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75+ Best Sailing Quotes for Your Inner Sailor

The freedom that comes with casting off the lines and heading out into open water is something many authors, poets, and explorers have aimed to express in words.

This list contains the best sailing quotes, whether from a famous writer or an avid sailor.

Many of these famous quotes about sailing are inspirational, while others represent the challenges of a sailing lifestyle. Other sayings on the list are sailing metaphors for life – inspiration for all sailors, world travelers, and adventurers!

Find a specfic type of sailing quote in the sections below, or browse all the quotes.

Sail Away Quotes

Below are sailor sayings that express what it feels like to live on the ocean. These quotes make you want to cast off the lines and sail away with no plan for return to port.

1. “There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.” —  Joseph Conrad, Polish-British Writer

2. “I wanted freedom, open air, and adventure. I found it on the sea.” —  Alaine Gerbault, French Sailor

3. “Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” —  Van Morrison, Irish Singer-Songwriter

4. “Flying might not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.” —  Amelia Earhart, American Aviation Pioneer & Author

5. “A man is never lost at sea.” —  Ernest Hemingway, American Writer

6. “It is not that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better.” ―  Sir Francis Drake, English Explorer

7. “The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.” —   Joshua Slocum, First Person to Single-Hand Circumnavigate

8. “For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always our self we find in the sea.” — E.E. Cummings, American Poet & Author

9. “To young men contemplating a voyage, I’d say go.” — Joshua Slocum, First Person to Single-Hand Circumnavigate

Inspirational Sailing Quotes

These are our favorite sailing and sailboat quotes that capture the feeling of a day on the water.

10. “A bad day sailing is 100 times better than a good day at work.” —  Unknown

11. “Hark, now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, and feel the sky let your soul and spirit fly, into the mystic.” — Van Morrison, Northern Irish Singer & Songwriter

12. “It’s out there at sea that you are really yourself.” — Vito Dumas, Argentine Solo Sailor & Circumnavigator

13. “You haven’t lived until you’ve sailed.” — David Sedaris, Theft by Finding: Diaries

14. “The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective.” — Henry David Thoreau, American Poet & Philosopher

15. “On a day when the wind is perfect, the sail just needs to open and the world is full of beauty.” — Rumi, Persian Poet

16. “Confronting a storm is like fighting God. All the powers in the universe seem to be against you and, in an extraordinary way, your irrelevance is at the same time both humbling and exalting.” — Francis LeGrande

Sailing Quotes About Life

These are our favorite sailing quotes that are metaphors for life and translate to its many challenges and struggles.

17. “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” ―  Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter

18. “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” ―  Louisa May Alcott, American Poet

19. “If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” ―  Seneca, Roman Philosopher

20. “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” ― William Ernest Henley, English Poet & Writer

21. “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.” —  Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean

22. “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” ―  Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Philosopher

23. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” ―  William Arthur Ward, American Writer

24. “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ―  Mark Twain, American Writer

25. “On life’s vast ocean, diversely we sail. Reasons the card, but passion the gale.” ―  Alexander Pope, English Poet

26. “One’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.” —  Henry Miller, American Writer & Artist

27. “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” —  Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President

28. “You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” — Christopher Columbus, Italian Explorer

29. “Any fool can carry on, but a wise man knows how to shorten sail in time.” ―  Joseph Conrad,   Polish-British Writer

30. “There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” — Willa Cather, American Writer

Cruising Quotes

These quotes are for the full-time cruisers living a life on the water. These are some of our favorite sayings about modern-day life on a sailboat.

31. “To be successful at sea, we must keep things simple.” ―   Pete Culler, Author & Renowned Wooden Boat Builder

32. “Go small, go simple, go now.” ―  Larry Pardey, Sailor & Writer

33. “At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.” —  Robin Lee Graham, American Sailor

34. “The single commandment of anchoring is ‘thou shall create scope.'” ― Reese Palley, Art Dealer & Circumnavigator

35. “The charm of singlehanded cruising is not solitude, but independence.” — Claud Worth, Master Mariner & Writer

36. “The lovely thing about cruising is that planning usually turns out to be of little use.” —  Dom Degnon, Yacht Broker & Freelance Writer

37. “Cruising is fixing your boat in exotic locations.” —  Unknown

38. “Home is where the anchor drops.” —  Unknown

39. “If you are going to do something, do it now. Tomorrow is too late.”   —  Pete Goss, British Sailor

40. “The planning stage of a cruise is often just as enjoyable as the voyage itself, letting one’s imagination loose on all kinds of possibilities. Yet translating dreams into reality means a lot of practical questions have to be answered.” —  Jimmy Cornell, British Sailor & Author

41. “It’s remarkable how quickly a good and favorable wind can sweep away the maddening frustrations of shore living.” —  Ernest K. Gann, American Sailor & Author

Sailing and Adventure Quotes from Novels

These quotes are from some of our favorite novels. They encapsulate life on the water, the sailing lifestyle, and seeking adventure!

42. “Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.” —  Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

43. “To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.” ―  Hans Christian Andersen, The Fairy Tale of My Life: An Autobiography

44. “The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” ―  Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild

45. “The truths of the sea, like the truths of the soul, cannot be reduced to numbers.” ― Webb Chiles, The Ocean Waits

46. “There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of ’em, it doesn’t matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that’s the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don’t; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you’re always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you’ve done it there’s always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you’d much better not.” —  Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Quotes About Ships

Whether as vessels of exploration, symbols of resilience, or metaphors for life’s journey, ships have long captured the esscense of the adventurer’s spirit.

47. “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” ―  John A. Shedd, American Author

48. “The goal is not to sail the boat, but rather to help the boat sail herself.” — John Rousmaniere, American Author

49. “It’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that’s what a ship needs but what a ship is…what the Black Pearl really is…is freedom.” —  Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean

50. “A sailing vessel is alive in a way that no ship with mechanical power ever be.” ― Aubrey de Selincourt, English Writer

51. “Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made, for somewhere deep in their oaken hearts the soul of a song is laid.” — Robert N. Rose, Poet

Ocean Quotes

These quotes are specifically about the ocean or the sea. If you are a sailor or beach lover, I’m sure you love to romanticize the sea, and these quotes will resonate with you.

52. “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ―  Jacques Yves Cousteau, French Naval Officer

53. “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” ―  John F. Kennedy, 35th U.S. President

54. “Dance with the waves, move with the sea, let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.” ―  Christy Ann Martine, Canadian Poet

55. “At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.” ―  Sandy Gingras, Writer & Illustrator

56. “Every time I slip into the ocean, it’s like going home.” ―  Sylvia Earle, American Marine Biologist

57. “If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.” ―  Jimmy Buffett, American Singer-Songwriter

58. “The sea is a desert of waves, a wilderness of water.” —  Langston Hughes, American Poet

Funny Sailing Quotes

This selection features funny sailing quotes from poets, writers, and modern-day cruisers, that explore the lighter side of life at sea.

59. “Sailing – The fine art of slowly going nowhere at great expense while being cold, wet, and miserable.” — Irv Heller

60. “The sea speaks a language polite people never repeat. It is a colossal scavenger slang and has no respect.” — Carl Sandburg, American Poet

61. “Any damn fool can navigate the world sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk.” —  Sir Francis Chichester, Sailor & Author (First Man to Single-Hand Circumnavigate Non-Stop)

62. “Later down the road of life, I made the discovery that salt water was also good for the mental abrasions one inevitably acquires on land.” — Jimmy Buffett, American Singer-Songwriter (A Pirate Looks at Fifty)

63. “Only two sailors, in my experience, never ran aground. One never left port, and the other was an atrocious liar.” —  Don Bamford, Sailor & Author

64. “The chance for mistakes is about equal to the number of crew squared.” — Ted Turner, Entrepreneur & America’s Cup Winner

65. “Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.” ‍‍— Brooks Atkinson, American Theatre Critic

66. “When the draught of your vessel exceeds the depth of the water, you are most assuredly, aground.” — Ian Walsh

67. “A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind. Live passionately, even if it kills you, because something is going to kill you anyway.” — Webb Chiles , Writer & Sailor

68. “Being hove to in a long gale is the most boring way of being terrified, I know.” — Donald Hamilton, American Writer

69. “If we get lost, we’ll just pull in somewhere and ask directions.” — Captain Ron Rico (Captain Ron)

70. “The only way to get a good crew is to marry one.” — Eric Hiscock, British Sailor & Author

Sailing Quotes from Movies

These unforgettable sailing quotes are all from the silver screen, where the sea has played a starring role in captivating audiences for decades.

71. “A diesel loves her oil same as a sailor loves rum.” — Captain Ron Rico (Captain Ron)

72. “It’s not just sails and knots, it’s seeing where you’re going in your mind. Knowing where you are by knowing where you’ve been.” — Maui (Moana)

73. “You know, there have been more people in space than have sailed around the world. I didn’t even know it was something you can do, but you can, and I want to. ‘Cause I’m an adventurer.” — Jessica Watson (True Spirit)

74. “You can’t run from the wind. You trim your sails, face the music, and keep going.”  — Captain Christopher “Skipper” Sheldon (White Squall)

75. “Now…bring me that horizon.” —  Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

76. “But it ain’t all buttons and charts, little albatross. You know what the first rule of flying is? Love. You can learn all the math in the ‘Verse, but you take a boat in the air that you don’t love, she’ll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells you she’s hurtin’ ‘fore she keens. Makes her a home.” — Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Serenity)

READ NEXT: Check out many of the movies that feature these quotes on our sailing movies list .

Share your favorite sailing quotes.

I hope you were inspired or even nodded along in agreement with some of the sailor sayings on this list.

I’m sure I’m missing some other famous sailing quotes, so feel free to leave your favorite nautical saying in the comments below or even a personal quote that resonates with you!

RELATED ARTICLES

If you liked this list of sailing quotes, you will find many of these authors, songwriters, and actors on our other lists below.

• 25 Epic Sailing Songs for Sailors & Modern-Day Pirates
• 35 Inspiring Books for Sailors
• 17 Best Sailing Movies & Documentaries
• 51 Inspiring Camping Quotes & Captions

Hungry for more sailing inspiration?

Check out our lists of sailing movies, songs, books, and more to inspire this lifestyle.

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Or view our web stories.

Morgan, the founder of The Home That Roams, has been living nomadically for over five years. She began her journey traveling across the U.S. in a motorhome and cruising on a liveaboard sailing catamaran. Currently, she lives full-time in a travel trailer, sharing resources on RV living and boat life to help others downsize their lives and thrive in an alternative lifestyle.

Id rather be lost at sea then found at work…..Anon.

I can definitely relate to this one!

The cost of good navigation is constant vigilance.

All sailors of all sorts are more or less capricious and unreliable. They live in the varying outer weather and inhale its fickleness – and when retained for any object remote and blank in the pursuit, however promissory of life and passion in the end, it is above all things requisite that temporary interests and employments should intervene to hold them healthily suspended for the final dash. – Herman Melville, Moby Dick

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Sailing Quotes: 50+ Sayings About the Ocean

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Last Updated on October 9, 2021 by Amy

Whether you are just starting out and learning how to sail or have completed a world circumnavigation like us , sometimes it helps to be reminded why we do this. There are many benefits to the cruising life, and some inspirational words always help me get there. And at the moment, they make me miss cruising! That’s why I’ve compiled a list of over fifty sailing quotes to remind me how great – or how impactful, awe-inspiring, and essential the cruising life can be.

Are you just starting out? Or are you in the slumps about cruising? I hope some of these quotes about the sailing and cruising life will make you laugh, think, or even, dare I say it, want to go sailing.

