At first I only saw what looked like a light gray stick.
But as our Zodiac slowly approached a mudflat in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, a thick, scaly tail and a mouth that appeared to be curled into a snarling grin came into view. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a crocodile,” said Robin West, General Manager and VP of Expedition Operations and Planning for Seabourn, who was driving.
The reptile was the first of six or seven saltwater crocodiles we saw during a Hunter River and Porosus Creek cruise in late June (there was some debate among my traveling companions about the final count). The area, also home to mangroves, mudskippers and other wildlife, was one of the stops on our 10-day Kimberley voyage aboard Seabourn Pursuit, the cruise line’s newest expedition ship.
After about two hours in the 90 degree heat I was exhausted when we got back to the ship. I took a cue from the crocodiles we had seen basking in the sun and spent most of the rest of the day reading and admiring the view from the ship’s shaded open decks.
Cold climate destinations like Antarctica and the Arctic are popular for expedition cruises, but there are advantages to exploring a warmer place too.
Expedition plus pleasure cruise
My Kimberley itinerary combined the 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,” says Claire Maguire, travel agent and franchisee at Cruise Planners.
Temperatures hovered between 80 and 90 degrees during my trip, with sunshine almost every day. As a result, when I wasn’t in a Zodiac or exploring various ports on foot, I often found myself lounging on my suite’s balcony or eating meals at outdoor tables by the ship’s infinity pool, surrounded by sandstone peaks and turquoise water.
In contrast, when I took a cruise to Antarctica in December, temperatures were milder than I expected, but still too cold to comfortably spend much time on the outside decks.
“It feels more like a vacation, I guess,” Maguire said. “Sometimes the cold weather can feel a little bit more like work. This one is a little bit more laid back, it’s quiet, it’s relaxed.” On my cruise, we typically disembarked just once a day, giving guests time to attend talks about the region from expedition team members, visit the spa or gym, or just relax.
The luxury line also pampers guests in a way that makes the adventure even more enjoyable.
One afternoon, after a trip to the Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay – a sideways waterfall effect caused by water forcing through cliff passages – we sailed to another Zodiac which our guide said was broken. However, as we approached the boat, which was occupied by other members of the expedition team and crew, they gave us champagne and ice cream (it wouldn’t be the last time).
What are the other benefits of warm weather expeditions?
Different destinations mean different gear. And in warm weather, you can leave your long underwear and parkas at home.
“You obviously don’t have to pack as many specific clothes,” Maguire said. “That’s another advantage. You don’t have to pack a lot of heavy layers or anything, which is nice.”
Getting on and off the Zodiacs felt less productive than for example in Antarctica, where I had to dress in base layers, waterproof trousers, boots, a hat, and more and more, every time I disembarked.
There are some essentials that travelers should have, though, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. I forgot the last one and probably would have gotten sunburned if it weren’t for the kindness of other people on board with extras. Seabourn and many other operators have packing lists also for reference.
Maguire also recommended wearing long sleeves, especially if you plan on swimming. Warm destinations generally make it easier and more pleasant to get in the water (no disrespect to the polar plunge). We even did this in the Kimberley, where swimming is only allowed in certain spots because of crocodiles.
One morning we went snorkeling at Ashmore Reef in water that was in the high 70s. About 45 minutes of swimming among coral, fish and blue starfish went by in what felt like 10.
And if penguins and polar bears are the faces of Antarctic and Arctic expeditions respectively, then crocodiles can claim that honour in the Kimberley. But there’s plenty more for wildlife enthusiasts to look forward to, from brahminy kites to nurse sharks.
How much does an expedition in Kimberley cost?
Prices vary by provider, departure date, room category and other factors, but a 10-Day Kimberley Expedition with Seabourn Departing June 27, 2025, currently starts at $10,999 per person based on double occupancy. Rates include meals, wines and spirits, Wi-Fi and more.
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Where else can I go on a warm weather expedition?
The Kimberley isn’t the only option if the cold isn’t your thing. Cruise lines offer itineraries to the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, and Indonesian islands like Bali and the Raja Ampat archipelago, which Maguire says is “a great location for snorkeling and diving.”
She also recommended destinations such as Africa, where she said guests 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 on a regular cruise),” she said.
The reporter for this story was granted access to this event by Seabourn. USA TODAY retains editorial control over its content.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY, based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Relaxed Adventure: What Warm Weather Expedition Cruises Look Like
