There be lots of information about, and its true, it can be hard to find if ye dont know what yer lookin fer.
We have a tips and guides forum you can find here:
http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/f...splay.php?f=77
Lots of useful stuff there, including a dig spot guide for at the main islands.
And if ye don't find it, sure nuff ye should post yer question here and we'll do what we can to git ya on yer path.
In regards to finding quest tasks/steps (ie people etc). If ye press J for Journal, select the item ye be a looking fer and click "TRACK" so it shows a gold star on yer compass matey... then you should see a guiding beam of light recommending your course.
Best of luck to ye matey!!