Table of Contents - Click to Jump

Inspirational Boat Quotes

“To reach a port we must set sail – Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

“I can’t control the wind but I can adjust the sail.” ―  Ricky Skaggs

“You must never despise the port you were born because no matter how small or how bad it is, it is the place you have started sailing to the universe!” ―  Mehmet Murat ildan

“We each have our oceans and seas that we travel on.” ―  Anthony T Hincks

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” ― Helen Keller

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” ― John F Kennedy

“I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” ― John Masefield

Dark Subjects

“She watched the gap between ship and shore grow to a huge gulf. Perhaps this was a little like dying, the departed no longer visible to the others, yet both still existed, only in different worlds.” ― Susan Wiggs, The Charm School

“Sometimes I pretend I’m an anchor because there’s a difference between sinking and drowning.” ―  R.I.D. Inkskinned

“When  Predator  sailed into war, she  sang . The rapid winds and rising shrieks suddenly blended into a single harmonious tone. Lines in the rigging and the yards and the masts themselves quivered in time, and began giving off their own notes of music, in harmony with one another. As the speed increased, the chord rose and rose, and built and  built , until it reached a crescendo of pure, eerie, inhuman fury. Grimm  felt  the music rise around him, felt the ship straining eagerly to her task, and his own heart raced in fierce exultation in time with her. Every line of the ship, every smudge upon her decks, every stain upon the leathers of his aeronauts leapt into his mind in vibrant detail. He could feel the ship’s motion, forward and down, could feel the wind of her passage, could feel the rising terror of his crew. One of the men screamed–one of them always did–and then the entire crew joined in with  Predator , shrieking their battle cries together with their ship’s. The ship would not fail them–Grimm knew it; he felt it, the way he could feel sunlight on his face or the rake of wind in his hair.” ―  Jim Butcher,  The Aeronaut’s Windlass

“So there you have it: hearing voices at sea is not a pathological condition. It’s quite normal. Welcome to the world of illusions at sea. Of mirages, looming, towering, stooping and sinking. Of moons that change size, suns that change shape, horizons that bend, lights that change colour, and sounds that play hide and seek. Of waves that speak, ships that effervesce and whales that turn into baby elephants. For the sea has a lobsterpot full of tricks and illusions to confuse and beguile even the most rational 21st century sailor.” ―  Nic Compton,  Off the Deep End: A History of Madness at Sea

“For I say there is no other thing that is worse than the sea is for breaking a man, even though he may be a very strong one.” ―  Homer

“Sail through the good days, and on bad days pick a spot of blue sky to steer toward.” ―  Richelle E. Goodrich,  Making Wishes

Practical Sailing Quotes

“Go small, go simple, go now” ―  Larry Pardey,  Cruising in Seraffyn

“She found out that having something to do prevented you from feeling seasick, and that even a job like scrubbing a deck could be satisfying, if it was done in a seamanlike way. She was very taken with this notion, and later on she folded the blankets on her bunk in a seamanlike way, and put her possessions in the closet in a seamanlike way, and used ‘stow’ instead of ‘tidy’ for the process of doing so. After two days at sea, Lyra decided that this was the life for her.” ―  Philip Pullman,  The Golden Compass

“A small boat that sails the river is better than a large ship that sinks in the sea.” ―  Matshona Dhliwayo

Humorous Yacht Sayings

“Thing about boats is, you can always sell them if you don’t like them. Can’t sell kids.” ―  Lin Pardey,  Bull Canyon: A Boatbuilder, a Writer and Other Wildlife

“For those of you who wish to get a feel for it, get in the car and bring it up to fifty miles an hour and then stick your head and arms outside and, while driving, try to fold up a simple bath towel in the wind” ―  Gary Paulsen,  Caught by the Sea: My Life on Boats

“Charter boats are like books with no covers.” ―  Tania Aebi

“One of the reasons there are so many terms for conditions of ice is that the mariners observing it were often trapped in it, and had nothing to do except look at it.” ―  Alec Wilkinson,  The Ice Balloon: S. A. Andrée and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration

“The winds of fortune tend to favour the sails of those who politely yell out to it, ‘Nice to meet you!” ―  Nabil Sabio Azadi

“You don’t throw a compass overboard because the ocean is calm.” ―  Matshona Dhliwayo

The Joys of Sailing Quotes

“Seas were meant to be sailed by those with salt in their veins, and love in their heart.” ―  Anthony T.Hincks

“I wanted freedom, open air, adventure. I found it on the sea.” ― Alain Gerbault

“Sailing unties the knots in my mind.” ― Al Noble

To some it’s just water. To me, it’s where I regain my sanity. ― Anonymous

“A sailing vessel is alive in a way that no ship with mechanical power ever be.” ― Aubrey de Selincourt

“There is no more thrilling sensation I know of than sailing. It comes as near to flying as man has got to yet – except in dreams.” ―  Jerome K. Jerome,  Three Men in a Boat

“Just because a sea is calm doesn’t mean that you can believe in its stillness.” ―  Anthony T. Hincks

“When I’m out sailing, I don’t wonder what heaven is like because I know.” ―  Anthony T. Hincks

It is not that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better. ― Sir Francis Drake

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. ― Jacques Yves Cousteau

There’s nothing like lying flat on your back on the deck, alone except for the helmsman aft at the wheel, silence except for the lapping of the sea against the side of the ship. At that time you can be equal to Ulysses and brother to him. ― Errol Flynn

“Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be Pirates” —Mark Twain

“That’s what a ship is, you know—it’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that’s what a ship needs. But what a ship is, really is, is freedom.” ― Captain Jack Sparrow, “Pirates of the Caribbean”

“You haven’t lived until you’ve sailed” ―  David Sedaris,  Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002

“Sometimes you need to tether your boats to stop them from following your dreams.” ―  Anthony T. Hincks

There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. ― Kenneth Grahame

“The ocean’s currents are a turbulent emotion which man has yet to come to terms with.” ―  Anthony T. Hincks

“If you are a boat that wants to sail in windy weather, you must be more stubborn than the waves!” ―  Mehmet Murat ildan

“We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.” ― Aristotle Onassis

A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. ― William Shedd

“Storms draw out something out of us that calm seas don’t.” ― Bill Hybels

“I hate storms, but calms undermine my spirits.” ― Bernard Moitessier

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. ― Vincent Van Gogh

“The only ship you can truly steer in this ocean is the one you’re sailing. Quit trying to alter the winds; harness them.” ―  Richelle E. Goodrich,  Making Wishes

“The wind does not change, the wind only blows and gusts, and it swells and swirls, and it whispers.” ―  Christopher X. Shade,  The Good Mother of Marseille

“Maria didn’t fear the sea but, as taught by her father, she respected its power. In her experience the ocean had no intent to drown travellers.” ―  Sara Sheridan,  On Starlit Seas

“A sailor is not defined as much by how many seas he has sailed than by how many storms he has overcome.” ―  Matshona Dhliwayo

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” ― Louisa May Alcott

Distant Horizons

“The wind tousled his hair, and Dain’s chest loosed a little as his gaze broke from the wooden maid to follow a breeze-blown gull toward the horizon. The distant salmon skies dipped over the rim of the sea, and for the first time since boarding, he wondered where the waves might take him.” ―  Micheline Ryckman,   The Maiden Ship

“I hate the strange feeling of wanting to be in two places at once, like a sailor who misses the sea as much as he misses dry land.” ― Michelle Moran, Rebel Queen

“To meditate is to sail a course, to navigate, among problems many of which we are in the process of clearing up. After each one looms another, whose shores are even more attractive, more suggestive. Certainly, it requires strength and perseverance to get to windward of problems, but there is no greater delight than to reach new shores, and even to sail, as Camoëns says, “through seas that keel has never cut before.” If you will now open a bank-account of attention for me, I foretell sun-smitten landscapes and promise archipelagoes.” ―  José Ortega y Gasset

“But that’s how it is on a sailing ship, and in this respect its journey parallels that of life: simply knowing where you want to go isn’t enough, because life is a windblown voyage, consisting mainly of the detours imposed by alternating calm and storm.” ―  Carsten Jensen,  We, the Drowned

“At the end of the day…we are anchoring into the peaceful lagoon, smiling at the majestic sun and its flirting rays, slowly slipping into the glittering ballroom of immense night skies, sipping on the platinum moon liquor under the blues of rippling waves kissing my golden foot hanging over the board of gently rocking boat, and diving into the bed of galaxies whispering magical stories of their eternal lives connecting souls…till the dawn…” ―  Oksana Rus

“And there’s that one particular harbour Sheltered from the wind Where the children play on the shore each day And all are safe within” ― Jimmy Buffett

“Midnight sail and moonlight. I remember sunset, and gentle breeze. Leaving the city lights behind, and gazing at the moon. Mountains of clouds. Waves slapping our boat. It was easy to forget that love has no direction, or need for compass. Let it guide you to its destination.” ―  Fidelis O Mkparu

“Cold November nights. It feels as if summer never happened. The beauty of setting sun, moon, and stars. Sailing to nowhere, but finding happiness in our togetherness. Never forget what we are. Stranded hearts.” ― Fidelis O. Mkparu, Love’s Affliction

“The moon was low but not full. The men set out along the dock in conversation. As they dropped onto the dark beach, Simmons declared, ‘There can be no better place in the world than this.’ Henderson had to agree. The beach was beautiful. The stars lit the sand and balmy air rode in as the waves washed up on paradise” ―  Sara Sheridan,  On Starlit Seas

“There, in the shimmering distance, was a sail. I stared in momentary disbelief, but there it was, one of the most beautiful sights the Pacific can ever offer — a ship in full sail edging her way through the blue waters.” ―  Tom Neale,  An Island to Oneself: The Story of Six Years on a Desert Island

“Life on the blue part of the globe for eight years had suited me – the wild open spaces, the bliss of buoyancy, the volatile, soul-powered wind. Sailing had struck a nerve both primal and poetic. On and near the ocean life made sense, It made every sense work.” ―  Kaci Cronkhite

“A true sailor is one who finds love in every port.” ―  Tapan Ghosh

“Never a ship sails out of bay but carries my heart as a stowaway.” ―  Roselle Mercier Montgomery

Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit. ‍ ― Brooks Atkinson

“Simply sailing in a new direction you could enlarge the world” ―  Allen Curnow

“We didn’t make it around the world, but we were able to wrap the world around us.” ―  Janis Couvreux,  Sail Cowabunga!: A Family’s 10 Years at Sea

“It had occurred to her many times that on board it didn’t matter where you were coming from or where you were heading. Each voyage had its own charisma. Like writing a book – word by word – or crossing a country – step by step – each minute had to be lived moment by moment.” ―  Sara Sheridan,  On Starlit Seas

The Cruising Lifestyle

“The cruising life isn’t for all of us. It isn’t even for most of us, but it is for some of us, and for a few of us it is essential to survival.” ―  Jim Trefethen,  The Cruising Life

“What do you do?” is not a question asked to define someone, because out here we’re all working the same jobs: yachties, mechanics, navigators, weather-readers, fishermen, adventure travelers, storytellers.” ―  Torre DeRoche,  Love with a Chance of Drowning

“At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.” ― Robin Lee Graham

“Maybe you’re getting into the rhythm of sailing life,” says James. He looks out at the waves that are rolling in to lap against the dock. “You know, the tides going in and then out, the wind blowing east and then west, the high of a perfect day out on the water, the low of a thunderstorm or a wind that won’t go your way.” ―  Melissa C. Walker,  Unbreak My Heart

“For the most part, a sailboat navigates through its world of wind and water not leaving a single trace of its passage. Nothing is consumed. Nothing is altered. The winds and the water are left in exactly the same condition for the next user. Sailing is forever.” ― Michael B. McPhee

Quotes On Love & Crew

“We simply can’t abandon ship every time we encounter a storm in our marriage. Real love is about weathering the storms of life together.” ―  Seth Adam Smith

“He stared at her hard and long, as if he were gauging a cloudbank that might be worth the trouble to sail around rather than through.” ―  A.S. Peterson,  Fiddler’s Green

“That’s what sailing is, a dance, and your partner is the sea. And with the sea you never take liberties. You ask her, you don’t tell her. You have to remember always that she’s the leader, not you. You and your boat are dancing to her tune.” ―  Michael Morpurgo,  Alone on a Wide Wide Sea

“The only way to get a good crew is to marry one.” ― Eric Hiscock

“Now I remembered a captain’s honor and his only duty: to bring his crew back alive.” ―  Carsten Jensen,  We, the Drowned

“We of the sea come to know each other quickly; our loves, like our hates, are born of sudden dangers.” ―  Lew Wallace,  Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Quotes On Departing Ports

“I had acquired the skills to sail a ship; I didn’t acquire the knowledge.” ― Tom Holland

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ―  H. Jackson Brown Jr.,  P.S. I Love You

“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― Christopher Columbus

“The boat is safer anchored at the port; but that is not the aim of boats.” ― Paulo Coelho

“The thing that most forget while dreamily looking off into the horizon for the ship of their dreams is that such ships never sail in but are built beneath their feet.” ―  Mike Dooley

“The sea is the same as it has been since before men ever went on it in boats.” ― Ernest Hemingway

“The sea was not meant to be controlled. The sea was meant to be sailed.” ―  Jon Acuff

“The sea speaks a language polite people never repeat. It is a colossal scavenger slang and has no respect.” ― Carl Sandburg

“The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.” ― Joseph Conrad

“How inappropriate it is to call this planet Earth, when clearly it is Sea.” ― Arthur C. Clarke

“She loved the sea. She liked the sharp salty smell of the air, and the vastness of the horizons bounded only by a vault of azure sky above. It made her feel small, but free as well.” ―  George R.R. Martin,  A Storm of Swords

Which sailing quote is your favorite?

