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Cruise to Australia

Australia cruises: Your guide to sailing Down Under

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Frequently asked questions

There are around 30 cruise ports in Australia, dotted all the way around the coast. Sydney is the country’s largest port, with two terminals in the harbour welcoming hundreds of ships each year. In NSW, cruises regularly visit Newcastle, which is close to the Hunter Valley wine region, and the pretty town of Eden on the far south coast. In Queensland, cruises visit Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Fraser Island and Moreton Island. You can also venture further north to the remote outposts of Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands, which are almost entirely untouched by tourism. Along the southern coast of Australia, popular ports include Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Hobart, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. Darwin in the Northern Territory is close to the famed Kakadu National Park and a great jumping off point for cruises to Indonesia.

More cruise lines are now visiting Western Australia, calling at Perth, Bunbury and Exmouth, where you can swim with whale sharks. The remote Kimberley region along the northern edge of Western Australia is also becoming popular for expedition cruising, with smaller ships taking passengers through its spectacular natural landscapes. These cruises will sail between Darwin and Broome. 

An Australian cruise is a great way to get a taste of life at sea. You can start with a short cruise of just three or four nights, which will usually take you on a round trip from your departure point with one or two stops. For example, a popular four-night cruise from Sydney travels north along the coast, stops at Moreton Island (off Brisbane) for one day and then returns to Sydney. Longer cruises can run for seven, 14 or 21 days, taking you to more ports and states. If you want to complete a full circumnavigation of Australia, you’ll be cruising for around 25-30 days. 

Cruises operate year-round in Australia, so you can set sail whenever you like. The busiest time is during the warmer months between November and April, which is known as the Wave Season. This period has the most departures and is when many international ships will visit our waters. Spring and autumn have the most pleasant weather and you will be sailing under warm, sunny skies. Remember that school holidays will always be busy and there will be lots of families sailing, so avoid these times if you’d like a bit of peace and quiet. The cruise season in the Kimberley runs from April to October with April and May being the best months to see the waterfalls in full force after the wet season.

Yes, most cruise lines can cater to dietary restrictions. Larger cruise ships will have multiple restaurants on board, so you will have options when looking for menus featuring things like vegetarian or gluten free. If you have more specific or unusual needs, speak to your travel agent when you book and find out if you can submit requests early. The crew and your waiter will also be able to assist on board.

Themed cruises are very popular in Australia, so you will be able to find something fun and quirky to suit your interests. There are cruises themed around country music, Elvis Presley, popular eras like the 80s and 90s, disco, comedy and sporting events like the Melbourne Cup. Australian music themed cruises may even have famous local artists on board. These cruises tend to be short, usually around four or five days, and there are lots of fun activities, decorations and passengers in full costume.

Yes, if you are not an Australian citizen or living here under an approved visa, you will need a tourist visa for an Australian cruise. This applies whether you are flying into an Australian city to begin your cruise or you are arriving by sea when your ship sails into Australian waters. Australian citizens and residents to not need a visa for cruises that only visit Australian ports, even if you sail into international waters.

The whole family will love an Australian cruise. Onboard many of the larger ships sailing here you’ll find family-friendly fun in the form of swimming pools, waterslides, waterparks, sports courts and outdoor games. Most ships have kids’ clubs with separate groups for each age group, ranging from toddlers to teens. They will also host movie nights, interactive game shows and Broadway-style musicals. Most of the ports around Australia will also offer shore excursions suitable for the whole family, from cycling and bushwalks to snorkelling, animal encounters and outdoor adventures.

Certainly! Natural wonders are a highlight of many Australian itineraries. Cruises along the Queensland coast will take you into the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel, dive and paddle above spectacular technicolour coral. Along the southern edge of Australia, a number of cruise ships now visit Kangaroo Island, considered one of the most biodiverse environments in the country. Visit huge seal colonies, spot koalas in the trees and cruise alongside curious dolphins. The Kimberley region in Western Australia is one of the world’s last true wilderness areas and expedition ships cruising here will visit rugged coastline and isolated archipelagos.

