25 Best Boat Books and Sailing Novels for Vacation
When I was younger, I went to sailing camp which is why when I am by the ocean, I try to read a story with the same setting. If I can’t sail around, I at least need some boat books to let me pretend I’m on the water.
The sailing novels and boat stories below all transported me to my favorite setting. When I’m reading them, I can hear the water lapping on the sides of the boat in my mind and the gentle call of the gulls.
You’ll find classics, thrillers, non-fiction, and romance boat books below. We hope you find something wonderful to help you escape into.
*This boat book post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some of the books on this list have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Non-Fiction Boat Books
The Wager by David Grann
David Grann writes the most captivating nonfiction books that read like novels. The Wager is no exception. It’s a tale of the shipwreck of the English boat, Wager in 1742.
Encompassing the events that led up to the wrecking, the mutiny that happened after, and the dastardly deeds of some of the crew before and after their rescue kept me enthralled.
While not quite a pirate book, this high-seas boat book read like Treasure Island and kept me entertained while I pondered what I might have done in the same situation.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Author: Daniel James Brown
Year: 2013
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This bestselling book, recently adapted into a movie, tells the true tale of the 1936 USA men’s rowing team and their unlikely run for the gold medal. It’s a non-fiction story that reads like fiction, and sports nuts will love this story!
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, War
Why Kirsten loves it
The Olympic games gave me such a heightened sense of American pride. The heroics of the team enthralled me. The sheer force of will and strength it took to get in that boat and win. I was rooting for the team and cheering them on the whole time. I thought I would be bored by the minutia of rowing, but I wasn’t.
Find this book in: Books with Colors in the Title / Feel Good Nonfiction Books / Boat Books / Books About Sports
Plot
Maiden Voyages looks at the ladies who worked Ocean Liners like the Titanic and the unbelievable challenges they faced. I was in awe as I listened to this story of ships being sunk by icebergs and wartime submarines.
Why Kirsten loves it
The stories of unruly passengers, hurricanes, and the sacrifices of leaving their families to help others were unbelievable. I was so engrossed that I kept forgetting the book was non-fiction. If you love women’s history, the history of travel, or stories about the Titanic, this is the book for you!
Find this book in: Books Set in the 1920s / Gilded Age Books / Books like Downton Abbey / Feel-Good Nonfiction / Boat Books
Romance Sailing Novels
The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy
Cassie’s grandmother is selling the hotel in Avalon Bay that has been in the family for decades. Now, Cassie heads there for the last time to celebrate her birthday and find a summer fling. She finds Tate, a local sailing instructor, who is the perfect candidate.
As the two walk the lines between friends and lovers, they discover there is so much more beneath the surface. It was such a sweet romance and possibly my favorite of the three books in the series.
Plot
Zeke is home to buy his late father’s boat, while Lexi has no time for dating. A one-night stand seems perfect until neither of them tied the boat house to the dock, and they find themselves miles out at sea in the morning. Now, they are stuck together while they try and get back to shore.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love how Zeke and Lexi’s relationship developed throughout their time at sea. Not only were they compatible in a crisis, but their slow-burn chemistry was paced in a way that felt realistic to the situation. I would NOT recommend this book for those afraid of boats, but I think it’s a delightful romance worth throwing in your beach bag this summer! #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Boat Books / Best Beach Reads 2025
It Happened One Summer
Author: Tessa Bailey
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: Bellinger Sisters #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
After getting in trouble one too many times for her party-girl lifestyle, Piper and her sister are banished back to their late father’s hometown in Washington. While she’s learning to be responsible and money-conscious for the first time in her life, she needs to try not to fall for a local fisherman, Brendan.
Why Kirsten loves it
When I learned that Tessa Bailey used Schitt’s Creek’s Alexis as her inspiration for Piper, I knew I had to read this grumpy sunshine romance. It was my first Tessa Bailey, but it won’t be my last! She brings the heat!
Find this book in: Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Books similar to The Love Hypothesis / Books Like People We Meet On Vacation / Books with Summer in the Title
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks is well-known for romance books that pack an emotional punch. After finding a message in a bottle, divorcee Theresa is determined to find the man that wrote the love letter inside.
