About

Welcome Aboard!

Hi, we're Ryan & Crystal, the creators of Caribbean Castaways.

What started as a passion for chasing turquoise water, hidden beaches, and laid-back island life has grown into a community of hundreds of thousands of fellow boaters, travelers, and adventurers.

For years we explored the Caribbean, hopping from island to island, sharing beach bars, anchorages, local culture, and unforgettable experiences through our videos. Then the world changed. When travel slowed, we discovered something incredible—we had our own island paradise right here in Southwest Florida.

So we bought a boat.

We named the boat "Castaway" and were excited to live salty.

Just a few months later Hurricane Ian changed everything, destroying our boat and forever changing the communities we loved. Like so many others along the Gulf Coast, we had a choice: give up, or rebuild.

We chose to rebuild.

Today you'll find us aboard Crystal Blu, our Sea Hunt 235 Ultra, exploring the waters of Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa, Boca Grande, Keewaydin Island, the Ten Thousand Islands, and beyond. Every trip reminds us why we fell in love with this lifestyle in the first place.

But Caribbean Castaways has become much more than a YouTube channel.

It's a place where we create the resources we wished existed when we started boating—books, maps, apparel, checklists, guides, and practical tools designed to help you spend less time planning and more time on the water.

Whether you're:

  • Planning your first boat day
  • Looking for hidden beaches and sandbars
  • Searching for the best dock-and-dine restaurants
  • Learning to navigate Southwest Florida
  • Dreaming about your next Caribbean escape

...we're here to help.

Everything we create is built from our own adventures, countless hours on the water, and a genuine love for sharing these amazing places with others.

Because at the end of the day, life is simply better when you're surrounded by saltwater, sunshine, and good people.

Thanks for coming along for the adventure.

We'll see you out on the water.

Cheers!

Ryan & Crystal
Caribbean Castaways