10 best boat journeys

Nov 9, 2010 9:08:31 AM

Note: Javascript is disabled in your browser.
To see the gallery in all its glory, you'll need to enable Javascript.

View gallery

Boats are often overlooked as a way to see the world; we invariably have limited time to get from A to Z so we fly, missing B to Y. In a lot of cases, though, boats are the best, and frequently the only way, to properly see a destination. Here are ten of the best boat journeys the world has to offer.

1. Fjords, Norway

Image by Maltesen

For more than a century, Norway’s legendary Hurtigruten ferry route has linked the numerous coastal villages and towns. Year-round, 11 modern ferries head north from Bergen, reaching Kirkenes before returning. Take the 11-day round-trip that pulls in to 34 ports and offers various opportunities for side-trips, or just cruise a stretch (or two) of this trip. Features on the full itinerary include fabulous fjords and islands that see the midnight sun, medieval monasteries and Art Nouveau towns.

2. Halong Bay, Vietnam

Image by Maria Hsu

Bobbing on the emerald waters of Halong Bay and moving through its 3000-odd limestone islands is simply sublime. The tiny islands are dotted with beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves, and have sparsely forested slopes ringing with bird tunes. There are more than 300 boats based at Bai Chay Tourist Wharf waiting to sweep you away to the World Heritage waters. Day tours last from four to eight hours, though (recommended) overnighters are also available.

3. Amazon River, South America

Image by Bruno Girin

From its inconspicuous source in the Peruvian highlands to its mouth near Belém in Brazil, the Amazon River measures more than 6,200km (3,853mi). Its flow is 12 times that of the Mississippi, and it carries one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. String up a hammock on a slow boat (of varying quality) between Manaus and Belém in Brazil or Trinidad and Guayaramerín in Bolivia. Its edges are crowded with jungle or settlements, and your slow boat can take anywhere from four to six days.

4. Franklin River, Australia

Image by robynejay

Not for the faint-hearted, rubber-rafting down the wild Franklin River is a challenging and, at times, treacherous undertaking. The isolated wilderness of Tasmania’s World Heritage area protects ancient plants and endemic creatures. Accessing it by boat can only be done between December and March, and requires eight to 14 days – only experienced rafters are eligible. Rafters usually access the unpredictable river – given to fits of flooding – at Collingwood River (49km or 31mi west of Derwent Bridge) and finish at Gordon River, having prearranged a pick-up.

5. Quetico Provincial Park, Canada

Image by Loimere

Paddling along the glassy surface of Northern Ontario’s pristine lakes puts you smack in the middle of the Canada‘s signature wilderness. Combine canoeing and camping to spot moose mooching at the water’s edge or drop a line for a spot of sport fishing. The 4,800-sq-km (1,853-sq-mi) park is known for its remote canoe routes (1,500km, or 932mi, of them), and there are opportunities for guided and self-guided forays in and around the park.

6. Kerala’s backwaters, India

Image by Sarah and Iain

The network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals that fringe the coast of Kerala make for some fascinating explorations. The basic little wooden boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes studded with cantilevered fishing nets, and travel along shady canals. A popular eight-hour cruise runs between Alappuzha and Kollam (also called Alleppey and Quilon), which includes a landing at the Matha Amrithanandamayi Mission – the residence of one of India’s very few female gurus.

7. Milford Sound, New Zealand

Image by katclay

You don’t have to go far to see why Milford Sound is the most visited fiord on New Zealand‘s South Island. Sheer, weathered walls dominate the serenity here that’s often doused with rains. Cruises run for an hour or two, and depart from a huge wharf – a five-minute walk from the car park. Choose to sail or motor among the spectacular valleys looking for glimpses of the area’s endemic wildlife, such as hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin. Overnight cruises are also worth considering, with boats sailing the full 22km (14mi) length of the Sound and offering kayaking trips to shore.

8. Island-hopping, Greece

Image by Gavin Gilmour

With more than 1,400 islands, Greece has more coastline than any other country in Europe. So it makes sense to hop between at least a few, as the scenery varies dramatically: from the semi-tropical lushness of the Ionian and Northeastern Aegean Islands to the bare, sunbaked rocks of the Cyclades. Every island has a ferry service of some sort ranging from the giant ‘super ferries’ that work the major routes, to the small, ageing open ferries that chug around the backwaters.