Many of the world’s largest and most advanced ships are cruising in Australian waters, so you can expect a huge range of entertainment and things to do on board. The whole family will enjoy the swimming pools, waterslides, sports courts, mini golf and more. There are also quieter spaces, like games rooms and libraries, are kids’ clubs suitable for young children and teens. Be entertained with live music, theatre, comedy and interactive game shows, as well as regular movies – sometimes screened outside by the pool. There may also be entertainment focused on Australian culture and local performers.

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Australia Cruises

Discover the stunning beauty of australia.

Australia is teeming with vast treasures. Indulge in seasonal delicacies and fine wines. Snorkel among technicolor fish. Discover ancient cultures, explore historic landmarks, and tour the country’s most charming cities. Princess will help you create memories to last a lifetime.

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Excursions — Your Gateway to Australia's Best Attractions

Explore the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach / Ngaro Country. Visit the award-winning Rainforestation National Park in Cairns / Gimuy. Ride a camel along the shore, and learn the secrets to pearl farming in Broome / Rubibi . On itineraries with More Ashore Late Night calls, we stay until at least 9 p.m. in port so you can experience some of the fabulous nightlife.

And with a range of Discovery Recommended and Exclusive excursions available only with Princess Cruises, you’ll see Australia in a whole new way.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Pursue your passion for wine, beer and chocolate with a taste-testing tour in the Margaret River region. Explore the art and crafts in the charming cities of Hahndorf and Montville, or visit a variety of museums and cultural parks to celebrate Australia’s rich native and colonial history.

Natural Wonders & Landscapes

Traverse a canopy path above the forest floor for a bird’s-eye view of the ancient karri and tingle trees near Albany / Kinjarling . Behold the otherworldly spires at Perth’s Nambung National Park. Explore the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, or travel inland to Tamborine Mountain, a fertile volcanic plateau that boasts 21 species of birds.

Unique & Iconic Wildlife

From Tasmanian devils to wombats and kookaburras, you’ll encounter fascinating animals and plants from the region and from around the globe at Brisbane’s / Meeanjin Australia Zoo, Melbourne’s Healesville Sanctuary, Sydney’s Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Perth Zoo.

Monuments & Masterpieces

Architecture

Sydney hosts several architectural delights, including the iconic Sydney Opera House and the 320-meter-tall Sydney Tower and Government House, one of Australia’s finest examples of colonial-style architecture. In the heart of Melbourne sits Federation Square, and rising 230 meters into Brisbane / Meeanjin ’s skyline, the SkyPoint viewing deck boasts 360-degree views of the Gold Coast.

Art & Museums

Many of Australia’s museums are closely tied to the land, its people and history. Hobart is known for its well-preserved 19th century National Trust buildings, Broome’s / Rubibi museum traces native life and the pearling industry, while in Tasmania you can discover what life was back in the early 1900s.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

While the Sydney Opera House is a prime example of architectural design at its finest, Port Arthur’s humble penal colony stands as a grim reminder of Australia’s early beginnings. There are a number of natural World Heritage Sites, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the Blue Mountains and the Rainforestation National Park.

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Australia Cruisetours

Stretching out over two million square miles (5 million square kilometres), some of Australia’s magnificent sights require more time to explore. Pair your cruise with a land tour to the outback that lets you immerse yourself in local indigenous culture and visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and the mystical and iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock).

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Australia Cruises

Cruises to australia.

Australia is a sunny paradise all year round, from the urban verve to the outback wilderness.

There is a lot to offer visitors to Australia. This large island nation combines city living with rural living and beach life with bush life. A laidback and friendly bunch, locals here have a dry sense of humor and speak their own slang language. The Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach are attractions in this cosmopolitan city. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef while on a cruise to Australia and the Whitsunday Islands. Get an authentic Aussie experience at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which features Ayers Rock’s red dome.

There are many treasures to be found in Australia. Discover seasonal delights and fine wines. The fish are technicolor when you snorkel among them. Tour the country’s most charming cities, explore ancient cultures, and discover historical landmarks. You can create lifelong memories with book-a-cruise.com .

