July 14, 2021 - Digital Nomads Sailing Review – 6 Digital Nomads, One-week Remote Working Holiday, Expectations v. Reality

 

• Digital Nomad Destinations

The pandemic has forever changed the Digital Nomad scene. And, as the concept of digital nomadism becomes increasingly popular, various destinations are enacting programs to attract this specific group of travellers.

Croatia is one of these destinations. Details about the new “Digital Nomad’s Residence Permit” (more commonly referred to as the “Digital Nomad Visa”, which it is not!) is found here.

• Digital Nomads | Remote Workers

Over the past year, we have learned the ‘real’ difference between the digital nomad and remote worker: digital nomads travel and change location often, remote workers are more stationary and tend to stay in one place for a longer period of time. Remote working and being a digital nomad are lifestyles and, like most things in this world, no definition can totally encapsulate all the different versions. 

So then:

What is a Digital Nomad?

- A Digital Nomad is someone who works remotely, typically as a freelancer or entrepreneur, as they travel the world, visiting different places for weeks or months at a time. 

What is Digital Nomadism?

- Digital nomadism is about living in different locations around the world that match one’s personality and lifestyle; places that challenge us or give us a different perspective on the world. Digital nomadism is a mindset, as much as it is a role or label.

What is a Remote Worker?

- Remote workers tend to be more stationary when compared to the digital nomad. A remote worker’s lifestyle focuses much more on the work than on the location. They will work in a variety of industries and for a range of employers and are not required to visit a physical office in one location to get their work done. 

We think the great thing about all of this is that since COVID, more and more companies and employees, have become open to employees working remotely and building more flexible lifestyles. It’s as if remote work has gone mainstream.

 

AND, what does all this all have to do with sailing?

With Croatia’s first-ever Digital Nomad Conference held in Dubrovnik in October 2020, the Digital Nomads in Residence competition launched in Dubrovnik in April/May 2021, the Zagreb Digital Nomad Week held in June 2021, this new type of travel market has exploded in Croatia. And with it, many people have put on their creative hats and created new tours, new offerings, and new services to meet the market. A new type of traveller has been defined. 

New work/tourism programs have cropped up, aimed at helping digital nomads navigate working in new environments, living among different cultures, and experiencing new ways of working.

And that’s where the two worlds collide.

Welcome to the overlap of sailing and the Digital Nomad lifestyle.

• Sail Croatia, Digital Nomad Liveaboard Special.

A great example of an innovative tourist agency, Sail Croatia is now exploring the completely new concept of co-working spaces located in a marina. Specifically, the ACI marina in Milna, on the island of Brač.

Sail Croatia offers catamarans as an ideal space both for working and relaxing at the same time. Their “Digital Nomad Live Aboard Special” offers 28 days living and working on-board a floating apartment, including wifi, open-plan working spaces, and plenty of room for friends and family both working and enjoying the sights.

Choose to work in the air-conditioned salon or take in the picturesque views from the cockpit or bow of the catamaran if you'd prefer to work outside!

Tailor your itinerary to work as little, or as much as you’d like, taking advantage of free mooring in Milna for the days that you’re working on board. You also have the option of hiring a local skipper or booking a range of activities for when you’re ready to explore!

A completely innovative concept. Read more here.

 

• Local Opportunities

Many different industries are now jumping on this bandwagon. Boats are being converted into floating offices, offering panoramic views of beautiful island settings. Hotels are putting together great long-term accommodation packages with all sorts of extras included. Even private accommodation options are now including a work desk and wifi included in monthly bundles.

Being a digital nomad and being in one place for more than a week, you get to be right on the spot for new deals coming up. Getting to know the locals and other Digital Nomads in the area means that you are ideally located for great opportunities to just fall into your lap!

A digital nomad currently located in Split, Croatia, Cyndie has just had the fantastic opportunity of spending a week on-board a Lagoon 40. While not specifically a digital nomad charter, being given an opportunity by one of the locals, she jumped at it to see how hard or easy it would be to work when sailing. While initially a little concerned about getting behind on work, she describes her week here on board with 3 others, plus the skipper and his wife.

Read her experience here.

