Welcome to Ocean Nomads

Global support network for impact-driven ocean travellers, explorers, & nomadic lifestyle designers

Already a member? Log in to go to the member HUB to explore, connect & make impact.

The Ocean Nomads Member Hub is a place for nomads to connect, share sailboat travel opportunities and requests, receive and ask support for your boatlife and nomads life, and sign up for the next sail event

 Expand Your Nomadic Ocean Network

Connect with other Members who travel the world by sail or desire to do so, as sustainable as we can.

  Share Knowledge and Ask Questions 

Access & contribute resources, links, and tips for building a sustainable ocean nomads lifestyle.

  Ocean Adventure Planning, Opportunities and Crew

Get tips, recommendations, introductions and opportunities from fellow members.


"We must go and see for ourselves." - Jacques Yves Cousteau

We connect ocean people, vessels, projects, and environmental action to help you realize sailboat travel, adventure, impact, and a nomadic and ocean-conscious way of life.

How does it work?

Welcome to Ocean Nomads from your Community hosts: Brianna & Suzanne

We're here to personally connect you the right persons, sailboats, opportunities, projects, tips, courses, and resources to accelerate your ocean nomads journey, happy, safe, and meaningful. 

+300 nomads +45 nationalities +70 vessels in the network!

Our drive: Connect you to nature and each other

Now more than ever it's clear that living with nature is the answer to almost everything. We are ON it, with the Ocean Nomads adventure impact community.  Home for the free spirits living or after an eco-minded active outdoor lifestyle in, on and near the sea. 

I absolutely love what Ocean Nomads is doing: combining adventure and sustainability go hand in hand. I want to spend my time, money and energy on people and companies that aim to make the world a bit more beautiful. You do that and I love being a part of that. - Janneke Dijkhuis (boathitchhiked across two oceans from zero to hero)

Who are we?

We are a footloose global sea vagabonding adventure community of impact-driven oceanminded travellers,  entrepreneurs, environmentalists, activists, creatives, sailors, (free)divers, surfers, overland explorers, and active salty souls passionate about the ocean. We live nomadically or aspire to be so. We get you started and support each other along the way.

Joining Ocean Nomads, I found so many beautiful souls & teachers at one place. Each step brings me further to a life, aligned with nature and waters, and I am grateful to know that there are people who I can trust, share time and connect with. - Valeska

Is this you?

You have a burning desire for (ocean) exploration. You like to create, grow and do good. You live in, on or near the ocean to cultivate a conscious alternative active and nomadic lifestyle, or desire to do so. You travel by sail or on wheels (or fins? or foot? or wings?) or are curious to do so. You can't be 'boxed.'  You have a variety of interests with nature, health, simplicity, adventure and sustainability at the centre of it. The ocean is your home. Your playground. Your place to treasure, respect, and protect.

But alone you can only reach so far.


They are other humans in this world with your way of living, with similar ocean travel and lifestyle dreams. Here’s your tribe! We get you and your life choices. And we are here to support, team-up & meet-up for more fun and ocean impact. 

We connect people, resources, boats, adventure opportunities, and knowledge to realize ocean travel, accelerate our eco and passion projects, and adventure with more fun, impact and nature connection.

"The future is in the hands of those who explore... and from all the beauty they discover while crossing perpetually receding frontiers, they develop for nature and for humankind an infinite love." - Jacques Yves Cousteau

I absolutely LOVE what Ocean Nomads is about and how you are building this network! Getting connected to fellow ocean lovers who thrive on and close to the water has been a real pleasure so far. Going on spontaneous boat rides with similar minds has really helped to keep the nature spirit alive! - Willemijn Peeters (Founder of Searious Business)

Ocean Nomads helps you to:

EXPLORE & ADVENTURE

 Explore travelling by sail. We introduce you to this alternative way of travel and help you get started and keep going. We have a continuously expanding library of tips, resources and mini-courses with tips to introduce you to the why and how of sailboat travel and you can ask the community for personalized information applicable to your situation.  Community members welcome each other on self-initiated adventures, boat rides, projects, and meet-ups. We currently have +70 members owning a sailboat. Also, rather spontaneous we organize several Ocean Nomads trips as well as gatherings per year renting or collaborating with sailing vessels. We create and communicate ocean adventure and conservation content, tips, conversations, projects, and opportunities from people with similar values, dreams, and missions. We strive to increase ocean awareness and action by facilitating and encouraging experience-based learning adventures.  Magical epiphany moments is what we're after. We focus a lot on sailing but the vision is broader. All ocean souls are welcomed.

