Boat ownership opens a world of opportunity and access. Often times, this means taking your boat to your favorite lake, river or sandbar. There are times, however, when you want to get out and see the world.
This list is made for such occasions—times you need to scratch the travel itch. Here is a breakdown of great places to explore on your boat. From east coast to west, freshwater and salt, onshore and off, this list provides equal parts inspiration and invitation to check out some beautiful, exciting places aboard your boat in 2025.
Beaufort, North Carolina
Located on the southern Outer Banks on the central coast of North Carolina, Beaufort was recognized by Budget Travel as “the coolest small town in America.” Bringing your boat to Beaufort offers an incredible variety of opportunity.
From catching giant redfish and speckled trout in the protected waters of Back Sound to running offshore to target marlin and tuna, the sportfishing tradition here runs deep. You can also check out the wild horses on Shackleford Bank or use Beaufort as a launching point to explore the beautiful Cape Lookout National Seashore.
The restaurant scene in Beaufort is great—be sure to stop by the Beaufort Grocery for an incredible meal—and the waterfront is lively and charming. The seafood here is fresh, abundant and of high quality. Oysters, crabs, shrimp and many types of fish are available for purchase—in restaurants or directly from those who harvest them.
If history is your thing, you’ll love Beaufort. The pirate Blackbeard had a home here and his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, sank in Beaufort Inlet in 1718.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
For those who haven’t been there, Hot Springs, Arkansas is something of a hidden gem. The hot springs for which the town was named have been attracting visitors since the days after the Civil War. But the history does not stop there.
In the 1930s, mobsters like the notorious Al Capone came to town. Many of the bathhouses, spas, and hotels they created are still in operation today. You can not only stay in historic lodging, but partake in a natural spa experience that is unique to the region.
The place is home to Hot Springs National Park and provides an incredible array of tourist experiences. If trailering your boat, you can explore three nearby lakes—Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine and Ouachita.
A trip to Hot Springs can include some bass fishing, some sightseeing and the chance to experience history and culture. You can also check out such things as thoroughbred racing at Oaklawn® Hot Springs— a racetrack located in Hot Springs National Park that’s been in operation since 1904, a variety of art galleries, the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains, and a good restaurant scene as well.
Lake O.H. Ivie, Texas—ShareLunker Factory
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates the ShareLunker program. A unique collaboration with the recreational bass fishing community, anglers who catch largemouth bass that weigh 13 pounds (or more) keep the fish alive and donate them to program biologists.
The fish are then used as brood stock in Texas’ bass hatcheries. These bass then spawn in hatcheries and their offspring are used to stock bass in reservoirs around the Lone Star State.
ShareLunker biologists are familiar with Lake O.H. Ivie. In 2023, there were 18 qualifying bass across the state of Texas. 15 of them came from Lake O.H. Ivie.
If you’re on the hunt for the largemouth of a lifetime, this reservoir is worth the trip. Located east of San Angelo, about 3 hours northwest of Austin, the lake offers west Texas charm and a realistic shot at catching a giant largemouth. This chance is good enough, in fact, to draw visiting anglers from across the country and around the world.
Southern California
When it comes to exploring on your boat, there’s lots to love about Southern California. Home to a wonderful array of waterfront activities, Southern California is also a jumping off point for bluefin tuna fishing and some great opportunities to target swordfish, striped marlin and yellowtail.
Locations like Dana Point offer waterfront restaurants and shopping. Marinas along the coast are home to sea lions (they are cool to look at, but take precaution that they do not jump aboard and sleep on your boat). The weather and pleasant scenery along the waterfront is charming enough to have been attracting visitors for decades.
If your boat is able to handle the open water, you can check out Catalina Island—home of the Avalon Tuna Club—and enjoy a beautiful waterfront and historic hotels. In most years, Catalina Island is the epicenter of Southern California’s world-class bluefin tuna fishery. The island is a wonderful place to visit and a good bet for great dining, beautiful sunsets and a well-appointed visitor experience.
