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Explore the wonder of coral reefs

Cairns Small Ship Cruises

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Discover the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with Adventure Life's array of 15 small ship cruises for 2025. Join us on a cruise adventure through the vibrant marine life and pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef, from Cairns to Lautoka. Experience snorkeling in the colorful Ribbon Reefs and Lizard Island, marvel at the unique culture of Arnhem Land, and witness the traditional practices of the Tiwi people. Engage in village visits, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling excursions, all while surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the South Pacific. With activities suitable for a relaxed pace, this adventure offers a chance to explore the mysteries of Melanesia and the cultural gems of Papua New Guinea. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey - contact one of Adventure Life's tour specialists for help planning your next seamless trip.
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Travelers learning how to scuba dive.
$4,540
EXPLORE

Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns to Cairns - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Discoverer
  • Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
  • Swim and snorkel Lizard Island
  • Discover the pristine Ribbon Reefs
  • Learn about Cook’s landing
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Cairns
Activities:
Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
This 8-day South Pacific cruise includes a full day to discover two different sections of the rarely visited Ribbon Reefs, considered to be the most colorful and pristine reefs found anywhere along the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the wonderful fringing reefs off Lizard …
Cruise Details
0
Waterfall in the Australian outback
$8,690
EXPLORE

Cape York & Arnhem Land

Cairns - Darwin - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Discoverer
  • Experience the unique Arnhem Land
  • Explore the Cobourg Peninsula
  • Witness the Tiwi people's culture
  • Snorkel across Lizard Island
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Darwin
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
This magnificent 12-day voyage takes you across the top of Northern Australia and experience cultures unchanged for centuries, world-renowned Indigenous art centres, and some of the continent’s most remote islands. Visit remote Bathurst and Melville Islands and learn of traditional Tiwi …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the wonder of coral reefs
$6,730
EXPLORE

Citizen Science on the Great Barrier Reef

Brisbane - Cairns - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Discoverer
  • Visit Lady Elliot marine sanctuary
  • Visit Mon Repos turtle conservation
  • Contribute to coral health studies
  • Dive into an underwater art museum
Starts / Ends:
Brisbane / Cairns
Activities:
Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark from Brisbane on an 11-day cruise exploring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef aboard the Coral Discoverer. Visit Lady Elliot Island, a sanctuary for marine life and Project Manta research site, and learn about turtle conservation at Mon Repos Turtle Centre. At Wistari Reef, engage in …
Cruise Details
0
Take in the unusual beauty of the Australian coast
$8,050
EXPLORE

Torres Strait and Cape York

Cairns - Horn Island - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Discoverer
  • Explore the Torres Strait Islands
  • Snorkel at Davie Cay
  • View rock art at Stanley Island
  • Visit Lizard Island
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Thursday Island
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits
Activity Level:
Variable
With almost 300 islands dotted across the narrow stretch of water between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the people of the Torres Strait Islands have a distinct and vibrant culture. An expedition by small ship is the ideal way to access these remote regions, visiting uninhabited sand cays, remote …
Cruise Details
0
Parrots in Papua New Guinea
$8,885
EXPLORE

Frontier Lands of Papua New Guinea

13 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Adventurer
  • Admire unique wildlife
  • Visit Buna and Sanananda
  • Lear more about the Dei Dei springs
  • Snorkel & Dive on vibrant reefs
Activities:
Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling
Activity Level:
Variable
Immerse yourself in the wild and rugged scenery of Papua New Guinea, with its mysterious stories that take you away from the complexities of modern times. Whilst traveling in comfort on board Coral Adventurer, visit remote villages rich in culture and meet with the people who have maintained their …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the wonder of coral reefs
$25,690
EXPLORE

South Pacific Discovery

Cairns - Lautoka - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Discover Louisiade Archipelago
  • Experience Guadalcanal Island
  • Discover Owaraha
  • Explore Cairns
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Lautoka
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 13-day cruise from Cairns to Lautoka aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Begin your adventure in Cairns, the gateway to tropical north Queensland. Explore the collision of two World Heritage sites - the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef and the lush Daintree Rainforest. Immerse yourself in …
Cruise Details
0
Remote lagoon in Papua New Guinea
$11,995
EXPLORE

Discover the Secrets of Melanesia: Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu

Cairns - Port Vila - 17 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Discover the jewels of Tetepare
  • Explore Vanuatu
  • Visit Rabaul’s volcanic landscapes
  • Visit villages in Malaita Island
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Port Vila, Efate
Activities:
Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on this 17-day expedition cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer and discover the secrets of Melanesia. Begin in Cairns, a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Fly to Madang, known for its cultural heritage and artistry. Explore the Sepik River by Zodiac, witnessing unique wildlife and local …
Cruise Details
0
Sandy Cay
$35,890
EXPLORE

