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All Cairns Small Ship Cruises

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Explore these 12 top Cairns cruises for 2023 and 2024. Some of the most popular activities on our Cairns trips include cruises, small ship cruises, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, and village visits. Discover Cairns with your expert local English-speaking guides who will show you the hot spots and the off-the-beaten-path hidden gems. We work with only the best small ships that carry under 500 fortunate guests, and we can give you unbiased advice to match you with the perfect ship and perfect cruise for your next vacation. Our Cairns cruises start from $3,605 for cruises of 8 to 36 days. Contact one of Adventure Life's Cairns cruise specialists for help planning a seamless trip.
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Travelers learning how to scuba dive.
$3,605
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:
Relaxed
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
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Waterfall in the Australian outback
$9,100
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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:
Relaxed
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
Sunrise in Papua New Guinea Highlands
$13,700
EXPLORE

South Pacific Expedition: Cairns to Lautoka

2022 - 17 Day Itinerary aboard Silver Explorer
  • Experience a Melanesian welcome
  • Explore the Great Barrier Reef
  • Witness Vanuatu’s traditions
  • Swim at Sawa-i-Lau
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Lautoka
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Both humongous and humbling, Melanesia has been topping wanderlust wish lists for years. Join a team of onboard experts aboard Silver Explorer and explore this lesser known region. Leaving Cairns, venture to hot springs and view birds of paradise in Papua New Guinea, exploring the island’s …
Cruise Details
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Papua New Guinea snorkeling
$7,870
EXPLORE

Islands and Cultures of Papua New Guinea

Roundtrip Cairns - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Discover New Guinea's mysteries
  • Zodiac outings and shore visits
  • Swim near dazzling coral reefs
  • Encounter local people & culture
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Cairns
Activities:
Local Market Visits, Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Exploring Melanesia's natural and cultural wonders onboard Le Soléal is a thrilling tropical adventure. On this 11-day cruise, sail north to Alotau in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province and learn about the WWII memorial, Japanese and American battlegrounds, pearlers, miners, and …
Cruise Details
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Take in the unusual beauty of the Australian coast
$7,880
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:
Relaxed
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
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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
  • Experience species on Woodlark
  • Visit villages in Malaita Island
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Ambrym Island
Activities:
Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Embark on this 17-day expedition cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer and discover the secrets of Melanesia. Explore the coral-fringed islands of the Louisiade Archipelago and the volcanic wonders of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands. Experience the biological wonderland and rare endemic species on …
Cruise Details
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Tropical Island and Underwater Paradise for Divers
$17,715
EXPLORE

New Guinea Circumnavigation: Cairns to Darwin

Cairns to Darwin - 36 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Adventurer
  • Indulge in a Bandanese feast
  • Climb the Mt Pindito
  • Swim with whale sharks
  • Encounter the Asmat warriors
Starts / Ends:
Cairns / Darwin
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Be one of a special few to join the Coral Adventurer on a full circumnavigation voyage around New Guinea. This one-off voyage is packed with highlights. Sailing in comfort aboard the brand-new Coral Adventurer, experience many diverse cultures from the Spice Islands to the Sepik River, marvel at …
Cruise Details
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Remote lagoon in Papua New Guinea
$6,840
EXPLORE

Forgotten Islands of Papua New Guinea

12 Day Itinerary aboard Coral Adventurer
  • See Ataliklikun Bay's Fire Dance
  • Explore Jacquinot Bay
  • Visit Laughlan atoll
  • Discover Kuiawa Island
Starts / Ends:
Kavieng / Cairns
Activities:
Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Begin a 12-night trip from Cairns to distant Papua New Guinea islands that have witnessed millennia of history, from unspoiled villages to World War 2 battlegrounds. At Ataliklikun Bay, see the Baining Fire Dance on the first cruise ship to visit the village. Rabaul was the WW2 base for 110,000 …
Cruise Details
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Triton Bay
$13,900
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Darwin to Cairns - Door to Door

19 Day Itinerary aboard Silver Explorer
  • Explore Pulau Nai
  • Triton Bay exploration
  • Deidei Village and natural hot spri
Starts / Ends:
Darwin / Cairns
Activities:
Hiking, Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Join this 19-day expedition cruise from Darwin to Cairns aboard Silver Explorer to some of the world's most off-the-beaten-path destinations. Leaving Darwin, sail via sea for nine days of Indonesian adventure. Explore the flora, fauna, culture, and history of these islands with expert guides. …
Cruise Details
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Beautiful wild coast of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
$13,450
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Indonesian Explorer: Raja Ampat to Papua New Guinea

Bali - Port Moresby - 19 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Visit Raja Ampat
  • Lookout for the endemic birds
  • Explore Komodo National Park
  • Swim at Triton Bay
Starts / Ends:
Bali / Cairns
Activities:
Hiking, Small Ship Cruises, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Set sail on this 19-day expedition cruise to Indonesia's remote and little-known tropical islands from Raja Ampat to Papua New Guinea aboard Heritage Adventurer. Swim with the whale sharks in Triton Bay, visit Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo Dragon, discover Jacques …
Cruise Details
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Rock formations along the coast of Kimberly
$8,925
EXPLORE

Cape York & Arnhem Land

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
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling
Activity Level:
Relaxed
A journey through ancient culture and underwater worlds, the Cape York and Arnhem Land expedition voyage takes you to some of Australia’s most remote communities on Australia’s North Coast. Commencing in Darwin, this journey takes guests to some of Northern Australia’s most …
Cruise Details
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Two Melbourne icons: Flinders St Station and the City Circle Tram
$14,999
EXPLORE

Great Sand Islands & The Barrier Reef

15 Day Itinerary aboard Seabourn Venture
  • Explore the Great Barrier Reef
  • Discover Melbourne's art scene
  • Wander along Fraser Sand Island
  • Experience island hopping
Starts / Ends:
Melbourne / Cairns
Activities:
Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Discover the magnificence of Australia's greatest sand islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the pristine beaches and landscapes Australia has to offer along the journey. Experience culture and the arts in these wonderful modern cities, from Sydney to Melbourne. Feel the thrill of being …
Cruise Details
0
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