Best boating destinations around the world

When it comes to cruising and fishing, our favourite places become those where we make the dearest memories. The best boating destinations of the world are of course subjective to each and everyone of us. 

However, if you’re looking for some fantastic areas where to have fun on the water on a charter holiday, these are Deckee’s top picks, in no particular order.

Visiting the South Pacific is a dream many people share. Here, the deep blue ocean is dotted with stunning archipelagos and atolls. The sealife is incredibly rich and the islands offer spectacular hikes to reach beautiful waterfalls. The best time of year to go is generally between December and April.

Our top picks:

• French Polynesia 

• Fiji

• New Caledonia.

The history, culture, and food attract many boaters to the Mediterranean. During the summer, there is little wind or swell, making it the perfect destination for those who are affected by seasickness and enjoy exploring on land, as well as boating and doing water sports. 

Our top picks:

• The Greek Islands 

• The Balearics

• Southern Italy

• Croatia

• Morocco

• Turkey.

Australia and New Zealand are both incredible, yet very different destinations. In Australia, expect crystal clear waters and fantastic wildlife. In New Zealand, you’ll find remote bays and lush nature on land. Head over between November and April to boat during the local summer.

Our top picks:

• The Whitsundays

• Lake Macquarie

• The Great Barrier Reef

• Bay of Islands (NZ)

• Hauraki Gulf, Auckland (NZ).

If you love colder weather and higher latitudes, but don’t want to boat in heavy weather, Canada is the ideal destination. Explore beautiful lakes and inlets surrounded by pinetrees as giant sperm whales breach the surface. To experience the best weather, make your way over in the summer.

Our top picks:

• British Columbia

• Kluane Lake.

In Central America, you’ll find warm, clear waters, tropical islets, rainforests, and volcanoes. On the Pacific side, the fishing is phenomenal. The best time to visit is between December and April.

Our top picks:

• Belize

• The Caribbean

• Belize

• Panama.

The West coast of America offers a variety of boating experiences - from the rainy, colder weather of Washington State to the dry, hot desertic coast of Mexico. You can either explore remote places immersed in nature or stay in big cities with a huge boating scene. As a rule of thumb, head north in the summer and south in the winter.

Our top picks:

• Washington

• California

• Alaska

• Mexico.

If you’re a skilled and confident captain and enjoy the challenge of heavy weather boating, head to Northern Europe. You will be able to explore fjords, stunning archipelagos, and wild, remote areas. The season here is short and lasts from June to August.

Our top picks:

• Scotland

• Norway 

• Sweden.

Looking for something similar to the South Pacific that’s closer to Europe? The Indian Ocean will deliver white sandy beaches, plentiful sea life, and palm trees. Head over between April and November.

Our top picks:

• The Seychelles

• Mauritius

• Zanzibar

• The Maldives.

Before you start researching boat rentals and chartering businesses in your dream boating destination, make sure it’s the right choice for your holiday. Let’s look at the factors you should keep in mind to make a good decision.

Even if you plan to go on a skippered charter or you are a very confident captain, you need to consider the level of experience of the people coming with you. 

If most of them are boating novices and you don’t know if they’ll get seasick, don’t pick a high latitude destination. Opt for something safe, such as a trip to the Mediterranean in the middle of summer or a tour of the calm fjords of British Columbia.

The weather can make or break a boating holiday. While you can’t predict how the wind and swell will behave far in advance, you can research local weather patterns, as well as temperatures. Many places are subject to seasonal storms - think of hurricane season in the Caribbean. Some areas, like the Mediterranean, sound hot and sunny but get stormy and cold in the winter. Research weather patterns well before making plans.

What will you and your crew want to do once yoiu get there? Are people into standup paddleboarding or wind surfing? Do you want to go deep water fishing for a few days? Does everyone love snorkelling? Make sure there is an activity everyone can and wants to do wherever you’re headed. For example, fishing can be exceptionally good in certain areas and pretty bad in others. 

What kind of boating holiday do you have in mind? Are you hoping to reach remote areas where you can enjoy being away from it all? Or do you hope to dock every night to go out for dinner? Find out what the boating facilities in the area are. Some bays provide mooring balls, while in tourist hotspots you’ll also find marinas. If you’re chartering without a skipper, are you confident fixing the boat or will you need a boating center nearby in case of emergency?

Some of the most fascinating boating destinations in the world are far off the beaten path. This influences not only your travel plans and how many planes you will need to board. It will also dictate the services available upon arrival, the internet connection, food and drink availability, and more. For example, stunning French Ploynesia doesn’t have a big, fast 4G network and fresh food is often tired from the long shipping trip down.

This is a minor point, but it can have a big impact on some people. Check that the local customs suit your personality. For example, in the Maldives you can’t drink alcohol or wear a bikini in public. In the Caribbean, each island holds a big Carnival once a year, which last days and is very loud. You shouldn’t avoid going to places because of small inconveniences, but be sure to prepare for the experience beforehand.

Finally, don’t forget to check if the area you hope to head towards is affected by political unrest and if it’s safe. For example, Venezuela is a fantastic boating destination, but it’s not currently deemed safe for boaters. So is much of South East Asia.

Boating can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere in the world. If you can’t afford to go far from home, research your local boating hotspots. Is there good fishing by a lake or river? How much are windsurfing lessons near home? Where can you rent a small boat? You don’t need to travel a long way to have a fantastic time on the water and make new memories.

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