--- title: "Best cozy pirate games (2026): boats and treasure | A Short Sail" description: "The best cozy pirate games: sail, hunt treasure and explore islands with little or no fighting. 10 picks with honest combat notes, lengths and platforms." url: https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/ published: 2026-11-19 updated: 2026-11-19 author: "Yos Riady" image: https://ashortsail.com/og/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games.jpg --- # Best cozy pirate games (2026): boats and treasure The best cozy pirate games: sail, hunt treasure and explore islands with little or no fighting. 10 picks with honest combat notes, lengths and platforms. By [Yos Riady](https://ashortsail.com/authors/yos-riady/) · Published 19 November 2026 · **Last checked: 31 October 2026** The best cozy pirate games are **Return to Monkey Island** (a funny pirate story with no combat), **Sail Forth** (a bright sea and a fleet of your own), **Summer in Mara** (an island life with a boat) and **Sea of Thieves** in its Safer Seas mode (treasure hunts with a crew). For a calm sail with treasure maps and no pirates at all, try our own game, [A Short Sail](https://ashortsail.com/). Below are 10 picks, with an honest note on the fighting in each. ![The cat sails the little boat at dawn, past tall sea stacks and a rock arch under a pink sky.](https://ashortsail.com/_astro/34-sail-dawn.DB6H-LL0_1T71bk.jpg) Featured · our own game ## Our pick: A Short Sail (we made it) We make this one. It is in the list below too, marked as ours, so you can weigh it next to the others. It is a cozy sailing game: you are a little tabby cat with a sailboat, delivering mail, fishing and making friends, alone or online with friends. There are no timers, and the only battles are gentle ones at sea. Coming in Q1 2027. Free demo in your browser at play.ashortsail.com. Windows, Mac, Web and Steam Deck. [See the game](https://ashortsail.com/) [Play the free demo](https://play.ashortsail.com/) ## At a glance | Game | Best for | Length | Platforms | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Return to Monkey Island](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#return-to-monkey-island) | Players who want a funny pirate tale and puzzles, not swords | About 10 hours (HowLongToBeat) | PC, Mac, Linux, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X | | [Sail Forth](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#sail-forth) | Players who want sailing to be the whole game | About 16 hours (HowLongToBeat) | PC, Mac, Linux, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox | | [Summer in Mara](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#summer-in-mara) | Farming fans who want a boat and a sunny sea | About 20.5 hours for the main story (HowLongToBeat) | PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One | | [Tchia](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#tchia) | Explorers who want sailing as part of a bigger island world | About 7.5 hours (HowLongToBeat) | PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X | | [Sailwind](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#sailwind) | Players who want real sailing in an open world | Open-ended | PC | | [A Short Sail](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#a-short-sail) | Players who want the sea, islands and treasure maps, with no pirates and no pressure | Not shared yet | PC (Windows), Mac, Web, Steam Deck | | [Sea of Thieves](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#sea-of-thieves) | Groups of friends who want to crew a pirate ship together | Open-ended | PC, Xbox, PS5 | | [Raft](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#raft) | Friends who want a survival game on the open sea | Open-ended | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X | | [Windbound](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#windbound) | Survival fans who want to build and sail their own boat | About 13.5 hours for the main story (HowLongToBeat) | PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One | | [Dredge](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#dredge) | Players who want calm fishing by day and a little dread by night | About 9.5 hours (HowLongToBeat) | PC, Mac, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox | Lengths are main-story times from HowLongToBeat or player estimates, checked 31 October 2026. ## What is a cozy pirate game? A cozy pirate game keeps the best parts of pirate life: a ship of your own, the open sea, islands on the horizon and treasure to dig up. It leaves out most of the danger. There is little or no fighting, and a mistake costs you little. Some games here are pirate stories, and some are simply calm boat games with the same sense of freedom. Pirate games are often about cannons and boarding. We note the fighting in each pick, so you can choose how much you want. For more ships, see [best sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-sailing-games/) and [cozy games like Sea of Thieves](https://ashortsail.com/blog/cozy-games-like-sea-of-thieves/). ## Our picks - **Best pirate story:** Return to Monkey Island - **Best fleet to sail:** Sail Forth - **Best island life with a boat:** Summer in Mara - **Best with friends:** Sea of Thieves, in Safer Seas mode - **Most realistic sailing:** Sailwind - **Best survival at sea:** Raft - **Our own game:** [A Short Sail](https://ashortsail.com/), a cat with a sailboat and treasure maps (free demo) ## How we picked Every game here puts a ship and the sea at the center. We favored games where you can avoid fights or where fights are light, and we said so plainly when they are not. We took the facts from each game’s Steam page and the lengths from HowLongToBeat, and we checked them in October 2026. We make one game on this list, A Short Sail. ## Pirate stories with no fighting ### Return to Monkey Island **Who it is for:** players