Small Ship Cruising in Asia and the Pacific
Island chains, reef passages and remote coasts that large ships cannot reach.
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Small ship cruising comes into its own in Asia and the Pacific. This is a region of island chains, reef passages and remote coasts, where the most memorable stops have no cruise terminal at all. A ship of a few dozen or a couple of hundred guests can slip into a Japanese island harbor, anchor off a Polynesian atoll or nose up a gorge in Western Australia, then send everyone ashore by tender.
This site looks at that half of the world one region at a time: Japan and its Inland Sea, French Polynesia and Fiji in the South Pacific, Australia’s Kimberley coast and reef, and New Zealand’s fiords and subantarctic islands. For each we explain who sails there, when to go and what kind of traveler it suits. If you are still deciding between sailing yachts, all-suite luxury ships and expedition vessels in general, our sister site Small Ship Cruises explains those styles; here we focus on the places.
South Pacific
French Polynesia, the Marquesas and Fiji by small ship.
Small ship cruises South Pacific →
Why the Ship Size Matters Here
Large cruise ships do sail this region, but their itineraries are built around big ports: Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland, Papeete. That leaves out most of what makes the region special. In the Seto Inland Sea, many islands have only a small pier. The Kimberley coast has no towns at all for hundreds of miles. The Marquesas have bays where a large ship could not safely anchor.
A small ship changes the trip in three ways. It reaches places big ships cannot. It lands guests quickly, because a tender load of forty people is a short ride. And it can change plans: if whales appear or the wind turns, the captain can linger or move on. In a region of long distances and fast-changing weather, that flexibility is worth a great deal.
Indonesia deserves a mention of its own. Around Komodo and Raja Ampat, much of the small-ship fleet is made up of wooden, schooner-rigged phinisi-style vessels carrying a few guests each, with snorkeling and diving at the heart of every day. These are closer to a private yacht trip than a cruise, and standards vary widely, so it pays to have an advisor vet the vessel.
Who Small Ship Cruising in Asia and the Pacific Suits
| Traveler | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Culture and history lovers | Japan in spring or autumn, especially the Inland Sea |
| Beach, snorkel and island lovers | French Polynesia, Fiji or Indonesia |
| Wilderness and wildlife travelers | The Kimberley or New Zealand’s subantarctic islands |
| Photographers | Kimberley waterfalls in early season; Fiordland in changing light |
| Travelers who dislike crowds | Any of them; small ships rarely share an anchorage |
Some of these voyages lean toward adventure, with wet landings and Zodiac rides; our sister site Explorer Cruising explains what an expedition-style day involves. For the cultural side of Japan and Southeast Asia, Immersive Cruises goes deeper, and Asia Shore Excursions covers shore tours in Asian ports.
Plan It With Mister Cruise
Small ships in this region sell out early, flights are long and several of the best operators are little known in the United States. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare the international lines and the local specialists side by side, check what is included and help with flights and hotel nights at each end. Sign up for the Mister Cruise cruise newsletter for new itineraries, and watch Wave Season for the early-year promotions.
Small Ship Cruising belongs to a wider network: the Official Cruise Directory for every kind of cruise, the Official River Cruise Directory for river voyages, the Official Travel Directory for land travel, Best of the USA for the best of home, and Be a Travel Agent if you would like to sell travel yourself.
Small Ship Cruising is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Small Ship Cruising Questions
What counts as small ship cruising in this part of the world?
Anything from a wooden sailing vessel with a dozen cabins to an expedition ship carrying around two hundred guests. In Asia and the Pacific the term also covers locally run coastal vessels and freighter-passenger ships, which visit places no large cruise ship calls.
Why choose a small ship in Asia and the Pacific?
Distances between big ports are huge, but the most rewarding places are often small: a Seto Inland Sea island, a Marquesan village, a Kimberley gorge. Small ships can anchor off them, land guests by tender or Zodiac and stay longer.
Do you sell these voyages from the United States?
Yes. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise quote small-ship voyages worldwide for US travelers, and can add flights and pre- or post-cruise nights.
Ask About a Small Ship in Asia or the Pacific
Tell us the region and season you have in mind. We will match the ships to your season, check what each fare includes and send free quotes.
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