Antarctica Paradise Bay is a waterway located close to the extreme northern tip of Antarctica. Thanks to its relative proximity to South America, it is one of the major points of entry for those visiting Earth’s coldest continent. Antarctica was the last of Earth’s continents to be discovered, and one of the earliest places to be visited was Paradise Bay. It was a popular … [Read more...]
MILFORD SOUND
New Zealand Milford Sound is an immense waterway that dominates the southern end of New Zealand’s South Island. Technically a fjord, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in New Zealand (it was named the world’s top travel destination by Tripadvisor in 2008). Enclosed on almost everyside by steep mountains covered in lush greenery and waterfalls, Milford … [Read more...]
BAY OF ISLANDS
New Zealand The Bay of Islands is one of the most beautiful bays and one of the most popular recreational areas in New Zealand. Located at the extreme northern tip of the North Island, it is also the historic gateway to the most remote major land mass on Earth. It is not only popular with outdoors enthusiasts but also with New Zealand history buffs. The first Maori arrivals … [Read more...]
HA LONG BAY
Vietnam Ha Long Bay is acclaimed by many to be one of the most spectacular waterways on Earth. A labyrinth of titanic stone pillars that jut from the water’s surface, Ha Long Bay is a great natural harbor that is home to floating fishing villages and a culture that dates back thousands of years. The bay is now a favorite stop for cruise ships traversing the orient and … [Read more...]
PHANG NGA BAY
Thailand Phang Nga Bay is a magnificent waterway that separates the Malay Peninsula from Phuket Island. Located just north of the critical shipping lanes in the Malacca Strait, Phang Nga Bay has been an important haven for seaborne commerce since time immemorial. Dotted with exotic islands, it is now popular with seaborne sightseerers. Much of Phang Nga Bay is now protected … [Read more...]
BAY OF KOTOR
Montenegro The Bay of Kotor is one of the most spectacular waterways in Europe. Winding for miles into the Dinaric Alps in Montenegro, it is among the most popular cruise destinations in the Adriatic Sea. The area of the bay has been inhabited since ancient times, and is rich in history as well as natural beauty. As part of the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of … [Read more...]
GEIRANGERFJORD
Norway The Geirangerfjord is Norway’s most beautiful fjord, which is saying a lot. Technically an extension of the much larger Storfjorden, the Geirangerfjord is one of the most stunning sites in Scandinavia, and one of the most visited. Because of the steep slopes of the surrounding mountains, the fjord is virtually uninhabited. The Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World … [Read more...]
GUANABARA BAY
Brazil Guanabara Bay is considered by many to be the world’s most spectacular bay. Home to the city of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara is a visual feast, from its waterfront cityscape to its huge and odd rock formations. Unfortunately, rampant overdevelopment and lack of sanitation regulation has left much of the bay in ecologically poor shape, but significant efforts are now … [Read more...]
BAY OF FUNDY
Canada The Bay of Fundy, a magnificent waterway surrounded largely by pristine wilderness, is famous for having the largest (or possibly the second largest) high tidal range in the world. Home to some of the earliest European settlements in North America as well as Fundy National Park, the Bay of Fundy is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the east coast of … [Read more...]
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
*California San Francisco Bay is one of the largest natural harbors on the Pacfic Coast of the Americas. Actually consisting of several large, interconnected bodies of water, San Francisco Bay is one of the most important waterways on the west coast of the United States. Surrounded by both densely developed cityscapes (largely to the south) and pristine wilderness (largely … [Read more...]
