In "Skull and Bones," you cannot freely explore on land outside of your ship. While the game features several ports and islands, these areas are specifically designated for interacting with merchants, accepting quests, and managing your ship and crew. You cannot directly walk around these locations or explore the open world on foot.
This design choice focuses the gameplay experience on ship-based activities, including sailing, exploration, combat, and resource management. While some players might prefer the freedom to explore on land, others appreciate the focused naval gameplay experience "Skull and Bones" offers.