http://diku.qhcf.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?WorldMap <-- Might help a bit.

Logging is very good to do in general. Exploring solo is also useful, but you might want to try something like a paladin, ranger or assassin to do that - they tend to be pretty good at it.

As a mariner ranger I could rank with impunity underwater and generally no one would bother to try to find me.