For nearly two decades, Aqua has redefined luxury exploration, pioneering river expeditions into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon and the storied Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam. And now Aqua Expeditions is making waves as the newest superyacht in their fleet –Aqua Lares– will be exploring the Seychelles & move onto the Arctic.
Aqua Lares carries five private tenders—three 6.5-meter Zodiacs and two 8.5-meter Rafnar Tenders— offering flexibility for off-ship exploration. She’s also outfitted with paddle boards, kayaks, snorkeling and diving gear, and mountain bikes, ideal for reaching remote beaches, lagoons, and forest trails. A dedicated crew of 33—including three naturalist guides—ensures world-class service and experiencerich adventures on land and underwater. Social spaces include a panoramic sun deck with bar and lounge, a cinema, boutique, gym, saloon, indoor dining room, and a shaded outdoor dining area. Wellness offerings feature two Jacuzzis, a sauna, massage room, and spa—designed for relaxation after a day of discovery.
While sailing Seychelles and Tanzania with Aqua, guests will have the opportunity to visit biodiversity hotspots like, Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Astove, Furquhar Atol, Kilwa Kisiwani, and Pemba. In usual Aqua fashion, the expedition will also visit destinations such as the African Banks which are rarely explored by other cruises in the region.
Aqua Lares continues the brand’s legacy of delivering once-in-a-lifetime adventures to the world’s most remote and biodiverse destinations. The interiors blend luxurious elegance with a strong sense of place—creating a refined, welcoming sanctuary at sea. This vision is being brought to life through an extensive interior refit led by Aqua Design Director Birgit Galli Zugaro in collaboration with Milan-based HOTLAB, ahead of Aqua Lares’ launch in the Indian Ocean next February
Aqua Expeditions offers a privileged gateway into the planet’s untouched wonders with up-close exotic wildlife encounters. Each day brings the thrill of discovery, with twice-daily small-group excursions led by naturalists and cultural experts whose insights bring every sighting and story to life.
Spot Komodo dragons in Indonesia, go birdwatching along the Mekong, find caiman in the Peruvian Amazon, dance with blue-footed boobies in Galapagos, walk among giant tortoises in Seychelles, and encounter polar bears in the Arctic Circle.
Those out for an adrenaline rush can dive with sharks and manta rays in Galapagos, snorkel alongside endangered hawksbill turtles in Seychelles, swim with piranhas in the Amazon, or venture through icy Arctic fjords to spot walruses basking on secluded beaches.
With Aqua, unlock each destination’s true essence, whether it’s through hikes, bike rides, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or skiff excursions.
Aqua Expeditions' voyages immerse guests in the soul of each destination — from the floating villages and riverside artisans of the Mekong, the ribereños of the Amazon, and the tribal traditions of the Asmat, to historic Dutch forts in the Coral Triangle, Svalbard’s Arctic whaling legacy, and Zanzibar’s storied spice-trade heritage.
They deliver authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences that redefine exploration across the planet’s most extraordinary frontiers.
Aqua Expeditions is committed to leaving a positive footprint and preserving the delicate ecosystems and cultures that make their journeys possible. From sustainable sourcing and low-impact operations to empowering engagement with local communities, every journey reflects a deep ethos of care and responsibility. This dedication earned Aqua the 2024 Luxperience Meaningful Award—recognizing travel that uplifts both people and the planet.
With a fleet of five iconic vessels, Aqua delivers tailored journeys that blend bespoke comfort with deep immersion in nature, culture, and adventure, offering a signature blend of 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, expert-led small group excursions, and world-class cuisine. With a steadfast commitment to sustainability and meaningful travel, Aqua delivers extraordinary experiences—crafted with heart, elevated by elegance, and defined by authenticity.
Aqua Expeditions' ships have been custom-designed by renowned specialists including Cor D. Rover, Jordi Puig, and Studio Noor, in collaboration with Aqua’s Guest Experience Director Birgit Galli Zugaro.
Spacious, thoughtfully-designed cabins are a signature of every Aqua Expeditions vessel. Aqua Nera, Aqua Mekong, and Aria Amazon feature river-facing suites with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. In Galapagos, Aqua Mare offers the archipelago’s largest Owner’s Suite at 861 square feet. In Indonesia, Aqua Blu hosts elegant cabins ranging from 130–366 square feet.
Finally, Aqua Lares—East Africa and the Arctic Circle’s only superyacht—features 15 bespoke cabins including three Owner’s Suites sized up to 710 square feet. Across the fleet, guests enjoy jacuzzis, spas, indoor and outdoor lounges, and games rooms.
Aqua Expeditions has won prestigious awards including being ranked among Travel+Leisure's World's Top 3 Best River Cruise for three consecutive years since 2023, winning the Aspire Awards Luxury Brand of the Year 2024, and receiving Virtuoso’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line award in 2024.
