Wildlife Cruises
Set sail on an unforgettable journey to see some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet with a wildlife cruise. Drift along the waters of otherworldly landscapes, exploring untouched corners of the world and encountering remarkable animal inhabitants along the way.
What is a Wildlife Cruise?
A wildlife cruise is a guided excursion aboard a boat or ship with a carefully curated itinerary, aiming to showcase a diverse array of animals and explore unique landscapes. These cruises guarantee extraordinary wildlife encounters, such as observing giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands, spotting river dolphins and monkeys in the Amazon, or marvelling at humpback whales in Antarctica.
Along with up-close encounters with nature’s wonders, wildlife cruises feature experienced naturalists and expedition leaders who provide educational talks. These experts delve into the fascinating local wildlife species, intricate ecosystems, and ongoing conservation efforts in the destinations visited. A Wildlife cruise is perfect for those who prefer an active adventure holiday.
Compared to traditional large cruisers, wildlife cruises offer a more intimate and eco-friendly experience. Operating on smaller vessels, they have lower fuel consumption and produce fewer emissions, along with enjoying the flexibility to navigate off the beaten track, reaching lesser-explored areas.
Example Wildlife Cruises Holidays
Wildlife Cruise Destinations
Antarctica Cruises
Become one of the lucky few to uncover the world’s most remote continent with a nature cruise through Antarctica. Sail the legendary Drake Passage as you venture deep into the Polar Desert, passing cathedral-sized icebergs and immense glaciers. Throughout your adventure, you’ll have the remarkable opportunity to witness incredible wildlife, including blue whales, gentoo penguins, and fur seals, welcoming you to their wild homeland.
Set sail on an Antarctica expedition cruise to discover the wild landscape of the ‘last continent’ in all of its glory. Discover a land of extremes, gliding by immense glaciers and icebergs, while coming across some of the rarest wildlife species on earth. Combine with a holiday to and discover the best wildlife in Patagonia, Chile and Antarctica.
Galapagos Island Cruises
When it comes to the best wildlife cruises, it’s hard to beat one of the most biodiverse places on earth: The Galapagos Islands. This unspoiled archipelago boasts some of the highest levels of endemism on the planet. Step aboard an eco-cruise and soar from island to island, encountering the likes of giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and colourful sally-foot crabs.
Galapagos Island cruises offer the ultimate wildlife adventure. From extraordinary creatures that inspired Darwin, to enchanted lava tunnels and cloud forests, there are many spectacular things to see in this archipelago. Read more about including a Galapagos Cruise into your Ecuador and Galapagos holiday.
Amazon River Cruises
A wilderness river cruise offers the most incredible way to discover the exotic creatures and extraordinary landscapes of the Amazon. Traverse the most remote reaches of the world’s largest tropical rainforest, where encounters with pink river dolphins, monkeys, and manatees await you at every turn. Amazon river cruises are an incredible way to get close to the rich biodiversity, birdlife and wildlife found in The Amazon Rainforest. With expert guides you can enjoy rainforest hikes, night safaris, Zodiac tours, and visit local indigenous communities to learn more about life in the Amazon.
We partner with some of the best luxury Amazon river cruises as part of a holiday to Ecuador or Peru. Our Amazon river cruises range in length, style and budget. Some boats are super luxurious with fine dining on board, others focus more on activities and adventures in nature. Speak to our experts to choose the perfect Amazon River cruise for you.
Eco-friendly wildlife cruises: Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@traveldifferently.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What is a Green Cruise?
A green cruise has been carefully designed to minimise its environmental impact. Eco-friendly cruise vessels often feature advanced technologies like efficient waste management and onboard recycling systems. Shore excursions tend to centre on conservation and cultural preservation, providing passengers with sustainable activities to engage in during their journey.
When should you book a wildlife cruise with Travel Differently?
Whether it’s a nature river cruise through the Amazon or a wilderness cruise through Antarctica, these are high-demand adventures and you are best booking several months, sometimes a year, in advance. This will give you enough time to not only secure your preferred cruise but also the best-suited flights and accommodations for your trip.
Are your cruises adult only?
Those of all ages are usually welcome aboard a wildlife cruise with Travel Differently, but we will double check individual cruises. Our customisable trips can be tailored to accommodate adults and children alike, ensuring everyone can join in and enjoy the adventure together.
Are river cruises choppy?
Wilderness and wildlife cruises along a river are rarely choppy and the chances of seasickness are much lower compared to ocean cruises. This is because the waters are often more sheltered than open seas, making them less affected by strong winds or rough waves. What’s more, river cruises tend to hug closer to the land and navigate within narrower channels, reducing exposure to open waters and minimising the effects of ocean swells and currents.
Why book a wildlife cruise with Travel Differently?
At Travel Differently, we are firm believers in the importance of taking a greener approach to travel in order to safeguard the very ecosystems and landscapes that we travel so far to see, especially amidst the climate emergency. Our eco cruises invite travellers to discover these spectacular corners of the world responsibly. We ensure each nature cruise takes an environmentally conscious approach by travelling slower. Slow Travel also gives passengers more opportunity to soak up the unique wildlife and landscapes they encounter during their trip. In fact, we are committed to offering trips lasting at least 12 days when flights are involved, and we actively encourage longer stays whenever feasible. By advocating for less frequent but more extensive explorations, we reduce emissions from air travel, alleviate the strain on tourist hotspots and distribute the economic benefits of tourism across a broader spectrum of society within the countries we visit. Through environmental policies and dedication to social responsibility, Travel Differently encourages its clients to take a better approach to cruising. Please see our Responsible Travel page for ore information on this.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
- We only work with trusted, hand-picked partners
- Every holiday is thoughtfully crafted to ensure a positive impact
- Our tours & experiences are unique, memorable & immersive
- We work with certified & respected local guides & drivers
- Judge us by the company we keep. Read more here
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
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