If you are looking for a sailing novel that will make you cry, you better load up on your tissues now. I was bawling like a baby when this sailing novel concluded.
Float Plan
Author: Trish Doller
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: Good Morning America Must-Readd
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Anna is heartbroken after the loss of her fiance and decides that she is going to embark on the sailing trip she was supposed to take with him- solo. After a disastrous night, she realizes that she cannot do it on her own and hires a professional sailer to help her. Keane is struggling with his life path as well. Together on the boat these two learn that they can move forward without forgetting their past.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
This forced proximity romance follows the romance script with perfect predictability which means that it is perfect if you are looking for a romance. Even though there are some heavier elements, I didn’t feel that the book ventured too much from the typical romance path. I enjoyed it.
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Best Boat Books and Sailing Novels
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
This is such a cute romance. Fox Thorton is a player who has never had a relationship. The last thing he needs is to fall for his best friend, Hannah, while trying to help her get her crush. And to make matters worse, she has moved into his spare room for the next few weeks while she is filming a movie.
I wish there was a soundtrack to go with this book. It was such a cute and quick read.
Boat Books Set on Cruise Ships
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith
Greta James is at a crossroads in her career and her life. After a very public breakdown following her mother’s death, Greta decides to go on an Alaskan Cruise with her father.
But Greta and her father haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. This book focused on Greta’s relationship with her dad and herself. There is a side love story angle, but I would not classify this book as a romance.
I loved Greta’s soul-searching set against the gorgeous backdrop of Alaska. This boat book about music is the perfect vacation read.
Death on the Nile
Author: Agatha Christie
Year: 1937
Genre: Classic Mystery
More info: Hercule Poirot #18
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Agatha Christie is the queen of mysteries and this story is no exception. Set aboard a river yacht during a trip down the Nile, a murder unfolds and Hercules Poirot must solve it!
Why Kirsten loves it
I did NOT see the ending coming, that’s for sure. This boat book was recently adapted for Amazon and it was delightful to see it brought to life.
Find this book in: Agatha Christie Books in Order / Boat Books / Novels Set in Egypt
We Ship It by Lauren Kay
This charming YA cruise novel screams summer vacation read! Our nerdy heroine is dragged on a cruise by her family despite her desire to study for an upcoming presentation.
Despite being a little awkward, she meets a fun crew of fellow teens and a love interest. Sound fluffy? It is, but there are serious topics explored as well. Trigger warnings for drug use and overdose in pick for best ya books of 2023.
The 2024 Beach Read Hub and Fun Summer Reading Challenges
Beach stories, summer reading bingo, poolside stories, and our yearly Ultimate Beach Reads lists!
Historical Fiction Boat Books
The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton
While this story is set in the same time period as some of Cleeton’s stories about the Perez family, this book is not about the family! It is inspired by the real story of the S.S. Moro and its fateful last journey.
Add in a woman pretending to be an heiress, a fiance who isn’t what he seems, a thief, and a passenger out for revenge and you have the perfect historical fiction beach read of 2023!
Why I Liked it: It was nice to finally get a standalone Historical Fiction from Cleeton! I’ll always love the Perez family, but I liked this departure and the unique cruise ship setting.
Find this book in Chanel Cleeton Books / Books set on Boats / Beach Reads 2023
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
The third book in the Outlander series takes place during Claire and Jamie’s trip from Scotland to the Caribbean!! I was fascinated by the detailed descriptions of the treacheries of life at sea during the 1700s.
If you are looking for the inside scoop on what travel was really like back then, this sailing novel is for you. But it also gives an unflinching look at the harsh realities of sugar plantations during this time.
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
What boat books list doesn’t include stories set on the Titanic? Not ours! Tess is hired to be a ladies’ maid aboard the Titanic, hoping it’s her chance to become a seamstress.
When Tess is rescued after disaster strikes, she’s forced to reckon with the possibility that her employer might have sacrificed the lives of others to save her own skin. Tess has to decide if she should keep her employer happy or stay true to herself.
I liked that this story looks at events after Titanic instead of just ending when the boat sank. I really enjoyed this one.
