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.
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!
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.
One backpack stuffed to the brim so you can walk around hands-free.
Window seat when traveling somewhere new to see below; aisle seat when your knees are achy.
US Virgin Islands Packing List (23 Things to Bring)
15 Epic Day Trips from Fort Lauderdale (in 2023)
31 Beautiful Tropical Islands You Need to Visit (in 2023)
St. Thomas vs St. John vs St. Croix – Which Island is Best?
St. Croix Itinerary (7 Days Perfectly Planned for You + Map)
Getting Around St. Croix (2023 Transportation Guide)
13 Best St. Croix Beaches (in 2023)
33 US Virgin Islands Facts (You Might Not Know)
21 US Virgin Islands Travel Tips (to Know Before You Go)
St. Croix Car Rental (Ultimate Guide to Renting in 2023)
Virgin Islands Passport Guide (Do You Need One to Go?)
How to Go From St. Thomas to St. Croix in 2023 (3 Ways)
23 Places to Travel Without a Passport from the US (in 2023)
33 Best Things to Do in St Croix, USVI (in 2023)
Christiansted National Historic Site (Ultimate Guide)
St. Croix Hiking Guide (7 Best Hikes & Trails in 2023)
Buck Island Reef National Monument (Ultimate Guide to Visiting)
11 Best St. John Boat Tours (By a USVI Captain)
US Virgin Islands Itinerary Planner (10 Days in the USVI)
23 Best Things to Do in St. John, USVI (2023)
34 Best Things to Do in St Thomas, USVI (in 2023)
Water Island, USVI (Things to Do + 2023 Travel Guide)
15 Best US Virgin Islands Beaches (in 2023)
15 Best St. Thomas Boat Tours (By a Local Captain)
Is St. Thomas Safe to Visit in 2023? (Honest Advice & Tips)
US Virgin Islands on a Budget (How to Do It on The Cheap)
How to Go from St. Thomas to St. John (in 2023)
13 Best Beaches in Fort Lauderdale (By a Local)
23 Best South Florida Beaches for 2023 (By a Local)
Driving in the US Virgin Islands in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)
Best Time to Visit US Virgin Islands (in 2023)
Where to Stay in Miami (Best Areas & Places for 2023)
15 Best Hikes on St. John, USVI (in 2023)
Where to Stay in St. John, USVI (Best Places & Areas in 2023)
Virgin Islands National Park (Ultimate Guide for 2023)
15 St. John Beaches You Can’t Miss (in 2023)
Where to Stay in St. Thomas, USVI (Best Places & Areas)
17 Best Places to Visit in US Virgin Islands (in 2023)
13 Best Beaches in St Thomas, USVI (for 2023)
47 Best Things to Do in Miami, Florida (in 2023)
22 Best Fort Lauderdale Boat Tours (By a Local Captain)
The Best Time to Visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2023
15 Fun Day Trips from Miami to Take Now
23 Best Beaches in Florida for 2023 (Picked By Locals)
21 Fun Things to Do in Jupiter, FL (in 2023)
27 Fun Things to Do in South Florida (By a Local)
Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 (By a Local!)
33 Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 (By a Local)