Cruising isn’t just about sailing the Caribbean or through the winding rivers of Europe. Some of the world’s most impressive and remote destinations, like parts of Alaska and the Amazon, are only accessible by boat.
Dial up the adventure on your next cruise by sailing to one of these impressive destinations:
Aeolian Islands, Italy
Sun-soaked beaches, dramatic cliffs, and idyllic towns cover Italy’s volcanic gems floating in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Located just north of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are a cluster of seven main islands, each with a different feel. You can’t just drive over or catch a direct flight—visiting the Aeolian Islands requires a boat.
You can take a public ferry to the Aeolian Islands, but if you want to see everything they have to offer, you’ll need to cruise with a small cruise line like Variety Cruises. Narrow ports mean smaller ships are necessary.
Tasiilaq, Greenland
Icebergs drift lazily through the deep blue fjords, and the Northern Lights dance across the sky in Tasiilaq, a remote town on the southeastern coast of Greenland. In the summer, the Midnight Sun casts a golden glow over fields of wildflowers in Flower Valley, while in the winter, the town is blanketed in snow.
The town is home to just over 2,000 people, most of whom are Inuit, and the harsh Arctic environment has shaped their way of life for centuries. There are no roads connecting Tasiilaq to the outside world. Even if you fly to Kulusuk Island, you must hop on a boat to the town or take a helicopter ride over the breathtaking Ammassalik Fjord.
Panama Canal
Built over a century ago, this canal cuts through the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This 50-mile waterway has transformed global trade and travel, shaving thousands of miles off journeys that would otherwise require rounding the treacherous southern tip of South America. The canal’s locks, which raise and lower ships by up to 85 feet, are a feat of engineering that still leaves visitors speechless. As you pass through the Miraflores and Gatun Locks, you’ll feel the sheer power and precision it takes to move these massive ships through such narrow spaces.
The best way to truly experience the Panama Canal is by cruise ship, where you’ll immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty and culture. Companies like Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Holland America offer Panama Canal itineraries that let you pass through the locks, often with guides on board to explain the history and significance of what you’re seeing.
Pitcairn Island, British Overseas Territory
You can’t just hop on a plane to Pitcairn. The nearest airport is over 300 miles away on Mangareva in French Polynesia. The main way to get there is by ship on a bumpy boat ride across the open ocean to reach the island, which takes days, not hours. There are only a few trips a year organized by companies like Pitcairn Island Travel. These are not luxury cruises—think cargo ships and supply vessels, where passengers are more like temporary islanders than tourists.
Pitcairn Island is famous for its connection to the HMS Bounty and the mutineers who settled here in the late 18th century. Today, the descendants of those mutineers are among the fewer than 50 residents who call Pitcairn home. You can hike to the top of Christian’s Cave, where Fletcher Christian supposedly watched for ships, visit the grave of John Adams (the last surviving mutineer), and even see the anchor of the Bounty, which still lies in the island’s waters.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are defined by towering, snow-capped mountains plunging into icy seas, beaches crowded with hundreds of thousands of penguins, and skies filled with albatrosses and petrels. This is where you’ll find the world’s largest king penguin colonies, elephant seals by the thousands, and even the occasional orca or humpback whale cruising by.
The islands are only accessible by sea, usually as part of an expedition cruise that departs from Ushuaia, Argentina, or the Falkland Islands. The journey involves crossing the notoriously rough seas of the Southern Ocean, where waves can reach staggering heights.
Floreana Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands are famous for their incredible biodiversity, and Floreana is no exception. Here, you can get up close and personal with giant tortoises, sea lions, and some of the world’s most exotic birds. The island is also home to the legendary Post Office Bay, where sailors would leave letters in a barrel for others to pick up and deliver—a tradition that continues to this day.
Floreana Island is one of the more remote islands in the Galápagos, accessible only by boat from the main islands like Santa Cruz. To reach Santa Cruz, fly to Baltra Island from Quito or Guayaquil, then hop on a boat to Santa Cruz. From there, you’ll sail to Floreana and possibly spot dolphins, whales, and a host of other marine life along the way. The island’s remoteness is what keeps it so pristine and unspoiled, making it a true hidden gem in the Galápagos archipelago.
St. Matthew Island, Alaska
St. Matthew Island is regarded as one of the most remote destinations in Alaska. The island is about 200 miles from the nearest human settlement and nearly halfway between Alaska and Russia. It’s a haven for wildlife, from the countless seabirds that nest on its cliffs to the St. Matthew Island vole, a species found nowhere else on Earth.
Given its extreme remoteness, you won’t find a lot of Alaskan cruises heading directly to St. Matthew Island. Expedition cruises, like those offered by companies like Hurtigruten Expeditions or Silversea, are top sailings to reach the remote stretch of land. These smaller, adventure-focused cruises are equipped to handle the unpredictable Arctic waters.
