Nature Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Nature Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

7,427 Nature trips. Tours from 1,297 tour companies. 10,801 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

330 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Small Ship Cruise
Christmas in Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their ice-breaking cruise liners take travelers truly off of the beaten path and into the very heart of the polar realms.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Celebrating Christmas amidst fantastic rugged mountains, cascading glaciers, crystalline icebergs and clear waters abounding with whales and seals.
  • Countless penguins and endemic Antarctic birdlife - true memorable lifetime moments
  • Possibility for kayaking and camping under the southern stars in a world of ice and snow.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Best vacation so far!! Loved everything, especially highly professional team, that organised the whole trip super safe and on a highest level, the crew that does the cleaning and provides the food literally 24/7, the expedition team was super and the program, lectures, communication - everything couldn’t be better. I miss the cruise! And the best part of course the wild nature, animals. It’s a pity there are strict rules nowadays due to the flu and we couldn’t get closer, but it’s the right thing to protect the nature. Will be back for sure!"

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Antarctic Wildlife Adventure: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their ice-breaking cruise liners take travelers truly off of the beaten path and into the very heart of the polar realms.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Buenos Aires, Falklands Islands, South Shetland Islands

Highlights

  • The greatest concentrations of seabirds and marine mammals on the planet.
  • Astounding abundance of penguins at huge breeding colonies
  • A rare view of albatross family life
  • Fearless marine wildlife and scenery beyond belief on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Best vacation so far!! Loved everything, especially highly professional team, that organised the whole trip super safe and on a highest level, the crew that does the cleaning and provides the food literally 24/7, the expedition team was super and the program, lectures, communication - everything couldn’t be better. I miss the cruise! And the best part of course the wild nature, animals. It’s a pity there are strict rules nowadays due to the flu and we couldn’t get closer, but it’s the right thing to protect the nature. Will be back for sure!"

Trip dates & details
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Spitsbergen Photography Adventure
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Helsinki, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Highlights

  • Refine your skills and become a photography expert, capturing some of the most remote and extraordinary landscapes on earth. Better yet, you’ve got a team of photography experts on hand to help.
  • See onboard environmental and scientific lectures and seminars to give you all the Spitsbergen knowledge, plus a couple of photography masterclasses to hone your technique.
  • Twice daily zodiac excursions mean there’s plenty of opportunities to get up close to glaciers, icebergs and all types of wildlife. There are more polar bears than people on Svalbard, so get snapping!
  • Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!
  • With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team to maximise wildlife spotting opportunities each day.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Canadian Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage to Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Calgary, Devon, Nunavut, Toronto

Highlights

  • With two helicopters on board, you’ll get the chance to take included flights to soar above the Arctic landscape and make landings at otherwise inaccessible spots.
  • Explore parts of the Nunavut region with Inuit guides and learn about the people who have lived in the world’s most difficult environments for thousands of years.
  • Spot incredible wildlife on land and on Zodiac excursions. Canada’s High Arctic is home to fantastic beasts like polar bears, musk oxen, narwhals and caribou.
  • Traverse the waterways of the famed Northwest Passage, which foiled European explorers for hundreds of years, and attempt to reach the otherworldly Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg islands.
  • Discover the immense beauty of ancient glaciers, house-sized icebergs, granite mountains and epic tundra that extends as far as the eye can see.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Highlights

  • Spot puffins on Fair Isle, the United Kingdom’s most remote inhabited island.
  • Explore the maze of narrow laneways in Torshavn’s Old Town.
  • Experience the mountainous beauty of Jan Mayen.
  • Search for Hornsund's abundant wildlife, including reindeer, auk and polar bears.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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High Arctic Explorer - Greenland to Canada (Ocean Endeavour)
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Ottawa, Toronto

Highlights

  • On board the Ocean Endeavour, your adventures will be guided by a team of experts, with in-depth workshops and presentations to enrich your understanding of this complex corner of the world.
  • Prepare for a day to remember in Greenland’s Ilulissat, where colourful rows of houses are dwarfed by an awe-inspiring icefjord of towering icebergs.
  • Experience the culture of Canada’s Inuit people in the stunning Arctic community of Mittimatalik, where you’ll watch a traditional performance including drum dancing, throat singing and storytelling.
  • Spent four incredible days exploring the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area in search of narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales.
  • Discover Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island, learn about the landscape’s unique topography and the Inuit people and their ancestors who once lived here.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Spitsbergen Highlights
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

London, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Highlights

  • Get the best of an epic Arctic voyage in just a week, crossing the 80th parallel on a cruise around the northwest of Spitsbergen to spot polar bears, glaciers and walk the arctic tundra.
  • Take advantage of 24 hours of daylight to encounter iconic arctic wildlife like polar bears, walrus and reindeer.
  • Board Zodiacs to cruise up to towering glaciers and glistening icebergs and make landings on the surprisingly colourful tundra.
  • Glide silently on the waters of the arctic in a kayak, surrounded by icebergs and glaciers.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Journey to the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Endeavour)
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Enjoy daily Zodiac excursions to iconic landing sites, abundant with birdlife and busy penguins, and witness icebergs in a thousand different shades of blue.
  • Experience almost endless daylight in high summer once you are inside the Antarctic Circle. Then, push further south than most Antarctic expeditions venture, exploring the remoteness of this less-visited part of the Antarctic Peninsula.
  • Customise your trip with a wide range of optional activities on top of regular Zodiac excursions. Explore the water by kayak, sign up for a photography masterclass, rejuvenate with onboard yoga and massages or take a refreshing polar plunge.
  • While most polar expeditions of this kind have a crew-to-passenger ratio of ten, fifteen or twenty to one, Intrepid expeditions on the Ocean Endeavour have an expedition crew member for every eight passengers for a greater personal touch.
  • Our experienced leaders have made hundreds of polar voyages between them. They’re experts in marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history, and they’ll share their knowledge throughout the journey during a comprehensive lecture program.

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

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Nature Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
10,801  Reviews
See all Nature tour reviews
Excellent
5,104
Great
1,199
Average
128
Disappointing
25
Terrible
31
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A Week in Petra

A great week with a great bunch of people This was the trip just as I expected it - Petra being the highlight, but Wadi Rum coming a close second. Or maybe Jerash?...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A week in Jordan

An excellent trip, very full on but really interesting. Although the trip notes state that the trip is 'moderate' I would say it was more energetic than moderate....

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

a week in jordon

full on trip which was very informative and interesting. all sites were good especially Petra, Little Petra and camping in Wadi Rum Eddy was entertaining and engag...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fantastic week, thoroughly recommend

An awe inspiring trip, with something for everyone, and covering all the key sights, sounds and tastes of Jordan. I knew I wanted to see Petra, but didn't really h...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A Week in Jordan

Highlight was night in the desert. Trek round Petra also very good. Trip to Aqaba seemed a bit superfluous. Maybe cancel that and have two nights in desert camp in...

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Nature Tour Selection Trips

Nature Photography Tips

Capturing the beauty of nature through photography requires skill and technique. Here are some valuable tips to enhance your nature photography experience:
Use a Wide-Angle Lens: Opt for a wide-angle lens to capture expansive landscapes and make background features pop. If using a smartphone, crop your photo horizontally to achieve a similar effect.
Long Exposure for Moving Water: When photographing moving water, use a long exposure effect to create a smooth, ethereal effect. Use a tripod to stabilize the camera during the exposure.
Know Your Subjects: Study the behavior of local wildlife before photographing them to anticipate their movements and capture compelling shots. Time your visit to capture specific natural phenomena, such as blooming or changing foliage.
Leverage Water Reflections: Take advantage of water reflections during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset for stunning, ethereal photos with warm, soft lighting.
Edit with Smartphone Tools: Enhance your photos by using the editing tools built into smartphone cameras. Adjust brightness and contrast, and apply filters to achieve desired effects. Explore third-party editing apps for more advanced editing options.
Embrace Natural Lighting: The best filter for nature photography is natural lighting. Capture the soft, golden glow of the golden hour for beautifully illuminated subjects without harsh shadows.
Timing for Wildlife Photography: Plan wildlife photography excursions during the early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active. Avoid midday heat when animals seek shade and are less visible.
Respect Wildlife: When photographing animals on a safari, prioritize their well-being by respecting their natural habitat. Adhere to designated areas for visitors, refrain from disturbing or feeding wildlife, and observe from a respectful distance for the best photo opportunities.
Applying these tips can elevate your nature photography skills and capture stunning images of the natural world around you.

Additional details

Why go on a guided nature tour?

Depending on where you’re traveling, there is a good chance there will be little to no cell reception. Trying to connect to your GPS or internet if you get lost without cell service is a frustrating and nerve wracking experience. If you’re going to a new country, it can be difficult to navigate remote trails or national parks, especially if you don’t speak the language.

This should in no way discourage you from getting out in nature during your travels. Guided nature tours are the perfect option to take the stress out and truly enjoy the experience. The tour guides are out nearly every day, so they know the land, allowing you to just have fun without trying to navigate on your own. 

Tour guides may also know unusual and interesting facts about the area that will help connect your nature experience to the local community, culture, and heritage. And they’ll often know of secret viewing or picnic spots that the average traveler would not know about . A guided nature tour can keep you safe and stress free, allowing for the best experience.

Nature Travel and Ecotourism

When traveling in nature, it’s important to be aware of the environment and try your best to not disturb the landscape. Traveling has become extremely popular in recent years, and with globalization and the ability to travel more affordably than recent years, more and more people are visiting the worlds natural attractions. 

This is awesome! However not everyone is aware of the damage that can be done by some of their actions when they travel. 

Here are some tips for being a respectful traveler

1. Do some research before you go so you’re aware of what’s happening in that particular environment. By being knowledgeable about your destination, you’re not only staying safe, but you’re practicing good tourism etiquette and avoiding doing damage.

2. Consider trips with farm stays, local stays, and/or camping. These options can be eco-friendly and help boost the local economy, supporting the community.

3. Wild animals are not for entertainment. Do some research and look for tours that have high ethical standards. If you’re really keen on seeing animals, look for places that allow viewing of the animals in their natural habitat.



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