Nature Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Nature Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

7,406 Nature trips. Tours from 1,297 tour companies. 10,789 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

329 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
Eclipse Galapagos Cruise
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Galapagos, Isabela Island, Isla Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz Island

Highlights

  • Have a good experience on 6 day Galapagos cruise
  • Numerous opportunities to swim, kayak and snorkel
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

Themes

Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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Islands of the Indian Ocean
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Visit famous Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
  • Discover Silhouette Island, the third largest island in the beautiful Seychelles archipelago.
  • Explore Antsiranana the largest city in Northern Madagascar
  • Visit Port Louis, capital of Mauritius

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"everything is perfect from start to finish just back from Baltic cruise on Braemar , it was amazing."

Trip dates & details
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Portland, OR (Vancouver, WA) to Clarkston
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Portland

Highlights

  • Explore Vancouver
  • Explore the eastern entrance to mount st. Helens or the spectacular Lewis river valley
  • Discover the art that lines each dalles streets, and taste the culinary expertise at some of the town’s most popular cuisine restaurants!
  • Enjoy the scenic beauty of this stunning and unique river-town
  • Footsteps of the historic lewis and Clark journey

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We had a wonderful cruise up the Mississippi from New Orleans to St Louis ! Great entertainment, great food , pools, hot tub and visiting interesting places."

Trip dates & details
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Great Barrier Reef Cruises
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cairns, Cooktown, Great Barrier Reef

Highlights

  • 8-day Great Barrier Reef small ship cruise
  • Visit to historic Cooktown
  • Pelorus Island Beach BBQ

Themes

Birding, Family Friendly, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing, Scuba Diving

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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Scandinavian Waterways & Capitals
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Copenhagen, Scandinavia, Stockholm

Highlights

  • Enjoy vibrant nightlife, diverse cultures and extensive heritage
  • View picturesque canvas of waterways, lakes, canals and trees
  • Visit beautiful Drottningholm Palace
  • See spectacular architecture of the imposing Christiansborg and Amalienborg palaces

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"everything is perfect from start to finish just back from Baltic cruise on Braemar , it was amazing."

Trip dates & details
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Discoverers Glacier Country
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Alaska, Baranof Island Sitka, Glacier National Park, Icy Strait, Juneau

Highlights

  • View Alaska's massive glaciers
  • Kayak and small boat explorations
  • Visit Glacier Bay National Park
  • Enjoy whale watching in Frederick Sound and bears near Icy Strait and Chichagof Island

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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Scenic Spain
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bilbao

Highlights

  • Discover La Coruña
  • Have a chance to take a short trip to beautiful Bilbao to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum
  • Explore Getxo, its an attractive seaside location
  • Visit Aviles, you’ll have the chance to visit the world renowned Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"everything is perfect from start to finish just back from Baltic cruise on Braemar , it was amazing."

Trip dates & details
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Northern Passages and Glacier Bay
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Alaska, Baranof Island Sitka, Glacier National Park, Icy Strait, Sitka

Highlights

  • Visit to Glacier Bay National Park
  • Sail between Juneau and Sitka
  • View Alaska's massive glaciers
  • Areas explored include Icy Strait, Chichagof Island and Peril Strait

Themes

Birding, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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329 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise

Nature Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
10,789  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 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

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 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

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...

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...

Write a Review

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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