skipper

Crew Exchange Boarding

Category:

Description

INTRODUCTION / VISION

Imagine living aboard a catamaran in the Caribbean, surrounded by deserted islands, crystal-clear waters, and an authentic community.
Ikigai Sailing is a life project — a journey around the world in stages, blending sailing, exploration, personal growth, and deep immersion in nature.

We are looking for like-minded souls: photographers, videomakers, storytellers, social media managers, travel bloggers, content creators, and documentarians who want to come aboard not as tourists, but as part of our crew.

WHY WE DO IT

We believe in authentic relationships, genuine connections, and collaborations that nourish both sides.
We want the Ikigai project to be told through different eyes and hearts, to inspire others to embrace a more essential, free, and conscious lifestyle.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • A fully immersive experience of life aboard in one of the most stunning places on Earth

  • Sailing through pristine islands, freediving, yoga, human and natural connection

  • Full room and board on our 47-foot catamaran

  • An authentic, inspiring, and minimalist environment

  • Access to unique content and experiences to document and share

  • Shared cabin and active participation in onboard life

WHAT WE ASK IN EXCHANGE

Depending on your profile, we’ll ask for a contribution in the form of professional service, such as:

  • Photo/video content creation

  • Professional video editing and post-production

  • Social media management and promotion

  • Copywriting / blogging / storytelling

  • Production of mini-documentaries, reels, or vlogs

Conditions will be agreed upon based on your availability, the value of the service offered, and the availability of spots onboard.

WHO CAN APPLY

  • Independent content creators

  • Photographers and videographers

  • Travel bloggers and journalists

  • Visual storytelling enthusiasts

  • Creatives and free spirits

If you have skills, adaptability, and an open heart for adventure — you’re in the right place.

HOW TO APPLY

Fill out the application form below and include:

  • A short introduction message

  • Links to your portfolio / social media / past projects

  • Your availability (see the open dates below)

  • What you’d like to offer in exchange for the experience

📅 Availability windows 2025–2026:
December 2025 – June 2026 (San Blas, Panama)

LEGAL NOTES / PRACTICAL INFO

Collaborations are managed through Ikigai Sailing ASD, a non-profit sports association.
Participants must become members. Activities on board are non-commercial and reserved for association members only.
All services exchanged are not a form of employment, but voluntary collaborations based on mutual value recognition.

Logistic

Your journey to IKIGAI begins with your arrival at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, with flights typically scheduled for the afternoon or evening. Because of this, an overnight stay in the capital will be necessary, offering you the perfect opportunity to explore the city and perhaps stroll through the charming alleys of Casco Viejo, its UNESCO World Heritage historic center. The choice of hotel is entirely up to you, ensuring maximum flexibility. Transfers from the airport to your hotel and back are included, as are the round-trip transfers to the San Blas Islands.

The following morning, a private taxi shuttle will pick you up directly from your hotel, driving you towards the Caribbean coast. After about two and a half hours traveling through the picturesque Guna Yala forest, a local boat will take you to IKIGAI, where you’ll arrive around 10:30 AM.

At the end of your stay, on departure day, you’ll follow the same route in reverse: a local boat will pick you up from IKIGAI at dawn, taking you to the mainland, where a taxi shuttle will drive you directly to the airport, in time for your return flight.

The entire journey will be organized by us in collaboration with trusted local contacts, guaranteeing you smooth and secure logistics from the beginning to the end of your experience. For any special needs, such as early flights, delays, or extended stays, please let us know in advance so we can find the most suitable solution together.

Description

1 Month Boarding – Live the Sea as Your Home, Time as Your Ally

The one-month onboard experience is designed for those who feel the call to pause, listen inwardly, and reinvent themselves. A regenerative break from the Matrix.

1 Month Boarding

This opportunity is reserved for members who have already experienced the Ikigai lifestyle and feel ready to immerse themselves more fully and continuously in this world of nature, simplicity, community, and transformation.

Out of the Matrix, Into Life

Whether you’re a sailing enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply in search of a regenerative break, Ikigai Sailing is your chance to rediscover meaning, rhythm, and breath.
Because the sea is not just a backdrop — it’s a home, a teacher, a place of truth.

A Different Rhythm

This experience is for those who wish to detach from conventional rhythms and return to a pace that is slower, more natural, and essential.
It invites you to explore the benefits of a lifestyle rooted in body awareness, connection with nature, and presence in the here and now.

Part of the Crew

Onboard, you are not a guest: you are part of the crew.
You will participate in daily life, dive deeper into the proposed disciplines (freediving, yoga, meditation, sailing, janzu), and — if you wish — share your passions, skills, and creativity.
A genuine exchange, where everyone enriches each other and the journey becomes a mirror of mutual growth.

Time That Matters

Short stays — especially when preceded by long travels or stressful periods — may not be enough to truly settle into the magical rhythm of life at sea, nor to form meaningful relationships.
A full month offers the necessary time to detox from the unnecessary, reconnect with yourself, and experience every aspect of life onboard more deeply.

Accessible & Flexible

We believe everyone should have the chance to explore their own Ikigai.
That’s why the requested contribution is significantly below market prices, aligned with our mission to spread well-being and awareness through life at sea.

Limited Availability

Only 2 or 3 spots per month are available for this type of boarding.
We want every person onboard to have the space, time, and quality of connection that make the Ikigai experience truly authentic and transformative.

During Your Month Onboard:

  • Moments of shared living will alternate with time for personal reflection.

     

  • Activities like freediving, janzu, yoga, sailing, kitesurfing, meditation*, and more will adapt to the rhythm of the group and nature.

     

  • Each participant’s skills and talents are valued — from cooking and documenting the journey, to playing an instrument or storytelling.

     

Core Requirements:

  • Positive attitude and initiative in addressing the everyday challenges of life onboard.

     

  • Autonomy in managing free time, using it meaningfully in harmony with the crew’s rhythm.

     

  • Order and cleanliness, both in personal and shared spaces, as a sign of respect for self and others.

     

  • Kindness and mutual respect as the foundation of coexistence: life at sea works when everyone contributes to a peaceful and collaborative environment.

     

🤝 Sharing with Short-Term Guests

During your month aboard Ikigai, there will be times when we welcome new participants for shorter experiences of 7 to 10 days.
During these periods, the crew’s focus will naturally shift to managing the intensive and structured program designed for those guests.

You are always welcome to join any daily activities at no extra cost — from sunrise yoga and breathwork, to freediving, janzu, meditation, sailing, and moments of communal life.

We simply ask for your flexibility and adaptability, understanding that during those days the weekly format will take operational priority, with its specific timing and goals.

That said, this dynamic can be deeply enriching for you as well:
you’ll gain insight into the core Ikigai experience, connect with new travel companions, and — if you choose — actively contribute to the journey, becoming a living part of the project.

Because living on the sea for a month is more than a break —
it’s a return to what truly matters.