7 adventurous shore excursions for when you’re on a cruise

As an avid cruiser I often return to places I’ve loved on previous voyages. Having seen the top sights and idled in the best cafes, on return trips I grab the chance to go off the beaten path and do something adventurous and a bit more active.

With the knowledge that the ship is not going to wait for me I find joining an organised excursion, rather than striking out alone with Tilley hat and phone, the most relaxing and time-efficient way to go.

Here’s my pick of some of the most interesting and unusual active excursions offered on Saga cruises.

Dog sledding in Arctic Norway

The howls of huskies raring to go greet us on arrival at the encampment, framed by mountain peaks. Togged up like Michelin men in the thermal suits and boots provided, we pile into sledges drawn by a dozen, exuberant, yelping dogs. 

Tails wagging, they bound along chasing the lead husky and the sledge in front. With their 'musher' deftly steering us on a huge circular route, I feel as if I am in Narnia, trees draped in frozen snow, as we dash over hills and dales through the tundra in the winter twilight. 

A flickering on the horizon gets stronger and our magical adventure is topped with an appearance of the elusive Northern Lights. Warming up with coffee and cake around a roaring fire afterwards we relive our enchanting ride.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on The Northern Lights and Arctic Circle cruise

Kayaking and snorkelling in Antigua

Apart from the calls and twitters of unseen birds there is barely a sound as I paddle my kayak through the dense canopy. The thick foliage of the mangroves meets over my head, creating a dark green tunnel pricked with shafts of sun.

Gliding out into the lagoon I see pelicans flying low, their huge wings dipping the surface of the pancake-flat water.

Our guide points out a pair of West Indian whistling ducks, with pretty faces and delicately spotted throats. Far more visible are the white herons leaping skyward from the branches as we paddle by looking for brightly coloured crabs in among the tangled mangrove roots.

A large diamond form of stingray swimming over starfish appears in the clear, shallow water. An hour has flashed by and it is time to board a motorboat to a desert island, to snorkel from the shore over coral reef, gazing down at the busy little fish, then laze on the beach with a cooling rum punch in hand.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on The Tropical West Caribbean cruise

Whale watching in Madeira

Eight? Ten? Eleven?! I can’t keep count as more and more dark round heads and curved backs bob in and out of sight just yards from our boat. The marine biologist on board tells us these are a family of short-finned pilot whales. And while we must not approach too close, nothing stops these sociable creatures from swimming towards us. The engine cut by the skipper, we bob gently along, trying to capture on our cameras their blows against the deep blue sea.

Madeira has resident pods of whales and dolphins, and expert spotters on the cliffs with powerful scopes direct the boats to them, so sightings are pretty much guaranteed on whale watching excursions here.

Because the sea is very deep, close to shore there are no stomach-churning long distances out to the spotting sites, though it can be a bit bumpy – and splashy – speeding out and back sitting astride the high saddle-style seats in the narrow, 16-seater RIB (rigid inflatable boat).

I am thrilled to be close enough to tell the difference between bottlenose, Atlantic spotted and frisky common dolphins that leap out of the water and race our boat. The elegant outline of a more distant sperm whale’s tail as it dives provides an exciting finale to our outing.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on a Portugal and the Tropical Azores cruise

Seaplane on the Norwegian Fjords

"Like a short boat ride in a helicopter" is how a fellow passenger describes our departure from the jetty in our seaplane. Skimming along the surface of the water on skis we have the smoothest take-off imaginable and barely notice we’ve started our ascent.

Soon we are watching the tiny shadow of the plane moving along the steep grassy mountain slopes to one side and the long pewter ribbon of the narrow fjord unfolding ahead.

With just four passengers, everyone has an excellent view, excitedly snapping pictures of dramatic landscapes on our camera phones, then flying above puffy little clouds over Mount Ulriken, the highest of the seven mountains that surround Bergen.

Descending, we see the little red cable car taking tourists up the mountain, and the city with its old merchants’ houses, like colourful matchboxes along the waterfront in the historic Bryggen district, and our ship looking as small as a bathtub toy.

Our landing is much more dramatic than take-off, as the skilful pilot swoops towards the water and lands with a tremendous whoosh before taxi-ing to the jetty and parking perfectly for us to climb out and return to Bergen.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on a Norway’s Highlights cruise

Walk the Way to Santiago in Spain

I feel a bit of a fraud calling back "Muchas gracias" to the farmer’s cheery "Buen camino" on the last leg into Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.

Unlike the countless pilgrims from all over the world who walk for weeks, staying in simple hostels, we are dropped off by coach from La Coruna and have been strolling for about half an hour through meadows and eucalyptus groves into the city.

Our peaceful late autumn walk without the crowds ends in front of the cathedral. It is moving to join the real pilgrims brimming with emotion, having completed their journeys at the place where it is believed the remains of St James are buried in the crypt.

We aren’t entitled to collect a Compostela (a certificate awarded only to those who have walked here or ridden on horseback for 100km or more) but celebrate anyway with a delicious tapas lunch and Galician wines. We have time to go inside the magnificent Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque cathedral and browse the shops before returning to our ship.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on the Canary Island Sunshine and Coastal Delights of France and Green Spain cruises

RIB boat in Helsinki

Speeding along at 40 knots, the force of the water hitting the hull and pushing me back in my seat, I’d scream if it didn’t mean a mouthful of salty spray. Instead I screw up my eyes and embrace my inner thrill-seeker. We bounce along under bridges and round islets scattered with pretty cottages. On a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) is undoubtably the most exciting way to see Helsinki’s harbour and archipelago. Slowing down, we pass the city’s shipyard where the enormous frames of ships under construction soar skywards.

We reach Suomenlinna, an 18th-century fortress spread across six islands and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hopping ashore we visit this fine example of military architecture with our guide who takes us through its chequered history – it passed in and out of Swedish and Russian hands until Finland’s independence in 1917. There is time to walk through tunnels and on grassy ramparts with sweeping views before a last rush of adrenaline on our exhilarating ride back.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on a Cities and Islands of Scandinavia cruise

Hiking on the Italian Riviera

Almost too gorgeous to be true, Portofino’s pastel-coloured houses are framed by wooded hills and sit prettily around the harbour, lapped by a turquoise sea. It’s a charming sight from our boat heading from ship to shore.

But the former fishing village turned playground of the jet set is so alluring that its narrow streets and cafes get very busy with visitors to Genoa and the Ligurian coast. I choose an organised hike that leaves the throngs behind. After glancing in the windows of the chic shops around the piazza, our guide walks us up to the 10th-century church of St Martin. Behind its simple, yellow-striped façade lies an elaborately decorated Baroque interior.

From here we join a path taking the high route to Santa Margherita Ligure further up the coast. It is about three miles, but we take our time, pausing at chapels, including the Sanctuary of the Madonna at Nazaré with wonderful wide views of the Gulf of Tigullio. We walk on ancient ways past olive groves, vineyards and medieval villas in gardens behind dry-stone walls, ending up on the promenade at Santa Margherita and a welcoming cafe.

Our route back shows us the coast from a different perspective. We have a sailor’s-eye view of the swanky yachts in the marina and waterside villas with private jetty from the 15-minute public ferry ride back to Portofino.

Do it: This is an optional excursion on a Taste of Italy and Western Mediterranean cruise