The Best Sailing Vacations for Wildlife Spotting
Sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks and the famous Bahamas swimming pigs are just a handful of highlights you’ll see on a sailing adventure with TRIPS by Culture Trip.
Exploring a travel destination by boat is not only the best way to escape the tourist masses, but it will also give you front-row access to exotic animals in their natural habitat – from spotted eagle rays in the Seychelles to British Virgin Island flamingos. Book one of these once-in-a-lifetime group sailing holidays with TRIPS by Culture Trip to see for yourself.
Spot flamingos and dolphins in the British Virgin Islands
Headlining the wildlife line-up on this tour of the British Virgin Islands are the pink Caribbean flamingos of Anegada Island – watch them tip-toeing over the salt ponds before you retire to the dock for a traditional lobster dinner. From Anegada, you’ll sail to Guana Island, a journey on which you’ll see dolphins leaping alongside the boat – if you’re lucky. Once you’re moored at Monkey Point – no monkeys, unfortunately – don your snorkel to swim with the sea turtles that often cruise the reef.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
ENDS AT
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Swim with rays, barracudas and reef sharks in Bora Bora
The most interesting Bora Bora wildlife is found beneath the surface of its blue lagoon. Dive off the deck to explore the island’s colourful coral gardens and the barrier reef. Here you’ll see manta rays, barracudas and blacktip reef sharks; you’ll also have the option of touring the coral on a traditional Polynesian canoe. Conclude your wildlife-spotting adventure by snorkelling off white-sand beaches and meeting sacred blue-eyed eels on Huahine.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Uturoa, Raiatea
ENDS AT
Uturoa, Raiatea
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles await in the Grenadine Islands
There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting in the sparsely-populated Grenadine Islands, especially in the Tobago Cays Marine Park. A cluster of five uninhabited islands set in a sand-bottom lagoon, surrounded by a 4km (2.5mi) barrier reef, the Cays host a variety of land and sea species, chief amongst them populations of green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles. You’ll also hike through the tropical forests of Mayreau and the jungles of Saint Vincent.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Le Marin, Martinique
ENDS AT
Le Marin, Martinique
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Meet the world’s only wild population of giant Aldabra tortoises in the Seychelles
Start your Seychelles wildlife odyssey in the Sainte Anne Marine Park; six islands that are home to one of the archipelago’s richest ecosystems. Gliding over seagrass meadows and coral gardens, you’ll encounter hawksbill turtles, manta and eagle rays and tropical fish such as angelfish, parrotfish and oriental sweetlips. Afterwards, you’ll visit the birder’s paradise of Cousin Island to spot Seychelles warblers, magpie robins and sunbirds – before winding up on Curieuse Island with the only wild giant Aldabra tortoises on the planet.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Seychelles, Africa
ENDS AT
Seychelles, Africa
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Encounter swimming pigs and endangered iguanas in the Bahamas
You can’t visit the Bahamas without seeing the famous swimming pigs on Big Major Cay. This sailing expedition includes a trip to see these curly-tailed animals. Other wildlife highlights include Allen Cay, where you’ll walk amongst critically-endangered rock iguanas and Thunderball Grotto – a submerged cave system bursting with psychedelic coral and tropical fish – named after the James Bond film that was filmed here.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Nassau, Bahamas
ENDS AT
Nassau, Bahamas
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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