who want a funny pirate tale and puzzles, not swords. Guybrush Threepwood sets out once more to find the Secret of Monkey Island. You talk to pirates, collect odd items and combine them to solve puzzles across a set of pirate islands. The jokes are sharp and the art is bright. You do not need to know the old games. Some puzzles are obscure, but a hint book in the game helps when you are stuck. *Developer: Terrible Toybox | Year: 2022 | Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, Android | Length: about 10 hours (HowLongToBeat) | Steam: Very Positive* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2060130/) ## Sail and explore ### Sail Forth **Who it is for:** players who want sailing to be the whole game. You command a small fleet across a big, colorful ocean, meet fish-folk crews, and chart dozens of island regions. The wind and sail system is detailed enough to feel real but stays easy to learn. There is a free-sail mode for pure cruising. It is not combat-free: you fight pirate ships with cannons, and some players find the story thin. *Developer: Festive Vector | Year: 2022 | Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Length: about 16 hours (HowLongToBeat) | Steam Deck: Verified* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1031460/) ### Summer in Mara **Who it is for:** farming fans who want a boat and a sunny sea. You care for your own island, grow crops and craft tools, then sail to other islands to trade and meet people. The mix of farming and sailing is rare, and there is no fighting. Reviews are more mixed than others here, and many quests are simple fetch tasks. It is not supported on Steam Deck. *Developer: Chibig | Year: 2020 | Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One | Length: about 20.5 hours for the main story (HowLongToBeat) | Steam Deck: Unsupported* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/962580/) ### Tchia **Who it is for:** explorers who want sailing as part of a bigger island world. You sail, glide and climb across an archipelago inspired by New Caledonia, and you can jump into animals and objects. Sailing between islands is a highlight, and you can play a ukulele on deck. Sailing is only one part of the game, and there is some light combat. *Developer: Awaceb | Year: 2023 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X|S | Length: about 7.5 hours (HowLongToBeat) | Steam Deck: Verified* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1496590/) ### Sailwind **Who it is for:** players who want real sailing in an open world. Sailwind has realistic sailing physics, cargo trade between ports, boat upgrades, fishing and cooking. It can be a calm day sail or a long ocean trip by the stars. There are no enemies. It takes patience to learn, and it is still in Early Access. *Developer: Raw Lion Workshop | Year: 2021 (Early Access) | Platforms: PC | Length: open-ended | Steam: Very Positive* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1764530/) ### A Short Sail **Who it is for:** players who want the sea, islands and treasure maps, with no pirates and no pressure. You are a little tabby cat with a sailboat, and the islands need your help. You pick up letters and parcels, pack them into your hold, and deliver them to folks. You fish by day and by night, chat with the islanders and make new friends, and build your home island, one plank at a time. There are no timers, and there is no fighting on foot, only gentle sea battles against storms and living waves. You can play alone or online with friends. There are no timers, and there is no fighting on foot, only gentle sea battles against storms and living waves. You can play alone or online with friends. It is still in development: the full game comes to Steam and itch.io in Q1 2027, and a free demo plays in your browser now. Demo saves carry over to the full game. *Developer: Yos Riady | Platforms: PC (Windows), Mac, Web, Steam Deck | Length: not shared yet | Free demo at play.ashortsail.com* | [Play the demo](https://play.ashortsail.com/) ## Treasure with a crew ### Sea of Thieves **Who it is for:** groups of friends who want to crew a pirate ship together. Each player handles part of the ship: sails, wheel, map, cannons and repairs. You hunt treasure, follow riddles and meet other crews, who may help you or sink you. Safer Seas mode keeps other players out, for calmer play. Meeting strangers can be stressful, and there are fights with skeletons and sea creatures. *Developer: Rare | Year: 2018 (Steam 2020) | Platforms: PC, Xbox, PS5 | Length: open-ended | Steam Deck: Verified* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1172620/) ## Survival at sea ### Raft **Who it is for:** friends who want a survival game on the open sea. You start on a tiny raft with sharks circling. You hook floating debris, grow the raft into a base, and add sails and navigation to reach story islands. It is great in co-op. It is survival first and sailing second, and the shark keeps biting your raft. *Developer: Redbeet Interactive | Year: 2022 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Length: open-ended | Steam Deck: Playable* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/648800/) ### Windbound **Who it is for:** survival fans who want to build and sail their own boat. You are shipwrecked, craft a boat from what you gather, and sail between wild islands. The boat building is the best part. There are hunts and fights with wild beasts, and Steam reviews are Mixed. Some players dislike the survival systems. *Developer: 5 Lives Studios | Year: 2020 | Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One | Length: about 13.5 hours for the main story (HowLongToBeat) | Steam Deck: Verified* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1162130/) ## A spooky sea ### Dredge **Who it is for:** players who want calm fishing by day and a little dread by night. You run a small fishing boat, sell your catch