Inspire Your Next Escape with a Luxury Expedition Cruise

Island-Hopping in Style: Five Remote Cruises to Inspire

There’s something undeniably magical about island hopping. That feeling of being untethered, drifting across impossibly blue waters from one extraordinary place to the next—each island promising something new, something wild, something soul-stirring. For the more refined traveller, a luxury expedition cruise opens doors to remote archipelagos, uninhabited shores, and thriving underwater worlds rarely seen by the wider world.

From the emerald isles of the Seychelles to the marine marvels of Raja Ampat, from the windswept wildlife sanctuaries of South Georgia to Tasmania’s untamed coastlines, and even the prehistoric paradise of the Galápagos, these voyages are a celebration of nature, guided exploration, and luxury afloat.

Explore five of the world’s most exceptional island-hopping destinations, each accessed via a luxury expedition cruise that blends comfort, sustainability and style.

The Seychelles

Cruise Ship: Aqua Blu by Aqua Expeditions – launching 2026

GETTING THERE

Draped across the Indian Ocean like a string of emeralds, the Seychelles are the epitome of barefoot luxury. While the main islands boast polished resorts and palm-fringed beaches, the outer islands—many of which remain untouched—offer a raw, elemental beauty perfect for exploration by sea.

Onboard the sleek and sophisticated Aqua Blu, guests can drift away from the conventional and into a world of granitic islands, coral atolls and dazzling biodiversity. Plunge into the ocean to snorkel amid giant sea turtles in clear lagoons or stroll through ancient palm forests where rare birds sing; this is an archipelago that invites stillness and wonder.

Five Best Features of the Seychelles:

• Stunning, granite-framed beaches
• Protected marine parks teeming with reef life and turtles
• UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai and its rare coco de mer palms
• Seabird sanctuaries on islands such as Aride and Bird Island
• Endless opportunities for kayaking, diving & paddleboarding

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Cruise Ship: Aqua Blu by Aqua Expeditions

In the far eastern reaches of the Indonesian archipelago lies Raja Ampat, a marine Eden scattered across the heart of the Coral Triangle. This cluster of over 1,500 islands, islets and shoals is a biological treasure trove—home to the greatest marine biodiversity on Earth. Above water, limestone karsts rise dramatically from teal seas, while jungle-swathed islands shelter exotic birds and age-old traditions.

Travelling aboard Aqua Blu, a long-range explorer yacht reimagined for a luxury expedition cruise, you’ll navigate these wild seascapes in style. With its intimate size and expert guides, the vessel grants access to the region’s most secluded corners of hidden lagoons, world-class dive sites, and isolated beaches where footprints are few and far between.

Five Best Features of Raja Ampat:

• Snorkelling and diving in the richest reef system on the planet
• Encounters with manta rays, pygmy seahorses & walking sharks
• Visits to remote island villages and centuries-old traditions
• Kayaking through jungle-fringed bays and limestone grottoes
• Birdwatching for the red bird-of-paradise and other rare species

Coastal Tasmania, Australia

Cruise Ship: Sylvia Earle by Aurora Expeditions

For those seeking a wild island adventure closer to home, Tasmania’s remote southern coastline is a rugged revelation. Accessible only by water or air, this untamed landscape is sculpted by wind and sea, cloaked in ancient forest, and teeming with endemic wildlife. Towering sea cliffs give way to hidden bays, and beneath the waves, a cool-water reef system thrives with kelp forests and marine life.

Sailing aboard the purpose-built Sylvia Earle, a small luxury expedition cruise ship designed for sustainability and scientific discovery, you’ll explore Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness from an entirely fresh perspective. This cruise offers an immersive experience in some of the most pristine and remote corners of Australia.

Five Best Features of Coastal Tasmania:

• Freycinet’s pink granite peaks and Wineglass Bay’s perfect arc
• South Bruny’s towering dolerite cliffs and surf-pounded shores
• Wildlife sightings including wombats, sea eagles & fur seals
• Rainforest walks through the Tarkine and Southwest National Park
• Cooler-water snorkelling and coastal kayaking adventures

South Georgia Island

Cruise Ship: Sylvia Earle by Aurora Expeditions

A thousand miles from the nearest civilisation, South Georgia is a remote sub-Antarctic island that stuns visitors with its dramatic landscapes and phenomenal wildlife spectacles. Nicknamed the “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean,” it’s home to towering glaciers, windswept fjords and immense colonies of king penguins, elephant seals and fur seals.

Travelling aboard Sylvia Earle, you’ll trace the footsteps of legendary explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton while enjoying the comfort of a world-class luxury expedition cruise. Zodiac landings allow for intimate wildlife encounters, and the onboard team of naturalists and historians bring this remote world vividly to life. The icescapes of Antarctica offer their own appeal, but for nature lovers, South Georgia is a destination without parallel.

It is also worth noting that, as a certified B Corp, Aurora Expeditions has diligently transformed its ships and expeditions to not only be carbon neutral and low-impact, but also assist in Citizen Science projects to actively promote and support conservation and research.

Five Best Features of South Georgia:

• Walking among hundreds of thousands of king penguins
• Dramatic fjords, glaciers and mountain backdrops
• Historic sites from Shackleton’s famed expedition
• Elephant seal harems and fur seal nurseries on remote beaches
• Albatross nesting colonies and birdwatching galore

The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Cruise Ship: Theory, Origin or Evolve by Ecoventura

GETTING THERE

A living museum of evolution, the Galápagos Islands are unmatched in their scientific significance and surreal beauty. Located 1,000 kilometres off Ecuador’s coast, this volcanic archipelago inspired Darwin himself and continues to enchant travellers with its fearless wildlife and otherworldly terrain.

Ecoventura’s fleet of intimate, eco-luxury yachts—Theory, Origin and Evolve—offers the finest way to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each vessel hosts no more than 20 guests, ensuring an exclusive experience complete with expert naturalist guides, gourmet cuisine and daily excursions that bring you eye-to-eye with nature’s marvels.

Five Best Features of the Galápagos:

• Up-close encounters with blue-footed boobies, iguanas & sea lions
• Snorkelling with marine turtles, penguins & reef sharks
• Volcanic landscapes shaped by lava flows and craters
• Giant tortoise reserves and the Darwin Research Station
• Zodiac landings on remote islands with surreal scenery

Endless Potential on a Luxury Expedition Cruise

From the tropical splendour of the Seychelles to the icy shores of South Georgia, these island-hopping journeys reimagine what cruising can be. This is not about casinos or crowded ports, but rather, deeply immersive experiences into the wildest corners of our planet, aboard beautifully appointed vessels designed for comfort, conservation and discovery.

For those yearning for a journey that’s both enriching and exhilarating, these small-ship luxury expedition cruises are an invitation to sail beyond the ordinary. Whether it’s wildlife encounters that leave you breathless or landscapes that stir something ancient in your soul, each destination offers the promise of something unforgettable.

And with Tasmania’s remote coastline right in our own backyard, the adventure of a lifetime may be closer than you think.

See you out there.

Thomas

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