Beautiful quotes. A pleasure to read. Thank you using so many of my quotes. “The sea is what makes me feel so young.”

All the best. Anthony T. Hincks

You have a way with words!

Amy, devem existir incontáveis citações célebres envolvendo o mar e o nosso eterno caso de amor, que é velejar. Parabéns pelo seu bom gosto. Surpreendente. Já li algumas mas sua seleção é melhor de todas. Sinceros agradecimentos.

The sea is a good muse! 🙂

I collect sailing/travel quotes and many of these were new to me. What a great list.

And…you corrected my erroneously attributing a certain quote to Mark Twain 😉

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society where none intrudes, By the deep Sea, and music in its roar: I love not Man the less, but Nature more, Lord Byron

Thank you, Amy!

I looked up the Mark Twain thing before I posted, because I saw it attributed to both. Geat Bryon quote.

The quote: ‘Quit trying to alter the winds; harness them.’ really resonated with me today 🙂

Thanks for all the work putting this lovely collection together.

Aw great to hear from you! 🙂

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Pearls of wisdom: 20 most inspiring sailing quotes ever

• Katy Stickland

We all need some inspiration from time to time. These quotes by sailing legends and enthusiasts have inspired us all at YBW since we launched 20 years ago

Credit: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

“Any damn fool can navigate the world sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk.”  Sir Francis Chichester  

“Every single day since I heard that tap-tapping and knew I had survived, I have told myself I am lucky to be alive. Why go back? Because I’m a racing sailor; that’s what I do. I love the sea, and I love competition. You don’t give up on life just because you once had a narrow shave from death.”  Tony Bullimore

“My mother, when asked for her opinion of the voyage before I sailed, had replied that she considered it ‘totally irresponsible’ and on this Christmas Day I began to think she was right. I was sailing round the world simply because I bloody well wanted to – and, I realised, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.”  Robin Knox-Johnston

“The day passes happily with me wherever my ship sails.”  Joshua Slocum

“The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance.”  Annie Van De Wiele

Credit: ABACA/PA Images

“I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it’s because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it’s because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came. ”  John F. Kennedy

“There have been times on this trip I’ve been convinced that GPS was wrong.”   Chris Robb

“Calm sailing doesn’t come from calm waters, it comes from having a good navigator; a good crew and a good vessel.”  Anthony T. Hincks

“It’s out there at sea that you are really yourself.”   Vito Dumas

“The cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing; not only will it shelter you from a tempest, but from the other troubles in life, it is a safe retreat.”  L. Francis Herreshoff

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“The charm of singlehanded cruising is not solitude, but independence.”  Claud Worth

“When you are in a huge storm, and you’ve set the boat up for the winds, and the autopilot is steering the boat, there’s nothing to do apart from stand there and watch the walls of water breaking around you; it’s an awesome sight.”  Emma Richards

“In splicing, practice makes perfect, and in the doing you will learn more than from reading any ten books on the subject.”  Hervey Garrett Smith

“The only way to get a good crew is to marry one.”  Eric Hiscock

“To win, you have to believe you can do it. You have to be passionate about it. You have to really ‘want’ the result – even if this means years of work. The hardest part of any big project is to begin.”  Sir Peter Blake

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“When you spend so much time pushing, caring for, cajoling and maintaining a beautiful racing machine like this, you get very close. She’s looked after me well, and I look after her. I haven’t been lonely at all.”  Ellen MacArthur

“The chance of mistakes are about equal to the number of crew squared.”   Ted Turner

“The desire to build a house is the tired wish of a man content thenceforward with a single anchorage. The desire to build a boat is the desire of youth, unwilling yet to accept the idea of a final resting place.”  Arthur Ransome

“I want a boat that drinks six, eats four, and sleeps two.”  Ernest K. Gann

“A sailing ship is no democracy; you don’t caucus a crew as to where you’ll go anymore than you inquire when they’d like to shorten sail.”  Sterling Hayden

The 74 Best Sailing Quotes

Ever since its inception, sailing has been linked to a sense of freedom and drive for adventure out on the sea. For many centuries, sailors were considered to be bold and courageous people willing to risk their lives for fortune and honor.

Many people have tried to express the freedom and enjoyment of sailing through words and quotes.

Many great men and women have fallen in love with sailing over the years, giving birth to a practically endless series of funny, happy and inspirational quotes.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of our personal favorites.

Inspirational Sailing Quotes

Our favorite inspirational sailing quotes to get you inspired and motivated are below.

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ‍ ‍-Mark Twain

“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore” ‍ ‍-Christopher Columbus

“Sailors, with their built-in sense of order, service and discipline, should really be running the world.” ‍ ‍-Nicholas Monsarrat

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” ‍ ‍-William Arthur Ward

“A bad day sailing is 100 times better than a good day at work.” ‍ ‍-An Unknown Sailor

“Who is staring at the sea is already sailing a little” ‍ ‍-Paul Carvel

“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” ‍ ‍-Willa Cather

“I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” ‍ ‍-John Masefield

“To be successful at sea we must keep things simple.” ‍ ‍-Pete Culler

“The sea is the same as it has been since before men ever went on it in boats.” ‍ ‍-Ernest Hemingway

“Nothing comes sailing by itself” ‍ ‍-Alexander Dale Oen

“The goal is not to sail the boat, but rather to help the boat sail herself” ‍ ‍-John Rousmaniere

“Until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, you will not know the terror of being forever lost at sea.” ‍ ‍-Charles Cook

“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.” ‍ ‍-William Sheed

“To young men contemplating a voyage I would say go” ‍ ‍-Joshua Slocum

“To desire nothing beyond what you have is surely happiness. Aboard a boat, it is frequently possible to achieve just that. That is why sailing is a way of life, one of the finest of lives.” ‍ ‍-Carleton Mitchell

“What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous.” ‍ ‍-Thomas Merton

“I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea.” ‍ ‍-Alain Gerbault

“There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.” ‍ ‍-Joseph Conrad

“To reach a port we must set sail - Sail, not tie at anchor - Sail, not drift.” ‍ ‍-Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” ‍ ‍-Vincent Van Gogh

“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” ‍ ‍-Lucius Annaeus Seneca

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” ‍ ‍-Fitzhugh Dodson

“Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” ‍ ‍-Syrus Publilius

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” ‍ ‍-African proverb

“Can't control the wind but I can adjust the sail.” ‍ ‍-Ricky Skaggs

“We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn topsail in high winds.” ‍ ‍-Aristotle Onassis

“He who lets the sea lull him into a sense of security is in very grave danger.” ‍ ‍-Hammond Ines

“Sailing is just the bottom line, like adding up the score in bridge. My real interest is in the tremendous game of life.” ‍ ‍-Dennis Conner

“Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.” ‍ ‍-Augustus Hare

“No literature is richer than that of the sea. No story is more enthralling, no tradition is more secure.” ‍ ‍-Felix Riesenberg

“The man who has experienced shipwreck shudders even at a calm sea.” ‍ ‍-Ovid

“There is but a plank between a sailor and eternity.” ‍ ‍-Thomas Gibbons

“At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.” ‍ ‍-Robin Graham

“The lovely thing about cruising is that planning usually turns out to be of little use.” ‍ ‍-Dom Degnon

“I cannot not sail” ‍ ‍-E. B. White

“The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance” ‍ ‍-Annie Van De Wiele

“When all seems to be against you, remember, a ship sometimes has to sail against the current, not with it.” ‍ ‍-Matshona Dhliwayo

“In a calm sea, every man is a pilot.” ‍ ‍-John Ray

Happy Sailing Quotes

Below are our favorite sailing quotes that will make you happy.

“Never in my life before have I experienced such beauty, and fear at the same time.” ‍ ‍-Ellen MacArthur

“The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.” ‍ ‍-Joshua Slocum

“Mackerel skies and mares tails, soon will be time to shorten sails” ‍ ‍-Sailors Proverb

“Sailing a boat calls for quick action, a blending of feeling with the wind and water as well as with the very heart and soul of the boat itself. Sailing teaches alertness and courage, and gives in return a joyousness and peace that but few sports afford.” ‍ ‍-George Matthew Adams

“Success soon palls. The joyous time is when the breeze first strikes your sails, and the waters rustle under your bows.” ‍ ‍-Charles Buxton

“Instead of sailing off into the sunset, he hopes to sail into the next century.” ‍ ‍-Dave Anderson

“I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth, a nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea.” ‍ ‍-Bernard Moitessier

“You haven't lived until you've sailed.” ‍ ‍-David Sedaris

“It is not that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better.” ‍ ‍-Sir Francis Drake

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ‍ ‍-Jacques Yves Cousteau

“The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigator.” ‍ ‍-Edmund Gibbon

“Sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind. Live passionately, even if it kills you, because something is going to kill you anyway.” ‍ ‍-Webb Chiles

“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” ‍ ‍-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

“It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage.” ‍ ‍-George William Curtis

“For the most part, a sailboat navigates through its world of wind and water not leaving a single trace of its passage. Nothing is consumed. Nothing is altered. The winds and the water are left in exactly the same condition for the next user. Sailing is forever.” ‍ ‍-Michael B. McPhee

“Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than the power that crosses the white sea, driven by the stormy wind, making a path under surges that threaten to engulf him.” ‍ ‍-Sophocles

“The planning stage of a cruise is often just as enjoyable as the voyage itself, letting ones imagination loose on all kinds of possibilities. Yet translating dreams into reality means a lot of practical questions have to be answered.” ‍ ‍-Jimmy Cornell

“The cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing; not only will it shelter you from a tempest, but from the other troubles in life, it is a safe retreat” ‍ ‍-Francis Herreshoff

“And after two days in civilization we realized we could never stay for long and started to plan our next adventure.” ‍ ‍-Bob Bitchin

“Sail Now, Work Later” ‍ ‍-An Unknown Sailor

Funny Sailing Quotes

Below are our favorite funny sailing quotes that will make you laugh.

“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Give him a fishing lesson and he'll sit in a boat drinking beer every weekend.” ‍ ‍-Alex Blackwell

“Any damn fool can navigate the world sober. It takes a really good sailor to do it drunk.” ‍ ‍-Sir Francis Chichester

“When a man comes to like a sea life, he is not fit to live on land.” ‍ ‍-Dr. Samuel Johnson

“The cure for anything is saltwater - sweat, tears, or the sea.” ‍ ‍-Isak Dinesen

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.” ‍ ‍-Charles Davis

“Sailing – The fine art of slowly going nowhere at great expense while being cold, wet and miserable.” ‍ ‍-Irv Heller

“The only way to get a good crew is to marry one.” ‍ ‍-Eric Hiscock

“Only two sailors, in my experience, never ran aground. One never left port and the other was an atrocious liar.” ‍ ‍-Don Bamford

“Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.” ‍ ‍-Brooks Atkinson

“Thing about boats is, you can always sell them if you don't like them. Can't sell kids.” ‍ ‍-Lin Pardey

Sad Sailing Quotes

Below are our favorite sad sailing quotes that are deeply thoughtful.