The Margaret River region is the perfect place to indulge your passion for wine, beer, and chocolate. In Hahndorf and Montville , see the art and crafts on display, or visit Australia’s rich native and colonial history at museums and cultural parks.

A bird’s-eye view of Albany’s ancient karri and tingle trees can be obtained by traversing a canopy path above the forest floor. Nambung National Park in Perth is home to otherworldly spires. Visit the Great Barrier Reef or Tamborine Mountain, a fertile volcanic plateau with 21 bird species.

Discover world-class cities and natural wonders from Sydney to Auckland, including the Great Barrier Reef, Milford Sound, and world-class beaches. Located in a region of majestic fjords, fine wine, friendly people, and exotic wildlife, this region is a haven for nature lovers.

Winters in the Northern Hemisphere aren’t as harsh there as in the Southern Hemisphere, so it’s the perfect place for those from the Northern Hemisphere to escape. Newness, tradition, and breath taking scenery are all part of this region, which features the iconic Sydney Opera House and the soaring green mountains of New Zealand.

You can sail the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand on award-winning cruise ships and explore the South Pacific and New Zealand. With endless opportunities for sightseeing, Sydney and Auckland are both convenient home ports.

FAQs For Australia Cruises

What is the best time to cruise to Australia & New Zealand?

Cruises to the continent of Australia are available nearly year-round because of its temperate climate. There are many ports stops in New Zealand during the summer months, considered winter months in the U.S . Please be aware that it can get extremely hot between December and February.

Which cruise lines go to Australia & New Zealand?

Cruises to Australia/New Zealand are available worldwide from most major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Seabourn . It is common for the same lines to stop in New Zealand during the summer months, but it is generally much colder there during the rest of the year.

Also Read: CruiseBooking.com: Best Time to Cruise Australia and New Zealand

What are some things to do in Australia & New Zealand?

A world-class museum can be found in every state of Australia. Be sure to visit the beaches, snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef, and dine and shop in Melbourne. Visitors to New Zealand should be sure to take a stroll along the natural landscape and make time to visit historic Christchurch .

What should I pack for a cruise to Australia & New Zealand?

In mid-summer, especially if you’re visiting the region, you should pack lightweight clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses. Swimsuits and sunscreen are also a must.

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Your Best First-Time Cruise Guide

By Evelyn Uslar-Pietri | Published on July 02, 2023

Pick Your Perfect Itinerary

An epic sailing begins with the perfect itinerary. Royal Caribbean has a wealth of cruises departing from both Sydney and Brisbane , ranging in length from 2 and 3-night weekend getaway to 17-night Transpacific odysseys to or from Hawaii. So the first question before you book a cruise is: how long can you get away?

Once that’s settled, turn your sights on the destination. Are you dreaming of immersing yourself in the islands of the South Pacific , where stunning natural beauty and fascinating culture converge? Or maybe the land of the long white cloud is more your style, roaming New Zealand’s boutique wineries and towering fjords.

Then again, there is so much to soak up right in our own backyard! Like Tasmania, with its stunning scenery, friendly locals and great food and wine.. Or the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef, getting close and personal with neon-coloured fish, gentle sea turtles and other captivating marine creatures. Wherever you decide to go on your cruise from Australia , whether it’s Queensland or Tasmania or somewhere beyond, the holiday of a lifetime is at your fingertips!

Select A Sweet (Or Suite!) Stateroom

The next order of business on your cruise is selecting your stateroom: interior, ocean view, balcony or suite. No matter what you go for, you’ll experience tasteful, thoughtfully-designed accommodations, with such amenities as small fridges and tea/coffee makers. On some ships, like Quantum of the Seas ®  sailing from Brisbane, most interior staterooms boast virtual balconies, an over-sized high definition screen offering real-time views of the ocean and destinations. Of course, Royal Caribbean® has accessible as well as connecting staterooms for guests requiring special accommodations or travelling in larger groups.

