Beautiful UNESCO world heritage sites to visit by boat

Komodo National Park

Indonesia

This collection of rugged atolls in Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands is renowned for its impressive hiking trails, which cross over the park's peaks and offer breathtaking views of the South Flores Sea. The east coast of Komodo Island also boasts a luminous pink sand beach, with aquamarine waters filled by the region's wide range of tropical fish.

What makes the park extra special is its residents: the Komodo Dragon. The park received the UNESCO title back in 1991 in a move to protect the creatures, who are classed as the largest lizards in the world. The Jurassic-looking locals can grow as long as three metres and weigh up to 70kg. Armed with a venomous bite, tourists must be accompanied by a guide if they wish to meet these fearsome creatures. Hikers too nervous to meet the dragons in Komodo National Park can sail five nautical miles east to Padar Island, which offers similarly stunning views from its cliffs.

How to visit: Komodo is an overnight sail of 20 nautical miles from the main hub of Labuan Bajo, which will have completed construction on a mega yacht marina by 2020. Make sure you apply for a park entrance permit beforehand so that you can get close to the island's sheltered bays.

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Everglades National Park

Miami, USA

The Everglades National Park is one of America's most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is located less than an hour away from the yachting hub of Miami in south Florida. A must-see spot for nature-lovers, visitors will see alligators, snapper turtles, alligator turtles and a variety of rare birds while soaring through its grassy waterways.

This natural wonder is best explored on a private boat tour, but the more adventurous should head to Dragonfly Expeditions. Based in the iconic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, it offers an Everglades backwater tour, a hike that will take you into the heart of this stunning and wild landscape. Striding through waist-high waters, you will come face-to-face with alligators, wading birds and river otters while surrounded by native orchids and dreamlike trees that loom out of the water.

Miami is home to some of the best superyacht marinas in the world, including Island Gardens, which can berth yachts up to 167 metres. Take a private car to the National Park and enjoy a scenic journey from their chosen marina to the Everglades.

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Lord Howe Island

Australia

If you're looking for far-flung luxury and next to no mobile signal, cruise 700 kilometres east of the Australian mainland to visit Lord Howe Island. Awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, two-thirds of the island is dedicated to the permanent park reserve, which offers a myriad of walking trails, mountain hikes and 11 quiet beaches to relax on.

Formerly a volcanic site, two mountains shelter a pristine lagoon where you can swim and snorkel. The marine park is as impressive as the on-land reserve in terms of natural beauty and wildlife. Those diving around the famous Ball's Pyramid can hope to see schools of rainbow runners, amberjack, kingfish, violet sweeps and angelfish as well as dolphins and wahoo.

Superyachts can anchor in good weather on the western and north eastern sides of the island and tender to the small harbour on the eastern shore.

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Cocos Island National Park

Costa Rica

As the only emerged volcanic peak of the Cocos underwater ridge, and the only island in the eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest, the Cocos Island National Park is a truly unique spot. Perhaps known best for being the supposed burial spot of the legendary Treasure of Lima, Cocos Island (or Isa del Coco) has one of the world’s most dramatic and interesting marine ecosystems, making it a haven for divers and biologists alike. Inscribed in 1997 with an extension in 2002, it’s plethora of large pelagic species such as rays, tuna, sharks and dolphins make it one for the scuba diving bucket list.

How to visit: There are very limited superyacht facilities on Isla de Coco, so combine it with a trip to Costa Rica (be sure to visit the new superyacht marina in Costa Rica’s Golfito Bay, which opened recently), Isla de Coiba and the Gulf of Chiriquí.

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Willenstad Inner City and Harbour

Curaçao

The capital of Curaçao is as colourful as you would imagine it to be, given that Willemstad inner city and it’s harbour were inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list back in 1997.

In 1634 the people of the Netherlands took advantage of the natural harbour on Curaçao to establish a trading settlement, and the town developed significantly throughout history. The mesmerising architecture captures the striking blend of Dutch colonial concepts and design features from other towns within the Caribbean Islands.

How to visit: There is a small marina with excellent facilities, so moor nearby after sailing your superyacht around Curaçao and tender into this marvellous town for a day or two of exploring.