Plot
This tale of Lady Dona St Columb has escaped to Cornwall in search of adventure and a change of scenery. There, she meets a band of thieving pirates and quickly falls for the captain. Will she give up everything to be with him and live a life of adventure, or will she let the calls of motherhood bring her back home?
Trigger Warnings
Infidelity
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is my favorite book of all time. After reading Du Maurier’s Rebecca, I was eager to read more of her novels. At the time, my grandparents had a home in a Florida enclave by the same name, so I picked it up and read it. Only after I fell in love with this tale did I learn that it was the namesake for their Florida home. It captured my imagination in the best way.
Find this book in: Kirsten’s Favorites, Books set in Cornwall, Pirate Books, Classic Romance Novels
Seven Days in May by Kim Izzo
Like the movie Titanic, the characters are made up; however, the events surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania are true. The story is centered around two sisters who go aboard the ship and a third who works with the government receiving messages intercepted from Germany.
I think of this boat book in my head as a movie that is somewhere between The Hunt For Red October and the Titanic. This book would be a fantastic movie!!!! It moved quickly, kept me on my toes, and had a love story as well.
Ultimate Beach Reads 2023: The Hottest Summer Reads
Looking for more beach reads? Check out our Ultimate List of Beach Reads for 2023
Classic Boat Books
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Oh, big white whale, how I despised you. I could not stand this boat book! My senior English professor is obsessed with it. We would get into debates CONSTANTLY, which actually made learning about it enjoyable and memorable.
But lordy, call me bored with this tale. (See what I did there?) Whaling, oil-making, and vulgar fishermen are not for me. So why is it on the list? Because lots of people ADORE this story. It’s not for me, but it might be for you! This is the quintessential animal book for adults.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
No list of boat books would be complete without Jules Verne! A wildly imaginative tale of sea exploration whose whimsical details kept me turning the page. This classic by Jules Verne is about Captain Nemo and his underwater vessel, The Nautilus.
As Captain Nemo seeks scientific knowledge of the seas, he uncovers massive sea monsters, the land of Atlantis, and other thrilling adventures. Disney is currently planning a movie adaptation of this book.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexander Dumas
Year: 1844
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Translated from French
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The first time I read this book was actually before I saw the movie Shawshank Redemption. I read it a bunch of times and loved it. I did not realize, however, that it was an abridged version.
When I was at University, I embarked on a journey to read the unabridged version of this book. I was so amazed at the brilliance and detail that it has been a favorite ever since.
Edmund Dantès is thrown into the Chateau D’If for a crime he did not commit. There, he meets a fellow prisoner who teaches him to read and write, math, languages, and how to fight, all within the confines of their cells before telling him of a treasure. When the other prisoner dies, Dantès escapes and seeks his revenge on those who had him sent to prison. All of this is set in the time of Napolean Bonaparte who is a part of the political landscape of the book.
Why Jackie loves it
There is a reason this classic is still read today. This is the original story of revenge. The writing, plot, and details in this book are unsurpassed.
Find this book in: Best Classic Novels / Jackie’s Top 10 All-Time Favorite Books / Books Set in France to Love / Books with Food in the Title / Best Books in Translation
Plot
This is the classic tale of Odysseus’s struggle to leave the Trojan War and return to his beloved wife, Penelope, and his homeland of Ithaca. Homer’s original tale has spawned countless retellings, movie adaptations, and literary scholars. From epic monsters to vengeful gods this book is filled with iconic legends and stories within stories.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is a reason this boat book is one of my favorite books of all time. I find this classic tale to be so entertaining. It’s a classic for a reason. Odysseus’s struggle to get home to his family is truly epic. Those Greeks sure knew what they were doing.
Find this book in: Literary Classics / Long Books / Boat Books / Greek Mythology / Kirsten’s Favorite Books / Best Books in Translation
Fantasy Sailing Novels
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
When a boat sinks in the Pacific, the only survivors are a 16-year-old boy named Pi, an orangutan, a hyena, a Bengal tiger, and a zebra. And while this book was written less than 20 years ago, it is already a modern classic.
This is not a sailing novel that once read can be forgotten. I know that some people look at the story as an extended metaphor in which each animal represents a person but personally, I like the book exactly the way it was written, one of the best magical realism books I have read.
