Professional roles, volunteers and skill exchange
Work with us aboard Ikigai
Ikigai is not a resort and not a standard charter. It is a floating home, a non-profit sailing project and a small community at sea.
From time to time, we open space for people who want to contribute to the project: professional crew, instructors, creatives, volunteers and collaborators with useful skills for life on board.
Who can apply
You can apply to join Ikigai in different ways. We are open to experienced professionals looking for paid roles or project-based collaborations, but also to volunteers and skill-exchange profiles who want to contribute with time, energy or specific skills.
What matters most is not only your CV. We look for people who are reliable, kind, adaptable, proactive, respectful of shared spaces and genuinely interested in the spirit of Ikigai.
The life we are sharing
Over the years, we have managed to build a life that feels deeply ours: simple, free and aligned with what truly matters.
It is not perfect, and it is not always easy. But it is coherent with what we believe in: the sea, the body, the breath, shared meals, honest work, meaningful relationships and the freedom of living closer to the elements.
Today we are happy to share this life with people who feel connected to the Ikigai vision and want to enrich the project with their talent, experience, sensitivity or simply their way of being.
Professional roles
Professionals with relevant experience can apply for paid roles or project-based collaborations, depending on the season, budget, itinerary and needs on board.
We are especially interested in people who can bring real value to the experience, the safety of the boat, the quality of life on board or the way Ikigai is shared with the world.
- Skipper, mate or deckhand with real sailing experience
- Hostess, chef or onboard hospitality
- Yoga instructors
- Freediving instructors
- Meditation and breathwork facilitators
- Janzu, aquatic bodywork or somatic practitioners
- Photographers
- Videomakers and video editors
- Content creators and drone operators
- Social media and storytelling professionals
- Maintenance and technical profiles when needed
Paid roles are evaluated case by case. Compensation depends on experience, responsibilities, duration, season, number of guests on board and the specific needs of the project.
Volunteers and skill exchange
Not every collaboration on Ikigai is a paid position. We also welcome volunteers and skill-exchange profiles when there is a clear match between what the person can offer and what the project needs.
This can include practical help on board, support with daily life, creative work, content production, photography, video editing, social media storytelling, maintenance support or assistance during retreats and activities.
- Volunteers may support daily life on board
- Some people contribute a few hours per day
- Some contribute through specific skills rather than daily tasks
- Conditions must be agreed before boarding
- Shared expenses may apply depending on the arrangement
Skill exchange is not a free holiday. It is a mutual agreement based on contribution, trust and clarity.
Skills we are especially looking for
Because Ikigai is both a sailing project and a storytelling project, some skills are especially valuable to us.
Content creation
- ·Video editing
- ·Short-form reels
- ·Storytelling
- ·Drone footage
- ·Photography
- ·Underwater photography and video
- ·Social media content
- ·YouTube / documentary-style editing
Wellness and ocean practices
- ·Yoga instruction
- ·Freediving instruction
- ·Meditation facilitation
- ·Breathwork
- ·Janzu / aquatic bodywork
- ·Water dance
- ·Somatic practices
- ·Functional training or movement
Life on board
- ·Cooking / healthy food
- ·Hospitality
- ·Organization
- ·Cleaning and boat care
- ·Guest support
- ·Basic maintenance
- ·Dinghy / logistics help
Technical / digital
- ·Website support
- ·SEO
- ·Copywriting
- ·Design
- ·Photo editing
- ·CRM / systems
- ·Translations
- ·Community management
Life on board is beautiful, but real
Living on Ikigai means waking up close to the sea, sharing meals, moving with the weather, helping where needed and adapting to a small shared space.
It can be deeply beautiful, but it is not a hotel and not a vacation format.
Space is limited. Privacy is simple. The rhythm depends on the sea, guests, maintenance, logistics and the needs of the boat. The right person understands that life on board requires presence, flexibility, initiative and care.
What we offer
- Life on board a Catana 47 in San Blas and along our current route
- Experience in a real sailing project
- Close contact with the sea, freediving, yoga and ocean life
- The opportunity to contribute to a meaningful non-profit project
- Possible paid opportunities for selected professional roles
- Possible skill-exchange and boarding arrangements
- A small crew and a human environment
- Learning through real onboard life
What we expect
- Reliability
- Kindness
- Respect for shared spaces
- Autonomy and initiative
- A no-drama attitude
- Willingness to help
- Flexibility with weather and logistics
- Basic physical fitness
- Comfort living in simple conditions
- Honesty about skills and limits
- Respect for guests and local communities
- The ability to work in a small team
How arrival usually works
Most people arrive at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City and spend one night in the city before continuing to Guna Yala. The following morning, a 4x4 transfer usually takes you toward the Caribbean coast, where a local boat brings you to Ikigai.
The exact logistics depend on the season, route, weather, local permissions and where the boat is anchored. We help coordinate the transfer with trusted local partners, but costs and details are always confirmed before boarding.
Apply to join Ikigai
Tell us who you are, what you can offer and what kind of collaboration you are looking for. Please be honest and specific: the better we understand your skills, availability and expectations, the easier it is to see if there is a real match.
This form is only for crew, professional, volunteer and skill-exchange applications. For guest bookings, please use the boarding or contact pages.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a paid role?
Yes. Professionals with relevant experience can apply for paid roles or project-based collaborations. Compensation depends on experience, responsibilities, duration and current needs.
Can I apply as a volunteer?
Yes. We also welcome volunteers when there is a clear match between what you can offer and what the project needs.
Is this a free vacation?
No. Life on board requires contribution, responsibility, flexibility and respect for the boat, guests and crew.
What skills are most useful?
Video editing, photography, content creation, yoga, freediving, meditation, breathwork, Janzu, cooking, hospitality, boat care, digital support and technical skills are especially useful.
Do I need sailing experience?
Not always. It depends on the role. For professional crew roles, sailing experience may be required. For creative, wellness or volunteer roles, other skills may be more relevant.
Can I upload my CV?
Yes, this dedicated application form lets you upload your CV or portfolio directly.
Is acceptance guaranteed?
No. We review each application carefully and contact people only when there is a good match with the current needs, season and route.
Not sure where you fit?
Write to us anyway. Sometimes the best collaborations begin with a simple message.