The 10 best wildlife cruises in the world
From flamingoes in Namibia to lemurs in Madagascar, we have found the top voyages to see nature at its finest.
From flamingoes in Namibia to lemurs in Madagascar, we have found the top cruises to see animals up close.
1. Alaska
This year, Alaska celebrates its 65th year of statehood. More ships of every size and style are expected to sail its scenic, icy waterways between an extended season of April to October, bringing thousands of passengers to observe Alaskan brown bears catching salmon, salmon runs in the rivers, bald eagles soaring over snow-capped mountains, and orcas, humpbacks, grey whales, puffins and sea otters frolicking in the ocean. The best time to take a cruise for wildlife viewing depends on the weather and breeding seasons but whatever month you choose, you’re pretty much guaranteed spectacular sightings. For more details about timing, see the Travel Alaska website. Small-group excursions are the way to go.
In the know: Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ has seven-night sailings between Vancouver and Seward departing regularly until mid-September this year; from $6062 a person, twin-share.
2. The Amazon
Pink dolphins, manatees, caimans, giant otters and piranhas are among the marine creatures you can expect to see on a Peruvian Amazon River cruise. The surrounding tropical rainforest is home to six species of monkey – howler, spider, capuchin, squirrel, tamarin and marmoset – endearing sloths, a dazzling array of birds and hundreds of reptiles and amphibians. Arachnophobe alert: the rainforest is also home to some seriously scary spiders, including the Goliath birdeater, the biggest arachnid on the planet. Although wildlife-spotting is richly rewarding year-round, high-water rainy season (November to March) and low-water dry season (April to October) offer different experiences; you’re closer to monkeys and birds in the wet but rainforest walks, on which you’ll encounter more reptiles and small mammals, are best in the dry.
In the know:Delfin Amazon Cruises (part of the Relais & Chateaux portfolio) operates four and five-day round trips from Nauta on the 43-passenger Delfin III; from $US3700 ($5536) a person, twin-share.
3. Antarctica and South Georgia
Aurora Expeditions’ new In Shackleton’s Footsteps voyage is an exciting itinerary that provides ample opportunities to view the abundant wildlife of Antarctica and South Georgia. Over 20 days, the ultra-modern, 132-passenger Greg Mortimer will sail to the Antarctic Peninsula, navigate as far as possible into the Weddell Sea, head to Elephant Island and finally sail to South Georgia. March is usually a wonderful time to view wildlife in the region; penguin chicks are on the move, humpback whales are still feeding and you’re very likely to spot orcas. South Georgia is home to king, gentoo, chinstrap and macaroni penguins, elephant and fur seals and a wealth of seabirds. At that time of year, wandering albatrosses are either hatching chicks or in courtship-dance mode. It’s a photographer’s dream.
In the know: Aurora Expeditions’ round-trip voyage departs Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 16, 2025; from $US22,796 in a balcony stateroom.
4. Arctic
Norway’s Svalbard archipelago is the place to spot polar bears. It lies about halfway between the northernmost reaches of Norway and the North Pole and its Arctic wilderness areas are home to more polar bears than people – about 3000 bears to 2600 humans – along with reindeer, arctic foxes, walruses, wolverines and whales. Photos take on a whole new dimension when there is 24/7 daylight. Scenic Eclipse’s Glaciers & Wildlife of Svalbard voyage takes place in August, when the sun doesn’t set. Don’t worry about sleeping; all staterooms have blackout curtains. Scenic provides binoculars in every suite as well as Swarovski telescopes in the Observation Lounge for optimal wildlife-spotting. The ultra-luxe ship carries Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and its specialist polar expedition team of 20 leads excursions and presents briefings, recaps and engaging lectures.
In the know: Scenic’s 13-day round-trip departs Oslo on August 17, 2025; from $19,730 a person, twin-share, in a deluxe veranda suite. Fares include return flights to Oslo and pre and post-cruise accommodation.
5. Galapagos
Ecoventura’s three identical, luxury expedition yachts, part of the Relais & Chateaux collection, provide the perfect environment for exploring the natural wonders of Ecuador’s Galapagos islands. The beautifully designed vessels accommodate a maximum 20 guests, who are accompanied on snorkelling, hiking and kayaking tours by two highly qualified on-board naturalist-guides. Many of the islands’ birds, land and sea mammals, turtles, giant tortoises and prehistoric-looking iguanas are famously unafraid of humans. Almost the entire region is a marine reserve and visitors are required to adhere to commonsense rules to protect the vulnerable ecosystem. While it’s exhilarating to snorkel with green turtles, playful sea lions and graceful rays, or see blue-footed boobies performing their mating dance, visitors must keep at least 2m distance. Where else could you be so close to such extraordinary wildlife?
