Sailing & Cruising Destinations

A Global Guide by Latin Trails

Whether you’re gliding past ancient stone cities on the Adriatic, swimming with sea lions in the Galápagos, sailing amid the volcanic caldera of Santorini, or drifting silently through Antarctic ice, the world’s great oceans and seas offer experiences unlike anything possible on land. This guide brings together the finest sailing and cruising destinations across two continents — curated by Latin Trails, experts in luxury and experiential travel with over 22 years of on-the-ground expertise.

South America: The Latin Trails Difference

While European sailing offers history and culture in abundance, South America and Antarctica deliver something profoundly different: raw, primordial nature on a scale that staggers the imagination. Here, the wildlife is the main character, the landscapes are geologically ancient and still actively evolving, and the sense of remoteness is real. Latin Trails has specialized in these waters for over 22 years, operating their own vessels and lodges with first-hand knowledge that no outside operator can match.

🇪🇨 The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

WHY IT’S THE WORLD’S GREATEST WILDLIFE CRUISE

There is no other place on Earth quite like the Galápagos Islands. Located 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, this volcanic archipelago sits at the confluence of three ocean currents, creating an extraordinary concentration of marine and terrestrial life. The animals here have evolved with virtually no natural predators and show no fear of humans — you snorkel alongside sea lions and sea turtles, walk past marine iguanas sunning themselves inches from your feet, and observe blue-footed boobies performing their elaborate courtship dances at arm’s length.

Charles Darwin’s observations here in 1835 laid the foundation for his theory of evolution by natural selection — and visiting today, you understand immediately why these islands are a living laboratory unlike any other on the planet.

Photo: Latin Trails

THE LATIN TRAILS GALAPAGOS FLEET

Latin Trails operates the Galapagos Seaman Journey, a deluxe catamaran renowned for its expert naturalist guides, personalized service, and exceptional guest experiences. Itineraries cover both the central and northern islands (including the dramatic bird cliffs of Genovesa and the lava fields of Fernandina) and the western loop (home to Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and the largest marine iguana colonies). The vessel’s size allows access to anchorages unavailable to larger ships.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

• Daily snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, and marine iguanas
• Up-close wildlife encounters: giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, Darwin’s finches
• Kayaking and paddleboarding in pristine volcanic bays
• Expert naturalist guides certified by the Galápagos National Park
• Sunset cruises and educational evening lectures aboard the vessel
• Combine with mainland Ecuador — Quito, the Amazon, or the Andes cloud forests

Photo: © Latin Trails

The Amazon River — Ecuador & Peru

WHY IT’S UNLIKE ANY OTHER RIVER CRUISE

The Amazon Basin is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, home to an estimated 10% of all species on the planet. A river cruise here is an expedition into one of the last great wildernesses — days spent in dugout canoes along black-water tributaries, nights alive with the sounds of the jungle, mornings greeting pink river dolphins and giant river otters in rivers of coffee-colored water. This is travel that fundamentally resets your sense of scale and perspective.

LATIN TRAILS AMAZON OFFERINGS

• Zafiro Amazon Cruise — A river expedition vessel offering multi-day journeys deep into the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon
• La Perla Amazon Cruise — An intimate river cruise experience with expert naturalist guides
• Hakuna Matata Amazon Lodge — Latin Trails’ own jungle lodge in Ecuador’s Napo province, offering land-based access to primary rainforest with kayaking, night walks, piranha fishing, and cultural visits to indigenous Kichwa communities

Antarctica — The White Continent

THE ULTIMATE EXPEDITION CRUISE

Antarctica is the most remote, most pristine, and most overwhelming destination on the planet. There are no towns, no roads, and no permanent human inhabitants — only ice, sky, wildlife, and silence on a scale that is genuinely difficult to comprehend. Icebergs the size of city blocks drift silently past your vessel. Thousands of penguins carpet the shores of volcanic beaches. Humpback whales surface alongside your zodiac. And the light — especially in December’s perpetual twilight — is unlike anything you will encounter anywhere else on Earth.

An Antarctic expedition cruise is the most significant journey most people will ever undertake. It demands no special physical fitness — just a sense of adventure and a willingness to be transformed.

LATIN TRAILS ANTARCTIC FLEET

• Ocean Nova — Purpose-built polar expedition vessel, ice-strengthened hull, boutique capacity
• Ocean Victory — Modern expedition ship with state-of-the-art stabilizers and expert polar guides
• Ocean Albatros — Premium expedition vessel combining scientific rigor with exceptional onboard comfort

All Antarctica voyages depart from Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost city on Earth — and cross the famous Drake Passage, one of the world’s great ocean crossings. Latin Trails can combine an Antarctic expedition with extensions to Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, and beyond.

