If you thought expedition cruises were all about polar destinations, think again. On the latest ships and routes, you can swap the thermal gear for swimwear, bask in the bright sunshine and dive into the warm crystal clear waters in some of the more remote tropics around the world, including wild frontiers without the bone-chilling cold.
Here are seven of the best warm-weather expedition routes to explore.
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Seabourn in the Kimberley
The Kimberley is Australia’s hottest destination right now, and Seabourn’s ultra-luxe Seabourn Pursuit – debuting there in June – is the best way to see it in style. The 10-day Waterfalls and Wandjinas tour from Broome to Darwin winds through a wilderness almost the size of California, but home to fewer than 40,000 people.
Natural wonders abound in this wild frontier, dotted with rivers, waterfalls, tidal creeks, reefs and white-sand beaches – many of which are only accessible by boat. Guided tours allow you to view ancient rock art, delve into Western Australia’s rich pearling history and experience Indigenous culture first-hand with a traditional face painting ceremony.
On board the 264-passenger Seabourn Pursuit there is a wellness spa, 24-hour room service (hello caviar) and the Bow Lounge, with interactive navigation maps and front-row seats to saltwater crocodiles and the beautiful red sandstone gorges dating back to 1.8 billion years. Expeditions are just as breathtaking, as the Zodiac boats pass through the narrow opening of Horizontal Falls or set sail when the tide turns, allowing guests to watch Montgomery Reef magically emerge from the sea.
Related: The 5 Best Destinations to Visit on a Seabourn Cruise Ship
UnCruise Adventures in Hawaii
Nothing says aloha like island hopping in Hawaii aboard a boutique yacht with 36 guests. UnCruise Adventures’ seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes expedition is one for nature lovers, with opportunities to snorkel with manta rays, swim with sea turtles, float above a coral garden bright with neon fish or peer into the crater of an active volcano .
Hawaiian culture is also in the spotlight. With stops on four islands—Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii (the Big Island)—you’ll have plenty of time to explore. Cycle through local villages, hunt waterfalls, hike through rainforests with birdsong, or learn to make poi, Hawaii’s beloved dish of pureed taro.
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On board Safari Explorer are kayaks, paddleboards and a skiff to explore the dramatic coastline up close. Lounging on the ship’s three decks has its own reward. You might see dolphins leaping about or a humpback whale or two emerging from the sea to wave a fin hello.
Related: The 8 Best Hawaii Cruises in 2024 and 2025
Lindblad Expeditions in Baja Mexico
Sail the Sea of Cortez with Lindblad Expeditions and quickly discover the magic of Baja Mexico from a team with over 30 years of experience sailing this dazzling 2,500 miles of coastline.
Itineraries lasting six to fifteen days dive into this biodiverse landscape – described by Jacques Cousteau as nature’s aquarium. Get up close to sea lions, rays, large fish and dolphins. Coastal landings are no less amazing, rambling desert arroyos dotted with cacti and islands noisy with sea lions and screeching seabirds.
Whale watching is one of Baja’s biggest draws; the shimmering waters are filled with the sounds and songs of humpback whales, orcas and the rare blue whale. This is where California gray whales breed and enormous whale sharks glide through glittering seas. These encounters are memorable, but Lindblad goes one step further, with expeditions in local panga boats for up-close encounters with the gentle mothers and their calves.
Silversea cruises in the Galapagos
The Galapagos is the ultimate in adventure travel. This remote archipelago of 19 islands is covered with an astonishing 9,000 species of flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. It is here that Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution. More than 150 years later, not much has changed, except perhaps the mode of transportation.
Cue Silversea Cruises’ Silver Origin, a luxury ship with 50 suites, butler service and a distinct Ecuadorian flavor, reflected in the ship’s food, the team of Ecuadorian national expert guides and of course the excursions. During off-ship expeditions, you’ll hike through ancient lava flows, snorkel with enormous fish, and hop from island to island through primeval landscapes teeming with blue- and red-footed boobies, sea lions, and giant tortoises.
Drama is everywhere in the Galapagos – and not just with the animals. Thirteen of the archipelago’s 21 volcanoes are active. With a bit of luck, you might also catch a view of the undulating peak of a volcano during your wilderness excursion.
Related: Galapagos cruise guide: best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
Aqua expeditions in Raja Ampat
Spend a week sailing Indonesia’s Raja Ampat with Aqua Expeditions, and you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve found paradise. Galaxies of karst islands float above coral reefs, alive with darting fish, pygmy seahorses, blacktip reef sharks, octopuses and manta rays. The diving and snorkeling are out of this world.
That includes life aboard Aqua Blu, a 30-passenger superyacht replete with a jacuzzi, outdoor BBQ and Balinese spa. The former HMS Beagle is barefoot luxury at its finest, with a shoe-free policy for the entire seven-night cruise.
Diving and snorkeling equipment, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are provided on board, so you can explore this remote Southeast Asian archipelago at your own pace. Discover hidden lagoons and beaches at the landings and look for the rare crimson bird of paradise. One thing is certain: if you anchor anywhere in this pristine archipelago of 1,500 islands, nature promises to be great.
Aurora expeditions in Costa Rica and the Panama Canal
Slow-moving three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, toucans and crimson macaws are just some of the wonders of Costa Rica, a country that breathes sustainability. The latest cruise from the environmentally conscious Aurora Expeditions tours the Central American country’s Pacific coast and delves into the heart of the greenest parks and nature reserves, including the small but popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
Panama is another highlight of this 10-night sailing trip (with a one-night pre-cruise stay in San Jose, Costa Rica). There are stops in the Pearl Islands and a visit to the indigenous Indian tribes of Embera, a village deep in the rainforest. Miraflores Visitor Center – with the history of the canal’s making – is also fascinating.
Most cruises go straight through the canal, but Aurora conducts expeditions in Gatun Lake, the 21-mile-long man-made body of water that made the Panama Canal crossing possible. It is, of course, a warm-up for the main event: a daylight crossing of the 81-kilometer-long engineering marvel that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Related: 12 Best Panama Canal Cruises for a Bucket List Trip
Captain Cook takes a cruise in Fiji
Fiji’s reputation as one of the friendliest countries now extends to its cruise offering, as it is the setting for the friendliest expedition ship, the 114-passenger MS Caledonian Sky. This recent addition to the Captain Cook Cruises fleet is staffed by locals, which means one thing: service with an exuberant smile and endlessly welcoming bulas, the Fijian greeting for hello.
The seven-night Southern Lau itinerary takes you past an archipelago, far from the luxury island resorts and ‘flop and drop’ beach holidays of the more popular Denarau and Viti Levu. Each day includes two stops at an island or coral reef and visits to local villages and schools. Snorkel, dive with a qualified instructor, kayak or head out in the glass bottom boat. Island visits celebrate Fiji’s vibrant culture with traditional dances and lovo feasts, banquets prepared in an earth oven.
Can’t get enough of it? Book a two-week itinerary to follow the migration path of the Tongan tribe, the last humpback whales to be hunted. It’s a rare opportunity to see these majestic cetaceans soar and drop their bellies into the air before blowing a final, salty kiss goodbye.
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