Fancy sailing to a hidden getaway for your next boating adventure?
Whether it will involve a long quest across vast oceans or a quick jaunt up the coast, there are plenty of places you can head to.
Outlined below are 10 fabulous ports of call that are either only accessible or most easily reached by boat.
Head to any of these destinations, and you’ll get a feel for what Sir Francis Drake must have experienced all those years ago during his very own voyage of discovery.
1. Silica Beach, Kimberley, Australia
Over in Western Australia, the coastline of the Kimberley region is renowned for its sheer, pristine beauty.
Nowhere is this better illustrated than at the extraordinary Silica Beach.
Located on Hidden Island, within the Buccaneer Archipelago, it is so-called for its unique and brilliant white silica sand, which you’ll probably see a mile off.
As its 150-metre-long expanse can only be reached by boat, it is never busy there, other than when the odd cruise ship docks. So those who do venture to it will get to enjoy this dazzling paradise largely to themselves.
2. Benagil Sea Cave, Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is a beautiful place to visit. However, if you have a boat, you will be able to access a jaw-dropping network of grottos, arches and caves that lies between Benagil and Marinha Beach.
The most iconic and well-known of these is the breathtaking Benagil Sea Cave, which ranks as one of Portugal’s most impressive natural features.
If you don’t want to take your boat out, you can swim there from Benagil Beach. The area is also a popular spot for dolphin watching. So you’ll want to spend a fair bit of time exploring it.
3. Niue, South Pacific Ocean
You can be forgiven for not having heard of Niue, a tiny island nation within the South Pacific that lies approximately 2400 km from New Zealand.
However, once you visit this timeless land, you’ll never forget its incredible natural beauty.
Dominated by rugged limestone cliffs and blessed with several world-class dive sites full of coral reefs, this is a terrific destination to spot dolphins and whales on its annual migration.
The naturally formed Avaiki Cave rockpools and Talava Arches are notable sights on the mainland to check out too.
4. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
If you are into scuba diving, then you should make a point of heading to the stunning Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia.
Home to over 600 coral species – about 75% of all recorded types – this place is like Disneyland for snorkelers and scuba divers.
It also features the mesmeric Piaynemo and Wayag, a brace of small islands that jut majestically out from the gorgeous turquoise sea. Be sure to have your camera at the ready, as they are very Instagrammable.
5. Palau, Micronesia
Comprised of an archipelago of more than 500 islands that are strewn throughout the western Pacific Ocean, Palau is the jewel of Micronesia.
Another terrific destination for diving, this region is also characterised by incredible island landscapes that house several bewitching natural phenomena.
This includes the enchanting, forested tufts of Rock Islands - otherwise known as Chelbacheb - where you will see hundreds of limestone or coral stacks dramatically rise from the depths of the Southern Lagoon.
Elsewhere, at Jellyfish Lake, you can swim with these magnificent creatures with no risk of being stung by them.
6. Simena Sunken City, Kekova, Turkey
For those intrigued by ancient wonders, you should find Simena’s sunken ruins captivating.
Once a major hub on the ancient trade route that linked Andriake, Simena, Teimioussa and Aperlae within the Mediterranean, these ruins are believed to pre-date 2nd century AD.
Located at Kekova in Turkey, they formed after a massive series of earthquakes decimated the city.
Today, some of its devastation remains visible above water level, while much of the foundations are intact underneath it.
Once you arrive at the region, you will be able to explore it by kayak, snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as your boat. Its clear, protected turquoise waters make it perfectly visible.
7. Rayavadee, Krabi, Thailand
If your idea of a hidden getaway involves visiting a luxury resort, then you’ll want to pay a visit to Rayavadee on the island of Krabi in Thailand.
Situated on the Andaman coastline, this region features a landscape of limestone cliffs, gorgeous white sandy beaches and the shimmering emerald waters of the Andaman Sea.
There are a handful of plush resorts you can stay at here where you can rest and relax. Many of which can only be reached by boat.
All of them offer five-star deluxe amenities, as well as proximity to Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Island, should you want to visit them also.
8. Deception Island, Antarctica
Admittedly you will need to wrap up warm for this one. But the chance to take in the dramatic scenery of the towering icebergs that lord around Deception Island, in Antarctica, should not be missed.
For an added sense of mystique, this island sits atop an active volcano. While the land around it forms a spectacular horseshoe shape that lines a 15 km crater.
You will be able to enter the area on your boat via a small break. Once there you can check out an abandoned former whaling station, which now accommodates sea birds who come here to rest and nest.
The main highlight though is the chance to enjoy a soak in its natural hot springs. This makes it about the only spot in Antarctica where you’ll want to take to the water.
9. Dusky Sound, New Zealand
You can pretty much head to anywhere you want in New Zealand and be wowed. But if you go to Dusky Sound, you are sure to be blown away by its incredible beauty.
Renowned for being one of the biggest and most intricate fjord systems in the country, this place is so remote it has no direct access via road at all.
You can choose to see the fjord via a plane or helicopter ride. However, to really appreciate this stunning landscape, you should consider taking your boat in and staying on one of its small islands for a while.
If you are looking for a place to partake in a digital detox, there are few better spots on earth to do it than this one.
10. Tristan Da Cunha
If you are looking for somewhere remote to head to in your boat, then you can’t get much more remote than Tristan Da Cunha.
Officially the remotest inhabitable island on earth, this volcanic island sits within the South Atlantic. It lies 3353 km from the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, 2805 km from Cape Town in South Africa and some 2429 km from its closest geographical neighbour, St Helena.
Encompassing a land mass of just 98 sq km, it is home to less than 300 largely British citizens. The island also houses a diverse range of flora and wildlife and gives you a fascinating insight into what living the simple life is like.
Final Thought
If you are planning your next trip, we hope this list of the top 10 hidden getaways for your next boating adventure has given you plenty of inspiration on where you can go.
At the end of the day, the world is your oyster, and if you have a boat, you can go anywhere you want.
If you don’t currently own a boat or want to sell your old boat so you can upgrade to another, using Grays is a very good option.
Posted By Rebecca
Updated : 23rd December 2022 | Words : 1266 | Views : 213
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