Travelling by boat may not be the 21st Century’s quickest or most economic form of transport but it is still one of the most spectacular ways to see the world. The feeling of cutting through the water with the breeze blowing your hair really gives you that sensation of being on an adventure. Travelling by boat also allows people to see locations and wildlife they just wouldn’t encounter on a train or plane. Whether it’s travelling through the icy waters of Alaska or sailing along the stunning Mississippi River, the following are 10 of the most breathtaking boat journeys on the planet.
Halong Bay – Vietnam
Halong Bay in Vietnam is one of the most spectacular places in the world to take a boat trip. The bay is home to over 3,000 tree-covered limestone islands, each one slightly different from the last. Finding a boat shouldn’t be a problem either, as the bay has over 300 vessels ready to whisk you away on either a day or overnight voyage.
Franklin River – Australia
The Franklin River can be found in Tasmania, Australia and its choppy waters and river rapids certainly make for a lively boat trip. The waters are so powerful that rafting tours only happen between December – March (Australia’s summer) and take between eight to 14 days to complete. The voyage is certainly not an easy journey but the beauty of Tasmania’s World Heritage area certainly makes it worthwhile.
Disko Bay – Greenland
If you want a boat trip with a difference then the town of Ilulissat on the west coast of Greenland offers incredible cruises around the edge of a 25 mile wide ice fjord. Passengers get to sail straight past floating icebergs and take in the breathtaking scenery of the fjord, all from the comfort of a large passenger ferry.
Fjords – Norway
The Fjords of Norway are some of the most beautiful in the world and a trip on one of the 11 ferries that sail the Hurtigruten route is one of the most spectacular boat journeys on the planet. The round trip takes 11 days to complete and passengers get to see the fjords and stop off at tiny islands, historic towns and medieval monasteries along the way.
Galapagos Islands – Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are located around 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and are famous for their wildlife. Boat trips around the island range from three days to three weeks and allow passengers to see the true beauty of the islands, while also getting the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions, whales, penguins, dolphins and killer whales.
Alaskan Wildlife Cruise – Alaska
If you like to see plenty of wildlife on your boat trips, then an Alaskan cruise should fit the bill perfectly. The trip allows passengers to see the true beauty of the Alaskan scenery, including icebergs, glaciers and fjords. The incredible wildlife is the real attraction though, with regular sightings of whales, killer whales, black and brown bears and wolves.
Amazon Cruise – South America
The Amazon River stretches an incredible 3,800 miles across South America and is the largest river in the world based on discharge of water. A cruise down the Amazon can take between four to six days and passengers are able to relax in hammocks while the boat slowly sails through the jungles of Brazil, Bolivia and Colombia.
Mississippi Paddle Boat Cruise – US
A cruise on a paddle boat down the Mississippi is like taking a trip back in time. The beautiful boats have all the amenities of modern cruise ships but are powered by a large paddle at the back of the vessel. The breathtaking journey also allows passengers to visit some of America’s most historic cities, such as New Orleans, Ohio, St Louis and Memphis.
Lake Malawi – Africa
Lake Malawi, located between Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi, is the ninth largest lake in the world and home to more species of fish than any other lake on the planet. There are a number of boat options available for exploring the stunning lake, but the most popular choices are by canoe or a steam powered ferry.
Milford Sound – New Zealand
Milford Sound is located on New Zealand’s South Island and is one of the most serene and beautiful fjords in the world. The area has a number of boats that offer short trips across the fjord but the best option is to take an overnight cruise that sails the full 14 mile length of the Sound and even offers kayak trips to shore, giving you a chance to encounter the marine life up close.
