Maritime travel has always been more thrilling than land-based transportation, both in video games and real life. The ever-changing sea has been a captivating setting for many games, offering players a deeper understanding of sailing as the primary activity. Here's an updated list of the most exciting sailing video games that are sure to float your boat.

13 Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Metascore: 87

Assassin's Creed Odyssey thrusts players into the ancient world of Greece, offering a thrilling fusion of stealth, exploration, and exciting ARPG gameplay, all enhanced by the exhilarating means of travel - sailing.

Although not entirely focused on sailing, the seafaring experience in Odyssey is refined and entertaining. With various Greek islands to explore, players will engage in numerous seafaring quests, versatile sea battles, and in-depth ship customization.

12 Salt

Steam User Score: 76%

Salt presents a vibrant wilderness of glistening seas and enticing islands for players to explore - balancing calm pacing with rich, gripping gameplay. Starting with a humble raft, players progress to commanding a large ship, uncovering over 50 quests and encountering various characters.

11 Sea Dogs

Metascore: 71

Sea Dogs offers a deep and gripping role-playing experience, allowing players to embark on a journey as an ambitious new captain seeking control of various islands. With versatile story paths and the choice to align with factions or carve their own path, players are in for over 100 hours of captivating gameplay.

10 Sid Meier's Pirates!

Metascore: 88

Sid Meier's Pirates! is a classic pirate game that remains beloved by many. Players sail the seas, taking into account wind direction and other factors, while navigating through a world where time is a key gameplay mechanic, as the protagonist ages.

9 Windward

Metascore: 61

Windward offers a simpler sailing perspective, featuring a top-down naval simulator game with customizable ships and a procedurally-generated game world, adding an infinite replay value.

8 Sailwind

Steam User Score: 91%

Sailwind is a promising sailing simulation game where players navigate a small ship through an impressive simulated ocean, incorporating survival elements and picturesque scenery.

7 Maelstrom (2019)

Steam User Score: 91%

Maelstrom offers a fast-paced, fantasy warship action game, delivering an unconventional sailing experience with ship customization and vibrant fantasy graphics.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Metascore: 96

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker offers a distinct sailing adventure in a flooded Hyrule, where players embark on a near-30-hour journey, exploring cell-shaded seas and islands, delivering a serene yet exciting sailing experience.

5 Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

Metascore: 88

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag provides an immersive pirate game experience with an emphasis on sailing and ship customization, offering players a captivating solo adventure on the high seas.

4 Dredge

Metascore: 85

Dredge offers a unique blend of fishing sim elements and Lovecraftian horror, presenting a constantly thrilling sailing and exploration experience in a dark fantasy world.

3 Raft

Steam User Score: 93%

Raft presents a survival adventure at sea, where players collaborate to transform a rickety raft into a formidable floating fortress while fending off hungry and cunning sharks.

2 Sea of Thieves

Metascore: 69

Sea of Thieves offers a light-hearted multiplayer piracy experience, placing a strong focus on sailing and naval combat, set in a graphically gorgeous ocean environment.

1 Sunless Sea

Metascore: 89 (iOS)

Sunless Sea immerses players in a survival/RPG sailing game with a dash of Lovecraftian horror, providing a captivating and intense exploration of the unknown, where players navigate a world filled with nightmares and madness.