Aqua Expeditions

Story

Founded in 2007, Aqua Expeditions was established by Francesco Galli Zugaro, whose vision was to create intimate, small-ship expeditions to some of the world's most remote destinations. Drawing on years of experience in international tourism, he set out to redefine luxury expedition cruising, beginning with the Peruvian Amazon. In 2011, Aria Amazon made her debut, introducing a new standard for luxury river expeditions and becoming an iconic vessel after more than a decade of exploring the Peruvian Amazon. In 2014, Aqua Expeditions expanded into Southeast Asia with the launch of Aqua Mekong, offering immersive voyages through the rivers of Cambodia and Vietnam while showcasing the rich culture and landscapes of Indochina. In 2019, the company entered ocean exploration with the launch of Aqua Blu, its first long-range explorer yacht, operating voyages across East Indonesia, including Bali-Komodo, the Spice Islands, and Raja Ampat. In 2021, the fleet welcomed Aqua Nera, a state-of-the-art river ship that joined Aria Amazon in delivering exceptional expeditions through Peru's Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. In 2022, Aqua Expeditions fulfilled another milestone with the launch of Aqua Mare, the Galápagos Islands' first superyacht, bringing the company's signature expedition experience to one of the world's most celebrated wildlife destinations. In 2023, Aqua Expeditions continued pushing the boundaries of exploration by introducing new itineraries to the remote regions of West Papua and Asmat aboard Aqua Blu. The company reached another major milestone in 2025 when PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP acquired a majority stake, supporting the continued expansion of Aqua Expeditions' global presence in experiential luxury travel. Also in 2025, the company broadened its reach into East Africa and the Arctic Circle with the introduction of Aqua Lares, the world's first luxury superyacht to offer both charter and cabin voyages across destinations including the Seychelles, Tanzania, the Norwegian Arctic, and the Scottish Isles. Today, Aqua Expeditions continues to redefine luxury expedition cruising by combining world-class hospitality, exceptional vessels, and immersive experiences in some of the planet's most extraordinary and remote destinations.
Mission

Explore the world's most remarkable rivers and oceans while helping conserve aquatic biodiversity for future generations. Aqua Expeditions delivers intimate luxury expeditions that combine exceptional hospitality, immersive wildlife and cultural experiences, and responsible travel practices. Through strategic sustainability initiatives and global partnerships, Aqua Expeditions protects the rivers, oceans, and culturally significant destinations that make every voyage possible.

Vision

Lead the future of luxury small-ship expedition cruising by expanding access to the world's most remote destinations while setting the highest standards for innovation, sustainability, and personalized exploration. Aqua Expeditions strives to inspire meaningful connections with nature and culture, protect aquatic ecosystems, and create unforgettable journeys that preserve the planet's most extraordinary waterways for generations to come.

Travel with purpose as you explore some of the world's most extraordinary rivers and oceans with Aqua Expeditions. Every expedition reflects a mission to conserve aquatic biodiversity, protecting the remote waterways that make unforgettable experiences possible—from the Mekong River to the Pacific Ocean. Through three key sustainability strategies and global partnerships, Aqua Expeditions promotes the long-term conservation of the destinations you visit, ensuring their beauty and biodiversity remain for future generations.

2025 Annual Sustainability Highlights

Aqua Expeditions shares its annual sustainability progress through the 2025 Sustainability Highlights, demonstrating a continued commitment to responsible sailing across the world's most remote destinations. This mission is supported by regional and global partnerships, community engagement initiatives, and ongoing efforts that help shape the future of sustainable travel.

Global partnership with 4Ocean
A global sustainability partnership with 4Ocean contributes to the removal of at least 25,000 pounds of plastic from the world's waterways each year, helping protect aquatic wildlife from the harmful effects of plastic pollution. Annual clean-up activities take place across every destination where Aqua Expeditions sails, and you can support this initiative by purchasing bracelets crafted from recovered ocean plastics. Each bracelet represents five pounds of plastic removed from rivers and oceans.

Responsible business operations

Responsible business practices remain central to every voyage. Since its founding, Aqua Expeditions has reduced reliance on single-use plastics, installed energy-efficient LED lighting across its fleet, sourced more than 80% of onboard produce locally through sustainable food and beverage supply chains, and treated all onboard water to remove toxins before returning it safely to rivers and seas. River vessels also use energy-efficient engines with emissions below US EPA standards, while innovative closed-loop waste management systems further reduce environmental impact.

Destination-specific conservation programmes

Conservation extends beyond the vessels through destination-specific partnerships that create lasting environmental benefits. Aqua Expeditions supports the rehabilitation of the endangered Paiche population in Peru's Pacaya Samiria Nature Reserve and contributes to manta ray conservation in East Indonesia through its partnership with the Indonesian Manta Trust. Community outreach programs also promote responsible waste management and environmental education, including initiatives with the Indonesian Waste Platform that help island communities prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean. By choosing Aqua Expeditions, you help support meaningful conservation efforts while experiencing the world's most remarkable aquatic ecosystems responsibly.