“As we sail through life, don't avoid rough waters, sail on because calm waters won't make a skillful sailor.” ‍ ‍-Unknown

“The ocean has taken everything from me and yet I still love her.” ‍ ‍-Unknown

“Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat.” ‍ ‍-Jean-Paul Sartre

These are our favorite sailing quotes to get you inspired, motivated and happy.

Some of these quotes are deeply thoughtful whilst others are more light- hearted and funny.

What's your favorite quote?

• Sailor's anthem: Nautical quotes and sayings that set sail

The sea has long been a muse for poets, writers, and dreamers. Whether it's the calm waters reflecting the sky's hues or the tumultuous waves crashing against the shore, the sea's moods and mysteries have inspired profound quotes. We dive into the treasure trove of literary gems that pay homage to the vastness and unpredictability of the ocean.

Quotes about the sea and sailing

Sailor's language and slang.

Onboard a ship, sailors have their own language—a unique blend of slang and terminology that fosters a sense of community and camaraderie. Dive into the fascinating world of sailor slang, from "landlubber" to "aye aye, captain!" Learn the meanings behind these colorful expressions and how they bring the crew together.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Famous sailing quotes and sayings

Throughout history, sailing has captured the imagination of adventurers, philosophers, and writers. We delve into the words of luminaries such as Mark Twain, Herman Melville, and Joshua Slocum, who beautifully captured the essence of sailing in their quotes. These quotes not only celebrate the thrill of exploration but also reflect on the profound experiences of life at sea.

Inspirational quotes for sailors

Sailing isn't just a journey across the water—it's a metaphor for life itself. Inspirational quotes for sailors remind us of the lessons learned from the sea: resilience, adaptability, and the courage to face the unknown. We gather uplifting quotes that inspire sailors to set their course with confidence and determination.

Humorous sailboat quotes and sayings

Sailing isn't all serious business—there's plenty of room for humor on the high seas. Humorous sailboat quotes and sayings inject laughter into maritime life. From witty observations about navigation mishaps to playful jabs at the unpredictability of the wind, we highlight the lighthearted side of sailing.

Boat at sea.

Quotes of the sea: Capturing the essence of sailing

• "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
• "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward
• "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Yves Cousteau
• "To reach a port, we must sail—sail, not tie at anchor—sail, not drift." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
• "I can't control the wind, but I can adjust the sails." - Ricky Skaggs
• "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen
• "The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish." - Jacques Yves Cousteau
• "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain
• "Every time I stand before a beautiful beach, its waves seem to whisper to me: If you choose the simple things and find joy in nature's simple treasures, life and living need not be so hard." - Psyche Roxas-Mendoza
• "He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea." - George Herbert
• "A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind." - Webb Chiles
• "The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul." - Wyland
• "Sailing a boat calls for quick action, a blending of feeling with the wind and water as well as with the very heart and soul of the boat itself." - George Matthew Adams
• "The sea has never been friendly to man. At most, it has been the accomplice of human restlessness." - Joseph Conrad
• "There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea." - Joseph Conrad

These quotes encapsulate the beauty, challenges, and allure of sailing and the sea.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite sailing destinations .

FAQs about nautical quotes

40 Ocean Quotes for Everyone Who Loves The Sea

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 21, 2021  - Last updated: December 16, 2021

Are you inspired by the ocean? Gazing out to sea, sailing, or just spending a lazy day on the beach can be such a magical experience. Here are my 40 favorite ocean quotes to inspire you to spend some time out on the water.

These ocean quotes about the sea range from short to long, inspirational to funny (and everything in between!), so I’m sure you’ll find a quote that you love. I’ve illustrated each of these ocean quotes with a beautiful photo of the sea, perfect to save to your ocean Pinterest board.

I hope you enjoy these quotes as much as I do. Use your favorites for scrapbooking, journaling, and Instagram captions, or just for inspiration to keep looking to the horizon.

Please feel free to save any of my ocean quotes images to use on your own website or social media. Just be sure to credit Should Be Cruising and link back to this page. Thanks!

1. “Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” — Van Morrison

Sir George Ivan Morrison (1945-) is a Grammy Award-winning Northern Irish singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. This ocean quote is from the lyrics to  Into the Mystic , from his 1970 album  Moondance .

2. “Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.” — Christy Ann Martine

One of my favorite ocean quotes, these lines are by Christy Ann Martine Zutautas (1972-), a Canadian poet and writer. This quote about the ocean is from her short poem, Dance With The Waves , written in 2017.

3. “The sea is an underwater museum still awaiting its visitors.” — Philippe Diolé

Philippe Victor Diolé (1908-1977) was a French author and undersea explorer, best known for co-authoring seven of the 8-volume series The Undersea Discoveries of Jacques-Yves Cousteau .

4. “The sea always filled her with longing, though for what she was never sure.” — Cornelia Funke

Cornelia Maria Funke (1958-) is a German author and illustrator of children’s fiction. This ocean quote is from her 2003 young adult fantasy novel Inkheart , the first in a trilogy of the same name.

5. “My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) was an American poet and educator. One of the “fireside poets” from New England, Longfellow was the most popular American poet of his day. This quote about the sea is from his poem The Secret of the Sea , included in his 1850 book of poetry The Seaside and the Fireside .

6. “Take me to the ocean. Let me sail the open sea. To breathe the warm and salty air and dream of things to be.” — Erica Billups

Erica Billups is an Atlanta-based poet, artist, and blogger. She’s the owner and lead artist at Liberty & Lilac Paper Co , and the author of this favorite ocean quote.

7. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” — Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a Bengali writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, painter, and one of India’s greatest poets. He was the first Asian writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1913. This inspirational ocean quote is from his 1910 mystic play The King Of The Dark Chamber .

8. if the ocean can calm itself, so can you. we are both salt water mixed with air.” — Nayyirah Waheed

Reclusive poet and writer Nayyirah Waheed has been called “perhaps the most famous poet on Instagram” by Jet . She’s published two books of her minimalist poetry—this ocean quote is from her 2013 debut volume entitled  salt .

9. “The sea appears all golden, Beneath the sun-lit sky.” — Heinrich Heine

Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) was a German poet, writer, and literary critic. Heine is perhaps best known for his early lyric poems, many of which were set to music by composers including Schubert and Schumann. His quote about the sea comes from his romantic poem Seraphina , published in his 1827 Book of Songs .

10. “The sea does not like to be restrained.” — Rick Riordan

Richard Russell Riordan Jr. (1964-) is an American author best known for writing the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, about a teenager who discovers he’s the son of the Greek god Poseidon. This sea quote is from his 2005 novel The Lightning Thief , the first book in the series.

11. “To me the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the ships with men in them; What stranger miracles are there?”  — Walt Whitman

Walter Whitman (1819–1892) was an American humanist poet, essayist, and journalist. Whitman is one of the most influential American poets and is often called the father of free verse. His ocean quote is from the poem Miracles , first published in his 1856 volume Leaves of Grass .

12. “That the sea is one of the most beautiful and magnificent sights in Nature, all admit.”  — John Joly

John Joly (1857–1933) was an Irish physicist, professor of geology, and inventor, most famous for his development of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Joly also developed the Joly color screen, the first successful process for producing color photographs from a single plate.

13. “The sea is a desert of waves, A wilderness of water.”  — Langston Hughes

James Mercer Langston Hughes (1901–1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. A leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes was also an early innovator of jazz poetry. This ocean quote is from his poem Long Trip .

14. “To me, the sea is like a person — like a child that I’ve known a long time. It sounds crazy, I know, but when I swim in the sea I talk to it. I never feel alone when I’m out there.”  — Gertrude Ederle

Gertrude Caroline Ederle (1905–2003) was an American competition swimmer known as the “Queen of the Waves”. Ederle was an Olympic champion, former world record-holder in five events, and in 1926 became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

15. “And the sea will grant each man new hope, as sleep brings dreams of home.”  — Larry Ferguson

Larry Ferguson is an American screenwriter and film director whose film credits include Highlander ,  Beverly Hills Cop II , and  Alien 3 . Although this sea quote is commonly misattributed to Christopher Columbus, Ferguson actually penned the words, delivered by Sean Connery at the end of the film The Hunt for Red October .

16. “With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live.”  — Sylvia Earle

Dr. Sylvia Alice Earle (1935-) is an American marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since 1988, she’s been a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, and is also part of Ocean Elders , a group dedicated to protecting the ocean and its wildlife.

17. “Wouldst thou … learn the secret of the sea? Only those who brave its dangers, comprehend its mystery!”  — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) was an American poet and educator. This quote about the ocean is from his poem The Secret of the Sea. It’s often misquoted as “Would you learn the secret of the sea?”, but the original line was “Wouldst thou, —so the helmsman answered; Learn the secret of the sea?”.

18. “For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always ourselves we find in the sea ” — E. E. Cummings

Edward Estlin Cummings (1894–1962) was an American modernist poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright. This ocean quote comes from his 1956 poem maggie and milly and molly and may .

19. “The sea possesses a power over one’s moods that has the effect of a will. The sea can hypnotize. Nature in general can do so.”  — Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Johan Ibsen (1828–1906) was a Norwegian modernist playwright and theatre director, often referred to as the “father of realism”. After Shakespeare, Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world. This sea quote is from his 1888 play The Lady from the Sea .

20. “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent.”  — Dave Barry

David McAlister Barry (1947-) is an American author and columnist. From 1983 until 2005, Barry wrote a nationally syndicated humor column for the  Miami Herald . He’s also written many books of humor and parody and several comic novels.

21. “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.”  — Arthur C. Clarke

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (1917–2008) was an English science-fiction writer, science writer, inventor, undersea explorer, and television host. Clarke co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film  2001: A Space Odyssey , one of the most influential films of all time. During the 1980s he hosted several television shows, including  Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World .

22. “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came…”  — John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–1963) was an American politician and the 35th president of the United States. As a young man, JFK and his family spent summers at their Cape Cod home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, where he enjoyed sailing and swimming in the ocean. This ocean quote is from Kennedy’s speech given at the dinner for the America’s Cup crews on September 14, 1962.

23. “Limitless and immortal, the waters are the beginning and end of all things on earth.”  — Heinrich Zimmer

Heinrich Robert Zimmer (1890–1943) was a German Indologist, linguist, and historian of South Asian art, Zimmer is best known for his works  Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization  and  Philosophies of India . He was one of the most important German scholars in Indian philology.

24. “The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective.”  — Beyoncé Knowles

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (1981-) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She’s one of the world’s best-selling recording artists, and was the first artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 with their first six solo studio albums. In 2020, Beyoncé was included on Time ‘s list of 100 women who defined the last century.

25. “The ocean has always been a salve to my soul…the best thing for a cut or abrasion was to go swimming in salt water. Later down the road of life, I made the discovery that salt water was also good for the mental abrasions one inevitably acquires on land.” — Jimmy Buffett

James William Buffett (1946-) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, actor, and businessman. Best known for his island-escapist music, Buffett is also a bestselling author as well as the owner of the Margaritaville restaurant chain. This ocean quote is from his 1988 autobiography A Pirate Looks at Fifty .

26. “In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans.”  — Kahlil Gibran

Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and visual artist. Gibran is best known for his 1923 inspirational fiction work The Prophet , one of the best-selling books of all time. This quote about the ocean is translated from his 1921 Arabic-language play Iram, City of Lofty Pillars .

27. “The calming movement of the sea along with the restless ocean breeze gently caresses me creating a soothing trance which lulls me to a place of peace.”  — M. L. Borges

M. L. Borges is a visual artist, poet, and author who writes in various genres, including mystery and romance. This quote about the ocean is from By The Sea , a 2013 collection of paintings and quotes.

28. “We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.”  — Aristotle Onassis

Aristotle Socrates Onassis (1906–1975) was a Greek shipping magnate. He owned the world’s largest privately-owned shipping fleet at the time and was one of the world’s richest men. Onassis was well known for marrying former US first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leading to her nickname of “Jackie O”.