9. Disko Bay, Greenland

Image by ilovegreenland

The town of Ilulissat perches at the edge of a 40km (25mi) ice fjord that produces 20 million tonnes of ice per day. To cruise among the bergs is truly amazing. The bluestreaked giants bob about the bay, with their true bulk concealed beneath the surface of the water – seven eighths of larger bergs typically lie out of view. A number of tour operators offer boat cruises around the ice fjords and the Bay in well-equipped vessels.

10. Galapágos Islands, Ecuador

Image by cdorobek

Get on board the wilderness experience of a lifetime by cruising the haunting beauty of the Galápagos Islands – 1,000km (620mi) from mainland Ecuador. Here you can swim with sea lions, float nose-to-beak with a penguin and stand next to a blue-footed booby. Live-aboard boats range from small yachts to large cruise ships, with the most common variety being the motor sailer (a mediumsized motor boat), which carries up to 20 people and cruises for anywhere from three days to three weeks.

Like this? Sign up to get our best articles by email

Comments

10 November 2010 1:55PM happyfamilytravels Report this comment
We took a sailing trip through Greece. Check out our details here: http://wp.me/pQ3NA-cb
10 November 2010 6:27PM semperporonto Report this comment
They sound good but I'm surprised that Danube-Mainz-Rhein isn't included.
10 November 2010 8:59PM dreamsailing Report this comment
Travelling by boat is an experience in itself, no matter where you're going. It takes longer, so you have time to adjust to being somewhere different and the journey gives you a heightened sense of involvement with your surroundings. The aspect of your view is turned around and you'll see people and places from a different perspective altogether.
11 November 2010 11:08AM beylounisantos Report this comment
All perfect... But, what about Antarctica journey?
11 November 2010 11:08AM beylounisantos Report this comment
All perfect... But, what about Antarctica journey?
17 November 2010 11:13PM kunduchi Report this comment
Missed off one of the very best! The Star Ferry in Hong Kong is an absolute must!
12 December 2010 9:12AM jibaro Report this comment
i'll tell you what the worst is: being stuck on the istanbul-odessa ferry with 40 angry ukrainian truckers, no fun at all
22 December 2010 5:16PM ajhh Report this comment
Travelling the Mekong on a longboat for two days was pretty awesome.
22 December 2010 5:23PM online4 Report this comment
and where is Croatia? Like Greece, we have also more than 1,000 islands. After Norway, we have the most indented coast in Europe.
22 December 2010 6:25PM deonmahoney Report this comment
Two great boat trips that are very short are: 1. Up the Tonle Sap from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - super journey along a river that flows in different directions depending upon the season. 2. Cruising the Bosphorus to and from Istanbul with a stop for lunch at Anadolu Kavağı.
17 February 2011 8:43PM giant22 Report this comment
i took a cruise in Ha Long Bay, truly amazing cruise through thousands of rocky mountains and beautiful islands.
31 August 2011 1:39AM thesunset Report this comment
did the backwater on a boat without a roof! so hooot but also truly amazing!! higly racomended!
6 September 2011 5:11PM halong01 Report this comment
It is so amazing in Halong Bay with thousands of limestone islands.
12 October 2011 12:26PM godeke Report this comment
A Lake Nasser cruise on the Kasr Ibrim, from Abu Simbel to Aswan is a wonderful, luxurious experience. Follow it up with a simple feluca trip up the Nile for contrast.
I also found Halong Bay to be very beautiful; however, following an overnight storm the bay's waters were full of garbage. It was very sad.
12 December 2011 10:54AM 3rdculturechildren Report this comment
Boat trips are definitely unique! We just took a fantastic trip into the northeastern Brazil mangrove biome, with the whole family, including a baby... That's what happens when you've got a passionate and curious foreign service family, led by an amateur photographer dad, and an adventurous biologist mom... Http://3rdculturechildren.com. looking forward to receiving your impressions and comments! Thanks Lonely Planet for the continuous inspiration! Greetings from inland Brazil!
18 January 2012 3:44PM suzio Report this comment
I would add the Yangtze River in China.