ship into the frigid waters as your shipmates cheer you on. It’s your choice if you’d like to walk, jump or break out a classic cannonball; whichever way you choose, it will be equally shocking and exhilarating. Polar plunges are offered once on every Quark Expeditions voyage and you can make the most of it on the 17-day Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route cruise.

8. Spot a polar bear

There’s a big, white, fluffy-but-not-friendly reason people love Norway’s Svalbard. It’s home to polar bears, which roam the icy landscapes all summer under the midnight sun. Set sail on HX’s 10-day Circumnavigating Spitsbergen: In the Realm of the Polar Bear cruise and you’ll spend several days exploring Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Be ready for adventure, because the guides will seize any opportunity to launch the Zodiacs and look for Arctic animals, including bears, seals, walruses, reindeer and whales.

9. Climb a volcano

The Galápagos Islands are renowned for their unique ecosystem, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes. See them for yourself on the 10-day Galápagos: East, Central and West Islands with G Adventures. Along the way, you’ll see tortoises, iguanas, sea lions, flamingos, sea turtles and even penguins. One of the highlights is stopping in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island and hiking to the rim of the 1124m Sierra Negra volcano, which offers a fascinating perspective on evolution.

10. Shower on the bow

True North ships don’t just stop at the most beautiful destinations in Western Australia, they arrive in surprising – and delightful – style. If you travel on the 10-night Kimberley Waterfalls cruise, there’s a reasonable chance the captain will masterfully position your ship right under a waterfall. As you travel, you’ll see ancient rock art, dine on beautiful barramundi, hike to waterfalls and meet locals. As soon as the tide is high enough at the King George River, you’ll sail upstream for the shower of a lifetime.

See also: 

What's new in expedition cruising in 2025

Arctic or Antarctic: Which should you see first?

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