29. “ The sea does not reward those  who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient … One  should  lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from  the sea .”  — Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Anne Spencer Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001) was an American author and aviator. She was the wife of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh, and they made many exploratory flights together. This sea quote is from her 1955 book Gift from the Sea , an inspirational volume for women that foreshadowed the green movement.

30. “They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.”  — Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General, as temporary Regent of England (for a month in 1617), and later as Lord Chancellor of England. Bacon was an influential figure during the scientific revolution, and his works helped develop the scientific method.

31. “The sea lives in every one of us.”  — Robert Wyland

Robert Wyland (1956-), known simply as Wyland, is an American artist and conservationist best known for his Whaling Walls, a series of over 100 large outdoor murals featuring life-size images of whales and other sea creatures.

Fun fact for cruise fans: Wyland designed and painted a massive mural on the hull of Norwegian Cruise Line ‘s Norwegian Bliss , launched in 2018, featuring images of his trademark life-sized whales.

32. “But where, after all, would be the poetry of the sea were there no wild waves?”  — Joshua Slocum

Joshua Slocum (1844–1909) was a Canadian-American writer, sailor, and adventurer. The first person to sail single-handedly around the world, he wrote a book in 1900, Sailing Alone Around the World , about his journey aboard his sloop the Spray . The book—where this ocean quote is taken from—was an international best-seller. Slocum disappeared in November 1909 while aboard his boat and was presumed lost at sea.

33. “Great sea captains are made in rough waters and deep seas.”  — Kathryn Kuhlman

Kathryn Kuhlman (1907–1976) was an American evangelist known for hosting healing services. She traveled the US extensively and around the world between the 1940s and 1970s, holding “healing crusades”. In the 60s and 70s, Kuhlman hosted I Believe In Miracles , a weekly television program that was aired nationally in the United States.

34. “The human heart is like a ship on a stormy sea driven about by winds blowing from all four corners of heaven.”  — Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a German professor of theology, priest, author, composer, Augustinian monk, and an important figure in the Protestant Reformation. This ocean quote comes from the preface to his 1545 Commentary on the Psalms . This quote is often misattributed to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s.

35. “What world lies beyond that stormy sea I do not know, but every ocean has a distant shore, and I shall reach it.”  — Cesare Pavese

Cesare Pavese (1908–1950) was an Italian novelist, poet, essayist, short story writer, translator, and literary critic. Although he destroyed many of his personal papers before his death, his diaries (which include this quote) remain and were published as This Business of Living: Diaries 1935-1950 .

36. “The sea is as near as we come to another world.”  — Anne Stevenson

Anne Stevenson (1933–2020) was an American-British poet and writer. Stevenson was the author of over a dozen volumes of poetry, books of essays, and literary criticism. In 2007, she was awarded the Lannan Lifetime Achievement Award for Poetry, and the Poetry Foundation’s Neglected Masters Award. This ocean quote is from her 1977 poem North Sea off Carnoustie .

37. “As the sea is beautiful not only in calm but also in storm, so is happiness found not only in peace but also in strife. ” —  Ivan Panin

Ivan Nikolayevich Panin (1855–1942) was a Russian writer and lecturer. After his exile from Russia, Panin emigrated first to Germany and then to the US. Today Panin is best known for claiming to discover numerical patterns in the text of the Hebrew and Greek Bibles. This sea quote is included in his 1899 book, Thoughts .

38. “The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.”  — Kate Chopin

Katherine O’Flaherty Chopin (1850–1904) was an American short story writer and novelist. Chopin is one of the most frequently read and recognized writers of Louisiana Creole heritage. This ocean quote is from The Awakening , her second novel.

39. “The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths, it has its pearls too.”  — Vincent van Gogh

Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853–1890) was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who became one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. This inspirational ocean quote is from The Letters of Vincent van Gogh , a collection of over 900 of his personal letters and related manuscripts.

40. “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.”  — Robert Wyland

For more inspiring quotes and captions about the sea and sailing, be sure to check out:

• 80+ Perfect Ocean and Sea Captions for Instagram
• 22 Inspirational Cruise Travel Quotes (With Photos)
• 150+ Perfect Beach Captions for Instagram

What are your favorite ocean quotes? Is there one I listed that speaks to you, or do you have another quote about the sea that inspires you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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Michelle Latinovich

Thursday 14th of October 2021

What a lovely and very detailed list of ocean quotes for everyone to enjoy! Thank you for your hard work at compiling these!

Sunday 17th of October 2021

Hi Michelle, I'm so glad you enjoyed my favorite ocean quotes! Thanks for your kind comment :)

Monday 26th of July 2021

Fantastic quotes. These would be lovely done up in a poster for a boat or someone who loves cruises.

Tuesday 27th of July 2021

Hi Nyxie, that's a great idea! Glad you liked my list of ocean quotes :)

Grasyah [Of Coffee and Crackers]

Saturday 24th of July 2021

Saving up some for sharing! Lovely quotes!

Sunday 25th of July 2021

Hi Grasyah, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! :)

Emman Damian

Friday 23rd of July 2021

Great list of quotes. I can resonate with all of it. I like “Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.” So true!

Hi Emman, glad you liked the ocean quotes! That one is a perennial favorite :)

Thursday 22nd of July 2021

Love these quotes! I'd love to get back out on the sea soon.

Hi Alexis, I hope you're able to enjoy the ocean soon!

Boat Sayings – Nautical Wisdom and Sailing Quotes

Smooth sailing

The boat never sails itself

A boat is freedom on water

Life is better on a boat

Adventure awaits on the open water

I’m the captain of my own ship

Boat life, good life

A boat is a floating sanctuary

Sailing into the sunset

The sea is my happy place

Boats are dreams with bow lines

The best days are spent on a boat

The sound of waves hitting the hull is music to my ears

A boat is a gateway to new horizons

A boat is an escape from everyday life

There are no regrets when you’re on a boat

A boat is a vessel of memories

The wind in my sails, the freedom in my heart

A boat is a love affair with the sea

A boat is a companion for life

Every day is an adventure on a boat

Sail away with me

A boat is a dream come true

The water is my happy place

Life is better in flip-flops on a boat

A boat is a floating paradise

The best views are seen from a boat

Seas the day

A boat is a canvas for my dreams

There’s a calmness in the water

Boating is a passion that runs deep

The ocean is my playground

A boat is a ticket to tranquility

Sail away and leave your worries behind

In a boat, you are the master of your own destiny

A boat is a symbol of freedom and exploration

The sea is a vast and mysterious place

Boat Sayings – Nautical Wisdom and Sailing Quotes part 2

Boating is a celebration of freedom

A boat is a floating sanctuary of peace

The waves carry my worries away

Life is better with wind in your hair and water beneath your feet

Boating is a dance with the sea

A boat is a vehicle for endless possibilities

The sea is a powerful force that humbles the soul

A boat is a true reflection of who you are

No storms can tame the spirit of a boat

A boat is a shipwrecked dream turned into reality

The open water is a teacher of humility and courage

A boat is a vessel of dreams and aspirations

A captain’s duty is to navigate through the storms

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Sailor Sayings and Sailing Quotes – Inspirational Quotes for Sailors

Are you a sailor and needs some more inspiration? Here’s my list of Quotes about the sea and sailing on a boat.

Two years ago, when Jonathan and I were still broke backpackers, he told me about how he dreams of sailing the open seas – that someday, he would buy himself a boat. Live in it. And travel around the world with it. And you guessed right; he sure did buy us a sailboat.

Here is the list of some popular sailor sayings and sailing quotes that will have you set before your sailing rendezvous:

actually, every sailor deserves a sailing challenge coin to record sailing life, the point is that you can use these popular sayings and aphorisms to customize an exclusive sailor challenge coin at GS-JJ.com, which is very important for every sailor because they all have unique meanings. You can create a nautical commemorative coin by clicking the navy challenge coins of GS-JJ.com , which is not only for the navy but also for seafarers.

1. Sailors, with their built-in sense of order, service, and discipline, should really be running the world. – Nicholas Monsarrat

2. the wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigator. – edmund gibbon, 3. the pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. – william arthur ward.

4. Mackerel skies and mares tails, soon will be time to shorten sails . – sailors proverb

5. the cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing; not only will it shelter you from a tempest, but from the other troubles in life, it is a safe retreat. – l. francis herreshoff.

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6. I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving – we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it – but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor. – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

7. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. – William Shedd

8. You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. – Christopher Columbus

9. He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast. – Leonardo da Vinci

10. He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles. – Walter Scott

11. I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by. – John Masefield

12. That’s what a ship is, you know – it’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that’s what a ship needs. But what a ship is, really is, is freedom. – Capt. Jack Sparrow

13. A tourist remains an outsider throughout his visit, but a sailor is part of the local scene from the moment he arrives. – Anne Davison

14. The perfection of a yacht’s beauty is that nothing should be there for only beauty’s sake.  – John MacGregor

15. A sailing vessel is alive in a way that no ship with mechanical power ever be. – Aubrey de Selincourt

16. Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made, for somewhere deep in their oaken hearts the soul of a song is laid . – Robert N. Rose

17. He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea. – Thomas Fuller

18. Until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, you will not know the terror of being forever lost at sea. – Charles Cook

19. We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds. – Aristotle Onassis, Shipping Magnate

20. The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigator. – Edmund Gibbon, Historian

21. I wanted freedom, open-air, and adventure. I found it on the sea. – Alaine Gerbault, Sailor

22. It is not the ship so much as the skilful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage. – George William Curtis

23. A ship on the port always waits for you to sail to the oceans!  – Mehmet Murat ildan

24. The only ship you can truly steer in this ocean is the one you’re sailing. Quit trying to alter the winds; harness them . – Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes

25. That’s what sailing is, a dance, and your partner is the sea. And with the sea you never take liberties. You ask her, you don’t tell her. You have to remember always that she’s the leader, not you. You and your boat are dancing to her tune. – Michael Morpurgo, Alone on a Wide Wide Sea

26. The sea hates a coward. – Eugene O’Neill

27. I was born in the breezes, and I had studied the sea as perhaps few men have studied it, neglecting all else. – Joshua Slocum

28. If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends . – Enoch Powell

29. I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full. – Arthur Ashe

30. There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. – Kenneth Grahame

31. I was born in the breezes, and I had studied the sea as perhaps few men have studied it, neglecting all else. – Joshua Slocum

32. I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full. – Arthur Ashe

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Twice you have the same quote in here twice: 27 & 31 (Slocum) and 29 & 32 (Ashe).

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52 Best Boat Quotes And Sayings About Life On The Ocean

A boat is a watercraft of varying dimensions used to navigate the seas and oceans.

Boats can be divided into three main categories; an unpowered or human-powered boat, such as a scull, which is made for a single person, a sailboat, or a motorboat. If you or your friends owns a boat, here are some great boat words to name your boat- Carpe Diem, Serendipity, Relentless, Aquaholic, and Liberty.

Boats have been used as a method of transport dating back to prehistoric times as proved by findings in Flores, which are dated to 900,000 years ago! Until the mid-19th-century, boats were made of natural materials, primarily wood.

By the 1930s, wooden boats were being used for industrial needs. And around the mid-1960s, fiberglass became the popular choice for recreational boats and cruise ships, as they don't rust or corrode easily.

The oceans and boats were meant for each other as time keeps proving again and again! "A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into" is a famous saying about people who own boats.

Sailing ever since its inception has been linked to things like the drive for adventures. For many centuries, sailors were considered bold and courageous men who were willing to risk their lives for their honor. As years passed, great men and women who fell in love with sailing gave us an endless series of adventurous and inspirational quotes.

For more related content, take a look at ocean quotes and vacation quotes .  

Quotes About Boats

Here are some great boating quotes and boat sayings as well as boat captions for Instagram for future sailors our there!

1. "If your ship doesn't come in, swim out and meet it."

― Jonathan Winters.

2. "The sea is the same as it has been since before men ever went on it in boats."

― Ernest Hemingway .

3. "This boat that we just built is just fine -

And don't try to tell us it's not

The sides and the back are divine -

It's the bottom I guess we forgot."

― Shel Silverstein.

4. "I grew to judge every purchase by how many bronze screws I could buy for the boat if I didn't spend on this or made do without that."

