Best Boat Trips Around the World — Our Top 15

1.Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,522 reviews · from $82Our pick

Board at Southbank for a narrated Brisbane River cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Enjoy three hours with koalas, kangaroos, platypus, birds, and reptiles, then return by boat. Dennis and the crew are praised for friendly service, with snacks and drinks available onboard.

“Very good tour and cruise. Lots of koala and other wildlife. The smell of eucalyptus is strong but nice.”

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2.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,397 reviews · 5h 30m · from $81

Cruise from Southbank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary aboard Mirimar II, with commentary from captains such as Robby and Robert. You get three hours for koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, raptors, and sheepdogs, then return by boat. Food, drinks, and koala encounters cost extra.

“Everything was great! Lovely & informative boat trip & the sanctuary was amazing with lots of animal interaction. 5*”

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3.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 301 reviews · from $139Top rated

Join Luke and the Barefoot Sailing Adventures crew for a six-hour catamaran cruise from Paihia. Sail among the Bay of Islands, stop for two hours at a wildlife sanctuary, and choose between snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, a bush walk, or a quiet beach break.

“Wonderful all female crew, gorgeous island (definitely do the walk to the other bay!) we saw a huge stingray while snorkelling and fell asleep as we sailed by wind home. A perfect day”

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4.Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 180 reviews · from $104

Cruise from Picton into Queen Charlotte Sound with guides such as Bella, Andy, Will, or Cam, watching for dolphins, fur seals, penguins, and seabirds. Walk predator-free Motuara Island, use supplied binoculars, and enjoy hot drinks, biscuits, and local wine on afternoon departures.

“It was absolutely great, we saw many different birds, including one penguin and many dusky dolphins that were jumping out of the water. Marine biology specialist Bella and Skipper Andy were a great team and displayed expertise regarding tRead more”

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5.Prague: Boat Ride to the Zoo and Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 135 reviews · from $74

Cruise from central Prague past Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the National Theatre, and Dancing House, then explore Prague Zoo at your own pace. Your guide provides the zoo ticket, map, snack, drink, and return transport ticket. Guides include Marta, Martin, Asif, and Dillon.

“Trip was good, however the transportation back wasn’t explained well and we were left to figure it out on our own”

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6.Emmen: Wildlands Adventure Zoo and Rimbula River Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 88 reviews · from $32

Spend a full day at Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, moving from the butterfly-filled Jungola jungle to the Rimbula River boat, Serenga’s safari truck, and Nortica’s polar animals. You also get Animazia, animal presentations, and rides for one $32 admission.

“Amazing time for the family with lots of things to do. We loved the trail with the bridges and can’t wait to return!!!”

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7.Taronga Zoo Entry & Sydney Harbour 2-Day Hop On Hop Off Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 66 reviews · from $61

Use a 2-day Captain Cook ferry pass to explore Sydney Harbour at your own pace, with stops at Taronga Zoo, Manly, Watsons Bay, Shark Island, and Darling Harbour. Your pass includes one-day entry to Taronga Zoo, recorded commentary, and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

“The cruise was easy and timely. Cruises were clean and seem in good condition. Good ports. Highly recommend.”

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8.Shanghai: Zoo and Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 7 hours · from $190

Spend seven hours with a private guide and driver visiting Shanghai Zoo and Zhujiajiao Water Town. Guides such as Robert, Annie, Shirley, and Lea lead you to pandas, old bridges, local markets, and a private canal boat ride, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

“The tour is definitely worth it! The zoo has the famous pandas and many other amazing animals. The city itself is very welcoming, and the boat ride is extremely pleasant. It was also a great opportunity to buy really nice and affordable souvenirs. Robert, our guide, took us to a store with genuine pearls and another place where we engraved my mother’s name on a stone, which made the trip even more special. Having a guide who is fluent in English, patient, and knowledgeable truly makes a difference. You can book this tour with confidence”

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9.Bridgetown: Wildlife Reserve & Carlisle Bay Tour with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 6h 30m · from $114

From Bridgetown Port, visit Barbados Wildlife Reserve, take in Bathsheba’s coast, then cruise Carlisle Bay for turtles, a shipwreck snorkel, and a boat waterslide. Guides such as Lisa, Susan, and Orlando have led this English-language tour, which runs about six and a half hours.