Nadiem went from Zero to Hero with Ocean Nomads:

"I always had the dream to go sailing one day, so I signed up and joined the Ocean Nomads Community. From that moment everything escalated quickly.  One week sailing turned into 1,5 months and together with some other Ocean Nomads we sailed from Northern Spain to the Canaries.  I fell in love with the sailing lifestyle and I knew I wanted to get my own sailboat. A lot has happened since then. In short, I bought an old sailboat of a new Ocean Nomads Friend. I sailed the Canary Islands. And now maybe across the Atlantic. Without joining Ocean Nomads, I would not be where I am now." Nadiem

CREATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS 

 We're here to connect you with (aspiring) ocean explorers on similar journeys, or those who have made the journeys you're dreaming of. Find and be found by trustworthy captains, crew and projects sharing similar interests, missions and locations. Connect with adventure and eco-minded explorers who are navigating the sea near you for support, fun, and action. Join meet-ups around the world and online. We're committed to connecting you to the right people and resources at the right time. We make and answer requests for personalized introductions to fellow members. We support and encourage connection to the self, nature and each other. Especially from solo female aspiring crew we've received feedback appreciating the trust and safety aspect of this network. 

We also have the Ocean Nomads Map! Explore where the nomads, vessels, basecamps, and events, and increase awareness about your ocean nomads' locations, adventures, projects and/or vessel to attract your people. Each nomad and vessel member will be added to our directory on the map. Here you can include links to your projects and profiles and easier find out about each other.

Meet here some members and what Ocean Nomads has brought them

"Ocean Nomads makes you feel really connected. So much of my journey in conservation, with this lifestyle and also as an entrepreneur, has been about finding those people who understand and who can give the experience alongside. I'm not feeling like I’m shouting into a giant void of the internet with tons of people who don’t get it or are not interested. I’ve definitely felt like I have a whole mix of solidarity of people beside me. I’m really excited to see where that goes. I can feel the positivity leaking into my life already."  Caitlin - Ocean Nomads Founding Member, long-term nomad & Impact Founder of The Sustainable Tourist


“You Are The Average Of The 5 People You Spend The Most Time With” – Jim Rohn

“What I hoped to gain from this community was the option of finding crew. Instead what I found is a collection of people who get what I do, who understand why we make certain choices and who are willing to support each other. And that is something i needed way more than just someone to sail with.” Vessel Member Michiel



LEARN & EXPAND YOUR SKILLS

 Learning by doing, that's how we prefer to learn! We continuously create opportunities for learning exchanges. Find answers to make better, more well-informed decisions about the steps in the ocean nomads journey, the next ocean adventure destination, project or crew opportunity. Find support to kickstart or enhance your desired lifestyle. We share information, skills, knowledge and sailing experiences, from newbie to pro. You can simply access your personal ocean nomads advisory board from your pocket.

Still smiling at the memories! Met - and still talking to - some lovely people. Refreshed my nautical skills (helming, navigation, astro identification, etc.) Shared some great experiences through conversation, music, stories, yoga, cooking together, seeing ocean wildlife, and so much more! The Ocean Nomads network provides an excellent platform for 'boaty' people to communicate, share, plan and organise. - Richard


INSPIRE & ACCELERATE

Swap stories, experiences and ideas about travel by sail, conscious nomad living, ocean adventure sports paradises, ocean entrepreneurship and tips & tools to accelerate our shared mission to save the seas.  We're here to encourage personal development and help maximize your potential. We amplify your voice and create opportunities to share about your projects to increase your reach to a relevant audience.

