Beautiful UNESCO world heritage sites to visit by boat

This sacred site may have existed since AD 1000, but has only this year received the UNESCO World Heritage title. In Polynesian culture, a Marae is a communal area for gatherings and worship and this particular Marae was once the religious centre of eastern Polynesia. Its name Taputapuatea means “sacrifices from afar” and it is believed that human sacrifices were offered here to the god ‘Oro. Some of the stone Tiki relics still remain alluding to the site’s previous purpose.

Like many of the Tahitian islands, Raiatea is a paradisiacal destination that provides plenty of opportunities for adventure and exploration. There are numerous hiking trails through the verdant forests and visitors can enjoy spectacular views by climbing to the summits of Mount Tapioi and Mount Temehani. The waters of Raiatea are also excellent for scuba diving; alongside its colourful marine life divers can explore some of the best shipwreck dives, such as the 100 year old Nordby wreck. This island is a must-see spot in French Polynesia.

How to visit: French Polynesia is one of the best places to explore by superyacht, with its wealth of idyllic islands situated in close proximity to one another. To visit the Marae, yachts can anchor in one of the sheltered bays along the south east coast and tender to shore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Galápagos Islands continue to be one of the most extraordinary locations for interesting marine and land species, due to it’s intense isolation until recent history, it’s location at the convergence of three ocean currents and the constant volcanic and seismic activity.

This incredible biosphere is remote, so it’s 119 islands receive few visitors, though Charles Darwin did famously set sail there aboard The Beagle in 1835. Additionally, the national park service is strict with guests coming to the islands so the region is never crowded.

How to visit: There are an increasing number of luxury charter yachts available year round in the Galápagos, though if you have your own private yacht you should absolutely consider spending a few days discovering the Galápagos Islands. Access is strictly controlled with specific restrictions and routes.  The National Park rules also require that a trained guide accompany all excursions.

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.

Adventures in the South Pacific don’t get much more remote than the 99 artificial islets off the south-east coast of Pohnpei that make up the Nan Madol. Sometimes known as the “Venice of the Pacific” the site is believed to have been built between 1200 and 1500. Nan Madol is thought to have housed ruling a elite caste of the Saudeleur dynasty and is the only ancient city to have been built on a coral reef.

This site has recently been added to the list of World Heritage in Danger as it is under threat due to the siltation of waterways and unchecked growth of mangroves. This also makes the site one of our recommended places to visit before they disappear.

How to visit: There is no infastructure for superyachts in the area but there are anchorages which are deep enough so you can moor nearby.

Another destination for the adventurous superyacht owner the Archipiélago de Revillagigedo is part of a submerged mountain range. It consists of four islands — San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partida and Clarion — and is a habitat for seabirds. The area is also home to whales, dolphins and sharks.

How to visit: The islands lie less than 400 miles off Mexico's western coast. They can provide an interesting stop off if you are cruising from Mexico to the Marquesas islands.