From cruise ships to sailing trips, there are many ways to travel by boat. What does traveling by boat offer that other forms of transport don’t? This post explores some of the great advantages of taking a boat.
Scenic views
Boats offer scenic views that you don’t get from the land. You can explore dramatic coastlines via a cabin cruiser, travel through gorges and caves on a kayak, or see multiple inland cities from the water via a river cruise. When it comes to wildlife spotting, boat tours could allow you to go whale watching or catch sight of sea turtles. You can even explore underwater reefs in a glass bottomed boat. Check out this Travel Weekly guide to some of the most scenic boat tours in the world for inspiration.
Fresh air
Boat travel also encourages you to spend time outdoors. It’s a chance to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh sea breeze. This is not something you can experience when travelling by coach or train. Of course, some boats like cruise ships and ocean ferries do have plenty to do below deck if the weather isn’t great – so you don’t have to feel as if you’re exposed to the elements the whole journey.
Comfort and relaxation
Traveling by boat is a slower-paced and more spacious way to travel. Many other forms of transport require you to sit in one place for the entirety of your journey, while boats give you the freedom to walk around. And when you do stop somewhere, you have plenty of time to get on and off. Yes, some people do get seasick, and boat travel isn’t for them. However, most people find being on a boat very calming compared to any other form of transport. When it comes to boats with cabins for sleeping in, you may even find that you get a great night’s sleep as a result of the sea air, gentle rocking motion and sound of the waves.
Cost effective
When it comes to saving money, traveling by boat can often be one of the most economical forms of transport. Ferries can be used to cheaply explore cities like Sydney, London, Bangkok, Berlin and Copenhagen. Many sea crossings can meanwhile be quite cheap by ferry too. Even cruises – despite their luxuries – are a relatively cheap way to explore multiple destinations compared to if you were to book multiple flights and hotels. As for buying a boat, you have many options. Yachts are typically expensive, but pontoons and wake boats as sold at sites like Premier Boating can often cost less than a RV.
Unique activities
One of the biggest advantages of traveling by boat is that it allows you to enjoy unique activities that no other transport can. Boats can offer the opportunity to go fishing, go snorkelling/diving, try watersports or explore remote islands. Cruise ships can meanwhile serve as floating resorts – some of the biggest and best have everything from gyms to casinos to waterparks on board. You won’t find these amenities on any other form of transport!