In the know: Ecoventura’s seven-night sailings depart San Cristobal year-round; from $US10,500 a person, twin-share.
6. India
Cruises on the Brahmaputra River in Assam have been operating for about 20 years and for travellers seeking a more serene experience of India than is usually anticipated – plus fascinating wildlife experiences – this itinerary is an eye-opener. A seven-night cruise aboard the Assam Bengal Navigation Company’s 36-guest Charaidew II includes jeep safaris in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kaziranga National Park. The 430sq km park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros as well as Indian wild water buffalo, swamp deer, capped langur monkeys and Bengal tigers. The Jia-Bhoroli River, which flows through the park, also offers fantastic birdwatching. As the vessel makes its stately way upstream to Kaziranga, you’ll pass swathes of tea plantations, farmland and jungle-clad hills, with the mighty Himalayas forming a distant backdrop.
In the know:Assam Bengal Navigation’s seven-night sailing from Guwahati to Kaziranga departs October 26, 2024; from $US3245 a person, twin-share, in a balcony cabin.
7. Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, Komodo and the Banda Sea’s Spice Islands are part of the Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean, a vast marine area that’s known as the “Amazon of the seas” for its extraordinary diversity. Professional divers have known about the region for years but today it’s become more accessible with companies such as Aqua Expeditions operating small-scale cruises. The luxury adventure-focused line offers a variety of itineraries on its boutique, 30-passenger vessel Aqua Blu, and its seven-night Raja Ampat cruises explore the archipelago between December and February. Snorkellers, divers and hikers alike are enthralled by the wealth of marine creatures, birds and land-based animals that were first documented by the famous naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace in the 19th century. If you’ve never heard of him, you’ll be an expert by the time you disembark.
In the know: A seven-night Aqua Expeditions’ Raja Ampat itinerary departs Sorong, Indonesia, on January 11, 2025; from $US10,290 a person, twin-share.
8. Seychelles and Madagascar
Even the name of Ponant’s new Indian Ocean itinerary is irresistible: Curious Islands from the Seychelles to Madagascar. The 184-passenger Le Dumont-d’Urville embarks on a sailing from Victoria, Mahe, heading for Curieuse, Aride, Remire and La Digue islands, two remote atolls and then five destinations in Madagascar. Snorkelling and diving around these isles is sublime; marine and land-based wildlife sightings are colourful and plentiful. There are more than a million birds in the Aride nature reserve, including five endemic species, while Saint-Francois atoll attracts a host of migratory seabirds. Giant tortoises are not exclusive to the Galapagos islands; several hundred Aldabra giant tortoises roam Curieuse. The Seychelles are also home to brilliantly coloured lizards and chameleons. Madagascar is famous for its endemic wildlife, notably more than 100 species of photogenic lemur, which live mostly in forests and wetlands.
In the know: The 10-night Mahe (Seychelles) to Nosy Be (Madagascar) voyage departs November 28, 2024; from $9780 a person, twin-share.
9. South Africa
Tick off sightings of the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and Cape buffalo – and many more on a thrilling Silversea cruise in South Africa and Namibia. Luderitz and Walvis Bay in the latter are renowned for birdwatching. Look for African penguins on a boat trip to Halifax Island, and in Walvis Bay you can see flamingoes, herons and wading seabirds in their thousands from the shore or a tender. Most of the excursions take about eight hours with a two or three-hour game drive and lunch. The voyage includes seven excursions from Port Elizabeth, seven from Richards Bay and one from Durban. Only problem is FOMO, because – you can’t do them all.
In the know: Silver Spirit departs Cape Town on February 22, 2025, for the 15-day return journey; from $11,150 a person, twin-share.
10. Sub-Antarctic Islands
These little-known remote, windswept isles are making their way onto expedition cruise itineraries. The six island groups, all UNESCO World Heritage sites, lie in the Southern Ocean between New Zealand’s South Island and Antarctica. Expect to see thousands of penguins, including the rare yellow-eyed hoiho; giant petrels, 10 types of albatross, shearwaters, shags and skuas. New Zealand sealions and a variety of seals populate the icy waters, along with whales. Award-winning photographer Ewen Bell is holding workshops aboard the 140-passenger Heritage Adventurer on a Sub-Antarctic expedition in December.
In the know: Heritage Expeditions’ 12-day round-trip departs Queenstown on December 18, 2024; from $17,250 a person, twin-share, in a superior stateroom.
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