I like to play large island/small content maps but yeah the start can be pretty slow depending on if any shallow water is around that connects to the other contents/islands.
Just found your 2 or 3 cities and go tall, build wonders, stockpile some gold (or use it to get friendly with the city states rather than buying settlers), beeline the various naval techs and build a small fleet to go out and find the other civs ASAP (follow the shallow water routes until you get navigation), trade, take over a few port cities with your navy, etc.