Waterways
Waterways are some of the most important transportation ways. They are found on majority of Continents, on Microcontinents and on many Sims. Also Transcontinental Channels are always covered with water (except for a few islands]]. There are 3 ways a waterway is used for transportation: by Sailing, by Air or by ground movement (walking, riding or driving). It is also important if there is Automated Transportation present or not along waterways.
At this article, waterways are listed for all continents. For microcontinents and unconnected sims, see List Of Microcontinents And Sim Clusters.
Overall
Maps are made from the world map, where waterways are usually visible. In places that look like possible waterways, an avatar or a drone was sent to test land status. For mainland continents, waterways are marked only over Protected Land and in rare cases over resident-owned parcels (in places where it is clearly visible that owners allow ships to enter). There are a few other waterways over parcels of abandoned land or at risk, over inhabited land. Many waterways can be revealed (and were revealed for these maps) by watching routes used by roaming vehicles of Second Life Transport Authority and toured Yava Script Pods. For Heterocera and Sansara, SLGI Trains are flying in many places over waterways to reach remote railways.
For private-owned land (continents or subcontinents), waterways are also listed, but with a smaller precision. It is possible that they cross over land with access restrictions.
It is impossible to walk along all waterways, to measure their complete distance and status for every sim. So, distances are estimated and measured by comparing with map size. Also, in some places with much water and islands, waterways can be mapped in other ways, resulting a different drawing. If you don't agree with these maps, feel free to make your own ones.
Blake Sea
Blake Sea, probably the best destination for sailors and a large Tropical Beach Paradise, is the only private-owned continent connected to a mainland one. Sailing is possible all across the continent. Land is formed of a high number of tropical islands, separated by large channels of water. Also, in the center, there are many submerged sims. A lot of rezz zones exist. In Second Norway, water network is doubled by road - Private Continents Network and rail - Second Norway Railway. The largest amount of water allows object entry, but the transcontinental channel that links it to Nautilus, doesn't. So, no unmanned boat can pass. Automated Transportation is absent.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands Waterway access: continental Waterways: 105 km Major waterways: 13 km Flooded sims: 24 (= 1.57 square km) Size in sims: 121 (= 7.93 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: rare Network fragmentation: no
Caledon - Winterfel
Caledon - Winterfel is the merging of two micronations (or states). Caledon has roads and a railway, while Winterfel has only limited roads. Waterways are very important for both states, but far more important for Winterfel. Both have large docks and even their own fleet.
Waterways are larger in Winterfel, while in Caledon you can find tight rivers, with access only for small boats.
There are no access restrictions, everybody can make a boat and use it. Also, many docks have rezz zones. Automated transportation does not exist, but occasional boats can be seen from time to time. It is recommended for sailors to have themed boats: steam-powered for Caledon and medieval for Winterfel.
Technical data:
Waterway system: water channels and rivers Waterway access: continental Waterways: 26 km Major waterways: 0 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 55 (= 3.60 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: none Network fragmentation: no
Corsica
Corsica is a very long continent, composed many large and small islands. While the islands in East are linked together by a road system - Corsica Network, in West only a single island has a notable road system.
Waterways are important for this continent. And as seen on the map, they connect remote places. There is a continental network of protected water. Unfortunately, in many places slices of protected land are very thin, so it is a high risk that a boat might enter unwanted parcels.
It is easy to go by water to Gaeta 5 or to Nautilus with help of Transcontinental Channels. And also, it is possible to take a tour of the continent, since waterways form a large ring. Object access is limited in some places (and scripts are also restricted in Linden Memorial), but still Yava Script Pods travel long distances over water.
Another interesting fact about Corsica waterways is that the two transcontinental channels that go South in fact connect remote waterways of Nautilus. There is no secure waterway that connects the two channels inside Nautilus.
Technical data:
Waterway system: coastal waterways and some channels Waterway access: coastal, continental Waterways: 19 km Major waterways: 22 km Flooded sims: 126 (= 8.26 square km) Size in sims: 948 (= 62.13 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: some Network fragmentation: no
Eden
Eden is the largest private continent created as a large Tropical Beach Paradise. It is made of a lot of islands separated by waterways. Sometimes, space between islands is very large and sometimes there can be found submerged sims. The landscape is completed with surfable waves.
