Going on a wildlife cruise is a fantastic way to see animals, birds and marine life in their natural habitat while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding environment and the luxury of staying on a cruise ship. From penguins to polar bears and whales to dolphins, there are many wildlife-rich destinations around the world that are best explored by cruise.
Here are six of the best cruise destinations for spotting wildlife:
Galapagos Islands
When deciding where to see wildlife on a cruise, the Galapagos Islands are a nature lover’s dream. The Galapagos Islands often top the list as a destination for offering the best wildlife cruises, providing the opportunity to see unique and endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Located off the coast of Ecuador, the islands are home to many iconic animals, such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. You may also get the chance to observe sea lions, penguins, and hammerhead sharks while snorkelling or scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the islands.
Wildlife cruises from the Galapagos typically depart from one of two main islands: Baltra Island or San Cristobal Island. Baltra Island is home to the Galapagos Islands’ main airport, the Seymour Airport, which receives daily flights from mainland Ecuador.
San Cristobal Island also has an airport that receives flights from mainland Ecuador.
Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the world’s most remote and untouched places. Unquestionably another of the best wildlife cruise destinations, discovering this icy continent is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As you sail the pristine waters around Antarctica, you’ll be in awe of its marine life. Whales spotted swimming here include fin, humpback and minke whales, as well as the iconic orcas.
You may even be lucky enough to see the majestic and awe-inspiring blue whale. Alongside being one of the best cruises to see whales, a trip here provides the opportunity to discover a diverse range of other wildlife, including leopard seals and penguins.
Remember to look up, too; on an Antarctica wildlife cruise, there’ll be a variety of seabirds, such as albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters, flying overhead. Antarctic wildlife cruises typically depart from the southern tip of South America, and most itineraries include visits to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Alaska
Alaska is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and a remarkable variety of wildlife, offering some of the best wildlife cruises in the world. On an Alaska wildlife cruise, you’ll explore landscapes of majestic glaciers, rugged mountains and crystal-clear fjords, encountering a wide range of sea and land mammals and birdlife, including humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, bald eagles, and grizzly bears.
Cruises in Alaska typically depart from cities such as Seattle, Vancouver, and Anchorage and explore the Inside Passage, a network of islands and fjords along the Alaskan coast.
Baja California
Baja California, a peninsula in northwest Mexico, is also considered one of the best cruise destinations for nature lovers, offering some of the best cruises to see whales close-up. The California gray whales migrate to this region every year.
These magnificent creatures are often quite friendly, meaning great views of them from the comfort of your vessel or even from the shore in some areas. Other wildlife commonly seen in Baja California include sea lions, dolphins, and various species of seabirds.
Wildlife cruises in Baja California typically depart from the cities of La Paz or Loreto and range from three to ten days in length.
The Amazon
Another one of the best cruises to see wildlife has to be the Amazon rainforest. It is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, and a river cruise is an excellent way to experience its wildlife and natural beauty.
Meandering through the tropical rainforests, you can spot an amazing variety of animals, including monkeys, sloths, jaguars, and pink river dolphins.
The river itself is home to numerous species of fish and turtles. Meanwhile, many species of birds can be spotted flying overhead, including macaws, toucans, and parrots.
Wildlife cruises in the Amazon typically depart from cities such as Manaus or Iquitos and can range from three to fourteen days in length.
The Arctic
The Arctic is a unique and spectacular destination. With vast expanses of untouched wilderness and a fragile ecosystem home to some extraordinary animals, it has to make the list as one of the top cruise destinations for wildlife.
Notably, the Arctic is one of the best cruises to see polar bears. It’s breathtaking to watch these formidable creatures, with their thick fur and large paws, swim and walk on ice in their natural habitat.
Migratory whale species, including the humpback, fin and minke whales visit in the summer, while beluga, narwhal and the mighty bowhead whales call the Arctic home throughout the year. On an Arctic wildlife cruise, you may also have the opportunity to see walruses, seals, sea lions, and a variety of Arctic birds.
Arctic wildlife cruises depart from several cities and ports throughout the region, including Reykjavik in Iceland, Tromso in Norway and Seattle, Vancouver, and Montreal in North America.
Which cruise ship is best for wildlife cruise holidays?
Once you have chosen which of the cruise destinations for wildlife you wish to visit, you’ll also need to consider the cruise line and type of cruise ship on which you want to sail.
Smaller expedition ships can access more remote destinations, offering some unbeatable wildlife cruise holidays. The main focus of these cruise holidays will usually be the marine, land and bird life and natural landscape.
Typically, you’ll have a range of excursions to choose from, including both onshore and onboard activities with wildlife experts who can give you a real insight into the region you are visiting.
The larger cruise ships of the leading cruise lines can also offer great cruises for animal lovers. Your vessel may not be able to access some of the more remote wilderness areas like the expedition ships.
However, you’ll still be able to enjoy some excellent wildlife-focused shore excursions while benefiting from the greater range of onboard facilities and entertainment that a large cruise ship can offer.