― Lin Pardey.

5. "There is no better tool or equipment you can have onboard than a well-trained crew."

― Larry Pardey.

6. "Sometimes you need to tether your boats to stop them from following your dreams."

— Anthony T. Hincks.

7. "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

― Kenneth Grahame.

8. "The sea is the same as it has been since before men ever went on it in boats."

― Ernest Hemingway.

9. "Even if it is made up of gold, the sailing boat can go nowhere without the humble wind!"

― Mehmet Murat Ildan.

10. "The goal is not to sail the boat, but rather to help the boat sail herself."

— John Rousmaniere.

11. "Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit."

― Brooks Atkinson.

12. "If the water is calm, the boat is also calm! If your thoughts are calm, your life is also calm!"

— Mehmet Murat Ildan.

13. "The boat is safer anchored at the port, but that is not the aim of boats."

― Paulo Coelho.

14. "If you are a boat that wants to sail in windy weather, you must be more stubborn than the waves!"

15. "A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into."

Quotes About Sailing

Sailing is said to be like poetry in motion but on the water! Find some great sailing quotes right here.

16. "In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth."

― Rachel Carson.

17. "The only ship you can truly steer in this ocean is the one you're sailing. Quit trying to alter the winds; harness them."

― Richelle E. Goodrich.

18. "It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage."

― George William Curtis.

19. "The sooner we learn to be jointly responsible, the easier the sailing will be."

― Ella Maillart.

20. "When I'm out sailing, I don't wonder what heaven is like because I know."

― Anthony T. Hincks.

21. "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines...sail away from safe harbor...catch the trade winds in your sails...explore...dream....discover."

― Mark Twain.

22. "To reach a port we must set sail –

Sail, not tie at anchor

Sail, not drift."

― Franklin D. Roosevelt.

23. "The lovely thing about cruising is that planning usually turns out to be of little use."

― Dom Degnon.

24. "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

― William Arthur Ward.

25. "Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination."

― Fitzhugh Dodson.

26. "To desire nothing beyond what you have is surely happiness. Aboard a boat, it is frequently possible to achieve just that. That is why sailing is a way of life, one of the finest of lives."

― Carleton Mitchell.

27. "Ship is the nearest thing to dreams that hands have ever made, for somewhere deep in their oaken hearts the soul of a song is laid."

— Robert N. Rose.

28. "On a day when the wind is perfect, the sail just needs to open and the world is full of beauty."

29. "Sail through the good days, and on bad days pick a spot of blue sky to steer toward."

30. "It's remarkable how quickly a good and favorable wind can sweep away the maddening frustrations of shore living."

— Ernest K. Gann.

Quotes About The Ocean

Best quotes about exploring the massive vast bodies of water that are perfect for boats and ships!

31. "The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigator."

― Edmund Gibbon.

32. "We are all born in a little port but not all of us sail the vast oceans! Majority remains in the port!"

33. "The ocean is this beautiful, unexplored place. Why on Earth everyone isn't down there, I don't know."

― Graham Hawkes.

34. "Without the will or desire to achieve one is like flotsam on the oceans of time."

― Steven Redhead.

35. "If you want to hear the distant voice of the ocean put your ear to the lips of a seashell."

― Curtis Tyrone Jones.

36. "You will love the ocean. It makes you feel small, but not in a bad way. Small because you realize you're part of something bigger."

― Lauren Myracle.

37. "In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans; in one aspect of you are found all the aspects of existence."

― Kahlil Gibran Jr.

38. "A pool just isn't the same as the ocean. It has no energy. No life."

― Linda Gerber.

39. "Whenever I find myself growing grim […] I quietly take to the ship. Almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me."

― Herman Melville .

Quotes About The Sea

Great quotes about the sea that will hopefully make you want to go out in the sunshine and experience the sea!

40. "There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea."

― Joseph Conrad.

41. "For I say there is no other thing that is worse than the sea is for breaking a man, even though he may be a very strong one."

42. "It isn't that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better."

― Francis Drake.

43. "The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths, it has its pearls too."

― Vincent Van Gogh.

44. "It's out there at sea that you are really yourself."

― Vito Dumas.

45. "Whenever your preparations for the sea are poor; the sea worms its way in and finds the problems."

― Francis Stokes.

46. "At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much."

― Robin Lee Graham.

47. "There is nothing like lying flat on your back on the deck, alone except for the helmsman aft at the wheel, silence except for the lapping of the sea against the side of the ship. At that time you can be equal to Ulysses and brother to him."

― Errol Flynn.

48. "I wanted freedom, open-air, adventure. I found it on the sea."

― Alain Gerbault.

49. "The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."

50. "If you're really ready to sail, then the sea, the wind and the ship will be ready too! You must be ready first for the universe to help you!"

51. "The sea speaks a language polite people never repeat. It is a colossal scavenger slang and has no respect."

― Carl Sandburg.

52. "He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea."

― Thomas Fuller.

*Do you know where this quote originated? Please email us to let us know at [email protected]

Here at Kidadl , we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for boat quotes then why not take a look at [sun quotes], or water quotes .

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More for you, 32 thought-provoking please quotes, 60 family travel quotes, 50+ feet quotes.

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

Rajnandini Roychoudhury Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature. 

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The Best Yacht Quotes

POSTED BY Pablo Carosella on 31/08/2018

Our collection of quotes on yachting, sailing and sea. Some of them are wise, some other inspirational, some of them are really humorous and some generated controversy. As yachts lovers, we appreciate them a lot and we hope you will enjoy them as well! “Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.” ― David Lee Roth “If you don't succeed on your own ground, then there's no reason to succeed. Unless, of course, you really want a boat. If you're a person who feels that with a yacht, everything will be all right, then you should do whatever you have to and get the yacht.” ― Albert Brooks “I’ve met the most interesting people while flying or on a boat. These methods of travel seem to attract the kind of people I want to be with.” ― Hedy Lamarr “Being on a boat that’s moving through the water, it’s so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what’s important and what’s not.” ― James Taylor “There never was a great man yet who spent all his life inland.” ― Herman Melville “Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.” ― Brooks Atkinson “Having a yacht is a reason for being more cheerful than most.” ― Kurt Vonnegut “All I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail her by.” ― John Masefield “Boats, like whiskey, are all good.” ― R. D. Culler "It's out there at sea that you are really yourself." ― Vito Dumas " A tourist remains an outsider throughout his visit; but a sailor is part of the local scene from the monent he arrives." - Anne Davison "I wanted freedom, open air, adventure. I found it on the sea." ― Alain Gerbault, Sailor "No literature is richer than that of the sea. No story is more enthralling, no tradition is more secure." ― Felix Riesenberg "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ― Mark Twain

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101 Awesome Boat Puns And Yacht Captions For Instagram 2024

Looking for the best boat puns and yacht captions to spice up your Instagram?

If you’re looking to add a splash of nautical fun and humor to your Instagram posts, you’ve come to the right port (get it, port!?). Whether you’re an avid boater, a weekend cruiser, or simply love the allure of the open waters, boat puns are the perfect way to navigate your captions with wit and charm.

Adam is a big fan of a boat pun, so I’ve heard my fair share over the years (and would happily never hear them again!) But they are a fun way to bring some humour into your feed. They are short and snappy, and perfect for catching attention.

In this maritime-themed blog post, we’ve meticulously gathered the most buoyant and creative boat puns to elevate your social media game and keep your followers entertained. We’ve also included attention-grabbing emojis and hashtags too, so if it’s copy and paste you’re looking for then we’ve delivered!

From clever wordplay to puns that are sure to make waves of laughter, these boat puns will have your captions sailing smoothly through the vast ocean of Instagram feeds.

So, hoist the anchor, raise the sails, and prepare to dive into a treasure trove of boat puns that’ll leave you and your audience in stitches.

Whether you’re sharing your latest boating adventure, a relaxing day on the water, or a captivating sunset cruise, these puns will make sure your Instagram captions stay afloat and set you apart from the rest of the fleet.

Let’s navigate the waters of hilarity and embark on a pun-tastic journey filled with laughter, smiles, and all the joys that come with sailing into the realm of boat puns for Instagram. Get ready to “sea” what we did there and dive right in! Anchors aweigh! 🌊⛵️

Table Of Contents

• The Best Boat Puns For Instagram

Yacht Captions For Instagram

Boat Puns For Instagram

• “Sailing into the sunset like… ⛵️🌅 #SeasTheDay”
• “Feeling boat-tiful and ready to set sail! 🚢💨 #AllAboard”
• “Knot your average day on the water! 🌊⚓️ #BoatLife”
• “I’m on a boat, and it’s going fast! 🚤💨 #Cruisin'”
• “Anchors aweigh, adventure awaits! ⚓️🌊 #SailAway”
• “Life is better on the water 💙🌊 #BoatingAdventures”

• “Ready to make some waves! 🌊🌊 #BoatVibes”
• “Seas the moment and sail away! ⛵️🌅 #BoatTime”
• “Lost at sea, but loving it! 🌊🧭 #NavigatingLife”
• “Catching some rays and making memories 🌞⚓️ #BoatDays”
• “I’m steering my way to a great day! 🚤💪 #CaptainLife”
• “Beach please, I’m on a boat! 🏖️⛵️ #WaterLover”
• “The only way to travel: by boat! 🌊✨ #OnBoard”
• “Saltwater in my hair, don’t care! 🌊💁‍♀️ #MermaidVibes”
• “Living the yacht life! 🛥️💎 #LuxuryBoating”

• “Smooth sailing and good vibes only! ⛵️😎 #SmoothSailing”
• “Nothing but blue skies and open seas ahead! 🌊🔆 #OceanBound”
• “Boat hair, don’t care! 🚤💨 #WindInMyHair”
• “Cruising through life with a smile! 😊⚓️ #BoatLifeBestLife”
• “I’m a buoy on the water, floating through life! 🌊🏝️ #BuoyantFeels”
• “Let the sea set you free! 🌊✨ #SeaEscape”
• “Tacking my way through the week like… ⛵️💪 #MidWeekSail”
• “Riding the waves and feeling alive! 🌊🌞 #AliveAndSailing”
• “I’m in a nautical state of mind! 🚢🧠 #NauticalVibes”
• “The boat life is the good life! 🚤💙 #BoatEnthusiast”

• “When in doubt, sail it out! ⛵️🙌 #SailAwayWithMe”
• “I’m knot kidding, I love boating! ⚓️❤️ #KnotKidding”
• “Sea-ze the day and ride the waves! 🌊🌊 #BeachBound”
• “There’s nothing like the feeling of wind in your sails! ⛵️💨 #WindPower”
• “I’ve got that sea breeze and boat hair look! 🌊💁‍♂️ #BoatLifeHair”
• “Living on island time, all the time! 🏝️🕒 #IslandVibes”
• “Leaving my worries on the shore and sailing away! 🚤🌅 #ByeByeWorries”
• “A little vitamin sea goes a long way! 🌊🌞 #VitaminSea”
• “Sailin’ and smilin’ all day long! ⛵️😄 #SailingLife”
• “Life is better on a boat, hands down! 🙌⚓️ #BetterOnABoat”

• “Boat life is the best life, no contest! 🚤💙 #BoatLove”
• “When in doubt, hoist the sails and cruise! ⛵️💨 #SailorSpirit”
• “Seas the day, because why not? 🌊🤷‍♀️ #YachtLife”
• “Keep calm and sail on! ⛵️✌️ #KeepCalmAndSail”
• “Is it just me, or does life look better from a boat? 🚤👀 #BoatPerspective”
• “My happy place? Right here on this boat! 🌊🏝️ #HappyPlace”
• “Cruisin’ into the weekend like… 🚢🎉 #WeekendVibes”
• “I’m shore-ly having a boatload of fun! ⚓️😄 #BoatloadOfFun”