As seen on map, Eden is made of two subcontinents. In North, waterways have a much higher density and are smaller, while in South, they are a bit more rare and larger.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands Waterway access: continental Waterways: 66 km Major waterways: 36 km Flooded sims: 9 (= 0.59 square km) Size in sims: 147 (= 9.63 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: no roads Land restrictions: some Network fragmentation: no
Estate Continent
Estate Continent is only in part a tropical beach paradise. Its waterways are fragmented. If we look at all map, we see that where road network does not reach, waterways stretch and give access to many parcels. In West, there are navigation channels like in Bay City. Another feature of this continent is that waterways are used to separate parcels. In North West there are a few sims highly divided by small waterways. The network is a bit fragmented and in some parts, channels are too small for ships, but they still can be used by small boats.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea channels Waterway access: limited Waterways: 157 km Major waterways: 0 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 147 (= 9.63 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: some Network fragmentation: yes, 3 unconnected to main system
Europe Continent
Europe Continent is a medieval roleplay world. It has no (or almost no) roads. Access is possible by walking on ground or by sailing. It is recommended that sailors use themed ships. A large continental network of channels are available for travelers and even for water battles. More even, small rivers are opened for little boats.
Technical data:
Waterway system: river channels Waterway access: continental Waterways: 18 km Major waterways: 0.5 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 33 (= 2.16 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: no roads Land restrictions: none Network fragmentation: no
Fairchang
Fairchang is a tiny continent in South, a tropical beach paradise. It has many waterways, but not all of them are navigable. In many places water is not deep or channels are not large enough. Also, sailing looks like restricted for local residents.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands Waterway access: continental Waterways: 27 km Major waterways: 0 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 33 (= 2.16 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: no roads Land restrictions: some Network fragmentation: no
Gaeta 1
Gaeta 1 has large surfaces of water in East and North. It is the continent with highest number of submerged sims compared with sims that have both water and ground. Its seas are quiet and sailors will find themselves undisturbed. There are no access restrictions. Parcels that are not protected land are clearly visible and usually are separated by a sim border. A tiny and unknown island can be seen in far North East. Along coast, there are many private docks and some rezz zones (that also communicate with the tiny and limited road system).
One of the best way to take contact with Gaeta 1 is using one of the two Yava Script Pods that offer tours on water and on land.
Technical data:
Waterway system: coastal, limited Waterway access: coastal, uncomplete Waterways: 0.3 km Major waterways: 2.5 km Flooded sims: 43 (= 2.82 square km) Size in sims: 141 (= 9.24 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: no Network fragmentation: yes, one small
Gaeta 5
Gaeta 5 is the only finished continent of the proposed 5 Gaetas. Its road network is undeveloped, with many holes and cracks and with many missing parts. Water is so the most important transportation way. Coasts are highly populated, while inner land is almost entirely abandoned. Gaeta 5 water network is made of a large continental border ring and small flooded sectors that complete the road system. The presence of a transcontinental channel allows a connection to Corsica.
Waterways vary from entire submerged sims to sharp slices of land. In North East, there is something unique: an underwater tunnel below a sailing route.
Technical data:
Waterway system: coastal, limited Waterway access: coastal, uncomplete Waterways: 6 km Major waterways: 4 km Flooded sims: 85 (= 5.57 square km) Size in sims: 385 (= 25.23 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: rare Network fragmentation: no
Heterocera
Heterocera has two main waterways: external (coastal waterways) and internal (Heterocera Inner Waters including the delta). And also, through the ANWR channel, it has contact with Sansara. The external system is composed of many types of land, from flooded sims to tiny slices of land (but still larger then in other continents). There is one problem on the West coast, where land stretches to Void Ocean and brakes the waterway in two. The inner water system is made of a high number of channels (forming the delta) and flooded sims (called voids). Ground has coral texture. Water is usually not deep, so that a transatlantic cannot enter. Unlike all other continents, in Heterocera waterways are not looking to major Geographic points, but tilted and not in a straight line. Lake Caldera (Zaygena) in center of the inner atoll is unconnected with the ocean, but still used for sailing.
