Heritage Expeditions

New Zealand’s Subantarctic islands are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in recognition of the remarkable vegetation and wildlife that inhabits them. Uninhabited and remote, just a few hundred visitors are permitted to set foot on the islands each year in order to conserve their unique biodiversity. On this eight-day wildlife cruise of the Subantarctic Islands, the expedition ship the Spirit of Enderby transports you to some of the most remote scraps of land on earth. Departing from New Zealand’s southern tip, our first port of call is the Snares Islands. Enormous colonies of Snares crested penguins gather along the islands’ rugged coastlines, the only place in the world where they can be ...Read more >

These remote specks of land, peeking out of the waves far below New Zealand, have been coined the ‘Galapagos of the Southern Ocean’ – and with good reason. Our 13-day expedition cruise aboard the Heritage Adventurer takes you to the Snares, Auckland, Campbell and Macquarie Island groups to discover the incredible and unique biodiversity that few people will ever witness. The islands are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and are protected by the governments of Australia and New Zealand in recognition of their value as wildlife refuges. This conservation status is hugely important – as the only dry land for many miles, they provide important nesting, feeding and breeding grounds for seabirds, ...Read more >

Set sail on an authentic 10-day adventure cruise as we traverse the cobalt blue waters of the South Pacific exploring the untouched beauty of remote tropical islands, white sand beaches and ancient cultures of Vanuatu and New Caledonia before visiting the quiet paradise of Australia’s Norfolk Island and New Zealand’s aptly named subtropical Bay of Islands. Specially designed with cruise enthusiasts and adventurers in mind, South Pacific Sojourn carefully blends exciting island adventures with luxurious sea days spent poolside, in the Observation Lounge or watching your voyage unfold in the Bridge alongside your Captain. Discover a region rich with history and opportunities for exploration ...Read more >

Sail into a world few ever experience where unique time-honoured traditions and elaborately costumed dancers welcome us into their world as we as we explore the rich history, cultures and wildlife of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on this 17-day authentic expedition cruise. Visit idyllic islands and isolated villages where unique time-honoured traditions and elaborately costumed dancers welcome us into their world. From the culturally rich arterial of the Sepik River we sail across the Bismarck Sea exploring remote shores and villages still living traditional lifestyles, and delve into the history, culture and wildlife of New Ireland and New Britain. Crossing the Buka ...Read more >

Discover the hidden gems of Aotearoa/New Zealand and its three main islands (the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island) on this unforgettable 11-day expedition. From the bright lights of New Zealand’s largest city to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, Dunedin’s avant garde fashion labels and the adventure playground of Queenstown this is the ultimate Kiwi adventure to experience it all. With the 9th longest coastline in the world measuring some 15,000 kilometres you will wind through narrow fiords, circumnavigate small islands, explore secluded bays, and visit quaint seaside towns. Bordering the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and once part of Gondwanaland, New Zealand has ...Read more >

Explore remote parts of New Zealand's Southern region, an area known for its diverse range of wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery, and discover the real Fiordland and Stewart Island. Discover the time-forgot rawness of wildlife rich Stewart and Ulva Islands before exploring the primordial majesty of Fiordland only accessible by expedition ship, and the rare opportunity to combine these iconic destinations on one voyage. Rich in history and wildlife, Stewart and Ulva Islands are home to a unique range of birdlife including Bellbird, Tui, Kaka, Tomtit, Rifleman, Stewart Island Robin, Saddleback, Mohua and of course, the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi. There will be opportunities to listen to the ...Read more >

Heritage Expeditions pioneered expedition cruising in 1985 by cruising the rugged and unique southern coastline of New Zealand's South Island, including Fiordland and Stewart Island. From those first days exploring the wilderness from their tiny yacht base with just five travelers aboard, the Russ family realised their dream that responsible tourism, enacted in a genuine and responsible way in conjunction with local government, had the ability to assist in the protection of vulnerable areas. From there, Heritage Expeditions grew to escorting 50 conservation minded passengers per expedition to the world's most special regions but our passion for New Zealand's wilderness never ...Read more >

Explore New Zealand's remote southern backyard on this special 8-day voyage. Discover the time-forgot rawness of wildlife-rich Stewart Island/Rakiura, Zodiac cruise the rocky, inhospitable coast of The Snares - one of the world's most important nature reserves, and experience the primordial majesty of Fiordland firsthand on this unforgettable adventure. We pioneered expedition cruising in Fiordland more than 30 years ago. It was from these first, wild Kiwi wilderness adventures the Christchurch-based Russ family's dream of genuine responsible tourism, which now spans some of the world's most remote and rarely visited regions and wildlife hotspots from Antarctica through to, and including, ...Read more >

Explore the undiscovered pristine island paradises of the Philippines and Indonesia with pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions as we sail well off the traditional tourist route aboard our luxurious 140-guest expedition ship Heritage Adventurer. Lying like pearls scattered across the equator the archipelagos of the Philippines and Indonesia’s undiscovered islands are the postcard definition of paradise where impossibly blue waves gently lap white sand beaches and friendly locals welcome us into their world, where primordial jungles and untouched coral reefs abound with astounding wildlife and myriad adventures await both above and below the water. In ...Read more >

Set sail on this incredible voyage of Japan to experience medieval castles and temples, magical gardens, beautiful landscapes, and discover a strong cultural history. Our explorations take us beyond the well-known highlights to remote stretches of coastline and islands tourists rarely have the opportunity to experience, made possible on our purpose-built expedition ship. A country rich in history and tradition, Japan seamlessly blends ancient customs with ultramodern living which we will experience as we cruise from iconic cities to remote coastlines and islands. Our intended destinations are designed to showcase contemporary cities and modern museums alongside medieval castles and shrines ...Read more >