• “Ocean breeze and salty seas, that’s the life for me! 🌊💨 #SaltyLife”
• “A day without boating is like a day without sunshine! ☀️⛵️ #SunshineAndBoats”
• “Boat life: where every day is an adventure! 🚤🌊 #AdventureAwaits”
• “Cruisin’ through life with a smile on my face! 😄⚓️ #CruisinLife”
• “Set sail for happiness and good times! ⛵️🌈 #SetSail”
• “I’m on island time, and the living is easy! 🏝️🌞 #IslandTimeLife”
• “Sun, sea, and boats – the perfect trifecta! 🌞🌊⚓️ #BoatTribe”

• “Living the yacht life and feeling so grand! 🛥️💫 #YachtGoals”
• “Onboard and sailing towards paradise! 🌊⚓ #LuxuryYachtLife”
• “A little yacht time is good for the soul! ⛵️💙 #YachtEscape”
• “Yachting through crystal-clear waters like a boss! 💎🌊 #YachtBoss”
• “Life is yacht a dream when you’re on the water! 🚤✨ #YachtDreams”
• “Anchored in serenity and loving every moment! ⚓️😌 #YachtSerenity”
• “Sailing into the sunset with my yacht squad! 🌅⛵️ #YachtSquadGoals”
• “All aboard the happiness cruise! 🚢😄 #YachtLifeHappyLife”
• “Yacht life: where every day feels like a celebration! 🎉🥂 #YachtCelebration”

• “Chasing sunsets and yachting adventures! 🌇⛵️ #YachtVibes”
• “Salty air, yacht hair, and not a single care! 🌊💁‍♀️ #YachtHairDontCare”
• “Yachting like it’s nobody’s business! 🛥️💼 #YachtBusiness”
• “Anchors aweigh, ready for a yachting getaway! ⚓️🌴 #YachtGetaway”
• “Life is better on a yacht, no arguments! 🌞🚤 #YachtLifeBestLife”
• “Floating through life in yacht mode! 🏝️⛵️ #YachtMode”
• “Just yacht-ing around and soaking up the views! 🌊👀 #YachtViews”
• “Yachting adventures and endless horizons! 🌅⛵️ #EndlessHorizons”
• “When in doubt, yacht it out! 🚤💨 #YachtLifeMotto”
• “Sun-kissed and yacht blissed! 🌞🛥️ #YachtBliss”

• “Yacht hair, don’t care, it’s all about the experience! 🌊💆‍♂️ #YachtExperience”
• “Champagne on deck, living life in excess! 🥂🍾 #YachtExtravaganza”
• “Yacht adventures are my kind of therapy! 🌊🌴 #YachtTherapy”
• “Sailing into the future, one yacht day at a time! ⛵️🚀 #YachtFuture”
• “On the deck of dreams, living my best yacht life! 💭🛥️ #BestYachtLife”
• “Island hopping and yacht shopping! 🏝️🛍️ #YachtShopping”
• “A yacht on the water is a dream come true! 🌊💙 #DreamYacht”
• “Yachting like royalty on these open seas! 👑⛵️ #YachtRoyalty”
• “A little yacht time never hurt nobody! ⏰🚤 #YachtTime”
• “Sail away with me into the great unknown! ⛵️🌌 #SailAwayWithMe”
• “Yacht life is pure bliss, can’t deny this! 😌🛥️ #YachtBliss”
• “Yachting is the art of finding joy in the journey! 🎨⚓️ #ArtOfYachting”
• “Sunsets and yachts, a perfect match made in heaven! 🌇⛵️ #YachtHeaven”

• “Life is better on a yacht, hands down! 🙌🌊 #BetterOnAYacht”
• “Yachting through life, one wave at a time! 🌊⏳ #YachtLifeJourney”
• “Cruising on a yacht, living life with no regrets! 🚢💫 #YachtRegrets”
• “Yacht vibes and good times, always! 🎉🛥️ #YachtGoodTimes”
• “Feeling like a captain of my destiny on this yacht adventure! 🧭⚓️ #YachtDestiny”
• “Sailing towards new horizons and endless possibilities! ⛵️🌅 #NewHorizonsAhead”
• “Yachting through life with a smile on my face! 😄⚓️ #YachtLifeSmiles”
• “Yachting with my crew, a bond that’s true! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦⛵️ #YachtCrewLove”

• “Sailing into happiness, one yacht day at a time! 🌞🚤 #YachtHappiness”
• “Yacht life is all about sailing free! 🌊💫 #SailingFree”
• “Yacht life, where every day is a work of art! 🎨🛥️ #YachtArt”
• “Smooth sailing and yacht smiles, that’s how we roll! ⛵️😊 #YachtSmiles”
• “Yacht life: the ultimate luxury escape! 🏝️🚢 #LuxuryYachtEscape”
• “I’m yachtally obsessed with this view! 😍🌊 #YachtObsessed”
• “Life is a journey, and yachting makes it even better! ⚓️🌊 #YachtJourney”
• “Yachting: where dreams set sail and become reality! 🌌⛵️ #YachtReality”
• “Yachting through life, where every wave brings new possibilities! 🌊⚓️ #YachtLifeUncharted”

Conclusion: Awesome Boat Puns And Yacht Captions For Instagram

We’ve reached the shore of our boat pun adventure, and what a delightful journey it has been. From setting sail on a sea of laughter to exploring uncharted waters of creativity, these boat puns for Instagram have proven to be the perfect navigational tools for crafting caption magic.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a landlubber dreaming of the ocean, these puns will infuse your posts with that special “aquatic” charm that keeps followers coming back for more.

So, as you share your boating adventures, dockside memories, or serene sunsets on the horizon, use these boat puns to amplify the experience and set your captions sailing on a sea of entertainment. Remember, life is always more “shipshape” with a splash of humor!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this buoyant voyage of boat puns for Instagram. Keep your creativity afloat, and may your journey through the vast ocean of social media be filled with laughter, joy, and endless waves of appreciation.

Thank goodness that’s over, because I’m done with writing like a crazy person! Fair winds and smooth sailing, dear sailors! ⛵️🌊

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30 Captions For Boat Pics When You're Having Yachts Of Fun With Your Friends

There's nothing quite like boating on a hot summer day. The sun beating down on you isn't as unbearable when the cool ocean breeze is blowing through your hair. You're in for a day filled with water activities and toasting rosé with your crew, so you’ll need to have some Instagram captions for boat pictures at the ready.

There’s so much you could be doing on the boat like fishing, waterskiing, tubing, catching up on a juicy read, or simply basking in the sunshine and working on your tan. It’s essentially a day filled with Instagram-worthy moments, so having your captions ready and a Polaroid camera by your side will make posting such a breeze.

These 30 boat-inspired captions work well for any size and type of boat you might find yourself on this summer. Perhaps your family has a small speedboat they like to take out on weekends. Between tubing and cruising through the waves, you’ll want to take a break and have a yummy picnic lunch or some snacks. Of course, you’ll snap pics of your spread and you soaking in the rays with your your spiked seltzer close by. You might make it a full day adventure and cruise into the sunset. As the sky changes colors, you can snap some seriously gorgeous magic hour selfies.

The bigger the boat, the more chances for pics. So if you’ve booked a luxe cruise to the Bahamas, make sure to have tons of captions ready for your buffet foodie pics, snaps of you lounging on the top deck, and Boomerangs of you waving hello to different ports of call.

Choosing which photo to post can be difficult. But now that you have all the punny captions and boat quotes you need, sharing your ferry impressive day will be smooth sailing.

1. "Feelin’ pretty peachy.”

2. "Good vibes happen on high tides.”

3. "It’s aboat time we all made it out on the water.”

4. "Partying like a lob-star.”

5. "Yeah, buoy.”

6. "Feeling salty about not being a mermaid.”

7. "Whatever floats your boat, babe.”

8. "Home is wherever the anchor drops.”

9. "Thanks for being my anchor.”

10. "Decided to let my dreams set sail.”

11. "Find your flow, and row, row, row.”

12. "Love you a yacht.”

13. "Literally sailing into the sunset.”

14. "I like big boats and I cannot lie."

15. "Having a reel good time with my besties.”

16. "Sea ya later.”

17. "I’m sorry, but this boat is knot for sail.”

18. "Water you looking at?”

19. "Happy as a clam.”

20. "Floating into the weekend with my rose close by.”

21. "Not salty about this situation.”

22. "What’s up dock?”

23. "Felt cute. Might go seas the day."

24. "It’s a bikini kind of life.”

25. "Shell yeah.”

26. "When you fish upon a star!”

27. "Summertime spritz on the sea.”

28. "Having yachts of fun with you."

29. "Weekend plans.”

30. "Sea ya later, beach.”

This article was originally published on 07.06.18

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Who is Mike Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur missing after yacht sank?

Lynch, once considered the 'british bill gates,' is one of several missing after superyacht bayesian sank off the coast of italy.

FOX Business Flash top headlines for August 19

Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com.

Prominent U.K. tech tycoon Mike Lynch, once considered the "British Bill Gates," is missing after the sinking of a superyacht off the coast of Italy on Monday.

The news comes just months after the entrepreneur was acquitted on fraud charges by a San Francisco jury, ending more than a decade of legal battles stemming from the sale of his company to Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

Mike Lynch, former chief executive officer of Autonomy Corp., reacts during an interview in London, on Nov. 13, 2014. At the time, Lynch was awaiting a final decision by the U.K. government over his extradition to the U.S. to face criminal fraud char (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Lynch, 59, earned a PhD from Cambridge before co-founding software firm Autonomy in 1996. Under his direction as chief executive, the company grew to become the largest tech firm in the U.K., and he became one of Britain's wealthiest men when he sold it for more than $11 billion to HP.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

But shortly after the sale, Lynch was fired from his CEO position at Autonomy, and HP wrote down the company by $8.8 billion within a year, accusing Lynch of cooking the books to inflate its value.

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The U.S. and U.K. both launched investigations into the allegations, and the U.S. formally requested Lynch's extradition to the U.S. in 2019 to face several charges including securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy.

Mike Lynch, former chief executive officer of Autonomy Corp., arrives at federal court in San Francisco, California, on March 18, 2024. Lynch was facing several counts of wire fraud, one count of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit (Loren Elliott/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

According to The Sunday Times , Lynch, who is married and has two daughters, ages 18 and 21, was extradited from Britain in May of last year and spent 13 months on house arrest in San Francisco while he awaited trial. He was acquitted on all 15 charges in June.

"I am elated with today's verdict," Lynch said in a statement following his acquittal. "I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field."

DOJ MULLS GOOGLE BREAKUP OVER MONOPOLY CONCERNS: REPORT

HP largely won a civil lawsuit against Lynch and another former Autonomy executive in London in 2022, though damages have not yet been decided. The company is seeking $4 billion. In a sit-down with The Times last month, Lynch said he plans to appeal that verdict.

Mike Lynch, former CEO of Autonomy Corp., in London, U.K., on July 8, 2014.  (Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

On the news of Lynch going missing on Monday, the author of The Times piece, Danny Fortson, wrote on X, "I am reeling from this news about Mike Lynch. The terrible irony is that when we sat down last month, he made it clear that he felt he had won a new lease on life, that his acquittal in America gave him a ‘second life.’"

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Lynch is among six people, including two Americans, missing after the 184-foot British-flagged yacht Bayesian capsized and sank off Sicily in bad weather early Monday. At least one person died, and 15 people were rescued, including a 1-year-old girl, authorities said.

FOX News' Pilar Arias and Reuters contributed to this report.

Two bodies found on sunken luxury yacht off coast of Sicily

Posted: 21 August 2024 | Last updated: 21 August 2024

Two more bodies have been found on a luxury yacht that sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily. The head of Sicily’s civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina confirmed the two bodies had been found in the yacht which sank at around 5am on Monday. He said there will be an investigation in due course, but the priority was to find those who are still missing.

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4 bodies reportedly found off sicily coast after luxury superyacht sank in freak storm. here's what we know about the incident..

Four unidentified passengers were reportedly found from the luxury superyacht that capsized off the coast of Sicily.

Bodies of Autonomy founder Mike Lynch and his daughter recovered from sunken Bayesian yacht

Mike Lynch, the U.K. investor and founder of IT company Autonomy, has been identified as one of two bodies recovered from the Bayesian, the yacht that sunk off the coast of Sicily early Monday, according to several reports coming out of the country that cite the chief of Civil Protection, Salvo Cocina. The boat, registered to Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, quickly capsized in the early hours of Monday after it was struck by a tornado-like water column. In a tragic coincidence, Chamberlain was hit by a car last Saturday and died of his wounds earlier this week.

