Off the Map: Top Remote Places in the World to Explore by Yacht

The trend of exploring more remote, adventurous destinations has also attracted many seeking unique yacht charters. Thanks to today’s state-of-the-art technology, many yachts are designed to reach some of the most secluded spots across the globe and even have the ability to navigate challenging waters. 

If you’re like me, someone who enjoys discovering some of the world’s most off-the-beaten-path islands, whether tropical or under the chill of the Arctic, these are some of the most unforgettable and remote places you can reach by yacht. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy a slice of the wild and extraordinary, combined with a wealth of luxuries and modern comforts.

Ningaloo Reef, Australia

Located off the northwestern coast of Western Australia, nearly 750 miles north of Perth, the Ningaloo Reef is a UNESCO-listed site famous for its 160 miles of pristine reef. It’s one of the best places to swim with whale sharks, with a massive gathering of the animals here from March through August. It’s also inhabited by manta rays, dugongs, humpback whales (between June and October), and three different sea turtle species: green, loggerhead, and hawksbill. 

You might sail to Batemans Bay, home to resident manta rays that frequent the inner reef to mate, give birth, and feed. Visit Pandora’s Garden with stunning coral formations, and you’re likely to see all sorts of sea turtles. In Norwegian Bay, you’ll see the ruins of a historic whaling station, and you may have the chance to snorkel the Fin shipwreck, dating back to 1923, now lying in shallow water in a reef lagoon providing a home to all sorts of reef fish. The North Reef Nursery is another top snorkeling spot to visit, with schools of snapper and sweetlips, as well as providing a good opportunity for watching reef sharks and rays that rest in small coral coves.

Svalbard Archipelago, Norway 

One of the most adventurous yacht charters you can take starts by flying into the world’s northernmost airport, located in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island. Located at 78°N, the remote Svalbard archipelago is an extraordinary frozen wilderness, as close as you can get to the North Pole by sea. The stunning, untouched landscapes include glistening glaciers, massive icebergs, and fjords, but one of the main reasons to sail through the region is the wildlife. Under the Midnight Sun, a time when the sun never sets from mid-May to late August, there are numerous whale species to watch for, including narwhals, belugas, bowheads, humpbacks, fin, and blue whales. Polar bears, walruses, and seals can often be seen as well.

Beyond Spitsbergen, yacht charters typically explore the Kongsfjorden area, known for its abundant wildlife, Lilliehookbreen with large glaciers, bird cliffs such as Alkefjelle, and islands with historical sites such as Amsterdamoya and Danskoya.

The Seychelles: Praslin & Curieuse Islands

The Seychelles are located in the Indian Ocean, roughly 1,000 miles off the coast of East Africa. The Outer Islands are particularly secluded, some of which are hundreds of miles from Mahé, the main island. The most remote island experiences can be enjoyed by sailing in the Farquhar Group, renowned for its saltwater flyfishing, as well as offering a vibrant marine ecosystem with many types of seabirds. The Aldrabra group (including the islands of Aldabra, Assumption, Astove, and Cosmoledo atolls) offers unique flora and fauna, including red-footed boobies and giant tortoises. 

Of course, you can also take a yacht charter to visit popular islands like Praslin, home to the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai nature reserve, inhabited by the endemic Seychelles black parrot, as well as being home to a primeval palm forest that showcases the coco-de-mer palm with the world’s largest seeds, weighing up to 66 pounds. It also has famously beautiful beaches like Anse Lazio with sands that shimmer beneath the sun and are lapped by water in breathtaking shades of blue. Curieuse Island is also a favorite for Seychelles yacht charters, home to Aldabra giant tortoises.

San Blas Islands, Panama

The San Blas archipelago is made up of 378 islands northwest of mainland Panama. It’s the quintessential secluded Caribbean paradise ideal for snorkeling among stingrays, nurse sharks, dolphins, and abundant tropical fish. For those who enjoy experiencing different cultures, it’s also a treat, home to the friendly indigenous Guna people who primarily make their living by fishing and harvesting fruits, particularly coconuts. The Guna women wear beautiful traditional blouses with molas (colorful, layered textile panels that are hand-sewn into them), a key symbol of their cultural identity. 

While there is an extremely long list of islands that can be visited, some of the favorites include Isla Perro with its sunken ship that can be explored by snorkeling, Isla Pelicano with its breathtaking beaches, and Isla Diablo with a popular beach bar. 

Outer Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands lie 600 miles off mainland Ecuador’s coast, with the most remote yacht charter destinations being the isolated outer islands. That includes Wolf Island and Darwin (Culpepper) Island, the most remote in the Galapagos, where you won’t see countless passengers disembarking from expedition cruises. Darwin is known for its huge schools of hammerhead sharks, while Wolf Island is also a prime spot for diving among hammerheads as well as sea lions and rays.

