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Travel Lemming Logo
Andrew Bloem smiling for a photo while on a boat

Andrew Bloem

Senior Travel Writer, Travel Lemming

Instagram | Facebook

Andrew Bloem is an adventure travel writer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, living in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. As a professional pirate, Andrew’s travels usually don’t stray too far from a palm tree and an ocean view. When he’s not writing guides for Travel Lemming, you can find him typing away at the local tiki bar for his site OceanWide Explorers.

🏠 Local to: Fort Lauderdale, Florida & St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

🌟 Favorite Destinations: Miami, Puerto Rico

🎓 Education: Michigan State University (BS, Sports Medicine, 2015), Auburn University (MS, Physical Education Teacher Education, 2017)

✔️ Fun Facts: I’m a professional mariner, scuba diver, and Undefeated Champion (since the 4th grade) of the board game, Connect 4.


Meet Andrew

Andrew Bloem holding his selfie stick in Andrew Bloem
St. Croix, USVI
Andrew with her wife posing for a photo in Rincon, Puerto Rico
Andrew’s Wife, Laura in Rincon, Puerto Rico
Andrew getting ready to scuba dive in St. John, USVI
St. John, USVI
Andrew scuba diving under the water of St. Croix, USVI
St. Croix, USVI

📚 What was Your Favorite Travel Experience or Story?

My first months-long backpacking adventure was up the East Coast of Australia from Melbourne to Cairns. As I attended college, I saved up for the trip for years, eventually strumming together about 6k to last me four months on the road.

The trip culminated in a three-day Liveaboard Scuba Diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef, which catalyzed a complete 180° turn in my life. Instead of pursuing a career with my degrees, I worked scuba boats and sailboats in the Florida Keys (which is also where I met my lovely wife) and Fort Lauderdale, garnering enough sea time to become a USCG Certified Captain.

Today, my wife and I live in the US Virgin Islands, exploring the waters of the Caribbean Sea while hopping from island to island! And honestly, none of it would have happened had I not taken the chance on a solo backpacking adventure in Australia!

🗺️ What’s Your #1 Expert Travel Tip?

Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Whether putting yourself in new social settings, trying new food, or taking the plunge on a new adventure, the best memories are always the ones where we take a chance.

🧳 Backpack or Suitcase?

One backpack stuffed to the brim so you can walk around hands-free.

✈️ Window or Aisle Seat?

Window seat when traveling somewhere new to see below; aisle seat when your knees are achy.


Andrew’s Recent Posts

US Virgin Islands Packing List (23 Things to Bring)

US Virgin Islands Packing List (23 Things to Bring)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJune 1, 2023
15 Epic Day Trips from Fort Lauderdale (in 2023)

15 Epic Day Trips from Fort Lauderdale (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 21, 2023
31 Beautiful Tropical Islands You Need to Visit (in 2023)

31 Beautiful Tropical Islands You Need to Visit (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 17, 2023
St. Thomas vs St. John vs St. Croix – Which Island is Best?

St. Thomas vs St. John vs St. Croix – Which Island is Best?

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 27, 2023
St. Croix Itinerary (7 Days Perfectly Planned for You + Map)

St. Croix Itinerary (7 Days Perfectly Planned for You + Map)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 20, 2023
Getting Around St. Croix (2023 Transportation Guide)

Getting Around St. Croix (2023 Transportation Guide)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 9, 2023
13 Best St. Croix Beaches (in 2023)

13 Best St. Croix Beaches (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 12, 2023
33 US Virgin Islands Facts (You Might Not Know)

33 US Virgin Islands Facts (You Might Not Know)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedApril 5, 2023
21 US Virgin Islands Travel Tips (to Know Before You Go)

21 US Virgin Islands Travel Tips (to Know Before You Go)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJune 1, 2023
St. Croix Car Rental (Ultimate Guide to Renting in 2023)

St. Croix Car Rental (Ultimate Guide to Renting in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
Virgin Islands Passport Guide (Do You Need One to Go?)

