Swimming

You can swim to and from certain islands. If you get stuck on an island because your ship has been sunk and you do not have the gold to repair it, try to swim to another island. It will take some time, but can be done. The only island I know you cannot swim to is Padres Del Fuego, though you can swim off this island. I have swam from Padres Del Fuego to Tortuga, and from Cuba to Port Royal.