Inside the inner delta, channel density is comparable with private-owned continents.
Technical data:
Waterway system: coast + inner islands Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 50 km (22 coastal and 28 in the delta) Major waterways: 2 km (1 coastal and 1 in delta) Flooded sims: 37 (= 2.42 square km) - 14 coastal waters and 23 in the delta Size in sims: 431 (= 28.24 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes (road and railway) Land restrictions: no Network fragmentation: yes, Inner Lake
IGBC Continent
IGBC Continent is the gay place. Its name actually means International Gay Beach club. Because we could find no gay to survey this place for sailing routes, they are made after map. Anyway, no ban lines or entity orbs were detected during atmospheric surveys, so it is most probably that there is no obstacle for gay sailors. There are many flooded sims and large waterways.
Technical data:
Waterway system: coast + inner islands Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 7 km Major waterways: 6 km Flooded sims: 15 (= 0.98 square km) Size in sims: 39 (= 2.56 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: no roads Land restrictions: no Network fragmentation: no
Jeogeot
Jeogeot is a continent with large surfaces of ground, but also with a large inner gulf for sailors. Continental waterways are heavily fragmented by private parcels. This continent has its waterways so fragmented, that the most important transportation way must be the road network. The gulf looks like a good destination, with a high number of islands and many surprises, including Ichelus Volcano and Zebrasil Infohub. In West, there is a river that communicates with many coast parcels, but is unconnected by protected land to the gulf. Still, boats can move on parcels of abandoned land (not showed on maps, because their status might change).
Technical data:
Waterway system: inner + uncomplete coast Waterway access: inner gulf + fragmented coastline Waterways: 5 km (3.5 coast waterways and 1.5 in the gulf) Major waterways: 22 km (13 coastal and 9 in the gulf) Flooded sims: 45 (= 2.95 square km) - 28 on coast and 17 in the gulf Size in sims: 775 (= 50.79 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: rare Network fragmentation: yes, 17 unconnected to gulf
Mar Lesbiana
Mar Lesbiana is a tropical beach paradise created for lesbians. As the name says, largest surface is covered with water. There are many islands. It can be considered a large sea for sailing. Still, two important restrictions must be noted: First, no male avatars are allowed. And second, no scripts are allowed, except for group members. Since we found no lesbian to investigate this place, sailing routes are made mainly after map images.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands + coast Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 20 km Major waterways: 5 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 44 (= 2.88 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: yes, scripts Network fragmentation: yes, one piece
Nautilus
Nautilus is the big surprise of all continents. From a stratecgic point of view, Nautilus is placed in contact with 3 continents through 3 Transcontinental Channels (something unique on the grid). Despite having a name related with water, having parts that raised from the floor - Nautilus City and a lot of sims with water access or completely flooded, it looks like it is not a good place for sailing. This is because waterways are highly divided by private-owned parcels. There are large bodies of water, good for sailing, but unconnected to the ocean by protected land. Many sailors risked their life fighting with the elements (ban lines and entity orbs), trying to find a sailing route from Corsica to Blake Sea, but the vast majority have failed. It is possible only by sailing on risk, over various owners' lands and it means a high dose of risk. If someone finds a pass for a moment, it is possible that after a few days residents will change land status and the route will no longer be accessible for other sailors. On the map are listed only protected land routes and parcels where it is specified in land description for sailors. Residents from Second Life Geography team made several attempts to get from Satori to Corsica, on land or on water, but failed each time. So, we came to the conclusion that it is almost impossible to get across Nautilus without a single teleport. Land With Restricted Access is found with a much higher frequency then on any other continent. Things are far worse for Automated Transportation. Even on protected land, there are so many parcels that don't allow objects entry, that Yava Script Pods operate only on two routes on this continent and with high difficulties (including a lot of teleportings). Many residents whished to make a boat or an airplane to move after a schedule from Gaeta 5 to Blake Sea, but failed because of land restrictions. there is one exception: the new, private-owned Subcontinent of Seychelles, a very good place for sailors and sea lovers.