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Venice and its Lagoon

Italy

Founded in the 5th century, the extraordinary city of Venice became a significant naval powerhouse in the 10th century. The only completely pedestrianised city in the world, Venice is a hub of culture, with a multitude of museums, music halls and art galleries to enjoy. Additionally, you’ll be able to buy the best wine for your superyacht parties and enjoy some of the most incredible dishes and tasting menus (Quadri in St Mark’s Square is a must).

One of the most unmissable events of the year is the Venice Film Festival, which usually takes place in late August and early September. It’s well worth visiting the Venice Film Festival by luxury yacht, so you can enjoy the multitude of things to do during the day and the extravagant evening affairs before unwinding back on your yacht away from the crowds.

How to visit: There are a large number of berthing locations for superyachts throughout the Venice lagoon, though it’s such a popular yachting destination you should reserve facilities beforehand. The largest entrance to the lagoon is through the Porto di Lido breakwaters, and the most esteemed visitors to Venice will want to book one of the exclusive Salute Mooring posts opposite St Mark’s Square. The vast majority of the Venice marinas have excellent access to the Venetian highways network, and there are a handful of agencies who specialise in berthing facilities for superyachts.

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Great Barrier Reef

Australia

With 400 types of coral, 4,000 types of mollusc and 1,500 species of fish, the Great Barrier Reef offers the world’s largest collection of coral reefs. Amazing for diving and snorkelling, sustainable tourism in the Great Barrier Reef is a great way of protecting it’s future. It was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage site in 1981 and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The region stretches more than 2000km along the east coast of Australia and comprises of more than 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands.  With so many amazing places to see Great Barrier Reef wildlife, discovering the the region from a yacht means you can make the most of multiple dives.

How to visit: Visiting the Great Barrier Reef requires the notification of the Australian Border Force, Quarantine, Immigration and the relevant Port Authorities 96 hours in advance. Despite the fact that superyachts exploring The Great Barrier Reef will spend most of their time at anchor, the nearby superyacht marinas in Queensland, Hamilton Island and Port Douglas have fantastic facilities.

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Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands

Italy

The small towns that are scattered along the Ligurian coast between Cinque Terre and Portovenere make up a beautiful hub of culture and history in Italy. Inscribed to the list in 1997, the string of five towns feature colourful houses built on a famously uneven terrain, with various harbours, vineyards and terraces sprawling out into the dramatic cliffs.

Though some might avoid the now somewhat overcrowded Cinque Terre, the increasing level of exclusivity due to the plan to limit tourist numbers visiting this world heritage site only adds to its draw. It’s a must-see for anyone spending a few days on the Italian Riviera on a superyacht.

How to visit: A maze of crooked streets by foot, this is definitely a part of the Italian Riviera where arriving by boat is a real advantage. Moor up nearby and tender to one of the five beautiful towns to experience the history of the Italian Riviera on a superyacht, as well as some of the most iconic Italian moorings.

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Antigua Naval Dockyard

Antigua and Barbuda

If you head to the Caribbean in the winter you are probably no stranger to the sheltered mooring offered by Antigua Naval Dockyard — known to most as Nelson’s Dockyard. This year, the area was named as one of the latest additions to the UNESCO World Heritage list thanks to its Georgian-style naval buildings and historical significance. The Dockyard was constructed using the labour of enslaved Africans at the end of the 18th century and was also central to the development of the sugar cane industry as European powers competed for the East Caribbean.

How to visit: You should plan a stop off at Nelson's Dockyard if you are spending a week exploring the Leeward Islands. If you are not able to get in head to nearby Falmouth Harbour, which has excellent superyacht facilities, and is a short drive or a walk away.

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Gorham's Cave Complex

Gibraltar, UK

Gibraltar may be known as “the Rock” but it is also home to some rocks of archaeological and paleontological significance. Gorham's Cave is located on the south-east face of Gibraltar and was Gibraltar’s first site to be inscribed on the prestigious list. The complex consists of four caves and is one of the last known sites of Neanderthal occupation with archaeologists having discovered everything from prehistoric stone tools to abstract rock engravings.

How to visit: While Gibraltar may be best know as a logistical stop off, the British Overseas Territory is trying to encourage more superyachts to stay longer with plans for a new destination marina underway. In the meantime there are three existing marinas to choose from that can accommodate superyachts.

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