Top 8 Countries Where You Can Travel Entirely by Boat

1. Netherlands: The Modern Venice of Europe

The Netherlands is a water lover’s paradise, where more than 6,000 kilometers of navigable waterways connect cities, villages, and scenic countryside. In 2024, Dutch tourism reported that over 15% of travelers opted for canal boats, houseboats, or small yachts to explore the country’s famous cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Giethoorn.

The canals in Amsterdam alone stretch over 100 kilometers—making it possible to tour the entire city without ever touching land. Public ferries, water taxis, and even floating markets make boat travel not just possible, but practical for both locals and tourists.

The iconic Ijsselmeer and many lakes are interconnected, offering endless possibilities for those seeking a boat-only adventure. Many people even live on houseboats, blending travel and daily life.

No wonder the Netherlands is often called the “Venice of the North.”

2. Indonesia: Island Hopping Across 17,000 Islands

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is a dream for boat travelers. With over 17,000 islands, including Bali, Java, and Sumatra, the only way to fully experience the country is by water.

In 2023, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism recorded a 21% increase in inter-island boat travel, fueled by eco-tours and luxury liveaboards. Ferries, speedboats, and local wooden boats (called “phinisi”) connect major islands and remote destinations alike.

Komodo National Park, Raja Ampat, and Flores are best reached by boat, offering breathtaking marine vistas along the way. The government’s “Wonderful Sail Indonesia” program even encourages tourists to traverse the country by private yacht, with over 200 boats participating in 2024.

For anyone with a thirst for adventure, Indonesia proves you can explore an entire nation by sea.

3. Greece: Sailing Through the Aegean and Ionian Seas

Greece’s thousands of islands and peninsulas make it one of the world’s best places to travel by boat. According to the Greek National Tourism Organization, yacht charters and ferry bookings hit a record high in summer 2024, with more than 23 million international arrivals.

Iconic whitewashed villages, crystal-clear coves, and ancient ruins are all accessible from the water. Ferries link Athens to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and lesser-known gems like Symi and Hydra.

Private sailing itineraries are booming, with over 1,200 islands to discover. Many travelers report that the only way to see the “real” Greece is to island-hop by boat, lingering in hidden harbors and quiet fishing villages.

Even the mainland’s coastal towns are best reached by sea, highlighting Greece’s deep connection to its waters.

4. Norway: Navigating Fjords and Coastal Wonders

Norway’s dramatic coastline, etched with deep fjords and dotted with thousands of islands, is tailor-made for boat travel. In 2024, Statistics Norway reported that maritime tourism contributed more than 30% to the nation’s travel sector, with popular routes like Bergen to Kirkenes drawing visitors from around the world.

Coastal express boats, ferries, and cruise ships are the main arteries connecting small fishing towns and major cities. The legendary Hurtigruten ferry network covers over 2,500 kilometers, making it possible to travel almost the entire length of the country by boat.

From the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord to the wild Lofoten Islands, many of Norway’s top sights are only accessible by water. Locals often use small boats as their daily means of transport, embracing the country’s seafaring heritage.

5. Maldives: Life on the Atolls

The Maldives is made up of more than 1,190 coral islands grouped in 26 atolls, scattered over the Indian Ocean. According to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, 98% of inter-island transport in 2023 was done by boats—speedboats, dhonis (traditional wooden vessels), and seaplanes.

There are no roads connecting the islands, which means visitors must rely on the sea to reach their resort, local guesthouse, or dive site. The country’s unique “one island, one resort” policy makes boat transfers part of everyday life.

In 2024, luxury liveaboard cruises surged in popularity, offering week-long adventures for divers and snorkelers. Even the capital, Malé, is reached by ferry from the airport.

For many, the Maldives is the ultimate destination for a boat-only lifestyle.

6. Canada: Rivers, Lakes, and the Great Loop

Canada’s landscape is carved by over two million lakes and countless rivers, making it a boating paradise. In 2024, Parks Canada reported a 17% increase in recreational boating, with the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal being especially popular.

The historic St. Lawrence River connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, allowing intrepid travelers to cross the entire country by water.

The “Great Loop”—a continuous waterway stretching 6,000 miles through Canada and the US—has inspired thousands of boaters to embark on epic journeys. Ferry services, water taxis, and houseboat rentals are abundant in provinces like British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Remote communities in the Arctic and along the Pacific coast also rely on boats for daily life, showing how deeply water travel is woven into Canada’s fabric.

7. Vietnam: Floating Markets and Mekong Adventures

Vietnam’s network of rivers and canals, especially in the Mekong Delta, offer a unique way to explore the country by boat. In 2023, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism highlighted that over 5 million tourists traveled by water, mostly in the southern regions.

The famous floating markets of Cai Rang and Phong Dien are best experienced from a small sampan. Long-distance ferries and river cruises connect Ho Chi Minh City to remote villages and the Cambodian border.

Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands are accessible only by boat, with more than 500 overnight cruises departing each week in 2024. For many rural communities, boats are the main mode of transport, carrying everything from produce to schoolchildren.

Traveling by water reveals a side of Vietnam that roads simply cannot reach.

8. Croatia: Island-Hopping in the Adriatic

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is a maze of more than 1,200 islands, islets, and reefs, making boat travel not just possible, but essential. In 2024, Croatia’s Ministry of Tourism reported more than 1.3 million boat charter bookings, a new record for the country.

Ferries and catamarans link Split, Dubrovnik, and Rijeka to iconic islands like Hvar, Korčula, and Brač. The coastline is dotted with historical towns, hidden coves, and UNESCO sites, many of which are best accessed from the water.

Locals and visitors alike use small boats for everything from daily commutes to fishing trips. Yacht week festivals and flotilla cruises have exploded in popularity, attracting a new generation of water-loving travelers.

Croatia’s reputation as the “Caribbean of Europe” has never been more deserved.

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