Technical data:
Please note that Nautilus has a highly fragmented system. The numbers listed here are (1) total, (2) Castle Valeria system, (3) East Coast, (4) Star-like Gulf, (5) Bingo + Nautilus City, (6) other small systems, (7) Seychelles.
Waterway system: highly diffuse, unconnected Waterway access: limited Waterways: 48(0.5+3+0+2.5+0+40) km Major waterways: 34(4+10+1+9+3+8) km Flooded sims: 191(48+48+6+67+20+2) sims = 12.52 square km Size in sims: 864 (56.62 square km) 53.54 Connection with ground transpostation: no Land restrictions: yes, object-entry restrictions Network fragmentation: 11 unconnected pieces (3 of them can be connected through Corsica)
At a closer look on the technical data and also at the map, anyone can see that in fact Seychelles Subcontinent hosts more waterways (and a larger surface of sailable water) then the entire continent. This is a paradox.
Premium Continents
Premium Continents are 4 landmasses created for premium homes. They don't have a very large water system (mainly some rivers, unconnected). They are not a good destination for sailing because there is a lack of rezz zones and many parcels don't allow scripts to run. Still, premium residents that have a home near the coast can hardly rezz a convertible vehicle and move it to the shore.
Technical data: For these continents, numbers are listed in the following order: Premium East, Premium south 1, Premium South 2, Premium South 3.
Waterway system: rivers Waterway access: limited Waterways (km): 8 2 5 3 Major waterways (km): 10 2 8 8 Flooded sims (nr+km): 5(0.33) 0(0.00) 4(0.26) 4(0.26) Size in sims (nr+km): 355(23.27) 188(12.32) 388(20.19) 310(20.32) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: yes, object-entry and scripts Network fragmentation: 7 2 6 6
Sansara
Sansara has an interesting and complex network of waterways. There are coastal waters in North, modern channels in Bay City, internal seas, the elevated Sutherland Abyss water system (kept behind massive dams and waterfalls) and a complex network of rivers and straights. There are small endorheic water systems in Color Sims (not listed as waterways), fast mountain rivers and slow, large rivers at the same time. Almost all are navigable. To make things even better, waterways enter in direct contact with roads and railways. As a result, transportation efficiency increases. In majority places without roads, waterways are present. Still, it is visible on map that waterways are more rare in South and East of the continent, more exactly in places that were last created. This is because in those places rivers are not always protected (land was sold) and usually people will find large surfaces of dryland. Also, coastal waterways don't exist in South East. Islanders, two private-owned subcontinents in far East, have many waterways, many of them made only to separate parcels, but still navigable. The most interesting aspect at Sansara is that from every point (except South East coast), a waterway is not too far. In other mainland continents, there usually is a compact central structure of dryland surrounded by waterways.
The highest density of waterways is found in North and West. In many places, it is comparable with that found in a private-owned continent (for example in Bay City). In The Old World (or San Francisco Sims) - the oldest part of Sansara, waterways are found at a very high density and they allow access to every sim. Density of waterways is in some places as high as it's found on private-owned continents.
Technical data:
Waterway system: seas and rivers Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 134 km Major waterways: 30 km Flooded sims: 73 (= 4.78 square km) Size in sims: 981 (= 64.29 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes, road and railway Land restrictions: very rare Network fragmentation: yes (12 sectors separated by dams or waterfalls, 6 in North Islandsers and 3 in far East)
Satori
Satori has limited waterways. Sailing is possible to North, on what once was Bingo Straight, an ex- Transcontinental Channel to Nautilus. Coastal waterways are accessible for sailors on East and West. Unfortunately, the more you go to South, the more isolated parcels you will find, unconnected. To West, there is a gulf, with some flooded sims connected by a sharp channel. In South, there is also protected land along the coast, but it is unconnected, making it useless, except for nearby residents.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands + coast Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 10 km Major waterways: 22 km Flooded sims: 49 (= 3.21 square km) Size in sims: 709 (= 46.47 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: no Land restrictions: rare Network fragmentation: yes, 4 remote sectors
Seductive
Seductive is the newest of all continents. When it was still a Microcontinent, it had no protected waterways. Because its size increased to 40 sims, now it needs transportation routes. Flooded sims for sailing and protected waterways have been built. Please note that some of them are resident-owned and might change their status.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands + coast Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 22 km Major waterways: 2 km Flooded sims: 7 (= 0.46 square km) Size in sims: 40 (= 2.62 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: no roads Land restrictions: yes, waterways not secure Network fragmentation: no
Sharp Continent
Sharp Continent is the old teen grid. It has its own waterways, with almost all forms of land found in Sansara, but at a smaller scale: a small model of Bay City, rivers, snowlands and many islands. Boats and ships are welcome to explore these quiet waters.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands + coast Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 15 km Major waterways: 3 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 63 (= 4.13 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: no Network fragmentation: yes, 11 (4 with dams, waterfalls or icebergs)
Shopping Continent
Shopping Continent has no waterways. It only has small decorative pools.
