At first all I could see was what looked like a light gray stick.
But as our Zodiac boat slowly approached a mud bank Western AustraliaIn the Kimberley region, a thick, scaly tail and a mouth that appeared to curve into a sly, jagged grin appeared. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a crocodile,” said Robin West, Seabourn’s general manager and vice president of shipping operations and planning, who was driving.
The reptile was the first of six or seven saltwater crocodiles we saw on a trip to the Hunter River and Porosus Creek in late June (there was some debate among my companions about the final number). The area, which is also home to mangroves, periscopes and other wildlife, was one stop on our 10-day voyage through the Kimberley aboard the Seabourn Pursuit, the cruise line's newest expedition ship.
After two hours in 32°C heat, I was exhausted by the time I got back to the boat. I took my cue from some of the crocodiles we had seen basking in the sun and spent much of the rest of the day reading and admiring the view from the boat's open, shaded decks.
Cold weather destinations like Antarctic And the arctic Expedition cruises are popular, but there are benefits to exploring somewhere warmer.
Expedition plus pleasure cruise
My Kimberley itinerary combined the kinds of educational and immersive activities that nature lovers expect from an expedition with elements that felt like a pleasure cruise.
“It can definitely be very relaxing,” said Claire Maguire, travel agent and franchise owner at Cruise Planners.
Temperatures hovered between 27 and 32 degrees during my trip, with sunshine almost every day. So when I wasn’t aboard a Zodiac or exploring the various ports on foot, I often sat on my suite’s balcony or ate at outdoor tables by the ship’s infinity pool, surrounded by sandstone peaks and turquoise water.
On the other hand, when I took a Antarctica Cruise In December, temperatures were milder than expected, but still too cold to comfortably spend much time on the outside decks.
“I think it’s more like a vacation,” Maguire said. “Sometimes the cold can feel more like work. This time it’s a little more laid back, it’s slow paced, it’s relaxing.” On my cruise, we only went ashore once a day most days, which gave passengers time to attend lectures about the area given by members of the expedition team, visit the spa or gym, or just lounge around.
The luxury line also pampered its guests in a way that made the adventure more enjoyable.
One afternoon, after venturing out to see the horizontal falls of Talbot Bay – a side cascade effect Due to the water seeping into the cliff passages, we sailed to another Zodiac that our guide said might have broken down. But as we approached the boat, occupied by other members of the expedition team and crew, they offered us champagne and ice cream (it wouldn't be the last time either).
What are some other benefits of warm weather shipping?
Different destinations call for different gear, and with warm weather, you can leave the long underwear and parkas at home.
“Obviously you have to pack a lot less specific clothing,” Maguire said. “That’s another plus. You don’t have to pack a lot of heavy layers or anything like that, which is nice.”
Getting in and out of the Zodiacs was felt less production than in Antarctica, for example, where I had to dress with base layers, waterproof pants, boots, a hat, and even more so every time I arrived.
There are, however, a few essentials that travelers should have, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. I forgot the latter and probably would have burned if it weren't for the kindness of others on board who provided extras. Seabourn and many other operators have packing lists for reference also.
Maguire also recommends wearing long sleeves, especially if you plan on swimming. Warm-weather destinations generally make getting in the water easier and more enjoyable (no disrespect to the polar diving). We even did it in the Kimberley, where swimming is only possible in certain places because of the crocodiles.
One morning we went snorkeling at Ashmore Reef in water that was around 70 degrees. About 45 minutes of swimming among corals, fish and blue starfish passed in what seemed like 10 minutes.
If penguins and polar bears are the faces of Antarctic and Arctic expeditions, crocodiles may well be the stars of Kimberley expeditions. But wildlife enthusiasts have plenty more to look out for, from bracken kites to nurse sharks.
How much does shipping to Kimberley cost?
Prices vary by operator, departure date, room category and other factors, but a 10 Day Kimberley Expedition with Seabourn The ticket price for the flight departing on June 27, 2025 is $10,999 per person based on double occupancy. The fare includes meals, wines and spirits, Wi-Fi and more.
Nature can make you feel small:You should seek this feeling when you travel
Where else can I go on a warm weather expedition?
If cold weather isn’t your thing, the Kimberley isn’t the only option. Cruise operators offer itineraries to the Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador and Indonesian islands like Bali and the Raja Ampat archipelago, which Maguire says “is an incredible place for snorkeling and scuba diving.”
She also recommended destinations like Africa, where she said clients could combine a cruise with a land safari, and the Mediterranean, where she went truffle hunting and visited a horse farm on a recent expedition.
“You definitely do more off-the-beaten-path activities (than a typical cruise),” she said.
The reporter on this story gained access to this story through Seabourn. USA TODAY retains editorial control of the content.
Nathan Diller is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. He can be reached at ndiller@usatoday.com.