MAKE IMPACT & CULTIVATE CONSCIOUS LIVING

Find ocean inspiration, practical ideas on simplification and sustainable/self-sufficient living, improving ocean-friendly habits thought-provoking conversations, tips, and tools. We're here to inspire & inform each other on simple and sustainable living, to minimize harm and maximize positive change. We're here to accelerate social & environmental impact projects by raising awareness, sharing what we encounter, facilitating synergetic team-ups, ocean citizen science data gathering & reporting projects and cargo sailing. We're here to help boost existing local and global sustainable solutions. 

A sneak-peak into our resources section:

 









"More people should connect to nature, the ocean, to the real world that is out there. If more people know, hopefully they will want to change as well. Ocean Nomads has given me so much, I only hope to do a little in return." 

- Pim (Netherlands)

"I really like the founding values of this community - which are all genuine and important! - and appreciate the “air” of it. I'm here to learn more about sailing and the ocean, to get more hands on experience in a setting/vibe I like, while getting to know more people with the same values and interests." - Louise (Sweden)

"After having sailed with Captain Keith, I have finally started to learn all the practical skills I believe is necessary to become a truly independent and confident sailor down the road. Through Ocean Nomads I have found an incredible sailing mentor and friend, I am very thankful! :)" - Henrik

Are you somewhere on this path?

Whichever part of the journey you're on, we're here!

Whether you’re a complete novice and just curious, a salty sea gypsie who is a liveaboard their whole life, a surfing van lifer looking to reach further, or an island-based ocean lover, you are welcome to join! It's the mix that makes our tribe special and powerful.

The mission is to build a thriving movement for low-carbon ocean exploration and action to connect similar souls, share insights, help each other's journeys, establish relationships, and accelerate action to save our oceans.

We strive for a way of life to share, explore, collaborate and take action.

A huge part of our nomadic excitement is in the act of setting out for exploration, letting the magic happen, and seeing what we encounter. But few people enjoy doing it alone. It's nourishing to meet like-minded souls with shared interests, values, and mission to share the journey. To find answers to questions that google doesn’t answer. To find a project where we can lend our hand.

The online stuff is just a means to accelerate our journeys in the wild. What we aim to achieve is real-life connection and action in, on, and near the ocean. You can spend less time online researching and connecting because here you have a place to find your answers, adventures and people. Basecamps are in development as well to connect more of us in the wild.

"We are a growing bunch of awesome, nice and caring people that have the most different backgrounds, stories, nationalities, or even views. But this even enriches our community as we share thoughts, tips and much more about the most different topics around sailing and sustainable living. But what actually brought us together, is a deep and strong connection to the oceans, wanderlust, interest in adventurous traveling around the seven seas and the intention to make a positive impact "- Andy

"Authentic, enthusiastic, caring and sharing: the Ocean Nomads community is all about living a conscious life on this beautiful blue planet in real life, using the platform what is meant for: connecting to each other." - Marjo

Simple, wild and free - with community. That's how we like to be.

Become an Ocean Nomads member... 

Your membership includes:


ADVENTURE 

🥥 Priority awareness and sign-up to the next Ocean Nomads sailing trip (They have always been full). And often happen spontaneous

🥥 Join and team-up for ocean adventure with community members (+70 vessels in the community so far that often welcome crew members). Jump on board with someone NOW. In a safe network who got your back.

🥥 Join and host Ocean Nomads meet-ups and events in your area or online

🥥 Exclusive Ocean Nomads Deals & Discounts: On Ocean Nomads Trips, the Ocean Nomad book; access to our deals with sailing schools and other partners (Coming Soon); discounts on Ocean Nomads sailing trips and merchandise.

IMPACT

🥥 Personalized introductions and team-ups with ocean conservation and local community impact projects

🥥 Thought-provoking conversations on ocean travel, conservation and sustainability

🥥 Share and get ideas, belong and contribute to this ocean impact movement

🥥 Your voice matters. Our voices together have the potential to create waves of change

🥥 Part of our proceeds from trips and membership contribution we donate to small local impact projects.