Uhre Continent
Uhre Continent is a fantactic, mythical medieval roleplay community. It has some waterways, used on occasions by boats or larges ships. Some of the water is only decorative. Access is possible by many ways, including roads (small paths in fact) and directly walking on land.
Waterway system: sea with islands + coast Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 13 km Major waterways: 1 km Flooded sims: 0 (= 0.00 square km) Size in sims: 45 (= 2.95 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes (paths, not roads) Land restrictions: not known Network fragmentation: no
Wild West
Wild West has small rivers, but they are not created for sailing. Small boats can move along waterways. This continent hosts some desert sims, where water resources are very important.
Zindra
Zindra has its own waterways, including many flooded sims in North West, a river and an unfinished water network in South. Zindra is the nearly the only place where you can sail naked or with a herm outfit. Waterways have an unequal map distribution. Along the West coast, there are many sims completely covered with water and large channels, including the river. In North, there are many rezz zones. Not the same is in South, where the lack of rezz zones make it all useless, except for nearby residents along the coast. Another major problem for Zindra is that almost all waterways don't allow objects entry. This means that Yava Script Pods cannot offer guided tours of all continent.
Technical data:
Waterway system: sea with islands + coast Waterway access: almost continental Waterways: 20 km Major waterways: 4 km Flooded sims: 33 (= 2.16 square km) Size in sims: 348 (= 22.81 square km) Connection with ground transpostation: yes Land restrictions: yes, object-entry Network fragmentation: yes, 9 (2 separated by dams, 2 small)
Waterway Efficiency Index
The waterway efficiency index is calculated by the total waterway system length, divided to continent surface. Small waterways count less then major waterways and even less then submerged sims. Other facts that count are: land permissions (object entry, scripts restricted, automated transportation, rezz zones), fragmentation (dams, waterfalls, icebergs, remote waterways) and connections with other transport ways.
Waterway efficiency index is much higher for private-owned continents, because they are usually made of islands, surrounded by water. Majority of mainland continents have compact landmasses. On the other hand, a mainland continent has an overall larger sailing surface and longer network of channels. It is not a good idea to compare continents of different categories, however the index can give a sailor a good idea what continent is the best destination for sailing, from all Linden-owned and all private-owned continents.
Very interesting is that if we add this index with Road efficiency index, with a few exceptions, it complains well with population density and percents of abandoned land.
Linden-owned continents
- Sharp Continent: 4.095
- Sansara: 3.232
- Heterocera: 2.582
- Gaeta 1: 1.695
- Corsica: 1.624
- Gaeta 5: 1.572
- Satori: 0.898
- Zindra: 0.805
- Nautilus: 0.567
- Premium East: 0.380
- Premium South 2: 0.366
- Premium South 3: 0.287
- Premium South 1: 0.219
- Jeogeot: 0.218
Private-owned continents
- Blake Sea: 19.680
- Eden: 14.514
- Estate Continent: 13.66
- Fairchang: 12.150
- Europe Continent: 8.796
- IGBC: 8.570
- Caledon - Winterfel: 8.306
- Seductive: 7.002
- Uhre Continent: 5.847
- Mar Lesbiana: 5.390
For Wild West and Shopping Continent, the index is 0.000 by default.