Escapes on the water: 8 Relais & Châteaux journeys to cast off from your moorings

Abroad

Dive, sail, observe, feel. This summer, Relais & Châteaux invites us to explore the world at the rhythm of the water, with an unprecedented collection of maritime and river experiences. Exceptional sailboats, confidential cruises, traditional pirogues: eight exceptional properties offer rare aquatic journeys, respectful of ecosystems and deeply rooted in local cultures. We take you on a world tour of these water-based escapes.

Le Ponant: a three-masted ship in search of new horizons

Whether in Cape Verde, the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, Le Ponant unfurls its sails for eight-day cruises aboard an exceptional sailing yacht. Light-filled suites, confidential ports of call, local cuisine and an eco-responsible approach: the experience is that of a floating hotel on a human scale, cradled by the tides and the breath of the wind.

Amazon cruise with Delfin Amazon Cruises, Peru

In the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria forest, Delfin Amazon Cruises offers gentle, luxurious immersion on boats with panoramic decks. Pink dolphin watching, mangrove kayaking, on-deck massages and fine dining: here, time stretches, the jungle breathes, and the senses are awakened in a unique ballet of plants and sensory experiences.

Galapagos: wild archipelago with Ecoventura

Aboard the yachts Origin, Theory or Evolve, Ecoventura organizes seven-night stays in the Galapagos archipelago. In small groups, with naturalist guides, you can swim with sea lions, photograph marine iguanas and enjoy seasonal cuisine in a spirit of elegant sobriety, in the service of biodiversity.

Sailing elegance in Crete with Elounda Mare

In Elounda, Crete, the Eliana K IV, a wooden sailboat designed in the 80s, offers a day of traditional naval craftsmanship and Greek panorama. Sailing into Mirabello Bay, a stopover in a cove, a lunch of grilled calamari, and a sunset over Santorini: a classic revisited with grace.

Hawaii: outrigger canoes and Polynesian culture

In Wailea,Hotel Wailea offers a trip in a hoe wa’a, the traditional Hawaiian pirogue. Guided by song (oli), travelers discover coral reefs, distant volcanoes and sea turtles in a spiritual and immersive experience, punctuated by the stars and the tales of Polynesian navigators.

Venice: aboard a vintage bragozzo

From the Londra Palace Venezia, an escape in a bragozzo, a 19th-century Venetian boat, reveals the secret lagoons of the Serenissima. Between Burano, Murano and confidential islets, the journey doubles as a naturalist’s logbook, discovering the lagoon’s birds, salicornia and silent stories.

Zanzibar: Swahili pirogue in Paje lagoon

The Zanzibar White Sand Villas takes guests out on a ngalawa, a typical outrigger boat. Far from the tourist clichés, this one-hour escapade glides over turquoise waters where starfish, clownfish and green turtles evolve. A slow, poetic immersion into the Swahili soul.

Mauritius: snorkeling and poetry at 20 Degres Sud

At the northern tip ofMauritius, the 20 Degrés Sud Boutique-Hotel offers pirogue trips to the island’s best snorkeling spots. Multicolored coral, parrotfish, sea urchins, starfish: an underwater garden to explore with mask and snorkel in hand, in an atmosphere both chic and simple.

R&C signature: local, elegant, sustainable

All these experiences embody the founding values of Relais & Châteaux: respect for the living world, celebration of local cultures, committed cuisine and meticulous design. Whether by sailboat, pirogue or fishing boat, each voyage is intimate, sensory and meaningful. More than a holiday: a connection to water, to oneself, to nature.

Practical info

🌍 Information & reservations:
Official website: www.relaischateaux.com
Instagram: @relaischateaux

Written by Victoire Le Goaëc, the 02 July 2025

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