Standing on the coast, you look out across the boundless sea. Having tamed the wilds of your homeland, your heart yearns for greater adventures, greater conquests. Your people are ready to follow you, even into the unexpected dangers of the unknown. Nearby, seasoned dock workers are putting the finishing touches on your first great seaworthy ship. Soon you will leave the settlements behind to join the ranks of explorers and conquerors. Soon you will become one of the Seafarers of Catan!

After a long voyage, the settlers have reached Catan and built their first settlements. Harbors are built and new, seaworthy ships are being developed. Daring Catanians sail across the ocean. Before long, rumors appear that many smaller islands are out there at sea, not too far away—it is even said that gold has been found on some of them. Gold is highly appreciated in Catan. Ships are fitted out, and soon Catanian ships set sail to find the gold of the islands.

The tribes of Catan quickly develop into experienced seafarers. One day they reach the islands to the west, the "Small Islands" group. Here too, fertile fields, lush pastures, and productive mines lure the intrepid Catanians. New settlements are quickly built. But soon the Catanians’ curiosity spurs them on: what will they find on the other islands? Since every tribe wants to see all four islands, an exciting race for the few settlement sites begins!

Other Catanian seafarers discover a new land they call “Fog Island.” Near the island stretches a mysterious sea, mostly covered by a thick fog. Fearless seafarers who have ventured into the ocean in the fog tell about fertile islands and a legendary land of gold. Thirsty for adventure, the Catanians load their ships with supplies and seeds and set out on a voyage to the mysterious ocean in the fog.

Far away, to the west of Catan, a new island is discovered. The Catanians named it the “Desert Island,” because a desert belt splits the island into two parts. Soon after building the first settlements in the larger part of the island, scouts discover fertile land on the other side of the desert belt. At the same time, ships discover smaller islands, with gold deposits and abundant ore deposits. Now, who will be the first to build new settlements, and where? The most daring settlers head off through the merciless desert. Others try to be the first ones to reach the smaller islands, to build settlements there, and to expand them into prospering cities.

Far in the South, Catanian settlers reach a long, narrow island. Soon the first settlements emerge. When exploring the surrounding waters, the Catanians come across small, inhabited islands. During the first encounters it turns out that the strangers are speaking a similar language and know the same legends. It soon becomes clear that these people actually are descendants of a group of people whose ship got lost; a ship from a fleet that hundreds of years ago reached Catan for the first time. The reunion with the Catanian brothers causes great joy, and they don’t hold back on neighborly help and gifts.

On their voyage westwards, the Catanians encountered further islands inhabited by members of the “Forgotten Tribe.” The magnificent cloth and resplendent garments of these people quickly attract the Catanian's attention. During the course of the centuries, the islanders acquired great skills in producing cloth. Since the clothing of the newcomers was not nearly as high in quality, a busy barter trade for the beautiful cloth soon begins.

In the Northwest, pirates have invaded the island kingdom of the Catanians. The battle-hardened buccaneers quickly sink the peaceful Catanians' merchant ships and capture the settlements on the western isles. After expanding the captured settlements into fortresses, the pirates continue with their raids. Now they are threatening the eastern island. Time and again, they attack the coastal settlements with their fleet and rob valuable resources from the Catanians. The Catanians decide to build a navy to stop the audacious acts of the pirates and drive them back into the open sea.

After the Catanians defeat the pirates for good, a period of prosperity and peace begins on the islands of Catan. So the tribes decide to embellish the northern archipelago. Discovered last, it is graced with magnificent buildings in praise of Catan. Soon, this turns into a competition. Who will be the first in completing a Wonder of Catan?