and upgrade your gear across a chain of islands. Days are calm. At night, strange things stir in the water, and the story turns eerie. There is no fighting, but sea monsters can chase and damage your boat. It is not cozy for everyone. *Developer: Black Salt Games | Year: 2023 | Platforms: PC, Mac, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox | Length: about 9.5 hours (HowLongToBeat) | Steam Deck: Verified* | [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1562430/) ## How to choose a cozy pirate game - **If you want no fighting at all:** Return to Monkey Island, Sailwind or Summer in Mara. - **If you want a crew:** Sea of Thieves in Safer Seas mode, or Raft. - **If you want the best sailing:** Sail Forth or Sailwind. - **If you want treasure maps and a gentle sea:** A Short Sail. - **If you want a little dread:** Dredge. ## Related guides - [Best sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-sailing-games/): every kind of ship, from sims to pirate adventures. - [Best cozy sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-sailing-games/): calm seas only. - [Cozy games like Sea of Thieves](https://ashortsail.com/blog/cozy-games-like-sea-of-thieves/): the crew feeling, with less stress. - [Treasure hunting games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/treasure-hunting-games/): maps, chests and digging. - [Multiplayer sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/multiplayer-sailing-games/): share a boat with friends. ## Questions ### What is a cozy pirate game? A cozy pirate game keeps the fun parts of pirate life: a ship, the open sea, islands and buried treasure. It drops most of the danger. There is little or no fighting, no harsh fail state, and you can sail at your own pace. ### Is there a pirate game with no combat? Yes. Return to Monkey Island is a point-and-click pirate comedy with no combat: you solve puzzles instead. Sailwind is a sailing sim with trade and no enemies. Summer in Mara has a boat, islands and no fighting. ### Is Sea of Thieves cozy? Sometimes. With friends it can be a relaxed treasure hunt, but other crews may attack you, and that is stressful. Safer Seas mode keeps other players out, so you can sail, fish and hunt treasure in peace, with fewer rewards. ### What is a cozy treasure hunting game on the sea? Sea of Thieves is built around treasure maps and chests. A Short Sail, which we make, lets you dig up treasure with the maps you find as you sail between little islands. See our treasure hunting games guide for more. ### Is Sail Forth a cozy game? Mostly. The sea is bright and the sailing is easy to learn, and there is a free-sail mode for pure cruising. But you fight pirate ships with cannons in the main game, so it is not combat-free. ### What is a cozy pirate game to play with friends? Sea of Thieves is the big one, with each player on a sail, the wheel or the cannons. Raft is a survival game on the sea for up to 8 players. A Short Sail also lets you sail online with friends, with no player fights. - [cozy games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/cozy-games/) - [sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/sailing-games/) - [boat games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/boat-games/) - [game lists](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/game-lists/) **Written by [Yos Riady](https://ashortsail.com/authors/yos-riady/)** Yos Riady is the solo developer making A Short Sail, a cozy sailing game. ## Related guides - 14 Sept 2026 · Updated 31 Oct 2026 ### [The best cozy sailing games (2026)](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-sailing-games/) The best cozy sailing games are Sail Forth, Spiritfarer, A Short Hike, Tchia, Spilled! and Becalm. Honest picks with length, platforms and downsides. - [cozy games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/cozy-games/) - [sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/sailing-games/) - [boat games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/boat-games/) - [relaxing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/relaxing-games/) - [indie games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/indie-games/) - [game lists](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/game-lists/) - 29 Aug 2026 · Updated 31 Oct 2026 ### [Cozy games like Sea of Thieves: calmer sea games (2026)](https://ashortsail.com/blog/cozy-games-like-sea-of-thieves/) Relaxing games like Sea of Thieves, with sailing, islands and treasure but no griefers: Sail Forth, Tchia, Raft on Peaceful, Sailwind and more. Honest notes. - [cozy games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/cozy-games/) - [sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/sailing-games/) - [boat games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/boat-games/) - [relaxing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/relaxing-games/) - [game lists](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/game-lists/) - 28 Aug 2026 · Updated 31 Oct 2026 ### [Games like Sail Forth: bright sailing adventures (2026)](https://ashortsail.com/blog/games-like-sail-forth/) Games like Sail Forth for fans of its wind, fleets and island charting: Tchia, Sailwind, Abandon Ship, Ship of Fools, Dredge and more, with honest notes. - [sailing games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/sailing-games/) - [boat games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/boat-games/) - [indie games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/indie-games/) - [cozy games](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/cozy-games/) - [game lists](https://ashortsail.com/blog/tags/game-lists/) ## A Short Sail The cozy sailing game with a cat. Coming soon to Steam and [itch.io](https://yosriady.itch.io/a-short-sail) [Play the free demo](https://play.ashortsail.com/) [Get updates](https://ashortsail.com/blog/best-cozy-pirate-games/#newsletter)