If lavish surroundings, exceptional service and special perks pique your interest, take a look at Royal Suite Class . Offering three VIP levels – Sea, Sky and Star – this is luxury that makes for lifelong memories. And parents will applaud the Royal Genie, their private concierge and worker of magic when it comes to securing coveted dining reservations and the best seats at chart-topping shows!

Plan Like a Pro

The key to cruise bliss is familiarising yourself with the ship and its offerings before you sail, which you can do with the Cruise Planner, or better yet, by downloading the free Royal Caribbean App . Available in English, Spanish and simplified Chinese, the app is the tool-of-choice for seamlessly managing all aspects of your voyage, including expediting check-in, making dining reservations, booking shore excursions, accessing your onboard account and even chatting with friends and family.

Look over the deck maps, also available on the app, so that when you’re on your cruise you can readily steer your crew to the top hot spots. Both Ovation of the Seas® (cruising from Sydney) and Quantum of the Seas® (from Brisbane) are Quantum Class ships – and as such, share a number of guest-favourite activities and amenities. Like Royal Caribbean’s iconic FlowRider® surfing simulator, the gravity-defying RipCord® by iFly®  skydiving simulator, and bumper cars at Seaplex®, to name a few. And both boast a total of 20 eateries, the majority of which are included in the price of your cruise.

A final tip to plan your trip like a pro (try saying that three times in a row!) involves considering purchasing a specialty dining or a beverage package when you book your cruise. Keep in mind that there are plenty of all-inclusive eateries onboard, from the delectable international buffet at Windjammer to elevated dining at the impressive multi-level Main Dining Room , and lots of fast-bites in between!

If you’re on a culinary crusade that involves sampling the many delectable speciality restaurants onboard, springing for a specialty dining package is the way to go. You’ll be able to treat your tastebuds to a meltingly delicious hand-cut steak at Chops Grille℠ , savour sushi at Izumi Japanese Cuisine , twirl al dente fettuccine in Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, and much more. (Inspire yourself by browsing menus on the app!)

As for drinks, you’ll find options like filter coffee, tea, hot chocolate and lemonade included in the cost of your cruise. But if you’re a soft drink aficionado or fancy indulging in alcoholic beverages without keeping tab on costs, spring for a beverage package !

Reserve. Right Away

Your Royal Caribbean cruise is packed with bow-to-stern adventure and top deck experiences – most of which are all-inclusive. That means that onboard shows, concerts, parades, parties, along with non-speciality restaurants and most onboard activities are completely complementary. Even the award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program our kids club for ages 3-17,  is included in the cost of your cruise. But all inclusive does not necessarily mean you don’t need reservations, especially when it comes to the hottest activities (like Bumper Cars, a classic indoor playground for the whole family to enjoy.), popular programs (like Adventure Ocean®) and peak mealtimes. Avoid missing out by making your reservations immediately after you book a cruise from Australia.

Now that you’re a cruise connoisseur, ready to take the seas by storm, we hope to soon welcome you onboard! Cheers to a fabulous first sail!.

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Written By EVELYN USLAR-PIETRI

Evelyn's passion for exploring the world, combined with her unforgettable travels onboard Royal Caribbean, shine through in her pieces for the cruise line. She also writes for Roar Media--a full-stack marketing agency based in Miami, Florida--as well as other travel and lifestyle-related brands.

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Why the best way to see Australia is on a cruise

K nown for its epic road and rail trips through the vast, open countryside of the dusty Outback , Australia is often overlooked by Brits as a cruise destination. Yet the world’s largest island has over 37,000 miles of coastline fronting the Southern, Pacific and Indian Oceans, plus various smaller seas. Even the locals know the appeal of the sea, with 85 per cent of Australians living within 50km of the coast.

As a result, almost every kind of cruise imaginable can be found here; be it on a mega-ship with stacks of facilities; a boutique brand with a more refined air; a luxurious riverboat; or an expedition ship that can venture to truly out-of-the-way places. And with most of Australia's key attractions and cities scattered around its fringes, explorations by cruise (preferably topped and tailed with land-based touring) can pack any number of Down Under wonders into a single trip.