COMMUNITY

🥥 Access to the Ocean Nomads global network APP to create meaningful connections with like-minded adventure & eco-minded explorers who are navigating the sea near you for support, fun and action. Within our community, we have our 30 super Ambassadors from 15 nationalities on their nomad journeys, and happy to help you move forward.

🥥 Access to the Ocean Nomads online space (App & Desktop) where you can:

  1. Find and be found by captains, boat owners, crew and other like-minded salty souls based on location
  2. Access a safe place to share questions, answers, stories, lessons learned, tools & tricks. Away from social media noise. No spam, no bullying, no judging, and no data being sold here. Find and give answers on your sailing, conscious living, and impact journey (from newbie to pro)
  3. Meet other like-minded salty souls based on shared interest (Surfers/(Free)divers/Creatives/Activists/Forestry fanatics and more subgroups to go deeper on subjects)
  4. Join the Ocean Nomads monthly meet-up, and occasional webinar and topic specific meet-up.
  5. Access to content and conversations you can't find elsewhere, e.g. catching sailboat rides, crewing, learning how to sail, becoming qualified, skill development, destinations, nomad lifestyle, conscious living, ocean-friendly habits, sustainable nomad living and much more. Left with questions? Ask and we answer.
  6. Access to our continuously expanding database of in-depth resources / mini-courses including: Ocean Conservation Challenges Explained, Tips on Conscious Provisioning & Waste Management, How to Find a Sailboat Ride, Zero Waste Nomads Life, Healthy Recipes for at Sea, and Sailing across the Atlantic as crew.

How does it work?

The investment

We currently have three memberships

Nomad Membership

Contribution:

5,50   / 3 coconuts Month

Charged at  65 euro / 79,99 $ year + VAT (which depends on your country)


Vessel Membership*

Pioneer Contribution:

9,90 / 5 coconuts Month

Charged at 119 euro / 144,99 $ / year + VAT (which depends on your country)


Impact Membership**

Pioneer Contribution:

16,50 / 8 coconuts Month

Charged at 199 euro / 219,99 $ / year + VAT (which depends on your country)


Instead of money, you can also contribute with coconuts. This is not a joke. Email us if you would like to contribute with coconuts as the currency, why and how.

Not happy? We do refunds. No questions asked. Okay, maybe one question so we learn. That said, never ever wanted someone a refund before ;) Explore why!

* Vessel Membership is for non-commercial boat owners. 

**Impact Membership is for small1-3 person impact organizations and oceanpreneurs.


Welcome to Ocean Nomads!

With a little barrier to entry, we believe we attract those truly committed, open, excited and determined for adventure, action and impact. Actually we know by now. We have a couple of facebook groups with +10Ks of people in it, not ON it. We only have yearly memberships for the reason that relationships and community building take time. And thanks to your contribution we can provide value. We're always welcome your feedback on how we can support you better.

We're constantly evolving, by ocean nomads and for ocean nomads. If you really can't afford to join but believe you have to be part of it, apply for our scholarship. Above all, we like to be accessible and provide an opportunity where we can. 

Safety and Kindness first. Membership requests can be denied or suspended to members who have an untrusty reputation to our knowledge, or if we have reasons to do so.

Are you an impact investor, philanthropist, charter or ocean business and would like to team-up? Contact us for a personalized approach.

Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

By Joining Ocean Nomads you pledge to:

Be supportive

Step up for the environment

Act local

Give before you get

Walk the talk

Be open & kind

...and have no day without nature play!

Hi! My name is Suzanne. My nomadic life has one constant: the calling of the ocean. In, at, or near the sea I’m the best version of myself. The ocean gives me play, energy, and life. As a user, I feel responsible to bring life back into the ocean.

