Water can add an extra element of excitement to your travels. Whether exploring a city by boat or lounging on a beautiful beach, countless destinations around the world offer stunning views from the water. Here are some of the best travel destinations to see by water:
Venice, Italy
Venice is known for its canals and waterways, making it a top destination to explore by water. Take a gondola ride through the narrow canals to see historic buildings and beautiful architecture up close. Don’t forget to check out the Grand Canal, the main waterway in Venice, which offers views of the city’s iconic landmarks.
Digitaler Lumpensammler/ Getty Images | Halong Bay retains much of the otherworldly magic conjured up by 1969 jungle-clad islands
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations. The bay is famous for its stunning limestone cliffs and emerald waters—cruise through the bay to see the beautiful scenery up close and explore hidden caves and beaches.
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The islands are known for their crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, making them a top destination for snorkeling, diving, and other water activities. Take a yacht or catamaran to explore the islands and discover hidden coves and secluded beaches.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is a scenic coastal region in southern Italy that offers stunning views from the water. Take a boat tour to see the colorful villages and dramatic cliffs differently. Don’t miss the chance to visit the picturesque towns of Positano and Amalfi, which are some of the most popular stops along the coast.
CNN/ Getty Images | The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reef stretches over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Australia and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving opportunities in the world. Take a boat tour to explore the reef and see the colorful marine life up close.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a picturesque coastal city in Croatia that offers stunning views from the water. Take a boat tour to see the city’s impressive walls and fortifications from the sea. Don’t miss the chance to explore the nearby islands of Lokrum and Mljet, known for their beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Milford Sound is a fjord located in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park. The sound is known for its stunning waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and abundant wildlife. Take a boat tour to explore the sound and see the breathtaking scenery up close.
Bryan Dearsley/ Planetware | Sognefjord is the largest of Norway’s numerous fjords and is also the third largest in the world
Sognefjord, Norway
Sognefjord is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, offering some of the most stunning views in the country. Take a boat tour to explore the fjord and see the impressive waterfalls and towering cliffs. Don’t miss the chance to visit the charming villages and towns on the shoreline.
The Maldives
The Maldives is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean that offer some of the world’s most stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. Take a boat tour to explore the islands and discover hidden coves and lagoons.