Aqua has also received global recognition as part of Travel+Leisure's World's Best Intimate Cruise Ship Line category, Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards Best Expedition Cruises category, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine's Travel Awards Best Ocean Cruise Line and Best River Cruise Line categories. Along with this, Aqua Mekong was recognized for its design with the coveted Gold Award in the Architecture/New Build category in the 2015 Asia Hotel Design Awards.
Dining aboard Aqua is a culinary voyage through the soul of the region—where fine dining meets authentic local flavors, and every dish is an artful tribute to cultural heritage.
On Aqua Mekong, guests indulge in a tradition-infused menu that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia. Crafted with the freshest ingredients sourced daily from the Mekong’s bustling riverside markets—from freshly caught river catfish to newly harvested Asian greens—each refined dish tells a story of the Mekong, offering an unforgettable taste of Cambodia and Vietnam’s storied culinary legacy.
Guests onboard Aqua Blu are treated to an immersive dining experience designed by award-winning Australian chef Benjamin Cross, showcasing a rendition of flavors from across Indonesia’s fabled sea spice trade route. Drawing inspiration from Indonesian, European, and Mediterranean cuisines, chef Cross presents dishes made using the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood and local produce which Indonesia has to offer.
A pioneer of rainforest-to-table cuisine, renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino delivers the exceptional menus on our Galapagos and Amazon expeditions.
Aboard Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon, the dishes make use of native Amazonian ingredients and showcase the best of Peruvian cuisine using a sustainable rainforest-to-table approach. On the Aqua Mare, chef Schiaffino presents a dining experience inspired by the region’s dramatic landscapes and the Peruvian Nikkei style.
In the Amazon, Schiaffino curates an innovative Peruvian-continental menu rooted in sustainability and indigenous ingredients. Dishes highlight Amazonian staples like paiche, camu camu, and yucca—flavors that forge a sensory connection to the land and honor the rainforest’s abundant gifts.
Served in elegant dining rooms with impeccable service, each meal becomes an invitation to savor, discover, and connect. Guests with dietary needs or preferences are attentively catered to—ensuring every bite is as memorable as the journey itself.
Setting a new standard for luxury river voyages, the 205-foot Aqua Nera draws inspiration from the Peruvian Amazon’s mystical black water lagoons. The vessel’s 20 design suites convey a sense of tranquility, while the social spaces — including a gym, spa, cinema room, and lounges — showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama. Guests revel in personalized luxury while exploring the depths of the Peruvian Amazon and savoring rainforest-inspired cuisine created by renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
Sailing alongside the state-of-the-art Aqua Nera, Aria Amazon presents Peruvian Amazon expeditions with a simpler, modest charm. The river ship was custom-built in 2011 and has been sailing the world’s largest rainforest ever since. Aria Amazon features 16 design suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as a top deck with social spaces including a jacuzzi, lounge, and bar. While on board, guests enjoy a fine dining experience showcasing the best of regional flavors. Excursions are conducted in groups up to 12 by expert naturalist guides who know the best spots for wildlife encounters.
Charting a luxurious passage on Southeast Asia’s longest river across Cambodia and Vietnam, the 205-foot Aqua Mekong showcases award-winning modern design with comprehensive amenities such as a spa, gym, and river-facing plunge pool. The vessel’s 20 spacious suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows that offer ever-changing Mekong panoramas. For offshore excursions, the Mekong’s only fleet of private skiffs bring guests on highly personalized day trips led by expert local guides to landmarks, temples, and villages where tradition, spirituality and craftsmanship reside.
The 60m Aqua Blu is the first ever long-range ocean explorer yacht permanently based in East Indonesia. 15 individually designed suites and refined amenities are accompanied by innovative cuisine designed by consulting chef Benjamin Cross drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s fabled spice trade route. Led by highly experienced crew and guides, guests explore the world’s most biodiverse marine habitats, embark on adventurous hikes across active volcanos, and immerse in centuries-old history in small groups.
As the first true superyacht in the Galapagos Islands, the 50m Aqua Mare takes an iconic once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the next level. Designed and built by renowned Italian CRN yard with custom Zuretti interiors, seven elegant design suites serve as the perfect respite after active days for 16 guests exploring the remote wildlife and dynamic nature of the Archipelago. Combining its expansive social spaces, cuisine by award-wining Peruvian chef Schiaffino with the rich history of its destination, Aqua Mare’s 16 crew including two naturalist guides ensure an exceptional one-on-one bespoke service to experience the wild and magnificent Enchanted Islands.
An awe-inspiring presence in the Indian Ocean, Aqua Lares brings the signature Aqua experience to the uncharted shores of East Africa. The region’s first superyacht pairs days of adventure – to biodiversity and cultural hotspots across the Seychelles and Zanzibar archipelagos – with all the comforts of a five-star hotel. From the coral atoll of Aldabra to the spice routes of Zanzibar, each day showcases the wonders of East Africa’s island jewels. On board, the exploration continues with expert-led talks and presentations, and a world-class dining experience showcasing the region’s finest flavors.
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