Fjords are rough and craggy so don't make for easy walking along the shore.
Rafts were better than walking there.

In the game early I tend to use a raft to explore around the main island in safety.. just stay along the shore and you won't get a serpent spawn. Shouldn't run into a plains on the starter island. I've also used on to bring some of the first copper to refine... now I tend to just put a smelter at the copper deposits. Main thing I am looking for with a raft now is a nice copper deposit by the shore.. even better if they are semi close to a swamp area.

Grab carrot seeds and stuff I can easily, even before I tackle the first boss. At that point I am still using a crude bow and low level leather armor. Not great food.

But the boats upgrade as we do so you grow out of that stage pretty quick.