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.

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.