I've been lucky enough to visit Australia more than a dozen times, and some of my greatest memories are of experiences that I've had from the deck of a ship. I once set sail to New Zealand from Sydney, with the tiles atop the Opera House gleaming in the sunshine as we passed, and far from land on the Great Barrier Reef, I leaned over the railings to marvel at its underwater patchwork of cobalt and turquoise in an otherwise midnight-blue sea. 

Perhaps the most incredible experience of all was a cruise in the Kimberley : the little-visited wilderness region at the top of Western Australia. It's vast and sparsely populated – bigger than Britain but with fewer residents than a mid-sized English town – and its attractions are so remarkable that they would be crowded with visitors were they easier to access. But on a small-ship sailing with Coral Expeditions, I was one of just 120 guests exploring the waterfalls, reefs and ancient rock art for which the Kimberley is famed.

At the uninhabited Lacepede Islands, we saw seabirds and turtles in mind-boggling numbers. In Talbot Bay, we powered through one-of-a-kind Horizontal Falls in a Zodiac. And at Montgomery Reef, we watched a coral-encrusted plateau seemingly rise from the sea on a falling tide. 

It wasn’t only the epic landscapes and their intriguing wildlife – humpback whales, lemon sharks, saltwater crocs – that impressed. Etched in my memory is the experience of first seeing the Wandjina (ancient rock art). These alien beings stare down from rock art galleries across the region: a symbol of the oldest continuous culture on the planet, and of the Indigenous people's long connection to the land. A land littered with surprises best experienced by boat. 

Classic Kimberley 

Remote, isolated and with little infrastructure for land-based journeys, there are few parts of the world as suited to expedition cruises as the Kimberley. Explore it with Coral Expeditions – the pioneers of cruising in the region – on a formula perfected over four decades of operations. Itineraries are timed to experience key sites at optimal tidal phases: expect to see Montgomery Reef being drained by dozens of miniature cascades, and Horizontal Falls at its powerful best.

How to do it

Ten-night cruises between Darwin and Broome with Coral Expeditions operate between April and September and cost from £3,965pp; excludes flights.

Aussie icons

Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef are two of Australia’s most recognisable icons. Experience both with Princess Cruises, whose journeys up the eastern seaboard from Sydney to tropical North Queensland stop in Cairns for reef and Daintree Rainforest excursions, and Airlie Beach, gateway to the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands. 

How to do it 

A 16-night Sydney & Queensland Showcase cruise-and-stay from Cruise Kings (0800 197 8050) includes an 11-night round-trip cruise from Sydney aboard Majestic Princess and a three-night pre-cruise Sydney stay from £2,799pp. Departs January 26 & March 26 2024;  departs September 8 2023; includes flights. . 

Southern comforts

Make the festive season extra-special on a cruise along Australia’s entire south coast, taking in nine ports of call. Esperance, Adelaide, Cape Le Grand National Park and Kangaroo Island are among the highlights, with shore excursion that include wine tastings and local wildlife sightings. Better still, spend Christmas Day at sea before arriving in Sydney for a two-night stay that coincides with New Year’s Eve.

The 14-night Australia Intensive Voyage from Perth to Melbourne with Azamara Cruises (0344 4934016) departs December 21 2023 & December 20 2024 and costs from £2,859pp. Excludes flights. 

Over the top 

Nobody is more qualified to share Australia’s stories than its traditional owners and custodians. On a voyage through remote Barrier Reef islands en route to Cape York and Arnhem Land, you will meet indigenous Torres Strait islanders and other Aboriginal peoples to experience their culture, art and homelands, including Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. Along the way, spy dugongs, turtles, saltwater crocodiles and the birdlife of Kakadu’s wetlands.

A 13-night Australia's Top End cruise from Cairns to Darwin with Scenic (0808 273 6069; scenic.co.uk ) departs April 28 2024 and costs from £11,108pp. Excludes flights. 

