This article presents a comprehensive study on the use of selected artificial intelligence (AI) methods—particularly swarm intelligence techniques enhanced with fuzzy logic—for optimizing maritime route planning in non-commercial navigation. A series of prototype devices capable of receiving and visualizing AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals were developed and tested. The study includes the development of custom optimization algorithms, hardware prototyping, and extensive empirical evaluation across simulated, coastal, and open-sea navigation environments. Results demonstrate the superior efficiency of AI-based approaches over classical heuristics, as confirmed by detailed analysis from two case studies: Gdaásk and Malaga. The findings confirm that fuzzy swarm intelligence techniques provide reliable and effective route planning, improving maritime safety under dynamic conditions.