We are pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising, invite you to join them on an unforgettable circumnavigation of Japan’s main island Honshu and exploration of its wilderness, arts, culture and rich history. This voyage has been specially designed to explore and experience Japan’s seamless blend of ancient customs with ultramodern living, incredible wilderness, wildlife and renowned arts as we cruise from iconic cities to remote coastlines and islands. Highlights include Kanazawa’s thriving center of the arts, long known for its lacquerware, outstanding collectable pottery of the Kutani style, goldleaf workmanship, delicate hand painting of silk for kimonos and classical Noh ...Read more >

Discover the best of Aotearoa/New Zealand exploring its three main islands (the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island) on this unforgettable 15-day New Zealand cruise. From the ‘World's Coolest Little Capital' (Wellington) to Dunedin's avant garde fashion, the unrestrained beauty of Fiordland and Stewart Island, Art Deco glamour of Napier and the golden beaches and island conservation sanctuaries of the upper North Island this voyage showcases the best of New Zealand. Known as the 'Land of the Long White Cloud', New Zealand features the 9th longest coastline in the world measuring 15,000 kilometres. Bordering the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and once part of Gondwanaland, New ...Read more >

Discover paradise on an authentic expedition through Indonesia’s remote and little known tropical islands. Swim with the Whale Sharks in Kwatisore Bay, visit Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo Dragon, discover Jacques Cousteau's "underwater nirvana" Wakatobi National Park and explore the turquoise waters and rainbow corals of Raja Ampat as we traverse powdery white sand beaches, untamed jungles. During our voyage from Bali to Madang we have the opportunity to see up to 13 species of Bird-of-paradise and many more endemic species, World War II relics and visit remote tribes. A true expedition voyage in every sense, our journey will explore Indonesia’s rarely visited and little ...Read more >

Set sail on a true adventure aboard the luxurious 140-guest expedition vessel as we explore reef-fringed tropical islands, visit historic sites and experience forgotten cultures and incredible wildlife encounters cruising from New Zealand to Japan on this incomparable 29-day voyage. Crossing both the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, and the Equator, this Pacific island sojourn has been specially designed with cruise enthusiasts and adventurers in mind. Carefully balancing the excitement of visiting remote islands, snorkelling pristine coral reefs, enjoying thrilling cultural exchanges at isolated villages, observing wildlife and Zodiac cruising tropical isles with languorous sea days spent ...Read more >

These names are music to the ears of birders – Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie and Chatham Islands. With the exception of the Chathams, these islands are probably more isolated now than they were when they were discovered in the late 1700’s. In that era they were regularly visited by sealers, whalers and government steamers searching for castaway sailors but opportunities to visit them nowadays are rare. It is relatively simple to get to the Chatham Islands, but reaching the others is far more challenging. This expedition is the only one to include all of these islands. Occupying the tempestuous latitudes of the Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties, there is a ...Read more >

The land of the Rising Sun’, Japan is a fascinating combination of ancient heritage and traditional culture contrasting with the sprawling metropolises of the world’s most advanced technological civilisation. Made up of 6,852 islands, the perfect way to explore these seldom visited destinations is by sea and the Heritage Adventurer is the ideal vessel for such a voyage. Set sail on this authentic 10-day expedition cruise as our unique itinerary sees us exploring ancient castles, serenely beautiful gardens and opulent temples and shrines combined with witnessing some of Japan’s stunning natural landscapes. Experience all-inclusive luxury cruise travel as we venture to destinations such as ...Read more >

The Ross Sea was names after the explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who discovered this wild stretch of ocean, deep in the Antarctic, in 1842. Although the Ross Sea has some of the most fascinating human stories on the continent, today it is one of the most rarely visited regions, with most Antarctic cruises focusing on the more accessible Antarctic Peninsula. This beautiful and otherworldly seascape is choked with pack ice for most of the year – briefly becoming accessible by for two months each austral summer. Just a handful of tourist expedition ships venture here each season, and one of these is the ice-strengthened Spirit of Enderby, a fully equipped expedition vessel. Staffed by ...Read more >

This journey across the southwestern Pacific Ocean involves many incredible encounters – from rare birds to colourful cultures, exotic marine life to recent and ancient history, and deserted islands ringed with white sand beaches. This Melanesia bird watching vacation started out as the classic WPO (West Pacific Odyssey) itinerary which takes in some of the world’s rarest pelagic bird species. Since then, it has grown into a far more varied voyage, taking a number of new locations with broader appeal. Journeying from the temperate waters of New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf, we’ll witness the shift in flora and fauna as the climate gradually changes as we approach the tropical region of Papua New ...Read more >

Discover paradise on an authentic expedition cruise through Indonesia’s remote and little known tropical islands. Swim with the Whale Sharks in Triton Bay, visit Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo Dragon, discover Jacques Cousteau’s “underwater nirvana” Wakatobi National Park and explore the turquoise waters and rainbow corals of Raja Ampat as we traverse powdery white sand beaches and untamed jungles. During our voyage from Bali to Port Moresby we have the opportunity to see Birds-of-paradise and many more endemic species, World War II relics and visit remote tribes. A true expedition voyage in every sense, our journey will explore Indonesia’s rarely visited and little known ...Read more >

Sail into a world few will ever experience where unique time-honoured traditions and elaborately costumed dancers welcome us into their world as we as we explore the rich history, iconic WWII sites, cultures and wildlife of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on this 17-day authentic expedition cruise. Delve into the culturally rich Trobriand Islands, sometimes called the ‘Islands of Love’ where indigenous culture continues unchanged for countless generations. Explore the coral-fringed islands of the Louisiade Archipelago and the volcanic wonders of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, named after the French Explorer Antoine d’Entrecasteaux who discovered them while looking for La ...Read more >