Sailboats and even powerboats are nice for getting places relatively quickly or for traveling long distances with not a lot of effort. To really get up close and personal with things, a smaller rowboat, Kayak or the like is even better. Not only do you travel slower, but you move quietly. You can "sneak up" on nature long before it gets alarmed and flies or runs off. Being closer to the water means a different perspective also, a "natures eye" view of things we normally might miss.