Genovesa is often called “Bird Island,” where one can admire everything from Nazca and red-footed bobbies to the elusive short-eared owl. If you visit Espanola, you can experience the world’s only place to see the entire population of waved albatross that nest here between April and December. 

Out Islands, Bahamas

The Out Islands in the Bahamas are unspoiled with pristine, secluded beaches and no sprawling high-rise resorts. Instead, hotels here are no taller than the palm trees that surround them, while the translucent water is incredibly enticing, shimmering in endless shades of brilliant blue. Some of the more remote islands, like Conception and Cat, are considered the “last frontier” before the Atlantic, known for snorkeling, pelagic diving, and game fishing. But all the Out Islands have the same long, chalk-white sands along with outstanding diving and snorkeling. One of the best places to begin your yacht charter is Harbour Island, with the Dunmore Town streets lined with brightly painted homes, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. The island is also notable for its pink sand beaches, making it worth spending a night or two here.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu includes over 80 islands in the heart of Melanesia as one of the Pacific’s most scenic and diverse archipelagos. Each one is unique when it comes to scenery and culture, although the people are a highlight with their warm hospitality and smiles. It’s an ideal destination for island-hopping with the chance to relax on countless unspoiled beaches, enjoy volcano treks, and world-class diving. Most join yacht charters in the capital of Port Vila on Efate Island, spending time here checking out the Star of Russian shipwreck or simply enjoying the local food and drink scene, from Tusker beer to fresh seafood and organic fruits and vegetables. 

You might cruise to Tanna with its nearly 1,200-foot-high Mount Yasur, an active volcano, offering the chance to witness fiery volcanic activity. Ambrym, the “black island,” has twin active volcanoes that can be reached on foot, where visitors can peer into a boiling lava lake. Other top spots include the Reef Islands, coral cays enclosed by a horseshoe-shaped reef, and Ureparapara, where you can cruise into the caldera of an extinct volcano. Espiritu Santo is home to the famous Champagne Beach and blue holes. 

Banda to the Banggai Islands, Indonesia

Indonesia is a sailing paradise with many options, including famous Komodo and Raja Ampat. While those are stunning destinations, there are plenty of hidden treasures too, such as the Banda Islands. Challenging to reach by conventional transport, a yacht charter is an ideal way to explore their untouched, wild beauty and crystal-clear waters, with vibrant coral reefs home to diverse marine life. The archipelago was once the only source of nutmeg in the world, and a focal point for the spice trade, which means you can also explore history, including 17th-century Dutch forts.

The Banggai Islands offer unique and authentic experiences, with most only accessible by water. Here, you can often enjoy breathtaking beaches all to yourself, along with strikingly clear waters home to the rare, endemic Banggai cardinalfish, as well as reef sharks and sea turtles. Only a limited number of yachts can charter in this area due to the strict regulations, ensuring a tranquil experience.

The Faroe Islands

Rugged and remote, the Faroe Islands lie about midway between Norway and Iceland, as one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. It’s an almost otherworldly archipelago, with a unique volcanic landscape and vast green mountains with their towering peaks often enshrouded by fog. Cliffs with cascading waterfalls rise dramatically from the sea, while summer’s long days mean plenty of time for enjoying it all. Explore Viking history in the capital of Thorshavn, the islands’ largest town, with a population of about 17,000. Dating back over a thousand years, the Vikings founded it, naming it after Thor. Unlike the pillaging raiders, Vikings came to settle here. There are several of their early farmsteads that can be explored, including Kvivik. Torshaven’s historical museum displays numerous interesting Viking artifacts.

Other highlights include Mykines Island, famous for its puffin colonies; the Vestmanna Bird Cliffs with rich bird colonies and impressive basalt walls, and the Drangarnir sea stacks, which can only be seen by boat. The Mulafosser Waterfall near Gasadalur village is a must-see, while Saksun and Kaldbaksfjordur are ideal for cruising through spectacular fjords.

The Canadian Arctic

No matter where you sail in the Canadian Arctic, you’re likely to experience our planet in its purest state, with the polar landscapes well preserved, unspoiled by human development. One of the most remote areas for a yacht charter here is the northernmost islands in Nunavut, including Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg, which few humans ever see. This region of the world is the ultimate for adventurers, with opportunities for helicopter flightseeing where you can gaze down at the sea, magnificent glacial formations, spectacular alpine areas, and the wildlife from above. Just some of the animals you might see include caribou, walrus, seals, muskox, whales, and polar bears. It also provides the opportunity to learn about the Inuit culture and how it’s managed to persevere against the odds.