*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you!) if you make a purchase using any of these links.*
When I think of vacations which have earned their rightful place in the archives of national history, my trip with S and my brother to the US Virgin Islands immediately comes to mind. Aside from the fact that the Islands themselves are visually stunning, the weather was tropical perfection, so {accordingly} we spent 75% of our leisure time on boats. Something about life on the water is so therapeutic for me. When the wind cools your face and blows your hair, you know there’s nothing but you and the sea– no inhibitions, no negativity, just peace.
This summer, I’m really hoping to make a trip back to St. Maarten, aka my favorite place on earth. Give me a boat, some cocktails, and good company, and you may never see me again. Don’t worry– I’ll still blog on occasion. If you’re an adventure//boat lover, too, visit DiscoverBoating.com to learn more about different ways to get your butt out on the water this summer– and no, you don’t have to own a boat. Discover Boating has a neat Boat Selector tool, which allows you to easily find the right boat for you and your crew. I also found myself spending hours watching the inspirational Stories of Discovery documentaries, featuring  real boaters, including the hunky country heartthrob Jake Owen, discussing how boating has impacted their lives for the better.
This particular afternoon in St. Maarten was the definition of paradise. From boat hopping to scuba diving to laughing hysterically while sipping delicious tropical drinks, I wouldn’t trade this day for the world.
Â
Oh, and in case you’ve never tried it, everyone should snorkel in the US Virgin Islands at least once in their life. Plus, it’s really easy to attract handsome locals in a snorkel and flippers. Take a number and step in line, St. Maarten boys.
For all y’all fellow nautical, non-boat owner explorers, you really should look into Discover Boating if you’re looking to have some epic summer fun. Discover Boating is a national program to help people get on the water to experience the fun of boating. For those looking to get their feet wet {literally}, Discover Boating is an unbiased online resource packed with easy, interactive features on all things boating, including  a boat selector guide to help you find the right boat for you, cost comparison tool, renting options, youth boating programs, education courses – even nautical lingo, how-to videos, and a Good Run short film. Plus, Discover Boating offers tools and information for experienced boaters looking to learn more.
To help you get started on your first boating excursion with Discover Boating {and in the spirit of celebrating Father’s Day in a few weeks}, enter my $50 PayPal cash giveaway to use towards a family bonding via boating experience! Invite your dad, your grandma– whoever! Just get out on the water for some peace, tranquility, and oceanic sightseeing. Giveaway starts today and ends June 8th. Good luck!
Oh, and never let anyone tell you steering is a man’s job. After sweet talking the captain with her polite boat driving demands for about twenty minutes, S did fabulous and added some thrashing aquatic adrenaline to an otherwise peaceful ride.
Favorite boating memory was when I was ten and I went fishing with my father. First time around I screamed and screamed while watching the fish squiggle. Had a great day with my dad.
Oh, mine was last year on the 4th of July holiday weekend. We had all our family and friends out on the lake and it was just a joyous time for all. I had just been informed that I was pregnant with my first so very memorable.
Last year my family and I went on an air boat on the river and it was a blast. We had a great time. It was our first time air boating. I can't wait to do it again.
My favorite boating memory is visiting my grandfather while he was on vacation in the summer while he was fishing and getting to ride in the boat with him.
My coworkers and I would take students out on the boat during the summer because we work in student ministry. It's always hilarious to see them trying to hang on to the tubes! I've fallen off a time or two!
My sister and take out a boat every year for my birthday and invite our friends: going again soon for this year's birthday, which was today! Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
Fave boating memory is when our family's pontoon boat died in the middle of the lake (stranding us & our 2 young kids). A great family we had never met drove out to rescue & tow us in on their very expensive speedboat. Realizing our boating day was over, this family invited us to spend the day on their boat with them. The kids tubed, skied, etc – loving it all! The family even provided a huge picnic lunch. What had started off as a bad day, ended as one of our best ever… ~ Kim Pincombe Cole
My favorite boating memory would have to be hen we took the kids and my sister's family out and just enjoyed each other's company and let the kids swim. My husband got right in there with the kids and made it a real fun day for them. Happy memories!
My favorite boating memory was a boat tour we took around Ilha Grande in Brazil. They stopped at private coves for swimming and snorkeling and it was stunningly beautiful the entire ti
My favorite boating memory was when I was a kid we went out on a fishing charter boat on Lake Michigan, I was scared to death but it was exhilerating at the same time!
