Initially, I could only see what resembled a light gray stick.
However, as the Zodiac boat gradually neared a mud bank in Western Australia's Kimberley region, a thick, scaly tail and a mouth twisted into a jagged smirk came into view. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a crocodile,” announced Robin West, General Manager and VP of Expedition Operations and Planning for Seabourn, who was at the helm.
This crocodile was the first of six or seven saltwater crocodiles we encountered during the tour of Hunter River and Porosus Creek in late June (though the exact count was debated among my companions). This area, rich with mangroves, mudskippers, and other wildlife, was one of the stops on the 10-day journey through the Kimberley aboard Seabourn Pursuit, the cruise line’s latest expedition vessel.
After about two hours in the approximately 90-degree heat, I was exhausted when we returned to the ship. Inspired by the crocodiles we’d seen basking in the sun, I spent much of the rest of the day reading and enjoying the view from the ship’s shaded open decks.
While cold-weather destinations like Antarctica and the Arctic are popular for expedition cruises, exploring a warmer locale offers its own advantages.
Expedition and Leisure Cruise Combined
My Kimberley itinerary blended the educational and immersive activities that nature enthusiasts expect from an expedition with the leisure of a pleasure cruise.
“It can definitely be very relaxing,” said Claire Maguire, a travel agent and franchise owner at Cruise Planners.
During my trip, temperatures ranged between 80 and 90 degrees with nearly constant sunshine. When not in a Zodiac or exploring ports on foot, I often relaxed on my suite balcony or dined at outdoor tables by the ship’s infinity pool, surrounded by sandstone peaks and turquoise water.
In contrast, on an Antarctica cruise in December, the temperatures, though milder than expected, were still too cold to comfortably spend much time on the outer decks.
“It does feel more like a vacation, I think,” Maguire noted. “Cold weather can seem more like work, whereas this trip was more laid back, slow-paced, and relaxed.” On my cruise, we typically disembarked only once a day, allowing guests time to attend lectures about the region from expedition team members, visit the spa or gym, or simply lounge around.
The luxury line also provided a level of pampering that made the adventure more comfortable.
One afternoon, after visiting the Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay—a sideways waterfall effect caused by water squeezing through cliff passages—we approached another Zodiac that seemed to be broken down. But as we got closer, the boat, occupied by other expedition team members and crew, surprised us with Champagne and popsicles (and it wasn’t the last time).
Benefits of Warm-Weather Expeditions
Different destinations require different gear, and warm weather means you can skip the long underwear and parkas.
“You obviously have to pack a lot less specific clothing,” Maguire said. “That’s another advantage. You don’t need heavy layers, which is nice.”
Getting in and out of Zodiacs was also less of an ordeal compared to Antarctica, where I had to wear base layers, waterproof pants, boots, a hat, and more each time I disembarked.
There are some essentials travelers should bring, like sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat. I forgot the last one and would have burned if not for the kindness of others onboard who had extras. Seabourn and many other operators provide packing lists for reference.
Maguire also suggested wearing long sleeves, especially if you plan to swim. Warm-weather destinations generally make swimming more accessible and enjoyable (unlike the polar plunge). We even swam in the Kimberley, in select crocodile-free areas.
One morning, we snorkeled at Ashmore Reef in water around the high 70s. About 45 minutes of swimming among coral, fish, and blue sea stars felt like just 10 minutes.
While penguins and polar bears are iconic to Antarctic and Arctic expeditions, crocodiles might be the symbol of the Kimberley. However, there's much more for wildlife enthusiasts to see, from brahminy kites to nurse sharks.
Cost of a Kimberley Expedition
Prices vary by operator, sailing date, room category, and other factors. A 10-day Kimberley expedition with Seabourn, departing on June 27, 2025, currently starts at $10,999 per person based on double occupancy. This fare includes meals, wines and spirits, Wi-Fi, and more.
Other Warm-Weather Expedition Destinations
The Kimberley isn’t the only warm-weather option. Cruise operators offer itineraries in the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador, and Indonesian islands like Bali and the Raja Ampat archipelago, which Maguire highlighted as great for snorkeling and diving.
She also recommended destinations like Africa, where guests can combine a cruise with a land safari, and the Mediterranean, where she recently went hunting for truffles and visited a horse farm.
“You definitely do more off-the-beaten-path activities (than a regular cruise),” she said.
