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Water forts are those places that are strategically built on or near the bodies of water like islands, coastal areas, or the sea bed. These water forts were constructed to control the sea links and also defend against land-based attacks. These water forts are also called sea forts or island forts. There are many waterfalls around the world that are known for their amazing architecture and historical significance, constructed on natural rock formations surrounding the water. There are beautiful places that give an amazing view of nature surrounded by water. It is a unique experience to visit these places.
Top 10 Water Forts In The World
Discover the top 10 stunning water forts worldwide, where history meets breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by rivers, lakes, or oceans.
1. Murud-Janjira Fort
Photo: Sagar Jadhav / Wikimedia Commons
Murud-Janjira Fort is a famous tourist destination that is situated on an island near the coastal town of Murud, located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. This water fort was constructed by Malik Ambar in 1567 AD. This fort was constructed to withstand the various invasion attempts by the Mughals, Marathas and Portuguese to capture Janjira. This fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock with a view of the Arabian Sea. This fort is also considered to be the strongest coastal fort in India. Tourists can visit this fort by taking sailboats from Rajapurijetty.
Location: Murud-Janjira Fort, Maharashtra
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: October to February
2. Fort Louvois
Photo: Patrick Despoix, Wikimedia Commons
Fort Louvois, which is locally known as Fort Chapus, is a waterfall that is located in France. This fort is situated on the island of Oleron opposite the citadel of the chateau. This water fort was built between the years 1691 and 1694 during the reign of Louis XIV. This fort was greatly damaged during World War 2, and it was restored later. This water fort has been a museum site of oyster farming since 1972. This place also has a permanent exhibition that displays the history of the fort with various models of fortifications.
Location: Port Rostréicole, 17560 Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, France
Timings: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: April to November
3. Flakfortet
Photo: Elgaard / Wikimedia Commons
The Flakfortet is a famous sea fort that is located on the artificial island of Saltholm rev. This water fort means sand shoal fortress. This artificial island is one of the last three that the dams created to defend the entrance to Copenhagen’s harbor. This fort was built between the years 1910 to 1914 and could hold a garrison of 550 men. The military functions in this water fort ended in 1968, and now it is being used for recreational purposes like team building and conferences. This fort also has a restaurant and yacht moorings. During the summer season, the company also schedules 5 scheduled trips per day to the island.
Location: Flakfortet, 1009 København, Denmark
Timings: 12:30 AM – 3:45 PM, 5 PM – 7 PM
Best Time To Visit: January to April
4. Fort Pampus
Photo: Pmblom / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Pampus is located on the artificial island of Pampus near Amsterdam. The construction of this water fort was completed in 1895, and it became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 1996. It is also a part of the defense line of Amsterdam. This water fort is built on bricks and concrete, has an oval shape and the main building has three floors. This fort was partially restored in 2007 and visitors can access this fort through a round ferry trip from Muiden, which is nearly 3 km away from the coast.
Location: Pampus, Netherlands
Timings: 10:30 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
Best Time To Visit: April to November
5. No Man’s Land Fort
Photo: Rob Farrow / Wikimedia Commons
No Man’s Land Fort, which is also known as No Man’s Fort, is located near Portsmouth in England. It is a water fort that was built between 1867 and 1880. It is also one of the Palmerston forts. This fort has been used as a luxury home center for high-paying guests with complete privacy, offering an indoor swimming pool and two helipads. This fort is located in an area of 99,000 square feet with a hotel, restaurant and leisure complex on the four floors.
Location: No Man’s Land Fort, United Kingdom
Timings: 9:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: October to March
6. Sindhudurg Fort
Photo: Debazoti1985 / Wikimedia Commons
Sindhudurg Fort is a well-preserved historical water fort located in the Arabian Sea near the region of Konkan in Maharashtra. This water fort was built between 1664 to 1667 AD by the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This fort is surrounded by water and treacherous rocks on all sides, which makes it impossible for the enemies to approach without being seen. This fort is spread across an area of 48 acres. This fort was built on a small island that is known as the Khurte Island. The visitors can reach this fort by taking a ferry ride.
Location: Malvan, Maharashtra 416606
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: October to March
7. Fort Jefferson
Photo: drytortugasnps / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Jefferson is a former US military coastal fortress that is located in the Dry Tortugas National Park of Florida. This water fort is the largest brick masonry structure in America that covers an area of 16 acres and is made with more than 16 million bricks. The construction of this fort was completed in 1826. This fort was built to protect one of the most strategic deep-water anchorages in North America. This water fort is surrounded by picture-perfect views of the blue waters rich in coral reefs and marine life. Visitors can reach the spot by taking a ferry or a cruise from the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Location: Key West, FL 33040, United States
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: November to May
8. Fort Denison
Photo: Andy Mitchell / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Denison is a part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, which is the heritage site located in Australia. It is a colonial-era fort that is located on a small sandstone island in the middle of the Sydney harbor. This water fort was originally used as a place of punishment for convicts. But later in the mid-19th century, it had a leading role in protecting the city from seaborne invasion. This is a former military site that is known to be the most complete Martello tower in the world. It is also a famous tourist destination in Sydney. It is surrounded by a beautiful view of the lush green botanic gardens.
Location: Pinchgut Island, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM, (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Best Time To Visit: March to May, September to November
9. Suomenlinna
Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons
Suomenlinna is a sea fortress located in Helsinki, Finland. This water port is surrounded by 8 islands. This fort was built during the 18th century, which is covered by the beautiful nature, centuries-old artillery and defensive walls spread across an area of 6 islands. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Helsinki, with various museums existing on the island. This port is a great example of the European military structure during the 18th century. Many people visit this place every year to take a ferry tour around the islands and also visit this fort.
Location: 00190 Helsinki, Finland
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
Best Time To Visit: May to September
10. Fort Sumter
Photo: Bubba73 / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Sumter located in the southeast and United States near Charleston, South Carolina is a historic sea fort that is built on an artificial Island. This water fort was built at the entrance of the Charleston harbour to defend the area from the naval invasion. It got severely damaged during the civil war but it later opened for the public after reconstruction in the middle 20th century. This fort is only accessible through ferry ride. This Fort is named after the American military officer Thomas Sumter. This fort is one of the three sites in Charleston that has been reconstructed after the war.
Location: Charleston, SC 29412, United States
Timings: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: March to May, September to November
There are many water forts around the world that are built on various islands and also they are surrounded by water bodies. These forts have now been converted into tourist sites to understand the cultural heritage and military strategy of past civilizations. It is an amazing and knowledgeable experience to visit these places. These water forts also offer a beautiful view of the surrounding lush green landscapes which is a unique experience, book your trip with TripXL and explore the world.
Cover Photo: John Scofield / Wikimedia Commons