Many years ago my son's mom and grandpa and I were out boating in the local lake. We had our dogs with us as we always did. Bo Bailey was our little pomeranian/poodle mix and he was about 3-4 years old then. We were running fairly fast and my son's mom and I were sitting near the bow of the boat. All of a sudden, Bo's ears perked up and he went running as fast as he could off the side of the boat. His little legs were running in mid-air until he hit the water. When he bobbed up, his eyes were huge and he started swimming. We noticed that there were a flock of water birds off the same side about 1/4 mile away. We had a laugh about him trying to run after the birds and finding out that he can't run across the water.
My most favorite memory of boating would be with my parents when I must've been around 12 yrs. old fishing at Don Pedro Lake in Calif. We didn't catch any fish bust the scenery was spectacular! The camping by the lake was just so restful as well…loved it!
We were tubing on a big lake and my brother went flying up in the air about 20 feet after hitting a massive wave! It was awesome 🙂 Hope your trip was enjoyable
My favorite memory is spending time on our houseboat with my Mom and Dad we would spend a whole week on the boat those are some of my best memories ever
I have so many special boating memories, but a more recent favorite is the first time my husband and I took our boat out. My husband decided to buy himself a boat for his birthday, and after two weeks of tweaking and making sure everything was perfect, we took the boat down to the local ramp and spent the day on the Gulf of Mexico, eating our packed picnic lunch, snorkeling, and just relaxing in the boat and in the water.
OMG, most fun boating in deer lake. Wow, prize paypal gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂 Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.
fishing on a pontoon with my husband on Sheridan Lake S. Dak. I caught the first rainbow trout and he caught the second. That began my love affair with fishing.
On a lovely winter afternoon,on our way to Elephanta Caves in Mumbai,India ,we caught a rare glimpse of a rainbow on the side of our boat and a flock of beautiful white birds flying thru the rainbow was a view to behold.I clicked a photo of the same.It was a very romantic boating experience for us!
The most memorable time when I went whale watching in 8th grade with my entire 8th grade class (all the 8th graders at the school). I was able to be in the same boat as most of my friends and we actually saw some whales. Some of us felt sick, but it was fun.
Your trip looks like so much fun! My favorite boating memories are with my grandfather on a chain of lakes in Northern Wisconsin while I was growing up. We'd go all around the lakes fishing for pan fish and throw them back. lol
We used to go to the lake every year with our kids; last year we got to go out with the grandkids. First time, tubing. I rode with them, and it was such a fun experience.
I can’t forget the time when I went on a fishing boat from Jeju Island, South Korea. It was my very first time and I felt a little bit of sea sickness, however, I can’t help but to praise the fresh and salty breeze that swirled through my hair, the fishers who worked side by side, fighting with the waves for their earnings, and enjoying the great scenery of the small islands that we passed by. That is a memory from when I was a little child, but I still clearly remember everything that I felt, observed and experienced. This is my favorite boating experience. Thanks for hearing it out! 😀
My favorite boating memory was last year. We were camping and my boyfriend and I went out in a canoe with our dog. It was a little scary because the canoe was really wobbly, but it was fun too. We even saw a water snake.
I can’t think of any boating memory that stands out any more than the others. We always have a great time on the water with family and friends. I love it.
One of my favorite memory, camping every summer with my Grandfather and cousins by the lake. We would get up very early and go fishing on my Grandfather’s boat. I loved going with him, he always would let me steer 🙂
My favourite boating memory would have to be from my childhood when I went to Prince Edward Island and caught a shark – definitely a memorable moment in my life! 😀
When I was 10 my uncles owned a fishing boat and I went on a fishing trip with them. Just a day trip but it was so much fun and hard work too. I still love fishing and boating and a lucky enough to have my sons enjoying the same
My fav boating memory was when we had taken a Sunfish out in the Florida keys at sunset – very pretty and the florescent plankton made the water all sparkly, too, so magical! Everything on shore looked like a picture.
Favorite boating memory was when I was ten and I went fishing with my father. First time around I screamed and screamed while watching the fish squiggle. Had a great day with my dad.
Oh, mine was last year on the 4th of July holiday weekend. We had all our family and friends out on the lake and it was just a joyous time for all. I had just been informed that I was pregnant with my first so very memorable.
the island looks gorgeous. we did a sunset dinner cruise in kauai, and it was gorgeous looking at the napali coast. thanks!
b
Absolutely beautiful!! That's my kind of getaway!!
Last year my family and I went on an air boat on the river and it was a blast. We had a great time. It was our first time air boating. I can't wait to do it again.
My favorite boating memory is visiting my grandfather while he was on vacation in the summer while he was fishing and getting to ride in the boat with him.
My coworkers and I would take students out on the boat during the summer because we work in student ministry. It's always hilarious to see them trying to hang on to the tubes! I've fallen off a time or two!
My sister and take out a boat every year for my birthday and invite our friends: going again soon for this year's birthday, which was today!
Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
Fave boating memory is when our family's pontoon boat died in the middle of the lake (stranding us & our 2 young kids). A great family we had never met drove out to rescue & tow us in on their very expensive speedboat. Realizing our boating day was over, this family invited us to spend the day on their boat with them. The kids tubed, skied, etc – loving it all! The family even provided a huge picnic lunch. What had started off as a bad day, ended as one of our best ever…
~ Kim Pincombe Cole
I have never been on a boating adventure but yours looks fantastic. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Sold!!!! That vacation sounds amazing!
xo
styleontheside.com
My favorite boating memory would have to be hen we took the kids and my sister's family out and just enjoyed each other's company and let the kids swim. My husband got right in there with the kids and made it a real fun day for them. Happy memories!
my brother-in-law let my then 4-year-old son steer the boat as he sat in his lap. so cute
My favorite boating memory was with my grandparents on their boat. We used to go fishing out in the bayou.
We recently went to Destin and rented a boat. Had such a fun time with my family! Really looking forward to doing this again and again and again….
My favorite boating memory is going tubing with my family back in my childhood
My favorite boating memory is on a lake in Tennessee at a family reunion. We all rented a boat and had a blast!
Mine was boating in cottage country and fishing. Beautiful area
My favorite boating memory is every summer my family would rent a cabin on a lake for a couple of weeks and we'd go fishing, water skiing and tubing.
My favorite boating memory was a boat tour we took around Ilha Grande in Brazil. They stopped at private coves for swimming and snorkeling and it was stunningly beautiful the entire ti
My favorite memory? Sitting on my friend's boat reading the poetry of William Carlos Williams while gazing at the beauty of the ocean.
My favorite boating memory was when I learned to water ski behind my grandparent's pontoon boat in the summer.
My favorite boating memory was when I was a kid we went out on a fishing charter boat on Lake Michigan, I was scared to death but it was exhilerating at the same time!
I have never been boating but would love to! 🙂
I remember going tubing as a young kid and how much it was to get whipped around on the lake.
My SIL was working on a large ship and invited me out for dinner and a ride. We had a blast.
I had the most fun in Lake Huron, Ontario fishing with my family last summer!
Many years ago my son's mom and grandpa and I were out boating in the local lake. We had our dogs with us as we always did. Bo Bailey was our little pomeranian/poodle mix and he was about 3-4 years old then. We were running fairly fast and my son's mom and I were sitting near the bow of the boat. All of a sudden, Bo's ears perked up and he went running as fast as he could off the side of the boat. His little legs were running in mid-air until he hit the water. When he bobbed up, his eyes were huge and he started swimming. We noticed that there were a flock of water birds off the same side about 1/4 mile away. We had a laugh about him trying to run after the birds and finding out that he can't run across the water.
Boating and fishing in the Bay Of Islands, New Zealand when I was growing up 🙂 beautiful!
My most favorite memory of boating would be with my parents when I must've been around 12 yrs. old fishing at Don Pedro Lake in Calif. We didn't catch any fish bust the scenery was spectacular! The camping by the lake was just so restful as well…loved it!
We were tubing on a big lake and my brother went flying up in the air about 20 feet after hitting a massive wave! It was awesome 🙂 Hope your trip was enjoyable
We always had a boat when I was growing up and I remember long summer days out on the lake with my family and friends and lots of fun memories!
My favorite memory is spending time on our houseboat with my Mom and Dad we would spend a whole week on the boat those are some of my best memories ever
I have so many special boating memories, but a more recent favorite is the first time my husband and I took our boat out. My husband decided to buy himself a boat for his birthday, and after two weeks of tweaking and making sure everything was perfect, we took the boat down to the local ramp and spent the day on the Gulf of Mexico, eating our packed picnic lunch, snorkeling, and just relaxing in the boat and in the water.
What a fun getaway! Looks like you had an awesome memory making trip!
I'm mega afraid of boats so my greatest moment on a boat was going over to Alcatraz. That was breathtakingly hard and exciting at the same time.
OMG, most fun boating in deer lake. Wow, prize paypal gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂 Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.
I have never been boating but I hope that I will experience it some time in the near future!
When my sister and I were small my dad's boss took us out on his speed boat. It was so scary, exhilarating, and totally fun!
fishing on a pontoon with my husband on Sheridan Lake S. Dak. I caught the first rainbow trout and he caught the second. That began my love affair with fishing.
On a lovely winter afternoon,on our way to Elephanta Caves in Mumbai,India ,we caught a rare glimpse of a rainbow on the side of our boat and a flock of beautiful white birds flying thru the rainbow was a view to behold.I clicked a photo of the same.It was a very romantic boating experience for us!
Mt favorite memory was when I 13 and it was my first time to ski. I had so much fun that day.
I love the first time I went tubing! It was a blast! A memory I will never forget.
I have wonderful memories of boating with my family on Fourth of Julys growing up!
The most memorable time when I went whale watching in 8th grade with my entire 8th grade class (all the 8th graders at the school). I was able to be in the same boat as most of my friends and we actually saw some whales. Some of us felt sick, but it was fun.
My favorite boat memories was when I was a kid and my Uncle would take me out fishing on his boat.
Your trip looks like so much fun! My favorite boating memories are with my grandfather on a chain of lakes in Northern Wisconsin while I was growing up. We'd go all around the lakes fishing for pan fish and throw them back. lol
my first boating experience together with my friends. But you guys looks very fun experience.. hoping to win the paypal giveaway
We used to go to the lake every year with our kids; last year we got to go out with the grandkids. First time, tubing. I rode with them, and it was such a fun experience.
My favorite boating memory is going to Kemah.
my favorite boating memory was when i was about 10yrs old with my family when we went to Apo Island in Dauin, Philippines! 🙂
Before we even got onto the boat the first time my sister fell off the dock!
You should visit Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. A marine paradise.
I can’t forget the time when I went on a fishing boat from Jeju Island, South Korea. It was my very first time and I felt a little bit of sea sickness, however, I can’t help but to praise the fresh and salty breeze that swirled through my hair, the fishers who worked side by side, fighting with the waves for their earnings, and enjoying the great scenery of the small islands that we passed by. That is a memory from when I was a little child, but I still clearly remember everything that I felt, observed and experienced. This is my favorite boating experience. Thanks for hearing it out! 😀
I’ve never been boating!!!!!
My favorite boating memory was last year. We were camping and my boyfriend and I went out in a canoe with our dog. It was a little scary because the canoe was really wobbly, but it was fun too. We even saw a water snake.
My fave boating memory was when we went island hopping in the Philippines.We had a BBQ on one of the islands. It was so fun!
As a kid, we’d go every weekend each summer to a nearby lake with my parents’ friends and go on their boat tubing!
My favorite memory was when I was about 10 years old, I went boating with my family and we went to the Brijuni Islands in the Adriatic Sea. 🙂
My favorite boating memory was a girls weekend on the edges of the Mediterranean 🙂
I can’t think of any boating memory that stands out any more than the others. We always have a great time on the water with family and friends. I love it.
You are so beautiful! Love time on the water with friends and family!
First boating experience I had was last year when our family went to the beach and we tried snorkeling! 🙂
One of my favorite memory, camping every summer with my Grandfather and cousins by the lake. We would get up very early and go fishing on my Grandfather’s boat. I loved going with him, he always would let me steer 🙂
My favourite boating memory would have to be from my childhood when I went to Prince Edward Island and caught a shark – definitely a memorable moment in my life! 😀
went on a dolphin cruise when i was down at tybee island georgia. It was amazing
My favorite boating memory was a whale watch in fourth grade.
When I was 10 my uncles owned a fishing boat and I went on a fishing trip with them. Just a day trip but it was so much fun and hard work too. I still love fishing and boating and a lucky enough to have my sons enjoying the same
My fav boating memory was when we had taken a Sunfish out in the Florida keys at sunset – very pretty and the florescent plankton made the water all sparkly, too, so magical! Everything on shore looked like a picture.
Mt favorite memory was when I was 15 and my best friend took me out on his families boat, it was my first time to ski. I had so much fun.
I visited Jamaica and went on a Beautiful Boat Trip…Amazing !