Murray river flow 

River cruises are rare down under, ­making an active experience on the mighty Murray – the nation’s principal waterway – all the more remarkable. Murray River Trails offers short cruises aboard a 12-berth houseboat, with a daily programme of guided walks and activities. The small-group, into-the-wild nature of the experience lends itself to wildlife encounters, with sightings of echidnas, emus, koalas and ­unusual native birds all possible. It is a fascinating insight into authentic inland Australia.

The three-night Murray River Walk departs May–Sep and costs from £1,500pp. Excludes flights. 

Kim and swim

The Kimberley may have beguiling blue waters, but dips in the sea are foolhardy (and forbidden) due to the dangerous saltwater crocodiles that call the region home. Sidestep that inconvenience on a voyage with Ponant, which combines classic Kimberley elements ­(Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls) with the little-visited Rowley Shoals – one of the world’s most sensational snorkelling and diving destinations. Located west of Broome, in the Timor Sea, these croc-free coral atolls brim with colourful sea life.

An eight-night cruise round-trip from Broome departs September 8 2023 and costs from £11,835pp through Mundy Adventures (020 7399 7630; mundyadventures.co.uk ); includes flights. 

Queensland immersion 

Take a deep dive down under on a Great Barrier Reef & Beyond itinerary with Windstar Cruises. This holiday is particularly good for wildlife-lovers. Look out for wedge-tailed shearwaters, sooty terns and noddies while passing Willis Island; spot dingoes on sandy Fraser Island; and cuddle a koala at Australia Zoo (established by the late Steve Irwin). Show-stopping Whitehaven Beach is an unforgettable trip highlight.

An 11-night sailing from Cairns to Melbourne with Windstar Cruises (0808 178 2233; windstarcruises.com ) departs December 6 2023 and costs from £7,499pp. Includes flights and pre-cruise overnight in Cairns. 

Western wonders 

Unlike the Barrier Reef, which clings to the continental shelf, magnificent Ningaloo Reef fringes Western Australia’s coast. Discover it and the archipelagos of Abrolhos, Monte Bello and Dampier on a small-ship expedition that mixes snorkelling and shipwrecks with whale-watching and indigenous rock art. Enhance the experience by foraging and fishing for mud crabs and oysters, or take sightseeing to new heights in the ship’s helicopter. 

How to do it  

The 10-night West Coast Explorer cruise with True North sails from Fremantle to Dampier on March 7 2024 and costs from £12,208pp. Excludes flights

Island state

Raw nature meets colonial history and premium produce in Tasmania, not to mention one-of-a-kind wildlife such as white wallabies and Tasmanian devils. Sip local cool-climate wines and visit the likes of Bruny Island and Wineglass Bay while sailing from Hobart. The cruise is complemented with a self-drive exploration of the island’s west and north coast regions.

A 17-night holiday with Tasmanian Odyssey (01534 735449) combining Coral Expeditions' 10-night Coastal Wilds or Coastal Treks cruise with a 7-night self-drive land tour costs from £5,475pp. Departs Jan–Feb 2024 & 2025; excludes flights. 

All the way

Go all out and see more of the continent on a full circumnavigation of the vast island. Sail the Coral, Timor and Tasman Seas, the Indian Ocean and the Great Australian Bight on an odyssey starting and finishing in Sydney. Travelling via every coastal state and territory, ports of call include cosmopolitan Melbourne, tropical Darwin, lively Fremantle and Phillip Island with its unforgettable koala and penguin encounters. 

A 34-night Australian Panorama sailing with Oceania Cruises is available through Mundy Cruising (020 7399 7670; mundycruising.co.uk ) from £8,729pp, including flights. Departs December 22 2024.

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Where to See Your Next Eclipse, From Iceland to Australia

By Maya Silver

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The totality of an eclipse is never long enough. My first total solar eclipse experience in 2017 made for the shortest two minutes of my life: the sun transforming into a blazing diamond ring, the beautiful delirium of darkness, that perfect circle in the sky. Before I knew it, the eclipse was over—and my friends and I were plotting how we could catch our next.