Patagonia & the Chilean Fjords

SOUTH AMERICA’S ANSWER TO NORWAY

Chile’s southern fjordlands stretch for over 1,500 kilometers along the southwestern edge of South America — one of the most dramatic and least-visited coastlines on the planet. The scenery rivals the Norwegian fjords in grandeur: glaciers calve directly into the sea, condors circle above serrated granite towers, and temperate rainforest clings to the slopes of volcanoes and peaks. Latin Trails designs bespoke itineraries combining Patagonian fjord sailing with land-based adventures in Torres del Paine National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sailing past the Perito Moreno Glacier — one of the world’s few advancing glaciers
• Torres del Paine National Park — trekking among the iconic granite towers of the Andes
• Cape Horn — the southernmost navigable point on Earth, legendary among sailors
• Wildlife: Magellanic penguins, Andean condors, pumas, guanacos, and southern right whales

Europe: Sailing the Old World

Europe’s coastlines are among the most storied in human history — every bay, island, and harbor holds centuries of civilization, art, and culture. What makes sailing here truly extraordinary is the combination of natural beauty and layered history: you drop anchor in a cove that has sheltered galleons and fishing boats alike for a thousand years, then walk medieval streets as the sun sets over perfectly still water. From the Adriatic to the Aegean, the Norwegian fjords to the Amalfi Coast, Europe is a continent best seen from the sea.

🇭🇷 Croatia — The Dalmatian Coast

WHY IT’S A MUST-SAIL

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is, without question, one of the greatest sailing destinations on Earth. With over 1,200 islands, islets, and reefs along its Adriatic shoreline, it offers an almost infinite array of routes — from short, relaxed hops between harbor towns to week-long island-to-island odysseys. The water is extraordinarily clear, shading from turquoise in shallow bays to deep sapphire in open channels. The Adriatic’s relatively calm summer seas and reliable coastal winds make it welcoming for sailors of all experience levels.

But Croatia is far more than scenery. Each island and coastal city carries millennia of history — Greek colonies, Roman emperors, Venetian merchants, and medieval city-states all left their mark on this coastline. To sail Croatia is to move through living history, one ancient harbor at a time. That’s whymany travellers choose to explore the Adriatic with Croatia cruises, combining relaxed sailing with carefully planned stops at historic ports and hidden islands.

Photo: Sail Croatia

THE CLASSIC ROUTE: SPLIT TO DUBROVNIK

The benchmark Croatian sailing itinerary runs roughly 100 nautical miles from Split south to Dubrovnik — an unforgettable week-long journey that passes through the very heart of the Dalmatian islands. Here are the unmissable stops along the way:

Split

Your starting point — and a destination in its own right. The ancient Roman emperor Diocletian built his retirement palace here in the 4th century AD, and today the old town has literally grown up inside its walls, with restaurants, cafes, and residences tucked into its grand Roman courtyards. Diocletian’s Palace is one of the most impressive Roman structures in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hvar — Queen of the Dalmatian Islands

Arguably Croatia’s most celebrated island, Hvar blends bohemian energy with historic grandeur. The old town’s Renaissance architecture, Venetian loggia, and clifftop Fortica Fortress are extraordinary. By day, sail out to the Pakleni Islands — a scattering of pine-covered islets with crystalline coves perfect for swimming and anchorage. By night, Hvar’s harbor comes alive with one of the Adriatic’s most vibrant social scenes. Lavender farms and local vineyards fill the island’s interior.

Vis & the Blue Cave

One of the outermost and least developed Dalmatian islands, Vis retains an authentic, unhurried atmosphere. Its remoteness — it was a closed military zone until 1989 — has preserved both its landscape and its local culture. The island is surrounded by excellent anchorages and is famous for its exceptional local wines. Nearby Biševo island hosts the legendary Blue Cave, a sea cave accessible only by small boat where refracted sunlight turns the water a surreal, luminous blue.

Korčula — Birthplace of Marco Polo

Compact, beautiful, and perfectly preserved, the medieval walled town of Korčula is sometimes called a smaller Dubrovnik. Its narrow marbled streets and Gothic-Renaissance architecture date to Venetian rule, when the island was a major source of timber for Venice’s famous fleet. Legend holds that the great explorer Marco Polo was born here, and the island celebrates this connection to this day. The surrounding waters offer excellent sailing and local olive oil and wine are outstanding.

Mljet National Park

According to ancient legend, Odysseus was so enchanted by Mljet that he lingered here for seven years — and it’s easy to see why. The western portion of the island is a national park of dense pine and oak forest, home to two saltwater lakes connected by a narrow channel. A 12th-century Benedictine monastery sits on a small island in the larger lake. Mljet’s natural harbors offer some of the most peaceful anchorages on the entire Dalmatian coast.

Dubrovnik — Pearl of the Adriatic

Your final destination and one of Europe’s most magnificent cities. Arriving by sea — sailing into Dubrovnik’s harbor with the great limestone city walls rising from the Adriatic before you — is one of the most cinematic moments in sailing. The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary grandeur: its encircling medieval walls, Gothic palaces, Baroque churches, and marble-paved main street (Stradun) represent the golden age of the independent Republic of Ragusa, which rivaled Venice in wealth and influence.

BEST TIME TO SAIL

June and September offer the ideal combination of warm weather, calm seas, and manageable crowds. July and August bring peak season with the fullest social scene but busier anchorages. The Adriatic’s reliable afternoon breezes (the Maestral) make summer sailing pleasant and predictable.