I didn’t grow up near the ocean, but during the now +13 years of nomadding, I learned to dive, surf, and freedive. Superpowered by the ocean sports, driven by curiosity, and with an urge to learn and explore more, I just had to move to the sea. About five years ago, I discovered sailing boats as an alternative means of travel. I realized that sailing is actually not only for the rich or kids that grew up sailing. I learned how (and how not;)) to catch sailboat rides. Since I’ve boathitchhiked +30.000 miles on a variety of sailing vessels in every ocean. I wrote a book about it (called Ocean Nomad). Then, I qualified myself as a captain so I can take others sailing and share what the magic is all about. Because to get the ocean truly in your heart, you need to experience the ocean. Over the years I've been hosting numerous sailing adventures. To keep the momentum and connections going of these beautiful weeks at sea, and to facilitate more ocean adventures between all of you, I set up the Ocean Nomads membership. With this, I aim to connect more of you to each other, the sea, and encourage a more conscious way of life.

We're currently + 300 nomads, 70 vessels, and 6 basecamps and we only just get started! If you say 'hell yeah' I want to belong to this tribe, welcome to join!

With Ocean Love,

Suzanne 

(@oceanpreneur)

What do members say?

“In my opinion, Ocean Nomads provides: 1. A reward for the senses by discovering incredibly beautiful places and breathtaking sceneries. 2. An unbeatable way to get introduced into the nice world of sailing, 3. An open window to learn to watch our world and the people from another more conscious perspective. Our oceans need strong committed people like to advocate for our natural resources and leave them intact for the generations to come.” - Jose Maria Perez, sailed with us in Sicily on the Flotilla together with ON ambassador Paula from Allende Los Mares


Some of our Ocean Nomads Ambassadors & Founding Members:

 

Markus (Germany - Current nomad base: Canary Islands) "I am a Sailing, Freediving Ocean & Mother Nature enthusiast, Founder & Happiness Manager of OceanMinded, and dedicated to inspire passion for water. I am a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, Freediver & Instructor, Rescue Swimmer and fully dedicated to connect with like-minded salty souls, share experiences, offer spaces, continue to explore this magic world & our oceanic existence. My dream is to live in raw nature again, grow own food, sail, dive & chase sunsets together with beautiful likeminded souls. I wish we all learn from and inspire each other, and help each other to be the best & most natural." 


Caitlin (USA - Current nomad base:  Dahab Egypt) "I made the ocean a lifestyle because I learned from those that went before me. They taught me climate realities, restoration techniques, & entrepreneurship. They let me in on what it really looks like behind the fancy company names. The people combining conservation, ocean & business, the people that chose a different life and one that was connected to the sea, those people are my people & my community. I am an Ocean Nomad and I very much look forward to getting to know you. "

Eoin (Ireland) "I work on sailing boats as an engineer and skipper and own my own boat, a 1969 Hurley 22 called Moonshine. I'm using this Corona lockdown to refit my boat and get ready for a summer of sailing and surfing."


Kerstine (France - Current nomad base: Sea Shepherd Spain) "I've discovered sailing in the channels of Patagonia in Chile and, after a few adventures, went on my full time sailing (and diving) jobs and travels. A few years have passed, that have seen me a bit around the world, discovering environmental issues like plastics pollution and dead zones and many other. I since then became an activist and advocate for a cleaner ocean! I am now bosun's mate on a Sea Shepherd vessel and am excited to share this new chapter with you :)."

Eleanor (UK - Current nomad base: Brighton) "I live on my 1935 25ft wooden sailing boat currently in Brighton, UK. I started sailing at 16 with a sail training charity, and have since worked as First Mate onboard traditional sailing vessels, owned & lived aboard three very different boats, had amazing salty adventures around the world, written for sailing magazines, and most recently set up SaltyJobs.co - inspiring others to work in the marine industry. I‘m passionate about the magic of the ocean and the positive connections we can make. Ocean Nomads feels like home.


Annah (New Zealand) Dreaming of owning my own little floating home one day. Holes and all! My passion for sailing was reignited in 2015 with a passage from NZ to Tonga but it all began much earlier when my mum and dad built 'Soundsgood'. I am here to connect, to learn, and maybe even... inspire??!

Andreas (Germany) "When you´re caught up in a hamster wheel, you can`t make speed over ground! Passionate for nature, ocean sailing, diving and all kind of sports. I love music and playing guitar. Would love to own my own sailing home some time, that brings me across the seven seas and beyond. I´m happy and thankful to be here with all you Ocean Nomads and salty souls."

