The world’s most thrilling holidays on the water inspired by Moana 2

Have you ever been inspired by a film to plan an exciting holiday? It’s no secret that set-jetting is one of the world’s most popular travel trends, but usually it leads people to one specific location. With the release of Moana 2, the entire ocean is there to inspire you, as our plucky, strong-willed Polynesian heroine embarks on a new adventure.

In the original Disney film, which came out in 2016, Moana successfully reunited a mysterious relic with the goddess Te Fiti and saved her people, before taking on the role of chief and wayfinder. And in the sequel, our warrior princess must head off on a potentially perilous journey. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, she journeys to the far seas of Oceania, to reconnect her people; just as the ocean – whether it’s the Atlantic, Pacific, India, Southern or Arctic – connects us all.

Moana sets sail on a modest wa’a kaulua, a traditional Polynesian double-hulled outrigger canoe, but if you’re considering an ocean adventure of your own, you can choose life on board anything from a ship, yacht or cruise liner. Here’s our pick of the best trips at sea...

Swim with manta rays in the Maldives

Imagine gliding through sparkling, turquoise waters, the sun dappling the waves and catching glimpses of some of the most beautiful wildlife in the Indian Ocean. This could be your experience when you go on a week’s guided adventure aboard a traditional gulet boat in the Maldives.

You’ll visit several unspoiled islands and areas of pristine beauty, looking out for the region’s abundant marine wildlife, including the curious and friendly manta rays. You’ll get the chance to snorkel with them at Madivaru, spot turtles in South Malé Atoll, and swim among colourful fish amid the corals on South Ari Atoll. Bottlenose dolphins often make an appearance, and an absolute highlight will be a full-day whale shark safari with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

How to do it: Exodus Adventure Travels’ seven-day guided Marine Wildlife of the Maldives trip costs from £2,999 per person, including full-board accommodation aboard the gulet, meals, and all listed transport and activities (excludes flights); exodus.co.uk.

See Spain, Malta and more on a tall ship

Picture a ship in full glory, its dazzling white sails billowing in the breeze, its masts standing proud as it cuts through the water with only the wind to power it. Tall ships are large, traditionally-rigged sailing vessels which bring with them the swashbuckling romance of sea travel. The Star Clipper is a luxurious version of those which used to set sail across the seven seas, perfect for cruising in casual elegance.

It will take you along the southern coast of Spain, stopping off in Sicily and ending in Malta. Along the way, you’ll explore charming towns and villages, from Mijas to Almeria, and enjoy excursions such as wine tasting or visiting the picturesque Alpujarras Mountains. Stroll around the walled fortress of Dalt Vila in Ibiza, see the highlights of Palma – including the cathedral, castle and royal palace – and end in Malta, where you’ll marvel at Mdina, the silent city, and the beautiful capital, Valletta.

On board, you’ll enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, friendly crew, and delicious international cuisine. If you’re a boating enthusiast, you can choose to lend a hand hoisting the sails, climb to the crow’s nest, or just lay back in luxury and let the crew do all the work.

How to do it: The Spain, Balearics and Malta cruise cruise starts from £3,499 per person, and includes return flights, transfers, visits and tours, full-board accommodation and an expert tour manager throughout; rivieratravel.co.uk.

Explore the icy realm of Antarctica

Prepare yourself for scenes of staggering beauty as you weave between colossal glaciers and icebergs, the sun’s rays glinting off the ice, passing colonies of penguins, herds of seals and the occasional family of blue or humpback whales. This majestic, frozen land is home to incredible wildlife, which you’ll see from on board an expedition ship which is used to navigating these frigid waters.

You’ll start your journey in vibrant Buenos Aires, home of the tango, then make your way down to Ushuaia, a bustling port that’s the capital of Argentina’s dramatic Tierra del Fuego. Brace yourself for the crossing of the Drake Passage, an often stormy body of water which runs between Cape Horn, Chile, Argentina and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, and prep for your visit to the ice-covered seas by listening to talks and lectures from experts about the region’s history and the impact of climate change.

Then take the opportunity to go kayaking among icebergs, watch penguin chicks hatch, and – if you’re very lucky – see whales breaching through the water; an unforgettable ocean adventure of a lifetime.

How to do it: A 12-day Highlights of Antarctica trip starts from £6,255 per person on an all-inclusive basis, excluding international flights; travelhx.com.

Encounter dragons in Indonesia

Well, komodo dragons, that is. These imposing, lumbering monitor lizards live among the hills and forests of the aptly-named Komodo Park, located within the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. From a journey aboard a traditional ‘pinisi’ sailing ship, you’ll voyage between beautiful, uninhabited islands, where you can swim, coral and paddle board to your heart’s content, and explore an extinct volcano with a sunken crater lake at its centre.