Australia’s Top End: Cape York & the Great Barrier Reef

Darwin - Cairns - 16 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Discover Cobourg Peninsula
  • Experience Wessel Island
  • Marvel at Yirrkala
  • Discover Thursday Island
Starts / Ends:
Darwin / Cairns
Activities:
Helicopter Tours, Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 16-day cruise from Darwin to Cairns aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Discover Australia's northern tip, exploring the sacred Arnhem Land, inhabited for over 40,000 years. Discover the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral system, teeming with vibrant marine …
Cruise Details
0
Mountain Range in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
$10,130
EXPLORE

Tropical Odyssey: North-East Australia and Indonesia

16 Day Itinerary aboard Le Laperouse
  • Discover the Asmat region
  • Learn about local culture
  • Explore the Malukus
  • Visit the Komodo National Park
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Benoa
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Spa Relaxation
Activity Level:
Variable
Join this 16-day tropical expedition voyage onboard the Le Laperouse between north-eastern Australia and Indonesia to discover its spectacular natural scenery. Lizard Island, nestled in the heart of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, is the first port of call on your cruise. The next day, sail …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the coral reefs in Indonesia
$35,990
EXPLORE

Northern Australia & the Indonesian Archipelago

Cairns - Denpasar - 17 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Explore Cairns
  • Discover Port Douglas
  • Discover Thursday Islands
  • Experience Sandy Cay
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Denpasar
Activities:
Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 17-day cruise from Cairns to Denpasar aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Departing from Cairns, the capital of Tropical North Queensland, this cruise takes you to the tip of Australia and Thursday Island before venturing into the blue open ocean to explore Indonesia's remote islands, …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the wonder of coral reefs
$12,010
EXPLORE

New Guinea Odyssey

Cairns - Darwin - 17 Day Itinerary aboard Le Jacques Cartier
  • Explore Cairns
  • Discover Alotau
  • Experience Tufi
  • Witness Tami Islands
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Darwin
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 17-day cruise aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, exploring the wonders and ancestral tribes of Papua New Guinea. Departing from Cairns, the cruise takes you to Alotau, with a rich history, scenic fjords of Tufi, and a culturally diverse Madang. Experience traditional village life in Kopar, swim …
Cruise Details
0
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
$23,590
EXPLORE

Along the East Coast of Australia: Beaches & the Great Barrier Reef

Auckland - Cairns - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Explore Auckland
  • Discover Bay of Islands
  • Marvel at Lady Elliot Island
  • Experience Norfolk Island
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Cairns
Activities:
Helicopter Tours, Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 12-day cruise from Auckland to Cairns aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. The journey promises paradise along New Zealand's North Island and Australia's East Coast. Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands from Auckland, sail to Norfolk Island, and then reach Queensland's serene …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the beautiful coastline of northern Australia
$8,690
EXPLORE

Cape York & Arnhem Land - Art Themed

Darwin to Cairns - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Discoverer
  • Experience the unique Arnhem Land
  • Explore the Cobourg Peninsula
  • Witness the Tiwi people's culture
  • Explore Lizard Island
Starts / Ends:
Darwin / Cairns
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard Coral Discoverer from Darwin through the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, and Torres Strait. Begin with experiences at Tiwi Designs, exploring the oldest and most diverse art centers in Australia, and continue to Maningrida, where visits to the Arts Centre, Djomi Museum, …
Cruise Details
0
Remote lagoon in Papua New Guinea
$10,910
EXPLORE

New Guinea Odyssey

Darwin - Cairns - 17 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Discover Papua New Guinea
  • Visit the Tami islands
  • Watch the Asaro Mudmen
  • Swim and snorkel on beaches
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Darwin
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Spa Relaxation
Activity Level:
Variable
This 17-day journey takes you to the world's second-biggest island, a fascinating region home to over 1,200 ethnic groups. Allow yourself to be fascinated by the stunning vistas of the Fiords and lush mangrove forests where you can meet Papuan tribes eager to share their culture and art with …
Cruise Details
0
Vibrant sunset colors over the Australian coast
$8,955
EXPLORE

Cape York & Arnhem Land - Art Themed

12 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Adventurer
  • Experience the unique Arnhem Land
  • Explore the Cobourg Peninsula
  • Witness the Tiwi people's culture
  • Explore Lizard Island
Starts / Ends:
Darwin / Cairns
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard Coral Adventurer from Darwin through the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, and Torres Strait. Begin with experiences at Tiwi Designs, exploring the oldest and most diverse art centers in Australia, and continue to Maningrida, where visits to the Arts Centre, Djomi Museum, …
Cruise Details
0
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