During my second total eclipse in Ohio, I savored nearly double that time—four minutes of totality. Those extra moments gave me time to tune into the full sensory experience. As birds slowed their songs, crickets filled the false twilight with their chirping. All the people around me fell silent amid the cool, still air, and the corona of the sun radiated and wisped above. It wasn’t long after those beautiful four minutes ended that I began scheming, again, about my next opportunity to relive the cosmic experience. Now, I’ve fully embraced my identity as an umbraphile —literally, a “shadow lover,” but better known as someone who chases total solar eclipses.

For umbraphiles like myself based in the United States, the next total solar eclipse to hit the US is in 2033—although it will only grace the western half of Alaska , along with Russia . In 2044, another total solar eclipse will swoop across Canada into Montana and the Dakotas . The next “Great American Eclipse” to cut across a wide swath of the nation won’t arrive until 2045 , though that one will stretch all the way from Northern California to Florida , across Utah , Colorado , Georgia , and many more states.

If you can’t bear to wait more than two decades for that stunning event, the good news is that many more eclipses will occur before then—you just have to go abroad to catch them. Whether you saw the 2024 total solar eclipse and are eager to plan your next trip to the path of totality, or you missed it and want to discover what all the hype is about, consider this your guide to seeing a total solar eclipse in the next four years.

In 2026, travelers to Iceland will have the chance to catch the solar eclipse and northern lights on one trip.

August 12, 2026: The Arctic, Iceland, and Spain

Your earliest chance to catch another total solar eclipse is August 12, 2026 , when the path of totality will curve northeast across the Arctic Ocean and south through remote eastern Greenland , terminating in the Balearic Sea just east of Mallorca . While there are several worthy destinations for umbraphiles during the 2026 eclipse, the totality experience will be relatively short, lasting only 1-2 minutes, depending on where you are within the path.

One spot to add to your eclipse planning list is Western Iceland , where you may also be able to catch Northern Lights on your trip to enhance the cosmic experience. The capital of Reykjavik sits on the edge of totality, making it a fine and accessible viewing destination. The downside? Totality will only last a minute there. To extend the experience, head about three hours west by car. Snæfellsjökull National Park —a seaside park named for a volcano and glacier—will experience 2 minutes and 10 seconds of totality. Stay in the nearby hamlet of Búðir, about 30 minutes away. Or head to the village of Patreksfjordur in the Westfjords, about a five-hour drive from Reykjavik for a similarly longer totality.

If a more Mediterranean eclipse experience appeals, the spot to be is Spain. The path of totality will also clip northeastern Portugal . In northern Spain, the medieval cities of Oviedo (1 minute and 49 seconds totality) or Burgo (1 minute and 44 seconds totality) are good places to watch, right in the center of the totality path. For a more urban experience, consider Zaragoza (1 minute and 24 seconds of totality) or seaside Valencia (1 minute totality).

Perhaps the most unique place to take in the 2026 eclipse in Spain is upon the island of Mallorca. Partying in Palma, reveling in secluded beaches, or overlooking the sea upon the island’s limestone cliffs would all make enviable ways to take in the 1 minute and 36 seconds of totality. With around 300 days of sunshine annually, Mallorca is also a safe bet for clear skies. If you prefer to leave the planning to the pros, consider a guided eclipse trip through a company like Sirius Travel , which is also offering an Iceland eclipse trip. Note that some other guided 2026 eclipse tours are already sold out , so don’t wait to reserve.

One of the most unusual places to witness an eclipse is aboard a cruise ship , and there are already several potential options available—after all, this eclipse is only a couple years out and plans are underway. Bundle up and hop aboard the Greenland Solar Eclipse cruise hosted by Albatros Expeditions . The 13-day itinerary includes a tour of fjords and glaciers, a visit to Nuuk, and of course, the 2-minute, 17-second totality experience (starting at $19,600 per person). Cunard is offering three solar eclipse cruise experiences : one through Norway and Iceland, and two more near Spain and the Mediterranean.

Luxor, Egypt, will see over six minutes of totality during the August 2027 eclipse.

