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Best boating destinations in Oceania

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Bora Bora
Turquoise Lagoons, Overwater Dreams
8.4
Dreamy and calm, this small island rises from a lagoon in many shades of blue. Outrigger canoes, glass bottom boats and small motorboats are the usual ways to explore the water. Lagoon tours stop to snorkel with rays and reef sharks. Picnics on small sandy islets called motu are popular.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Take a private boat tour around Mount Otemanu
  • 🏝️ Stay overnight in a classic overwater bungalow
  • 🐠 Snorkel crystal-clear lagoon with rays and tropical fish
Whitsunday Islands
Paradise within Great Barrier Reef
9.0
Unlike many reef areas with day trips only, these 74 islands suit multi day sailing trips. Bareboat charters, tall ship cruises and small catamarans leave from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. Whitehaven Beach has soft white silica sand. Hill Inlet is known for its changing tidal patterns.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Hardy and Bait Reefs
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine white sands of Whitehaven Beach
  • ⛵ Sail the turquoise waters between the beautiful islands
Bay of Islands
Sunlit coves echo with ancient legends
9.4
Māori settled this area long before James Cook named the bay in 1769. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed at Waitangi on the bay's shore in 1840. Today the bay has more than 140 islands for sailing, kayaking and dolphin cruises. Quiet coves near Paihia and Russell are easy to reach by boat.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, learn indigenous history
  • 🛶 Kayak through limestone caves at Te Puna Marae
  • ⛵ Sail to Russell, explore historic whaling village
Fiji
Tropical paradise with diverse landscapes
8.2
May to October is the drier period, with steady trade winds that suit sailing around these islands. Yachts and catamarans cruise between the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands. Smaller boats take visitors to snorkelling spots and village visits. A gift of kava, called sevusevu, is customary when visiting a village.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Explore the underwater coral gardens at Rainbow Reef
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Natadola Beach
  • 🌊 Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Mamanuca Islands
French Polynesia
Paradise of Crystal Clear Lagoons
8.9
Compared with most island groups, this territory is spread across 118 islands in five archipelagos. Catamaran charters from Raiatea sail the sheltered Leeward Islands, including Taha'a and Bora Bora. The Aranui, a working cargo ship with cabins for passengers, sails to the remote Marquesas Islands. Lagoon waters are calm and suit beginners.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel the coral gardens of Moorea’s turquoise lagoon
  • 🤿 Dive with sharks and manta rays in Rangiroa
  • 🏝️ Stay in an overwater bungalow above the Bora Bora lagoon
Palau
Pristine paradise with underwater wonders
8.3
Quiet and green, this island nation in the western Pacific is mainly explored by boat. The Rock Islands are hundreds of limestone domes with hidden lagoons and calm bays. Kayaks, small tour boats and liveaboard dive vessels are all common. Many trips include snorkelling stops over healthy coral.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Paddle a kayak through Palau’s turquoise Rock Islands
  • 🤿 Dive into the stunning Blue Corner reef
  • 🌊 Swim among harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake
Tonga
Tropical paradise with volcanic islands
7.8
Sunday is a day of rest in this kingdom, so most businesses and boat operators close. The Vava'u island group has sheltered waters and many anchorages for sailing. Charter yachts visit white sand beaches and sea caves. From July to October, boat trips also go out to swim with humpback whales.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Discover blowholes at Mapu'a 'a Vaea coast
  • 🗿 Explore the ancient Ha'amonga 'a Maui Trilithon
  • 🐋 Swim with humpback whales in Ha'apai waters
Queenstown
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
8.5
Lake Wakatipu is about 80 kilometres long. This small mountain town is the main base for boating on the lake. The TSS Earnslaw, a coal fired steamship from 1912, crosses the lake to Walter Peak. Jet boats speed through the narrow Shotover and Kawarau river canyons.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw
  • ⚡ Zipline through the pine trees at Bob's Peak
  • 🚡 Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views
New Caledonia
Tropical Paradise with French Flair
8.0
Kanak people have lived on these islands for thousands of years. France took possession in 1853. Today a very large coral lagoon surrounds the main island and is listed by UNESCO. Sailing charters and boat trips from Nouméa visit small islets such as Îlot Maître for snorkelling.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Swim in the turquoise waters of the Natural Pool at Île des Pins
  • 🏛️ Explore Kanak culture at Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
  • 🌅 Climb to the top of Amédée Lighthouse for stunning views
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
8.7
December to February is warm and sunny, which suits sailing in this harbour city. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts on Boxing Day, 26 December. Public ferries to Manly and Watsons Bay are an easy way to see the Opera House from the water. Kayak and sailboat hire are simple to arrange.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the golden sands of Bondi Beach
  • 🎭 Admire the Sydney Opera House from Circular Quay
  • 🌉 Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for panoramic views
Cairns
Gateway to Reef and Rainforest Wonders
8.1
As the main departure point for northern reef trips, this Queensland city has dozens of boats leaving each day. Day trips take about two hours to reach outer reef pontoons for snorkelling and diving. Liveaboard boats sail further north to the Ribbon Reefs. Fitzroy Island is a shorter ferry ride for a quiet beach day.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Explore the tropical waterfalls and swimming holes of Atherton Tablelands
  • 🚡 Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway above the treetops
  • 🐠 Snorkel or dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s Wildest Water World
8.7
Māori call Milford Sound Piopiotahi, after a native thrush in an old legend. Cruises from the Milford Sound terminal pass waterfalls and steep cliffs rising from the water. Overnight boats on Doubtful Sound have quiet anchorages and kayaks for guests. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen.
Highlights:
  • 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
  • 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
  • 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins
Ningaloo Coast
Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland
9.1
Along the northwest coast of Western Australia, this long fringing reef lies close to the shore. Boat tours from Exmouth and Coral Bay go out to swim with whale sharks from about March to July. Manta rays are seen year round. Humpback whale trips run from July to October.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
  • 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast
Auckland
Where Urban Life Meets Nature
7.5
Built on a narrow strip of land between two harbours, this city has water on both sides. It is nicknamed the City of Sails because so many locals sail. Ferries and sailboats cross the Hauraki Gulf to islands such as Waiheke and Rangitoto. The America's Cup has been raced on the harbour several times.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Climb Mount Eden for panoramic views over volcanic landscapes
  • 🍷 Cruise across Waitematā Harbour and visit Waiheke Island’s vineyards
  • 🌆 Take in sweeping city views from the Sky Tower
Great Barrier Reef
World's largest living coral wonder
Off the Queensland coast, this reef system has nearly 3,000 individual reefs stretching about 2,300 kilometres. Day boats and liveaboards leave from Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and Townsville. Glass bottom boats and snorkelling pontoons are an easy way to see coral. Sailing charters anchor in sheltered lagoons within the reef.
Highlights:
  • 🚁 Fly over the reef to spot the Heart Reef
  • 🤿 Take a scuba dive at the outer reef
  • 🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral gardens and tropical fish
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