“Abbiamo avuto solamente 20 minuti per visitare la riserva. Alle scimmie non si può dare da mangiare lo fanno gli operatori. Non c'è stato tempo per stare in spiaggia prima dell'uscita in barca e nemmeno di pranzare. Siamo quindi rientrati in autonomia per poter approfittare del tempo restante in spiaggia.”

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10.Sydney: Whale Watching Cruise and Taronga Zoo Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 37 reviews · 1 day · from $95

Start at Circular Quay for a 2.5-hour open-water cruise during Sydney’s May to November whale season. Look for humpback and southern right whales, then visit Taronga Zoo at your own pace before returning by Rocket Ferry. Bring motion-sickness medicine and warm layers.

“Really loved the few hours out on the water our guide was very informative thrown in with a little bit of humour and the cruise was nice and smooth the day we ventured out. We saw plenty of activity there were whales all over the place I can't believe they come in so close to shore line. Both adult and calves present although they weren't putting on a huge display being in their presence was more than enough. We are lucky to have Ningaloo on our side of the country but was a special day seeing the east coast friends. Thank you Captain Cook and team.”

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11.Bridgetown: Wildlife Reserve Tour and Carlisle Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 21 reviews · 6h 30m · from $141

Spend about 6.5 hours touring Barbados by air-conditioned vehicle, from monkey feeding at the Wildlife Reserve to Cherry Tree Hill, Morgan Lewis, Bathsheba, lunch, and a 90-minute Carlisle Bay boat trip for turtles and shipwreck snorkeling. English-speaking guides such as Lisa, Chris, and Winston lead the day.

“Winston was our driver and he was excellent. He made sure to get everyone's name and introduce us all to each other as we boarded the bus. He was very knowledgeable about the island as we made our way to the wildlife sanctuary. Now that was awesome. Peacocks, deer, tortoises, snakes etc. The monkey feeding was spectacular, up close and very personal. He took us to the most beautiful locations so we can take pictures, even took our pictures for us. Got lunch. Food was delicious and the rum punch was yummy. Next made our way down to snorkel and the guys on tranquility were hilarious. Mario and the crew…”

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12.Blue Mountains day tour with Cruise, Scenic world pass & Zoo

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19 reviews · 11 hours · from $134

Spend 11 hours exploring the Blue Mountains with an English-speaking guide, Sydney Zoo entry, Scenic World rides, bushwalks, lookouts, and a ferry cruise back to Circular Quay. Guides such as Les keep the day moving, while a small group of up to 28 people adds a personal touch.

“Good Tour good guide would recommend everyone to do this tour.”

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13.Paphos: Zoo Visit and Blue Lagoon Cruise with Guide & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 8 hours · from $80

Spend the morning at Pafos Zoo, home to more than 1,200 animals and a popular parrot show, then eat a local lunch before cruising from Latchi Harbor to the Blue Lagoon. An English-speaking guide, hotel transfers, and a two-hour cruise are included.

“A great trip the guide is absolutely amazing very attentive, very knowledgeable the whole day went smoothly and we loved it.”

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14.Sydney: PRIVATE Blue Mountains, Wildlife & Cruise Luxe Tour (10h)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $641

Spend 10 hours with a private driver-guide exploring Lincoln’s Rock, Wentworth Falls, Leura, and the Three Sisters. Mark provides local history and Aboriginal culture, while luxury transport, wildlife encounters, and a Sydney ferry finish make this a flexible day trip from Sydney.

“Absolutely amazing views!! I wasn't expecting this! It was our first time of being in Blue Mountain and it was spectacular! Special thanks to our friends who organized everything for us!!”

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15.Taronga Zoo & Whale Watching Cruise Combo – Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $96

Start at Circular Quay with a 9:30am narrated cruise beyond Sydney Heads in search of humpback and southern right whales. Then visit Taronga Zoo, home to koalas, platypus, elephants, lions, and giraffes, before returning by ferry across Sydney Harbour.

“Make sure you wear a sweater or light jacket and a hat, it gets cold but the sun beats down on your head. Take a bottle of water too. We saw lots of ‘ blow holes, tails and small breeches from the whales, we even got “mugged” by one of the Read more”

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