There is magic in the pages of this book in all meanings of the word. First, read this book, then, rethink everything. This is a perfect example of a thought-provoking book because no two people view it the same way. If you are looking for animal fiction books, this one is a must.
The Shadow of Perseus
Author: Claire Heywood
Year: 2023
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The Shadow of Perseus is a multi-narrator Greek mythology retelling told from the perspective of the women in Perseus’s story. Heywood examines how facts can be manipulated into folklore, making everyday stories into monster-filled legends. Ultimately, the females in the story cast Perseus in a much different, and darker, light than traditional mythological depictions.
Trigger Warnings
Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
I love it when mythology retellings turn a well-known story on its head – and this one does it exquisitely! I was riveted by Medusa, Andromeda, and Danae’s version of events.
Find this book in: Beach Reads 2023 / Boat Books / Greek Mythology Retellings
Fable
Author: Adrienne Young
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: October 2020 YA Reese’s Book Club Pick
World of the Narrows Book 1 of 3
Age Range: 12+
Plot
The day after her mother died, Fable’s father abandoned her on an island filled with little food and an abundance of thieves. Since then, she has been searching for a way off the island. Fable has unique skills that she must keep hidden and enlists the help of West to get her away from the Island and to her father to demand her rightful place in his fleet. Fable must use every skill in her arsenal to battle storms and make it to her father alive. But West is not who he seems to be.
Why Kirsten loves it
This story of a bad-ass female pirate was incredible. Normally, I only like fantasies if they have a strong romantic element. But in Fable, I found myself drawn in by our namesake character and the vivid world description.
Why Jackie loves it
Unlike Kirsten, I am usually not a huge pirate fan, however, I loved this YA fantasy about a female pirate. This is such a unique book with a premise unlike any other books I have read.
Find this book in: Boat Books and Sailing Novels / Fantasy Books for Teens / Pirate Books for Adults / Best Reese Witherspoon Books
Love Fantasy Books? We do too! That’s why we created the Ultimate List of Fantasy for Adults and the Ultimate List of YA fantasy!
Thriller Sailing Novels
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Stuart Turton does it again with The Devil and the Dark Water. Like The 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, this book is captivating and smart. Turton thinks of every detail and leaves no questions at the end of the book. He writes like it is a puzzle and everything only comes together when the last piece is put into place.
Set on a ship that is being haunted by the devil himself, at a time when witchcraft was feared, Samuel Pips and his loyal bodyguard Arent are being transferred to Amsterdam where Sammy will be hanged as a traitor.
With Pips, the great problem solver, in chains, the only one that can help solve the mystery of who is killing people on board is Arent. This is such a well-written boat book and unexpected!
The Woman in Cabin 10
Author: Ruth Ware
Year: 2016
Genre: Mystery Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Shortly after being burglarized, a travel journalist boards a small luxury cruise liner to cover its inaugural voyage. When she thinks she sees a passenger thrown overboard – but everyone is still accounted for – she has to decide if what she saw was real or only in her head.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book wasn’t as creepy as some of Ware’s others, but it still kept me on the edge of my seat. You just might want to wait until you are off a boat to read this one! If you love thriller novels, this book is a must-read.
Adaptation Information
Netflix is adapting this book into a movie starring Kiera Knightley. Guy Pearce, Hannah Waddingham, Art Malik, Gitte Witt, David Ajala and more have recently been cast as well. Release date is TBD
Find this book in: Sailing Novels / Isolation Books / Psychological Thriller Books / Unreliable Narrator Books / Books Becoming Movies / Mystery and Thriller Novels About Writers / Popular Thriller Books
Plot
This is the Ultimate Beach Read Thriller! It’s all about 2 girls who hire a couple to charter them a boat to a deserted island. But the island isn’t so deserted after all. As their relaxing trip turns deadly, we learn about the backstory that brought each person to their destination.
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s a wonderfully addicting novel that is great in audiobook format as well. I found the setting to be so unique and integral to the party.
Find this book in: Books like People We Meet on Vacation / Books set at the Beach / Isolation Novels / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Boat Books
Ultimate List of Thrillers
Love Thrillers? We created this list and carefully divided it by sub-genre. These will definitely keep you on your toes.