Southern California’s waterfront offers an incredible variety of activities. Exploring these on your own boat is an incredible experience reserved primarily for boat owners.
Back to Blue Life
This list is made for such occasions—times you need to scratch the travel itch. Here is a breakdown of great places to explore on your boat. From east coast to west, freshwater and salt, onshore and off, this list provides equal parts inspiration and invitation to check out some beautiful, exciting places aboard your boat in 2025.
Beaufort, North Carolina
Located on the southern Outer Banks on the central coast of North Carolina, Beaufort was recognized by Budget Travel as “the coolest small town in America.” Bringing your boat to Beaufort offers an incredible variety of opportunity.
From catching giant redfish and speckled trout in the protected waters of Back Sound to running offshore to target marlin and tuna, the sportfishing tradition here runs deep. You can also check out the wild horses on Shackleford Bank or use Beaufort as a launching point to explore the beautiful Cape Lookout National Seashore.
The restaurant scene in Beaufort is great—be sure to stop by the Beaufort Grocery for an incredible meal—and the waterfront is lively and charming. The seafood here is fresh, abundant and of high quality. Oysters, crabs, shrimp and many types of fish are available for purchase—in restaurants or directly from those who harvest them.
If history is your thing, you’ll love Beaufort. The pirate Blackbeard had a home here and his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, sank in Beaufort Inlet in 1718.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
For those who haven’t been there, Hot Springs, Arkansas is something of a hidden gem. The hot springs for which the town was named have been attracting visitors since the days after the Civil War. But the history does not stop there.
In the 1930s, mobsters like the notorious Al Capone came to town. Many of the bathhouses, spas, and hotels they created are still in operation today. You can not only stay in historic lodging, but partake in a natural spa experience that is unique to the region.
The place is home to Hot Springs National Park and provides an incredible array of tourist experiences. If trailering your boat, you can explore three nearby lakes—Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine and Ouachita.
A trip to Hot Springs can include some bass fishing, some sightseeing and the chance to experience history and culture. You can also check out such things as thoroughbred racing at Oaklawn® Hot Springs— a racetrack located in Hot Springs National Park that’s been in operation since 1904, a variety of art galleries, the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains, and a good restaurant scene as well.
Lake O.H. Ivie, Texas—ShareLunker Factory
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates the ShareLunker program. A unique collaboration with the recreational bass fishing community, anglers who catch largemouth bass that weigh 13 pounds (or more) keep the fish alive and donate them to program biologists.
The fish are then used as brood stock in Texas’ bass hatcheries. These bass then spawn in hatcheries and their offspring are used to stock bass in reservoirs around the Lone Star State.
ShareLunker biologists are familiar with Lake O.H. Ivie. In 2023, there were 18 qualifying bass across the state of Texas. 15 of them came from Lake O.H. Ivie.
If you’re on the hunt for the largemouth of a lifetime, this reservoir is worth the trip. Located east of San Angelo, about 3 hours northwest of Austin, the lake offers west Texas charm and a realistic shot at catching a giant largemouth. This chance is good enough, in fact, to draw visiting anglers from across the country and around the world.
Southern California
When it comes to exploring on your boat, there’s lots to love about Southern California. Home to a wonderful array of waterfront activities, Southern California is also a jumping off point for bluefin tuna fishing and some great opportunities to target swordfish, striped marlin and yellowtail.
Locations like Dana Point offer waterfront restaurants and shopping. Marinas along the coast are home to sea lions (they are cool to look at, but take precaution that they do not jump aboard and sleep on your boat). The weather and pleasant scenery along the waterfront is charming enough to have been attracting visitors for decades.
If your boat is able to handle the open water, you can check out Catalina Island—home of the Avalon Tuna Club—and enjoy a beautiful waterfront and historic hotels. In most years, Catalina Island is the epicenter of Southern California’s world-class bluefin tuna fishery. The island is a wonderful place to visit and a good bet for great dining, beautiful sunsets and a well-appointed visitor experience.
Southern California’s waterfront offers an incredible variety of activities. Exploring these on your own boat is an incredible experience reserved primarily for boat owners.