The best nautical board, card & dice games 🚢 2026
Looking for a really good seafaring game 🚢? Then we have just the thing: our list of the best nautical games 2026.
What are nautical games?
Nautical, seafaring or sailor games involve sailors, ships and/or seafaring as a main component of the theme or game. In most nautical games, players can achieve the game goal first by piloting their ships particularly effectively.
List of best seafaring games 2026 🚢
-
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
All details & ratingThe Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a cooperative trick-taking card game that embarks players on an underwater expedition to discover the lost continent of Mu. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, The Crew, this game combines the familiar mechanics of trick-taking with unique cooperative elements and a compelling thematic narrative.
2–5 20 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Captain Flip
All details & ratingAhoy, Captain! Raise your flag, recruit a crew, and fill your coffers with shiny gold coins. The game is simple and can be explained faster than a cannon shot. On your turn, draw a tile from the bag; if you like it, keep it, and if not, flip it over. Place it on your board to build your crew. With nine characters and four boards featuring different tactics, it offers an engaging and fun experience.
2–5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 5 € above the best price22 € at Amazon* -
Skull King
All details & ratingSkull King is an exciting and competitive trick-taking game that adds unique twists to the traditional format found in games like Oh Hell!, Wizard, Euchre, and Spades.
2–8 30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Deep Sea Adventure
All details & ratingDeep Sea Adventure is a light and engaging board game that combines elements of press-your-luck and resource management. Players take on the roles of daring explorers, seeking treasures in undersea ruins. The twist? Everyone shares a single rented submarine and, crucially, a single tank of air. The game unfolds over three rounds, and the player who accumulates the most points by retrieving underwater relics is declared the winner.
2–6 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Survive: Escape from Atlantis!
1982 Edition
All details & ratingSurvive: Escape from Atlantis! is a thrilling and competitive board game where players aim to evacuate their pieces from a sinking island. The game is known for its intense gameplay and strategic decisions.
2–4 45–60 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Port Royal: Big Box
All details & ratingPort Royal: Big Box includes the base game and its two expansions, offering new graphics and artwork. It also features Gambler promo cards and the standalone game. This edition will be released in Germany in January 2022.
1–5 20–50 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Forgotten Waters
All details & ratingForgotten Waters is a captivating board game that plunges players into the whimsical and unpredictable world of pirate adventure. Blending storytelling and strategy, this game stands out for its immersive narrative and engaging gameplay.
3–7 120–240 min 14+ Easy to learn -
Jamaica
All details & ratingIn the swashbuckling world of 1675 Jamaica, Captain Henry Morgan, after a notorious career in piracy, becomes the Governor of Jamaica. In a surprising turn of events, he invites his former pirate comrades to join him in retirement, celebrating their plundered treasures in the annual Great Challenge – a thrilling race around the island. The cunning Captain with the most gold at the end of the race claims the title of Grand Winner. Jamaica is a pirate-themed tactical race game that combines strategic ship movement, treasure hunting, and player interaction.
2–6 30–60 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Memoarrr!
All details & ratingPlayers need the power of memory and a bit of pirate luck to escape Captain Goldfish's island before the lava engulfs them in the game. They reveal locations connected to the last shown spot, but making a wrong connection eliminates them from the round. The last remaining pirate claims a valuable treasure, with each round building on previously gathered information for a chance at victory. Advanced players can utilize special actions triggered by connected locations for an even more exciting experience.
2–4 10–20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Tranquility
All details & ratingBoard the good ship Tranquility and sail towards paradise, but beware of losing track of time in a realm where day turns to night. Players cooperate to fill the sea with numbered island cards and must return the ship home before anyone runs out of cards. The objective is to complete the grid in numerical order while communicating silently. Players take turns, playing cards or discarding them, and must manage their hands carefully to avoid running out of legal moves.
1–5 15–20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Captain Sonar
All details & ratingEmbark on an adrenaline-pumping undersea adventure with Captain Sonar, a board game that plunges you into the heart of intense submarine warfare. In this gripping scenario, every move and decision can be the difference between victory and defeat. Form a skilled crew aboard a cutting-edge submarine as you strive to locate and eliminate an enemy sub before they do the same to you. The underwater battlefield is unforgiving, and effective communication and coordination are paramount for success.
2–8 45–60 min 14+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
The Isle of Cats
All details & ratingEmbark on a delightful rescue mission in The Isle of Cats, a captivating competitive board game designed for 1-4 players (expandable to 6 with expansions). This medium-weight game combines card-drafting, polyomino cat-placement, and resource management, offering an engaging and strategic gameplay experience.
1–4 60–90 min 8+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 - + 20 € above the best price62 € at Amazon*
-
Conspiracy: Abyss Universe
All details & ratingConspiracy: Abyss Universe is an intriguing card game that delves into the rich and vibrant world of Abyss. Players find themselves crafting a strategic reverse pyramid from a deck composed of cards across five colors, ranging in value from 0 to 6. The game's core revolves around drafting cards, with a clever twist on traditional mechanics. Each turn presents the opportunity to draw cards from the deck, select one to add to your pyramid, and strategically position the rest, fostering a dynamic play environment that challenges players to think ahead and adapt their strategies on the fly.
2–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Abyss
All details & ratingAbyss plunges players into a deep-sea realm of power struggles, where they aim to ascend the throne and rule the underwater city. This game intertwines development, combination, and collection strategies in a captivating underwater setting.
2–4 30–60 min 14+ Easy to learn -
Kraken Attack!
All details & ratingBeware! The tentacles of a terrible octopus break through the waves. All hands on deck—grab your swords, cannons, and artillery!
1–4 25 min 7+ Immediately playable3 € below the next retailer30 € at Amazon* -
Cartagena 1: The Escape
2000 Edition
All details & ratingCartagena is a thematic board game based on the historical 1672 pirate jailbreak from the fortress of Cartagena. It blends strategy and tactical movement with a strong pirate theme.
2–5 45 min 8+ Easy to learn57 % cheaper than at other retailers17 € at Amazon* -
The Black Pirate
All details & ratingHonest sailors sail from one treasure island to the next, but they are pursued by Salvador Sea Devil, who tries to plunder their treasures. Players must hoist their sails quickly as a strong gust of wind propels their boats across the sea. The game board features islands marked with colored flags, and players use a bellows to create wind that helps them advance their ships while avoiding the pirate.
2–4 15 min 5+ Immediately playable -
Fleet: The Dice Game
Second Edition
All details & ratingThe English second edition of Fleet: The Dice Game includes an updated rulebook, scorepads, and captain and trophy cards. Players return to beautiful Ridback Bay to reap rewards over 10 rounds, with each round consisting of a boat phase and a town phase. During the boat phase, players roll dice and select actions to mark off boat types and unlock fishing licenses, while the town phase allows them to activate special buildings for bonuses and earn points. A fully integrated solo mode lets players compete against Captain Ruth for high scores.
1–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learn
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.
How many players do the games on this list support?
Most games on this list support 2 to 5 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.
What age are these games suitable for?
Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 5 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: