Children of the ocean

Liveaboard sailing offers amazing adventures and family time, and it’s becoming easier to do, says Sophie Dingwall

- SOPHIE DIMGWALL

Modern life makes connecting digitally between people easy, but it can also isolate us from friends and family, and the natural world around us. While the negative effects of social media sweep through schools, there is a growing trend, especially among young people, to move away from a shallow online existence and focus on rich real-life experiences instead.

Thanks to the same technology, it is now easier to get away, in search of a more balanced way of life at sea, free from the pressures and expectations of everyday life. While the freedom of life at sea is a lifestyle that has long appealed to non-conformists, leaving the safety of social norms – houses, jobs, schools and the convenience of shops, cars and the internet – is no longer quite as absolute a cutting loose as it used to be.

Thanks to social media and online content, those that have done something similar have been able to share their experiences, offering advice and inspiration to millions of YouTube viewers and Instagram followers. The pandemic also helped to cement the fact that working remotely is not only possible, but increasingly commonplace and achievable, making the idea of being a digital nomad not in the least unusual. The combined effect is that more and more families are prepared to give it a go, whether it’s for a season, a year, or longer-term.

The attraction is clear. Being time-poor and glued to our phones reduces our engagement with both nature, friends and family. While being in a confined space for extended periods with no-one but your own family for company might not be everyone’s dream, for many having time to relax, engage and reconnect with each other is worth making significant sacrifices for.