The visit to Komodo Park is your chance to spot the world’s largest lizard, which can grow up to a length of three metres and weigh up to around 70kg. Here, you can also swim with manta rays and snorkel around some of the Park’s most colourful reefs. You’ll also have the exhilarating opportunity to swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean, and visit a local village to observe a lively ritual dance performance.

How to do it: A 9-day Komodo Dragons, Whale Sharks & Coral Reefs adventure cruise costs from $5450 [£4,225] per person on a full-board basis including activities and a local guide (international flights not included); worldexpeditions.com.

Spot bears in the wild in Canada

There’s an absolute abundance of nature to be found in the Great Bear Rainforest of western British Columbia including, of course, bears. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range on the west coast of British Columbia, the ancient Great Bear Rainforest is one of the largest tracts of temperate rainforest left in the world. It’s home to orcas, eagles and wolves and here, you’ll also find black bears, grizzlies and the mysterious – and rare – white kermode, or spirit, bear.

The spirit bear is a unique subspecies of the black bear, in which one in 10 cubs display a distinctive white-coloured coat. Cruising the remote islands and inlets of this special area is the ideal way to experience its diverse wildlife and you’ll be able to get on to the water, too, paddling a kayak around the various islands and inlets of the area. You’ll be sailing on board a small vessel, which allows for an interactive and intimate experience, allowing you to explore areas that bigger boats cannot access. Enjoy the comfortable cabins, a well-stocked library and lounge area and plenty of deck space for wildlife-spotting.

How to do it: A seven-night Sailing the Great Bear Rainforest Cruise costs from £4,937 per person on a full board basis, excluding flights; discover-the-world.com.

Explore one of the world’s most fascinating wildlife spots in the Galápagos

A bucket-list trip for many, this volcanic archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean around 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, has been called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’ thanks to the fascinating mix of unusual marine species who live here. Among its 19 islands, and the surrounding marine reserve, you’ll find a diverse range of creatures including the land iguana, the giant tortoise, the blue-footed booby, the fur seal, hammerhead shark and many, many more. Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos' species later inspired his theory of evolution.

Take it all in from on board the Celebrity Flora, an all-suite mega-yacht which sleeps up to 100 guests and was built specifically to navigate the waters of this environmental paradise. You’ll experience the islands with expert guidance from certified naturalists from the Galápagos National Park, and whether you choose the Outer Loop or Inner Loop itinerary, you’ll spot exotic wildlife, walk on volcanic islands and black-sand beaches, and witness some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ve ever seen. Extraordinary experiences on offer include hiking the otherworldly terrain and snorkelling alongside sea turtles, while onboard you can relax and be treated to locally-sourced cuisine crafted by a Michelin-starred chef.

How to do it: The 7-night Outer Loop itinerary starts from £4,771 per person, while the 7-night Inner Loop itinerary starts from £7,443 per person; both round trips include 12 different ports of call and full-board meals, excluding international flights; celebritycruises.com.

Explore the underwater marvels of the Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest coral reef system is home to 400 types of coral, 1,500 types of fish, and many rare marine species. The best way to explore them is by diving, spending leisurely hours under the ocean and seeing all the Barrier Reef has to offer. You’ll be based on a liveaboard, essentially a floating hotel for divers, which can access dive sites that are far from shore and inaccessible to day boats and allows for longer, more immersive experiences. Dive with pelagic life including multiple species of sharks, mantas, trevallies and tunas, along with unusual creature such as wobbegongs, and discover sloping coral gardens, pinnacle dives and macro hotspots in the Ribbon Reefs.

At the renowned Cod Hole, you’ll swim alongside schools of friendly potato cod groupers, take night dives revealing vibrant nocturnal marine life, and get the chance to experience a manta cleaning station in Osprey Reef. Go on a morning nature walk on Lizard Island, learning about the island’s history and spotting the wildlife that call the island home and enjoy barbecues in the evenings with stunning reef views.

How to do it: An 11-day Diving the Great Barrier Reef adventure, including international flights, transfers, diving equipment hire, guided diving excursions and seven nights’ liveaboard boat cruise starts from £4,400 per person; originaldiving.com.

Navigate fjords and frozen landscapes in Greenland

The vast, untouched wilderness of Greenland’s rarely-visited east coast is accessible by ship for only a few months of the year. But when it is possible to visit, you’ll see the magnificent Scoresby Sund, an immense system of fjords and glaciers which fans out over 24,000 square miles. Here you can truly soak up the beauty, silence and natural wonder of this utterly unique destination from on board an expedition ship.

This will take you from Iceland to Greenland, exploring its remote and pristine east coast, before approaching Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system. As you sail, you might spot seals basking on ice floes, whales cruising through the icy waters and birds such as snowy owls and Greenlandic gyr falcons swooping through the air. You’ll also learn about the fascinating history, traditions and culture of the people of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote settlements on the planet.

How to do it: The 10-day Serene Greenland trip starts from £4,861 per person on a full-board basis, including all activities but excluding international flights; travelhx.com.

Moana 2 is released in UK cinemas on 29th November.