Claudio (Italy - Current nomad base: Azores, Portugal) "I'm a diving instructor living on my lovely 30ft boat called Sam and co-founder of the citizen science Sail&Whale project. Glad to be part of Ocean Nomads to share my passion for the sea and show to the people that is possible to live their own dream."

Monique (Canada - Based in Granada) "RYA Yachtmaster. I have been in Grenada for 4 seasons. Recently bought 73ft traditional schooner. I am interested in citizen science projects. We are willing to support research and science with the vessel. Looking forward to connecting with like-minded people to collaborate in the Caribbean and around the world."


Dan (UK - Current basecamp: Spain) "Busker & freelance fiddle player on 6-year tour across 6 continents without flying. I'm attempting to present an alternative and ethically informed lifestyle, driven by the power of music, human connections and "eco-travel" - by train, sailboat, hitchhiking, & bicycle (no commercial flights!). Of course, these priorities have led me time and again back to sailing, and this season I intend to heed the call at last. Being born by the water it's always coursed deep inside me, and a season spent hitchhiking across the Caribbean was all I needed to confirm my love for a saltier way of life."


Marcin (Poland - Current basecamp: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean) "I never expected hitch sailing the Atlantic to be so easy. And now? I guess I felt in love with the ocean."


Janneke (Holland - Current basecamp: Bali) "I'm a Dutchie, work location independent, crossed the Indian and Atlantic Ocean as a hitch sailor. The dream: live on a sailboat!"


Pim ( Holland - Current basecamp: Nepal) "After some years of saving up to go on an adventure of a lifetime, I left home to go and explore this beautiful big blue blob we live on. With the help of the book Ocean Nomad and the Ocean Nomads trip in Sicily, I found my first hitch-sailing rides. 10 months later I made it to Fiji and started travelling overland back to Europe. Got my YM offshore in the meantime."

Silvio (Switzerland - Current basecamp: NZ) "Kaoha... I sailed me and my boat half around, work in the boat industry for 14 years. After 4 years at sea, I need some earth time, regenerative time, a purpose. I‘m available for hands-on action. Owning a boat is far from what it looks like, especially in terms of sustainability. We need real action."

Andy (South Africa - Current basecamp: St. Vincent & the Grenadines) "You'll probably find me in the ocean sailing, diving (free or SCUBA) or kitesurfing. I left a previous life in heavy steel construction building oil and gas platforms in Saudi Arabia to become a salty sailor. I did this for many reasons but mostly that sailing and ocean living on a small boat is a lot more fun! I started my sailing journey in Cape Town finishing off my Yachtmaster crossing to Rio de Janeiro. Then I worked for a small NGO onboard a yacht raising awareness and action to plastic pollution. At the moment I'm in the Caribbean enjoying the warm water and hopefully teaching sailing once borders reopen!"


Louise (Sweden) "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor - Exploring different aspects of life since 1984. Pathfinder from Sweden dreaming of spending more time near the Ocean!"


Connect with us and many more eco & adventure-minded salty souls

 

"I fully support the idea and vision of Ocean Nomads, the spontaneity and space for explorations in slow, sustainable living that it offers and very much look forward to introducing others to it. Moreover, I greatly enjoy staying in touch with Ocean Nomads I already met and will value the opportunity to continue our paths of exchanging ideas around the ocean, (life) experiences and time spent together." - Nina (Austria)


"I had the privilege to sail on two of Ocean Nomads impact adventures. Where I met a lot of beautiful people with whom I shared a lot of inspiring moments and so new friendships created.  I'm very thankful and proud to be a part of this awesome community. Who introduced me and M.Khalid Ibrahim to each other when we sailed under the nomads flag in the Mediterranean for three weeks. We became friends and he joined last year in November with me to rainy Holland to help out with the mayor refit of my boat: Windfall. Now one year later the refit is done our friendship even better en we are starting this month to sail around the world. so we can meet all of your nomads out there! " Thomas - Founder of NGO By the Ocean We Unite

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