Nature Cruises: 5 Stunning Destinations To Explore

While World Oceans Day may only come around once a year, Royal Caribbean focuses on the seas year-round, with countless nature cruises for every outdoor lover. The brand’s worldwide commitment to sustainability spans many areas, from reducing emissions to using LED lights on board. Also, they’ve created a comprehensive conservation action plan, as part of the Save the Waves program, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund. It allows every guest to pitch in whenever they cruise to hundreds of destinations around the world.

But what about when you’re visiting our ports of call? These scenic cruise destinations offer plenty of natural beauty and are packed with eco-friendly shore excursions.

Read on for the nonstop adventures that await you at these destinations:

What Are Nature Cruises?

These eco cruises focus on exploring destinations that offer various scenic landscapes, wildlife and natural wonders you won’t experience anywhere else. Outdoor cruise destinations offer nature enthusiasts opportunities to explore preserves, visit historic markers and see wild animals.

1. Roatan, Honduras

Roatan is notable for its preservation that protects native flora and fauna. The Gumbalimba Preservation Park on the western tip of the island is a small rainforest full of exotic animals. Its bird sanctuary features brilliant blue and yellow macaws and parrots, while the monkey refuge is filled with white-faced capuchin monkeys as well as caves etched with ancient murals.

The Roatan Marine Park supports the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest in the western hemisphere. These incredible reefs are open for diving and snorkeling, but you can also take a Breathing Observation Submarine Scooter (BOSS) underwater to see them.

2. King’s Wharf, Bermuda

The Atlantic island of Bermuda has a unique architectural style, one you see dotting the verdant hills. The white, terraced roofs topping the area’s homes not only disperse the sun’s heat but also collect rainwater.

Scooters are ubiquitous here and are better for the environment than cars (as well as ideal for navigating the local narrow streets), but as a top sailing location, wind-powered ocean travel is the best bet for low-emission transportation when in town. You can board a catamaran and sail through crystal-clear waters to snorkel at a colorful coral reef or take a dive as part of the Royal Caribbean PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) certification program, the only one at sea.

3. Kralendijk, Bonaire

This Dutch municipality sits in the southern Caribbean, and its environmental importance is undeniable: It’s surrounded by the Bonaire National Marine Park, which protects extensive coastal reefs nearby. You can spot them and the marine life they support while riding a glass-bottomed boat.

Bonaire is also home to Pekelmeer (Pink Lake), the Caribbean’s most important breeding ground for flamingos. Tour the salt flats to see them; the tidal pools of shrimp in the flats attract the flamingos in flocks — and give them their famous pink coloring.

4. Falmouth, Jamaica

Jamaica is full of beautiful beaches and lush forests. If you catch a ride down the Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft, you can sit back and relax as you’re surrounded by the distinct vegetation and local wildlife, such as the red-billed streamertail, the country’s national bird.

You also have the chance to help protect the area’s native flora. “Stush in the Bush” You also have the chance to help protect the area’s native flora. “Stush in the Bush” is a sustainable, organic farm, and eating a meal there means supporting and continuing its work. You can also join a volunteer experience in Montego Bay to take part in a planting ceremony at a charitable mission, which will use the resulting vegetables to feed nearby residents.

5. Skagway, Alaska

There’s no better place to appreciate mountains and ample wildlife than on an Alaska nature cruise to Skagway. Hike through the Tongass National Forest or raft the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which houses the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles.

Besides traveling by foot and raft, Alaskans also have the famous dog sled. You can take a dog-sledding adventure across Skagway to a musher’s camp, where you’ll meet and cuddle puppies, helping to socialize them. Tours like these support the parks of the Last Frontier, which protect the local inhabitants like bears, eagles and elk.

Explore the perfect nature cruise locations to these beautiful experiences while immersing yourself in the ideal shore excursions.