🇬🇷 Greece — The Aegean & Ionian Islands

WHY IT’S A MUST-SAIL

Greece is the cradle of sailing civilization — these are the seas of Odysseus, of ancient trade routes, of the myths that shaped Western culture. Today, with more than 6,000 islands and islets scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece offers the most varied sailing experience in Europe. Each island group has a distinct character: the Cyclades are dramatic and wind-swept, with iconic white-and-blue villages perched on volcanic cliffs; the Ionian Islands are lush and green, with calmer waters and a Venetian architectural heritage; the Dodecanese sit at the edge of Asia Minor, steeped in Byzantine and Ottoman history.

Photo: Anastazja Starnowska

STANDOUT DESTINATIONS

• Santorini — The iconic crescent of a collapsed volcanic caldera, with whitewashed clifftop villages, black sand beaches, and the most dramatic sunsets in the Mediterranean. Best arrived by sailing directly into the caldera from the sea.
• Mykonos — The cosmopolitan heart of the Cyclades, with windmills, labyrinthine streets, and a legendary social scene. Excellent as a day stop or overnight anchorage.
• Milos — Less visited than its famous neighbors, Milos offers extraordinary geological scenery: colorful volcanic rock formations, sea caves, and the otherworldly Sarakiniko white rock beach.
• Lefkada, Kefalonia & Ithaca (Ionian Islands) — Lush, green, and sheltered, the Ionian Islands offer calmer sailing conditions and a quieter, more intimate atmosphere than the Cyclades.
• Rhodes & Kos (Dodecanese) — Medieval walled cities, ancient ruins, and a blend of Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman culture at the far eastern edge of the Greek world.

🇮🇹 Italy — Amalfi Coast & the Aeolian Islands

WHY IT’S A MUST-SAIL

Italy’s sailing destinations combine some of the world’s most spectacular coastal scenery with the world’s most extraordinary food and wine culture. The Amalfi Coast — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a vertiginous landscape of lemon groves, pastel villages clinging to cliffs, and deep blue bays accessible only by water. Capri’s Blue Grotto, the volcanic Aeolian Islands north of Sicily, and the relaxed sailing grounds of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda round out an Italy that is impossible to fully appreciate from land.

Photo: Neirfy

STANDOUT DESTINATIONS

• Amalfi Coast — Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and Capri. Sail between villages that cling to the cliffs, swim in emerald grottos, and dine on fresh seafood and pasta at harbourside restaurants.
• Capri — Arrive by sea for the most magical approach to the island. Paddle into the Blue Grotto, hike to Villa Jovis, and explore the charming streets of Anacapri.
• Aeolian Islands — Seven volcanic islands off Sicily’s north coast, including the still-active Stromboli, which erupts nightly in a natural fireworks display visible for miles at sea.
• Sardinia (Costa Smeralda) — Some of the Mediterranean’s clearest water and most pristine beaches, with granite headlands, turquoise lagoons, and a sophisticated marina culture.

🇳🇴 Norway — The Norwegian Fjords

WHY IT’S A MUST-SAIL

For a sailing experience utterly unlike anything in the Mediterranean, Norway’s fjords are incomparable. Ancient glaciers carved these extraordinary waterways — some reaching depths of over 1,300 meters — between walls of granite and basalt that rise vertically for thousands of feet. Waterfalls cascade directly into the sea. Villages of painted wooden houses cling to narrow ledges. And in summer, the midnight sun bathes it all in a golden, eternal light. Sailing the fjords of Hardanger, Sognefjord (the deepest in the world), and Geirangerfjord is a journey into a landscape of almost mythological grandeur.

Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Tien

STANDOUT EXPERIENCES

• Geirangerfjord & Nærøyfjord — Both UNESCO-listed, these are among the most dramatic fjords in Norway, with sheer walls and cascading waterfalls.
• Bergen — The gateway to the fjords and a charming historic city with a colorful wooden wharf (Bryggen), fish market, and vibrant food scene.
• Midnight Sun sailing — In June and July, the sun barely sets north of the Arctic Circle, creating an extraordinary, otherworldly light for 24-hour sailing.
• Northern Lights cruising (winter) — For a completely different experience, winter cruises through the fjords offer the chance to witness the aurora borealis dancing over frozen landscapes.

How to Plan Your Voyage with Latin Trails

Whether you’re drawn to Croatia’s medieval harbors, Greece’s mythic islands, Norway’s glacier-carved fjords, or the wildlife wonders of the Galápagos and Antarctica, Latin Trails combines 22+ years of expertise with genuine firsthand knowledge of every destination they offer. Their approach is always the same: listen carefully, design meticulously, and deliver unforgettably.

Latin Trails specializes in luxury, tailor-made travel — which means no two itineraries are alike. Their experienced team can design a pure sailing voyage, a hybrid cruise-and-land journey, or a multi-continent adventure combining European sailing with a South American expedition, all connected seamlessly with 24/7 concierge support throughout.

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