12 unknown cruise ports that will amaze you
Sail away to these hidden gems.
1. Cienfuegos, Cuba
Laid-back French charm meets the fiery Caribbean spirit in this charming town on the southern coast of Cuba. Known as The Pearl of the South, its famous for its well-preserved architecture, lush botanical gardens and sparkling sandy beaches.
2. Khasab, Oman
The Middle East is emerging as one of the most exciting new cruise destinations in the world. Khasab is a former Portuguese colony and the capital of the Musandam Peninsula, an area known as the Norway of Oman for its many beautiful fjords running into the sea.
3. Thursday Island, Australia
Part of the rarely-visited Torres Strait Islands, TI (as it is known) has a unique mix of Melanesian and indigenous cultures set on a tiny sandy island fringed by aquamarine water. It also has a long pearling history with farms still operating in the region.
4. Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise destination in the world, but there are still new places to discover. Choose Puerto Limon for its proximity to virgin rainforest teeming with monkeys, crocodiles and sloths.
5. Monemvasia, Greece
Known as the Gibraltar of the East, this small island is dominated by sheer cliffs rising straight up from the sea. The walled medieval village is made up of narrow alleyways, carved stone buildings and historic churches, with a population of just 20 permanent residents.
6. Hambantota, Sri Lanka
This new cruise port is the gateway to southern Sri Lanka and the Bundala and Yala national parks. Take an excursion to see leopards, elephants, flamingoes, monkeys, monitor lizards, crocodiles and lots more.
7. Akureyi, Iceland
Annual tourist numbers in Iceland are now more than seven times its population, but many don’t go further afield than Reykjavik. Akureyi is the heart of Iceland’s Arctic north, a small but buzzy city with great galleries, cafes and restaurants tucked away at the head of the country’s longest fjord.
8. Tristan da Cunha
Get way, way off the beaten track with a cruise to ‘the remotest island on earth’. Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory midway between South America and Africa in the South Atlantic. It takes seven days at sea to get there, but you’ll be rewarded with rugged volcanic peaks and waters teeming with turtles.
9. Morondava, Madagascar
A laid-back seaside town that’s the gateway to some of the most incredible wildlife on earth, Morondava is a new stop for expedition lines. Don't miss the Allees de Baobabs, a prominent group of the iconic Madagascan tree.
10. Hirara, Japan
The Okinawa Prefecture is considered the Hawaii of Japan, a long chain of islands with white sand beaches fronting clear blue ocean. Hirara is on the island of Miyako, home to the region’s best beaches as well as sprawling sugarcane fields and a 16th century samurai tomb.
11. Newcastle, Australia
Move over Sydney – New South Wales has a new port that cruisers are going to love. A dedicated cruise terminal is currently being built to welcome passengers keen to explore this former industrial hub or take day trips out to the iconic Hunter Valley wine region.
12. Gizo Island, Solomon Islands
The South Pacific is the most popular cruise destination in our region, but if you’re looking for something that’s still off the beaten track then head for the Sollys. Gizo has some of the clearest water in the world and is great for snorkelling or diving, plus there’s some fascinating WWII history.
Have you ever visited any of these ports? Let us know in the comments below.