Isle of Tides: Island Building Board Game Online
Settle a hex island, trade at the docks, and build your settlements. First to ten lanterns.
Strategy · 2 to 6 players · about 60 minutes · free to host, nothing to download, TV optional
About the game
Isle of Tides is the long game on the shelf: a hex island, two dice and a trading table, for 2 to 6 players over about an hour. Three or four is the sweet spot. With five or six the island grows and everyone gets a short building window after each turn.
Put the island on the TV and keep your resources private on your own screen, or pick "Just this screen". On a video call everyone does that on their own device, so nobody shares a screen.
How to play
- Roll for turn order: lowest goes first, and tied players roll again. Place your starting camps in that order, then in reverse.
- On your turn, roll for resources, then trade or build. The build buttons show the cost and highlight legal spaces. Camps and upgrades earn lanterns.
- The bank trades four of one resource for one of another. A general dock lowers that to 3:1; a matching resource dock gives 2:1 for that resource. You can also offer trades to other players.
- A seven brings the Storm. Players with too many resources must discard before the roller moves it. The blocked hex produces nothing until it moves again.
- Finish your trades and builds, then end your turn. With five or six players, everyone gets a short building window between turns. Reach the lantern target on your turn to win; the default is ten.
- Seafarers adds the sea. Start on the main island, then sail for the small islands across the water. A ship costs one timber and one wool and must join your camps or ships. Once a turn you may move the last ship of an open line. A gold field pays any resource you choose. Your first camp on each small island earns 2 bonus lanterns. On a seven, move the Storm on land or the Kraken at sea, which blocks ships on its edges. The target rises by four.
Open a room for Isle of Tides. No app, no accounts, free to host.
Tips to play well
- Count the dots under each number. A 6 or an 8 rolls five times as often as a 2 or a 12.
- On a seven, anyone holding seven or more resources discards half, so spend down to six when you can.
- A harbour costs two grain and three stone, collects double and is worth two lanterns. Start next to stone and grain.
- Longest canal (five canals at least) and Pirate king (three Raid cards at least) are worth two lanterns each. Buried treasure cards stay hidden until the end.
Host settings
- Lanterns to win: 8 to 15, 10 by default. Seafarers adds four.
- Seconds per turn: 30 to 120 in steps of 10, 60 by default.
- Tide stones: Classic keeps 6 and 8 apart (the default); Hot spots lets them touch.
- Seafarers: Off by default. Adds small islands, ships, gold and the Kraken, on a new map every game.
Questions people ask
Is Isle of Tides the same as Catan?
No. It is our own take on the hex island settling style that Catan made popular, with our own map, names and cards.
Can we fill empty seats with computer players?
Yes. The host can add bots. They build, buy cards, trade with the bank and accept fair offers.
Can kids play?
Older children manage well: the build buttons show each cost and light up the legal spots.
Similar games
- Night Express: Claim rail lines across the USA and connect your secret routes. 2 to 5 players, about 45 minutes.
- Prism: Collect gems, buy cards, win Patrons. First to 15 prestige. 2 to 4 players, about 40 minutes.
- Atlas: Buy the city one plot at a time. Hold a whole district and the rent doubles; build and it climbs again. 2 to 6 players, about 45 minutes.
Guides
- The Best Board Games for Groups, by Group Size: 4, 6, 8 and 10+ Players: The best board games for groups sorted by how many of you there are, from 6 player strategy to 10 player bluffing, plus free ways to play online.
- Local Multiplayer Board Games: How to Play Together in One Room, on One Screen or Many: Local multiplayer board games for one room: pass and play, a TV with personal screens, couch PC games. Options compared, prices as of October 2026.
- Games Like Catan: Where to Play Catan Online Free, and What to Play Instead: Every way to play Catan online with friends, official and free, plus the best games like Catan on the table. Checked October 2026.
- Game Night Games: 60 of the Best, Picked by Group Size, Crowd and Time: The best game night games for 2 to 20 people, sorted by group size, crowd, place and time, with players, minutes and what you need for each.
Catan is a trademark of its owner. Rondovo is not affiliated with it.