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Jetsetting stamp collectors, be warned: your passports will soon be barren after your European vacation.

The European Union announced last week that an electronic Entry/Exit System will be implemented later this year, which will negate the need for stamping passports at ports.

Beginning Nov. 10, travelers’ faces and fingerprints will be scanned upon entering Europe, and the biometric data will then be used to cross-reference their passports and verify the individual’s arrival and exit at future dates.

“At every single airport, every single harbor, every single road into Europe, we will have digital border controls,” EU commissioner Ylva Johansson said in a speech on Aug. 16, per USA Today .

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Johansson said ETIAS will go live in the spring of 2025 but approved applications will last for three years or until the passport associated with the individual expires.

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The best motion sickness remedies, according to doctors and NBC Select editors

If you’re prone to motion sickness, you know the feeling of panic that comes with the onset of symptoms like nausea, dizziness and an upset stomach. Motion sickness manifests in different ways and affects many people differently — for me, it hits me almost every time I’m in the passenger seat of a car , on a boat or a bumpy airplane ride ; for others, it can be on a train or in certain areas of a vehicle.

I spoke with four medical experts about how to treat symptoms and prevent them in the first place. I also rounded up my favorite products, as well as those of other NBC Select editors, to deal with motion sickness.

SKIP AHEAD What causes motion sickness? | Who is more prone to motion sickness? | What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness? | Do medications work for motion sickness? | Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness? | Why trust NBC Select?

Our top picks for treating motion sickness

Dramamine Ginger Chews

Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews

Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband

UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll On

Care Touch Alcohol Wipes

What exactly causes motion sickness.

Our body is made up of several sensory systems that work together to help us experience the world: The vestibular system, located in our inner ear, gives us balance; the visual system gives us sight and perspective; and the somatosensory system helps us understand where our body is, says Dr. Danielle Qing , internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the department of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. But sometimes, the sensory inputs our brain receives don’t quite add up, and motion sickness usually occurs when the input from these systems is mixed or in conflict, experts say.

“For example, imagine you’re on a boat. The visual system is telling you that the room is still, while the vestibular system is telling you that you’re off balance, given the motion of the waves,” says Qing. “It works the other way too, such as feeling the balance of sitting still in a car but seeing the landscape pass you by quickly. This sensory conflict is where motion sickness develops.”

Other factors that tend to lead to motion sickness include a history of migraines, hormonal changes (for example, pregnant women) and genetics. Allergies and congestion, for example, affect your inner ear due to mucus and pressure buildup, which can throw off sensory signals, says Dr. Barbara Bawer , primary care physician and clinical assistant professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Also, being dehydrated, hungover or sleep-deprived can all increase feelings of nausea or dizziness, says Dr. Terez Malka , a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.

Even mindset can play a big role, and stress and anxiety about travel or motion sickness can make symptoms even worse. “Often, those who expect to get sick are the ones who do,” says Dr. Natascha Tuznik , infectious disease specialist and associate clinical professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center. (More on anxiety-related motion sickness below.)

Who is more prone to motion sickness?

Some people are more prone to motion sickness than others due to various factors. For example, women are more susceptible to motion sickness than men, and people experiencing hormonal changes (during pregnancy, for example) may also be more prone to motion sickness, says Tuznik. Children under 2 years old and adults over the age of 50 are usually the least susceptible to motion sickness, while it is most common in kids between the ages of 2 and 12, says Tuznik.

People with a history of migraines or those with certain medical conditions that impact the inner ear or balance center in the brain, including hearing damage and tumors or masses, can experience motion sickness symptoms at a higher rate, experts say.

There is also a genetic component: If your parents get motion sick, you are more likely to experience motion sickness, too, says Malka.

What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness?

The most effective way to avoid motion sickness symptoms is to prevent it altogether. That means avoiding situations that can trigger nausea and dizziness, such as reading in a moving vehicle or sitting in the backseat of a car, according to my experts. However, if that’s unavoidable, here are some expert-recommended tips for preventing motion sickness in any situation:

• Use your environment: If you’re at sea, try looking at the horizon, or another stationary object or fixture if you’re in a moving vehicle, says Tuznik.
• Take any medications in advance: Malka says all motion sickness medications work best if taken 20-40 minutes before you start traveling.
• Avoid reading or staring at a stationary object: This includes putting down your phone or tablet, experts say. “Your eyes are looking at one thing, which is your screen or your phone or your book, but your ears are hearing things going past or your eyes are also moving,” says Bawer. “Let’s say you look up really quickly, and you see things whizzing by you. But when you look back down at the page, it sends mixed signals, and there’s a disconnect.”
• Where you sit matters. “If you’re on a boat, avoid the upper levels. If you’re in a car, try to sit in the front. If you’re on a plane, look for a seat over the front edge of the wing,” says Tuznik. 
• Stay hydrated and eat light: Make sure you drink water as you travel and avoid alcohol before and during traveling because a hangover or dehydration will make your symptoms much worse, says Malka. “Eating a light meal or frequent, easy-to-digest snacks like crackers so you are not too full or empty is typically best,” she says.
• Be prepared: “ Getting adequate sleep and making sure you are dressed comfortably for the weather and not too warm, can also help keep your stomach settled,” says Malka.

Do medications work for motion sickness?

Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve or prevent motion sickness. All of the experts I spoke to say that OTC and prescription medications are some of the most effective treatments for motion sickness, with the latter being the best way to relieve severe nausea, dizziness and other typical symptoms.

Keep in mind that most of the following medications are antihistamines, which means they can make you feel drowsy. They may also come with certain side effects. Our experts generally recommend avoiding medications if you have mild symptoms because the side effects tend to outweigh the benefits.

OTC medications

• Dimenhydrinate , also known by the brand name Dramamine , is a popular option to help reduce motion sickness symptoms like nausea. However, it is an antihistamine, which means it may cause drowsiness, dizziness and decreased mental alertness, says Tuznik. “Unfortunately, not much can be done to mitigate the side effects,” says Tuznik. “If you’ve taken it before, you should expect similar side effects each time.” You should avoid taking Dramamine while driving, according to experts.
• Meclizine , also known by the brand name Bonine , is similar to Dramamine, but is less likely to cause drowsiness since you take it once a day (while you should take Dramamine every four to six hours as needed), says Tuznik.

Remember that non-sedative OTC antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra won’t be effective for treating or preventing motion sickness, says Tuznik.

Prescription medications

• Scopolamine patches: A prescription-only transdermal patch you can wear behind your ear at least four hours before travel and use for up to 72 hours to prevent or treat motion sickness, experts say. This is the most effective treatment for motion sickness, according to experts.
• Ondansetron, promethazine and cyclizine are oral medications and sedatives that treat nausea and vomiting. Like other anti-nausea medications I mention above, these are drowsy (sedating) antihistamines. They come with potential side effects, so talk to your primary care doctor or travel clinic about whether these medications are right for you.

Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness?

If you have mild motion sickness or aren’t looking to endure the side effects of anti-nausea medication, there are several natural remedies to try. Keep in mind that these remedies, like aromatherapy and acupressure, have limited research showing effectiveness and whether they actually work usually varies from person to person.  

Aromatherapy

Research shows that bad smells, like car fumes or cigarette smoke, can worsen motion sickness, while pleasant smells, like peppermint essential oils, may help reduce nausea. No major studies prove essential oils are safe or effective at treating motion sickness; however, ginger and peppermint essential oils or extracts have shown some promise in small studies , says Malka.

Zoe Malin , NBC Select associate updates editor, uses the UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll-On to reduce her car sickness. “I keep a little roller ball of peppermint essential oil in my bathroom and apply it to my wrists before I go on a car ride, which is when I tend to experience the most motion sickness,” says Malin. “If I start getting nauseous, I’ll smell the essential oil — after a few deep breaths, the scent starts to dull the nausea.”

It is important to remember not to ingest essential oils or apply them directly to your skin, and to keep them away from children or pets, says Malka.

Ginger extract

Ginger can be an effective and natural way of preventing and treating nausea, according to several studies . Smaller studies have also shown that ginger spice is effective at reducing motion-related nausea .

Ginger comes in several forms, including chews, candies, supplement capsules, teas and tablets. Though there is no ideal dose for motion sickness, ginger generally helps your digestive system and supports the release of blood pressure-regulating hormones to calm the body, which ultimately reduces nausea, says Tuznik.

For my motion sickness, I’m a fan of the Dramamine Ginger Chews because they have a subtle ginger taste compared to others I’ve tried (ginger can be intense, in my experience), are fast-acting and have a chewy texture that makes it feel like I’m eating regular candy. Despite the brand name, these chews do not actually have the dimenhydrinate medicine that we commonly associate with Dramamine, so it does not leave you feeling drowsy.

If you want a harder candy with a stronger taste, both Malin and I love the Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews . The strong ginger flavor stops motion sickness in the first place, in both my and Malin's experience. “Not only does the ginger taste of these candies make me feel less nauseous, but chewing them also gives me something to focus on other than how sick I feel in the car,” says Malin. “I’ve tried other ginger candies, but these are the only ones that have an intense enough flavor to dull my nausea.”

Acupressure

Some studies show that applying pressure on a certain point of the inner wrist may help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, specifically at the pericardium 6 (P-6) acupressure point, which is three finger-widths away from the wrist, experts say.

Since I have severe motion sickness when I’m on a boat or in a moving car, I used the Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristbands on each wrist during a vacation to Italy. Each band has a small plastic circle that presses on the P-6 pressure point, and they helped me avoid nausea and dizziness when on a tour boat in the Mediterranean ocean, on a ferry on the Amalfi Coast and in a small van riding through the hilly Tuscan vineyards.

While many people, including me, swear that pressing on an acupressure point at the base of the wrist or wearing bands that press on this area reduces motion sickness, research has not shown them to have much impact on symptoms. “But there is no harm in using them, either,” says Qing. ​​They are also safe and relatively inexpensive to try, says Tuznik.

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

Smelling rubbing alcohol can be a safe way to relieve nausea symptoms, and it’s sometimes as effective as some medications, says Malka. “Packaged single-use alcohol swabs are a safe, portable measure that you can bring with you to use as needed,” she says.

Frequently asked questions

Most motion sickness medications work best when you take them 20-40 minutes before you start traveling, so make sure to plan ahead, says Malka.

Avoid taking motion sickness medicines after the onset of symptoms. “Once you have the symptoms already, a lot of the anti-motion sickness medicines are not going to work as well because your stomach processing slows down, so the absorption of the medication you're taking at that moment is going to be decreased,” says Bawer. “It’s still going to work, but it just won’t be as effective.”

For people with a history of mild motion sickness (which means that it does not interfere with your ability to function), experts recommend environmental modifications and natural remedies. Medications are usually not recommended because the side effects may outweigh the benefits, says Tuznik.

Though motion sickness is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 12, some motion sickness medicines are not recommended for children. Talk to your child’s doctor about medicines and correct dosing for motion sickness, and only give the recommended dosage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

One of the most common motion sickness triggers is stress and anxiety, specifically anxiety before you even start your travels. “If you know that anxiety or nerves cause a lot of motion sickness for you, talk with your doctor or a therapist before you leave about some options to reduce anxiety like meditation, breathwork, journaling or, in some cases, medication,” says Malka.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Danielle Qing is an internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, division of General Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Dr. Barbara Bawer is a primary care physician and clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 
• Dr. Terez Malka is a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.
• Dr. Natascha Tuznik is an infectious disease specialist and an associate clinical professor of medicine and associate program director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an updates editor at NBC Select covering a wide range of wellness topics, including sunscreen for kids , deodorants and antiperspirants , and rosacea treatments . For this article, I spoke to four physicians about the best ways to treat and prevent motion sickness, including OTC remedies and prescription medications. I also rounded up some NBC Select editor-favorite treatments for motion sickness.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Mili Godio is an updates editor for Select on NBC News.