 

• 45 Degrees Sailing, Digital Nomad Sailing Week

In response to COVID19, 45 Degrees Sailing created a unique sailing week specifically designed to cater to Digital Nomads. It is a remote working holiday like no other. On this trip, you can discover the most amazing work week of your life sailing around the Adriatic, whilst still being connected and getting your work done!

This trip is designed specifically for a week combining work & play. The trip is recommended for:

• anyone living or looking to live a digital nomad life
• those working remotely due to the global pandemic
• those looking for a combination of work, fun & adventure
• anyone who realises there’s more to life than the commute!

This 7-day Digital Nomad Sailing Week is offered on-board a luxurious 54.8 foot, Hanse Performance Cruiser. This comfortable vessel features open-planned, air-conditioned workspaces, is fully equipped with high-speed internet, and has more power and charging docks than you will need!

 

45D has tailored their onboard environment to specifically meet the needs of Digital Nomads, offering amazing private accommodation, supercharged WIFI, and spectacular environments to explore with your chosen bubble onboard. Imagine your own floating apartment, offering the most amazing set-up conducive to being productive in complete luxury, with plenty of space for all onboard. Plus, a skipper and quarter-master who personally understand the challenges and complexities of the Digital Nomad lifestyle to help make your week on the boat both productive AND memorable.

And yet for many, this type of work/play experience is not one they have ever contemplated before. So, let’s find out first-hand what the experience is like. We will meet real-life Digital Nomads and find out what their initial expectations were and then at the end of the trip, how they were met.

 

• 6 Digital Nomads

First off, let’s meet the six digital nomads that took the leap and signed up with 45 Degrees Sailing and their first 7-day Digital Nomad week in 2020:

- Abhi Pal & Gabby Gerbus | Year Disrupted - Travel Couple

- Jess Wang & Michal Semela | Instagram: dajesswang & michalsemela

- Peter Kirkham & Rochelle Greenberg | Instagram: peterkirkham & rochelle_greenberg

Where did the idea come from?

The group all met through Remote Year and were introduced to Nick Hathaway from 45 Degrees Sailing through Saltwater Nomads in Split. With COVID-19 shutting down many of their options to continue their travelling/working lifestyle, they were very interested in the idea of being able to enjoy the perks of a sailing holiday, while still being connected and able to work on-board the yacht.

 

What were their expectations, fears, challenges, before and after the trip?

Let them tell you themselves, we captured it on video:

• expectations
• challenges
• the yacht
• the crew
• the food

 

Digital Nomads often juggle deadlines, wifi reception, differing time zones, and so much more! Coming from location flexible jobs themselves, Nick and Mahina understand how exhausting this juggle can be, which is exactly why they created a holiday package specifically designed to help Digital Nomads meet deadlines AND enjoy the wonders of the Croatian islands.

From their five years of experience providing luxury guided tours, they know that it makes life so much easier if you have someone on board who takes care of the boat, the logistics, and even better someone who organises all the food and even cooks.  This approach allowed the Digital Nomads ample time to focus on work when needed and then, the ability to make the most of their fun time too.

 

The Digital Nomads themselves answered many of the questions and concerns that often crop up when talking about working from a boat. See what they have to say in their video snippets below:

• What if the weather is forecast to be bad during the week?

 

• How does sailing compare to other travel experiences?

  

• What if you are prone to seasickness?

  

• Is there enough space to work and play on the yacht?

  

• Is a 7-Day Sailing Holiday value for money?

    

• What made this trip different?

 

Being a Digital Nomad requires a lot of planning and organisation. Having the option of jumping onboard a yacht to work sounds very romantic. And it can be an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. Exactly the kind of building block that life as a Digital Nomad is designed to accommodate.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can work on board a yacht and sight-see the Croatian islands at the same time, check out our article on what things you need to think about before stepping on board - Top 4 Must-Haves for an Amazing Remote Working Holiday on a Yacht.

If you have questions on anything sailing in Croatia, feel free to ask below in the comments or check out Total Croatia, Sailing in Croatia: Your One-Stop-Shop for everything sailing.

If you’re looking to experience that remote working holiday that keeps you wanting more, find more details here about an amazing Digital Nomad Sailing Week.

For more about Digital Nomads and Travel in Croatia follow TCN's dedicated pages - Digital Nomads | Travel.