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.
🎓 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
St. Croix, USVI
Andrew’s Wife, Laura in Rincon, Puerto Rico
St. John, 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.