Virgin Islands Passport Guide (Do You Need One to Go?)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 2, 2023
How to Go From St. Thomas to St. Croix in 2023 (3 Ways)

How to Go From St. Thomas to St. Croix in 2023 (3 Ways)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedApril 30, 2023
23 Places to Travel Without a Passport from the US (in 2023)

23 Places to Travel Without a Passport from the US (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 17, 2023
33 Best Things to Do in St Croix, USVI (in 2023)

33 Best Things to Do in St Croix, USVI (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
Christiansted National Historic Site (Ultimate Guide)

Christiansted National Historic Site (Ultimate Guide)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedApril 11, 2023
St. Croix Hiking Guide (7 Best Hikes & Trails in 2023)

St. Croix Hiking Guide (7 Best Hikes & Trails in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
Buck Island Reef National Monument (Ultimate Guide to Visiting)

Buck Island Reef National Monument (Ultimate Guide to Visiting)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 31, 2023
11 Best St. John Boat Tours (By a USVI Captain)

11 Best St. John Boat Tours (By a USVI Captain)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedDecember 26, 2022
US Virgin Islands Itinerary Planner (10 Days in the USVI)

US Virgin Islands Itinerary Planner (10 Days in the USVI)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
23 Best Things to Do in St. John, USVI (2023)

23 Best Things to Do in St. John, USVI (2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJanuary 25, 2023
34 Best Things to Do in St Thomas, USVI (in 2023)

34 Best Things to Do in St Thomas, USVI (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
Water Island, USVI (Things to Do + 2023 Travel Guide)

Water Island, USVI (Things to Do + 2023 Travel Guide)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedDecember 26, 2022
15 Best US Virgin Islands Beaches (in 2023)

15 Best US Virgin Islands Beaches (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 1, 2023
15 Best St. Thomas Boat Tours (By a Local Captain)

15 Best St. Thomas Boat Tours (By a Local Captain)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 15, 2023
Is St. Thomas Safe to Visit in 2023? (Honest Advice & Tips)

Is St. Thomas Safe to Visit in 2023? (Honest Advice & Tips)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 27, 2023
US Virgin Islands on a Budget (How to Do It on The Cheap)

US Virgin Islands on a Budget (How to Do It on The Cheap)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJune 1, 2023
How to Go from St. Thomas to St. John (in 2023)

How to Go from St. Thomas to St. John (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 1, 2023
13 Best Beaches in Fort Lauderdale (By a Local)

13 Best Beaches in Fort Lauderdale (By a Local)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJanuary 12, 2023
23 Best South Florida Beaches for 2023 (By a Local)

23 Best South Florida Beaches for 2023 (By a Local)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 23, 2023
Driving in the US Virgin Islands in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)

Driving in the US Virgin Islands in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 23, 2023
Best Time to Visit US Virgin Islands (in 2023)

Best Time to Visit US Virgin Islands (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJune 1, 2023
Where to Stay in Miami (Best Areas & Places for 2023)

Where to Stay in Miami (Best Areas & Places for 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
15 Best Hikes on St. John, USVI (in 2023)

15 Best Hikes on St. John, USVI (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 14, 2023
Where to Stay in St. John, USVI (Best Places & Areas in 2023)

Where to Stay in St. John, USVI (Best Places & Areas in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 15, 2023
Virgin Islands National Park (Ultimate Guide for 2023)

Virgin Islands National Park (Ultimate Guide for 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedApril 27, 2023
15 St. John Beaches You Can’t Miss (in 2023)

15 St. John Beaches You Can’t Miss (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 9, 2023
Where to Stay in St. Thomas, USVI (Best Places & Areas)

Where to Stay in St. Thomas, USVI (Best Places & Areas)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
17 Best Places to Visit in US Virgin Islands (in 2023)

17 Best Places to Visit in US Virgin Islands (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedJune 1, 2023
13 Best Beaches in St Thomas, USVI (for 2023)

13 Best Beaches in St Thomas, USVI (for 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 6, 2023
47 Best Things to Do in Miami, Florida (in 2023)

47 Best Things to Do in Miami, Florida (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 21, 2023
22 Best Fort Lauderdale Boat Tours (By a Local Captain)

22 Best Fort Lauderdale Boat Tours (By a Local Captain)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 27, 2023
The Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2023

The Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2023

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedFebruary 5, 2023
15 Fun Day Trips from Miami to Take Now

15 Fun Day Trips from Miami to Take Now

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 19, 2022
23 Best Beaches in Florida for 2023 (Picked By Locals)

23 Best Beaches in Florida for 2023 (Picked By Locals)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 28, 2023
21 Fun Things to Do in Jupiter, FL (in 2023)

21 Fun Things to Do in Jupiter, FL (in 2023)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
27 Fun Things to Do in South Florida (By a Local)

27 Fun Things to Do in South Florida (By a Local)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMay 19, 2023
Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 (By a Local!)

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 (By a Local!)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
33 Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 (By a Local)

33 Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 (By a Local)

ByAndrew Bloem UpdatedMarch 14, 2023

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