6 bucket-list destinations for expedition cruising in 2025

From Antarctica to Africa and everywhere in between.

Combining adventure and comfort, this style of cruising has made it easier to access far-flung places that were once off the cards.

1. The Arctic

Quark is all about providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. (Image: Supplied)

Few places on Earth boast such diverse and dramatic landscapes as the Arctic Circle. Stepping foot on colossal ice sheets and hiking the frozen tundra is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. HX Expeditions cruises of Svalbard, Greenland and Norway give visitors the chance to see the northern lights and take in everything from frozen fjords to ancient Inuit settlements. Or sail the Canadian High Arctic with Quark Expeditions, retracing the historic Franklin Expedition through the Northwest Passage.

2. Galápagos Islands

Silver Origin is the new expedition ship from Silversea.

Expect to fill every inch of your phone storage with images that illustrate the unique beauty of the Galápagos during an immersive safari at sea. Your highlights reel should include shots of the island’s plentiful wildlife, such as the giant Galápagos tortoise, penguins, sea lions and the blue-footed booby. Silver Origin is the new Silversea expedition ship designed to access the remote islands and pull into new ports of call such as San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz Island.

3. Antarctica

Visit Antarctica with ease onboard PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot. (Image: Ian Dawson)

What makes Antarctica truly otherworldly is its sheer scale. The most remote continent on Earth is a blindingly white landscape cracked open with deep-blue crevasses. Spot tuxedoed penguins, kayak around hidden coves and snowshoe across glacial sculptures while cruising to the edge of the Earth on ships purpose-built for polar expeditions. PONANT takes adventures to the next level with its world-first 64-day Antarctic circumnavigation on luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot.

4. Africa

Swan Hellenic reveals remote islands and cultures.

From West Africa’s Atlantic Coast to East Africa’s Indian Ocean idylls, expedition cruising on the African continent is on the rise. Itineraries offered by the likes of Swan Hellenic, PONANT and Silversea reveal remote cultures, rare wildlife and pristine marine environments from Senegal and Sierra Leone to the Seychelles and Madagascar.

5. Mexico

Dive into stunning La Paz with Uncruise. (Image: Supplied)

Mexico is emerging as a hotspot for expedition cruising, particularly along Baja California and the Sea of Cortez. Small-ship voyages offer wildlife encounters, from grey whales to sea lions, snorkelling adventures and desert island hikes. Operators such as UnCruise, Lindblad Expeditions, PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys are leading the way.

6. Indonesia

Aqua Expeditions and Coral Expeditions take guests to under-the-radar places like Raja Ampat.

Remote, diverse and teeming with life, Indonesia is an expedition destination for Aussies in the know. Places such as Raja Ampat, Komodo and West Papua showcase vibrant coral reefs, dense rainforests and rich wildlife. Small-ship operators such as Aqua Expeditions and Coral Expeditions offer immersive journeys that combine adventure and cultural exploration.