Travel inspiration

Six Destinations Best Reached by Sea

Extraordinary Waters. Unforgettable Journeys. Curated by Cartology Travel.

Not all trips are measured in miles. Some are measured in salt spray, shifting tides, the sound of a cork being eased from a bottle just as the sun slides into the sea.

At Cartology Travel, we believe travel by boat isn’t just a means of movement - it’s a mood. A perspective shift. A chance to access the unreachable, the uninhabited, the utterly unforgettable.

With deep expertise, insider knowledge, and global partnerships, we craft bespoke boat-based journeys across some of the world’s most mesmerising waters - from tropical archipelagos to polar extremes. Whether you favour barefoot luxury, a marine safari, or sleek Mediterranean style, we know the vessel, the captain, and the quiet anchorages that others don’t.

Here are six of the best locations in the world to travel by boat, curated by us.

INDONESIA & SOUTHEAST ASIA | Aboard Rascal Voyages

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Where turquoise waters meet tropical adventure.

In the waters of Komodo, Raja Ampat, and the Spice Islands, sailing isn’t about getting somewhere - it’s about floating in awe. Aboard the private yacht Rascal, a contemporary take on the traditional phinisi, you island-hop through marine biodiversity hotspots, snorkel kaleidoscopic reefs, dine barefoot on deserted sandbars, and wake to volcano silhouettes beyond your teak deck.

Our expertise unlocks:

Customised itineraries across Komodo, Flores, and Papua
Private dive guides, naturalists, and spearfishing adventures
Beach barbecues, yoga on deck, and sea-to-table feasts

The Rascal experience is where wild beauty meets smooth sailing.

TURKEY | Gulet Cruising the Turquoise Coast

Timeless sailing with a twist of Ottoman elegance.

Sailing the Turkish Riviera on a traditional wooden gulet is an art form. Glide past pine-draped cliffs and sunken Lycian cities, anchor in sapphire bays inaccessible by road, and wander through spice-scented souks before returning to your teak-and-canvas cocoon.

We handpick your vessel - from sleek contemporary to storied and romantic - and ensure your time on board is as dazzling as the coastline itself.

Cartology Travel’s touch includes:

Seamless pairing with the perfect gulet and captain
Private dockside dinners, ancient site access, and wine-tasting excursions
Optional extensions to Cappadocia, Ephesus, or Istanbul

This is slow travel, Mediterranean style - with every detail polished.

THE AFRICAN COAST | With Seas4Life

Ocean conservation meets barefoot luxury.

Along the Swahili coast and into the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, a new kind of marine journey is emerging - one where every mile travelled gives back to the sea. With Seas4Life, Cartology clients are invited to sail alongside marine biologists, conservationists, and local experts who open doors to coral restoration projects, dugong tracking, and turtle nesting beaches - all while sailing in comfort and style.

What our clients love:

Exclusive marine encounters guided by experts
Custom itineraries through Mozambique, Zanzibar, and beyond
A meaningful blend of ocean conservation and off-grid indulgence

This is the rarest kind of travel: luxurious, ethical, and eye-opening.

ANTARCTICA | By Private Yacht or Boutique Expedition

The edge of the Earth - best approached by sea.

To arrive in Antarctica by boat is to arrive in reverence. Whether aboard a boutique expedition vessel or a privately chartered yacht, we ensure your passage south is both seamless and spectacular.

This is otherworldly beauty: icebergs the size of cities, penguin colonies blanketing shores, whales breaching in glacial stillness. With private naturalists, helicopter landings, and champagne on deck, you’ll experience Antarctica up close - and on your terms.

Why Cartology Travel matters here:

Private yacht access via Chile, Argentina or South Georgia
Expedition planning with trusted partners like EYOS
Concierge-style prep: gear, guides, medics, and every logistic handled

This is more than a cruise - it’s an arrival at Earth’s final frontier.

GREENLAND | With Secret Atlas

Raw, rare, and radically remote.

For the traveller who’s seen it all, Greenland by water offers a profound kind of wonder. With Cartology Travel and Secret Atlas, you voyage aboard small, silent vessels through fjord systems rarely seen by anyone, meeting Inuit communities, spotting narwhals, and trekking ashore with glaciologists and polar photographers.

Why it’s different:

Intimate vessels with 12 guests or fewer
Off-itinerary moments based on ice and instinct
Quiet luxury in one of the planet’s most untouched landscapes

If Antarctica is the grand finale, Greenland is the haunting overture.

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THE MEDITERRANEAN | Onboard Four Seasons & Ritz-Carlton Yachts

Elegant ocean living, redefined.

A new wave of ultra-luxury yachting has arrived in the Med - where floating five-star hotels by brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons offer all the polish of their land-based icons with the freedom of the sea.

Picture Amalfi sunrises over breakfast in bed, Croatian islands explored by tender, and golden evenings in Saint-Tropez with a private sommelier at your side.

With Cartology, expect:

Priority access and pre-launch itineraries
Custom pre/post extensions from Portofino to Puglia
Exclusive on-board experiences: spa suites, Michelin menus, private excursions

This is yachting for the style set - with every comfort at sea level.

Final Thoughts: Let the Water Lead

Boats take you places planes cannot. But only Cartology Travel takes you deeper once you're there.

From tropical yachts to polar expeditions, we know the routes, the captains, the chefs, and the conservationists who turn a sailing holiday into a soul-deep story. Let us curate a marine escape that matches your style, purpose, and curiosity.