Imagine arriving at your next holiday destination and having the freedom to explore it from the water rather than simply looking at the sea from the beach.

That is the experience Click&Boat is built around.

Founded in 2013 by French entrepreneurs Edouard Gorioux and Jérémy Bismuth, Click&Boat was created after the founders noticed how many boats spent most of the year sitting unused in marinas. Their solution was to create an online marketplace connecting boat owners with people who wanted to rent them.

The idea has since grown into one of the world's largest boat rental platforms.

Today, Click&Boat offers more than 55,000 boats across more than 750 harbors worldwide. Travelers can choose from yachts, sailboats, motorboats, catamarans, RIBs, barges and jet skis, with options to rent independently or with a skipper depending on the boat and local requirements.

This variety is one of the platform's biggest advantages. Instead of being limited to a traditional organized boat excursion, travelers can browse different vessels, compare prices and locations, read previous customer reviews and choose an experience that fits their group and itinerary.

For someone visiting Ibiza, for example, that could mean finding a boat for a few hours around the island, organizing a private day on the water or discovering secluded coves that are much easier to reach by boat. The same concept works across destinations including Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Cannes and many other coastal locations.

Click&Boat's reputation is backed by an enormous volume of customer feedback. Its own platform currently displays more than 719,000 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. The company says that only registered users who have completed at least one transaction can post reviews on the platform, creating a substantial database of feedback from actual renters. 

The reviews frequently highlight the experience on the water itself. Recent customers praise friendly and professional skippers, clean and well-maintained boats, smooth communication and memorable days exploring coastlines, islands and hidden swimming spots.

Click&Boat also has a substantial presence on Trustpilot, where it currently holds a 4.2-star TrustScore from more than 21,000 reviews. Seventy-one percent of reviews are currently five-star, with another 11% rated four-star. 

What makes the platform particularly interesting is that it has turned boat rental into a much more accessible online experience. Instead of needing specialist knowledge or having to contact multiple charter companies individually, travelers can browse a large marketplace and communicate with boat owners directly through the platform.

The company's original idea was also designed to benefit boat owners. Many privately owned boats spend much of the year unused, while maintenance, insurance and marina costs continue. Click&Boat gives owners an opportunity to offset some of those costs while allowing travelers to enjoy boats that might otherwise remain in the harbor. 

For travelers, the result is a completely different way to experience a destination. A boat can turn a familiar coastline into an adventure, providing access to hidden beaches, secluded coves and swimming spots that may be difficult or impossible to reach by land.

It also makes the platform particularly appealing to groups. Families can organize private days on the water, couples can look for romantic cruises and groups of friends can find larger boats for shared experiences. Travelers who are comfortable sailing can look for boats without a skipper, while those who simply want to relax can choose an experience with a professional captain.

The scale of Click&Boat is another indication of how far the concept has come. The company now reports more than 1.1 million members, more than 55,000 boats and more than 750 harbors across its network. 

What started with two entrepreneurs noticing unused boats has evolved into a global travel marketplace connecting people with experiences on the water.

For anyone planning a coastal holiday, Click&Boat offers an exciting alternative to traditional sightseeing. Instead of simply visiting a destination, travelers can experience it from a completely different perspective.

Sometimes the best way to discover an island isn't from the beach.

It's from the sea.