Best Small Ship Trips for Wildlife Encounters in 2026

If spotting penguins en masse, kayaking past a humpback whale, or snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs is your idea of a great holiday, these destinations need a spot on your adventure list.

What makes these experiences possible isn’t just where you go, but how you get there. Travelling by small ship offers comfort, ease, and rare access. Unlike large cruise liners that move between crowded ports, small vessels can reach remote inlets, ice-filled fjords, and wildlife-rich coastlines that big ships simply can’t. Plus, small ship expeditions will have enough zodiacs for everyone to join an excursion. So you won’t be stuck waiting on a rostered schedule or miss out on wildlife and shore time like you would on big ships with limited excursion boats.

These wildlife-focused journeys open the door to unique moments and wild encounters you won’t forget. Here are the destinations to keep on your radar for 2026 if you’re chasing the wild. 

1. South Georgia & the Falkland Islands, Sub-Antarctic

Best for: King penguins, elephant seals, fur seals and albatross 

Often described as the “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean,” South Georgia is teeming with life. From beaches blanketed in king penguins to intimate landings among elephant seals, this sub-Antarctic archipelago is a dream for photographers and wildlife lovers. Combine these enormous seabird and mammal colony encounters with the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula, and you have the makings of a truly memorable voyage.

Small vessels allow longer shore landings and more time in key spots—something large ships can’t match. 

Browse Antarctic voyages → 

2. Alaska’s Inside Passage & British Columbia 

Best for: Humpback whales, bears, bald eagles and the annual salmon runs 

The beauty of these remote regions is the vast wilderness, historic towns and captivating biodiversity along the way where you can undertake guided walks and zodiac cruise. 

From temperate rainforests and glacier-fed waters, wildlife is woven into your everyday itinerary. Witness humpbacks bubble-net feeding from the bow at Frederick Sound, try to spot the playful splash of an orca calf, kayak past sea otters, or hike forest trails to remote and protected areas for ideal bear-viewing spots.

Smaller vessels access coves and inlets that big ships bypass—plus, they can stay longer when the wildlife shows up, like the feeding frenzy during the annual salmon run.

Experience Alaska's epic wilderness → 

3. The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Best for: Marine iguanas, giant tortoises, sea lions and blue-footed boobies (just to name a few!)

The Galapagos remains one of the world's  most astonishing natural sanctuaries, with small ship travel being the ideal and sustainable way to explore it. Due to strict visitor regulations and limited group sizes, you’ll experience the Galapagos up close, unhurried, and deeply connected. 

Sail thoughtfully through azure seas, snorkel beside sea turtles, walk through lava fields lined with lounging iguanas, and watch wildlife go about their day as if you weren’t even there. 

Every moment will feel like your own discovery with each day offering something new: a dazzling bird in flight, a volcanic vista, or a sea lion pup at play. Naturalists and expert guides on hand to share the stories behind the species, landscapes, and evolutionary wonders that make these islands so extraordinary. 

Discover the Galapagos archipelago → 

4. Raja Ampat & West Papua, Indonesia

Best for: Manta rays, tropical fish, hawksbill turtle, Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and incredible coral reef biodiversity 

Part of the Coral Triangle, this remote corner of Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world. Discover pristine coral reefs, whale sharks, reef sharks, and more fish species than almost anywhere on Earth! 

 

With a small expedition yacht, it's possible to reach islands far off the typical tourist trail. Aboard a traditional wooden pinisi sailing ship—your floating sanctuary—you’ll cruise through a dreamscape of limestone islands, emerald coves, and aquamarine waters teeming with life.

Break out the kayaks and paddle boards to glide across lagoons or dive below the surface into an underwater kaleidoscope, home to over 75% of the world’s coral species, 1,300 types of reef fish, five endangered sea turtle species, and an enchanting array of marine mammals. You may even find yourself face-to-face with a curious hawksbill turtle.

Then take your exploration from the sea to land, visiting a remote island village, where local guides lead you through lush jungle trails alive with birdsong. With luck and patience, you might witness one of nature’s most captivating performances: the Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, glowing in iridescent colour, performing its courtship dance on the forest floor.

View small ship adventures in Indonesia → 

5. The Arctic: Svalbard, Greenland & the Northwest Passage 

Best for: Polar bears, walrus, Arctic foxes, whales, seabirds

If polar wildlife calls to you, head north. Aboard a nimble expedition vessel, designed to navigate these remote frontiers, you'll snake through a labyrinth of frozen history where colossal fjords cradle ancient glaciers.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for Arctic foxes, soaring seabirds, and the elusive king of the north—the polar bear—roaming the ice in its natural domain. Witness walrus colonies hauled out on ice floes, and perhaps spot narwhals or bowhead whales surfacing in the distance like whispers from the deep. 

With extended daylight hours and expert guides, there’s time to wait and peacefully watch nature unfold before your eyes.

Find your Arctic voyage → 

Why choose a small ship expedition?

Travelling by small ship is about slowing down and seeing more. With fewer than 200 guests, low-impact operations, and the flexibility to choose your activities, these exploratory voyages offer rare access to truly wild places. You’ll spend more time ashore, enjoy better wildlife viewing, and share the experience with guides and naturalists who’ve spent years exploring. It’s a uniquely special way to travel, and no two expeditions are the same. That’s part of the magic.

If you’re looking to tick off that once-in-a-lifetime encounter in 2026, now's the time to start planning. View all wildlife-focused expeditions →