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
This tiny, uninhabited slice of paradise in the South Pacific is the stuff of dreams—pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and uninterrupted isolation. The island is just a mile long, but it packs in all the charm you’d expect from a South Pacific hideaway with vibrant coral reefs, sea life, and a glimpse into the traditional Melanesian culture of Vanuatu. While Mystery Island itself is uninhabited, nearby Aneityum Island is home to a small community that welcomes visitors with open arms. When you step ashore, you’ll be greeted by locals who come over to sell handmade crafts, offer traditional food, and perform customary dances.
Mystery Island is only accessible by boat, and the only way to visit is as part of a cruise itinerary. There’s no airport, no ferry service, no regular transportation—just the occasional cruise ship that anchors offshore, letting passengers step onto this untouched paradise for a few hours.
Antarctica
There is an airstrip in Antarctica, but passenger flights are typically reserved for visiting researchers rather than tourists. Even if you manage to get a flight, exploring the continent is notoriously difficult if you’re not on a boat due to the treacherous and unpredictable weather.
That’s not to say visiting Antarctica is a cakewalk on a boat. It requires crossing the infamous Drake Passage, that stretch of ocean between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. Several luxury cruise lines make this journey easier, such as Viking Cruises, the only cruise line with a research lab and actual scientists on its boats.
The Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea
The Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea are a collection of 21 pristine, uninhabited islands, surrounded by one of the most untouched coral reefs on the planet. This sense of isolation is what makes the Conflict Islands so special. Being in a place where you’re completely cut off from the rest of the world is freeing. No Wi-Fi, no cell service, no distractions—just you, the ocean, and the natural beauty of the islands.
Located in the Coral Sea, off the southeastern coast of Papua New Guinea, the Conflict Islands are remote, to say the least. The only way to reach these islands is by sea, making them a stop on select cruise itineraries or accessible by private boat. You’ll sail through some of the most spectacular waters in the world, with the chance to spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life along the way.
The Seychelles
This archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean isn’t a place you just stumble upon. Reaching the Seychelles’ pristine beaches and clear blue waters—often compared to those of French Polynesia or the Maldives—requires some planning. Even if you fly into Mahé, the country’s largest island, you’ll still need to take a ferry or private boat to reach many of the top resorts and hotels in the Seychelles, which are located on others.
Cruises are the best way to visit multiple islands in the Seychelles, one of the safest countries in Africa. Most of the cruise lines frequenting the country are small or mid-sized luxury ships, such as those from Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas. To access the country’s top hidden gems, take a boutique cruise such as those from Ponant Cruises, Variety Cruises, or Zegrahm Expeditions.
Motu Mahana, French Polynesia
Motu Mahana is part of the Taha’a Lagoon, an idyllic spot in the Society Islands. There are no airports, roads, or traffic—just unbridled nature.
To reach Motu Mahana, you’ll need to set sail from one of the nearby islands, like Bora Bora or Taha’a, on a private yacht, catamaran, or a small cruise ship. As a result, you’ll be welcomed by shores free of crowds and plenty of sealife to explore underwater without interruption.
Harvest Caye, Belize
Several cruise lines own private islands in the Caribbean that only welcome their passengers—like Harvest Caye in Belize. Getting to Harvest Caye requires booking a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, the keyholders to this exclusive spot.
Spend your day soaking up the sun on the beach, or take a dip in the massive pool with a swim-up bar. For the more adventurous, there’s zip-lining over the island, snorkeling in the surrounding coral reefs, and paddleboarding through the calm waters. Shore excursions go to the mainland, where you can visit ancient Mayan ruins or go cave tubing through the jungle without needing to stay at a crowded resort in Belize.
The Amazon, Peru
You can fly into Iquitos, the world’s largest city without road access that’s not on an island, but you’ll need to take a boat to reach just about anywhere else in the Peruvian Amazon. As you cruise, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife like pink river dolphins, sloths, and vibrant macaws while visiting remote Indigenous communities.
If you get seasick, visit during the low season of June to November for the option to get off your boat and explore by foot. For everything the region has to offer, visit during high season when you can canoe into places otherwise unable to be accessed.
Cruising rivers means smooth sailing
Looking for a cruise that doesn’t bring the rough waters of some of these remote destinations? River cruises are perfect for those who get seasick or want to experience ultimate relaxation.
Set Sail on 14 Luxury River Cruises That Don’t Lack Adventure
Reaching these remote destinations is a true accomplishment
If you’re up for the challenge, the world’s most remote destinations await. Uncover tiny villages filled with unique cultures and climb to breathtaking views that can’t be found elsewhere.
14 Most Difficult Destinations to Reach (Actually Worth the Hassle)
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