August 2, 2027: Northern Africa and the Middle East

Just a year later, another eclipse will travel across Northern Africa and the western edge of the Middle East —this one with a prodigiously long totality time. The eclipse will cross over the southern tip of Spain and Gibraltar, which will enjoy 4 minutes and 28 seconds of totality.

Jessica Puckett

Anna Borges

Karthika Gupta

Across Northern Africa, several cities make excellent viewing points. The beaches of Tangier , Morocco, will take in 4 minutes and 50 seconds totality. In Tunisia , the ancient oasis of Gafsa will clock over 5 minutes of totality.

For the longest totality time, consider Luxor, Egypt , which will see a stunning 6 minutes and 22 seconds of darkness, likely amid sunny skies. This is only about a minute shy of the known record for longest totality time : 7 minutes and 28 seconds, back in 743 B.C. Besides, could anything eclipse the mystical sight of a pyramid than a literal eclipse darkening the skies above the Ancient Egyptian monuments?

Cruises and guided tours for the 2027 eclipse are also already on offer. Take a cruise through the Mediterranean with Eclipse Tours and witness totality at sea (starting at $4,999), or tour Morocco and enjoy the eclipse from a beach with Astro Tours (price unlisted).

Head to New Zealand's Otago Peninsula in 2028 to experience three minutes of totality.

July 22, 2028: Australia and New Zealand

If you can wait four years, consider an eclipse trip to Oceania . This eclipse will traverse central Australia and southern New Zealand , and there are many incredible spots to consider within the path for your viewing experience, whether you prefer to dance in the darkness or be immersed in the wild.

In Australia, Sydney is smack dab in the middle of the 2028 path , with 3 minutes and 49 seconds of totality. While no festivals or events are in the works yet, have no doubt Australia will rise to the occasion. For a more nature-based experience, consider the ancient rock formations and trails of Mirima National Park ; stay in the nearby town of Kununurra. This area will enjoy just under three minutes of totality. Of course, an Australia eclipse-themed cruise already awaits, too, though the eclipse itself is to be viewed on land (starting at $14,500).

In New Zealand, enjoy nearly three minutes of totality include Queenstown and Dunedin. Take in the New Zealand eclipse from the stunning shores of Lake Wakatipu of Queenstown, where you can chase the rush of an eclipse with one of the world’s highest bungee jumps . Amid the Scottish-meets-Maori heritage of Dunedin, bookend the eclipse with a visit to the Larnach Castle or the Otago Peninsula and its penguins.

Tips for planning an eclipse trip around the world

You’re not the only traveler drawn to the elusive experience of a total eclipse—which is why places in the path of totality tend to experience a massive spike in tourism . Lodging books early, prices surge, rental cars run out, and those who fail to plan in advance are often left high and dry—or forced to spend a small fortune.

My advice on preparing for an eclipse trip in the US applies doubly when it comes to an international voyage to the path of totality. Here are a few key pointers before you plan your trip, whether to the Arctic, Spain, Egypt, or Australia:

It’s never too early to book: Some tours are already sold out, while hotel reservations are sure to go fast. Make your reservations as soon as you can, especially for the 2026 eclipse—you can always cancel later if your trip falls through. This applies to rental cars and flights as well.

Give yourself a buffer around the eclipse: Don’t plan to show up the day before the eclipse or day of, nor should you plan to depart the day of or day after. Adding some wiggle room will allow you to maximize the serenity of the experience, rather than sabotage it with the chaos of eclipse travel.

Get to your viewing spot at least a few hours in advance: This way your plans won’t be foiled by any unexpected traffic, you can find the perfect perch, and you’ll have time to set up any camera tripods or telescopes.

Hold on to your eclipse glasses—or buy them early: Don’t plan to pick up a pair at your destination. And make sure they’re ISO certified .

Finally, turn your eclipse travels into a longer trip of about a week or two. Look into local observatories or stargazing tours to up the astronomical ante. A few months ahead, research eclipse festivals, events, and viewing parties, if that’s of interest. Meet some fellow travelers who you might be interested in viewing with. Then, one to six minutes of totality will be just the pinnacle of your celestially inspired trip, rather than the entirety of it.

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