Take a Seat at Nicole’s Table

WITH THE ENTIRE house now sparkling clean, Nicole steps away from Caribbean foods in the kitchen and moves outside on the veranda to cool off amid the potted plants and dark wood patio furniture. A gentle breeze greets her, as she looks down at the pink and purple flowers blooming on the foliage in her Read More

Dry Tortugas – A Grand Adventure

CRUISING TO THE Dry Tortugas National Park by boat can be the most challenging part of this amazing destination. Locals warn about two seasons: Winter Storm (December-March) that features high winds and rough seas, and Tropical Storm (June-November), that features more of the same. April and May are known to be delightful. We’d talked about Read More

Homeschool Daze

AFTER 10 YEARS OF planning and preparing for the adventure of a lifetime, we cast off from San Francisco aboard our 33-foot sailboat named Chewbacca. Our crew consisted of me, my husband Bruce, and our five and seven-year-old daughters. When we embarked on our first offshore passage as a family, I should have been giddy Read More

Best Caribbean Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

As we eagerly jump into spring, what better way to embrace the season than to dive into warm, crystal clear Caribbean waters? Now is an ideal time to escape to those tropical islands and explore majestic coral reefs, marine wildlife and the many wonders of the sea. In Marinalife’s 2020 winter issue, we introduced part Read More

Saint Lucia Cruising Guide

Saint Lucia is a petite sovereign island nation located between the eastern Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Lying northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique, its 238 acres of lush tropical landscape have been governed by the French and British over centuries. After winning its independence in 1979, Castries became the capital city, as Read More

West Caribbean Islands – Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Some like to hike to the top of a mountain to gaze down upon Earth’s wondrous seaboard, but true aquatic wanderlusts dive into the ocean’s waves to discover the planet’s miraculous treasures. The deep Caribbean Sea is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous coral reefs, cays, floras and wildlife. With crystal blue waters Read More

New Providence & Paradise Islands – The Bahamas

We’ve all seen the heartbreaking photos of the Bahamas — specifically Grand Bahama and Abacos — after Hurricane Dorian hit hard last September. For a nation where tourism accounts for more than half of the economy and six of 10 jobs, an event like this can be catastrophic. But not all of the Bahamas’ 700+ Read More

Caribbean Music Venues

The tropical climate and peaceful beaches of the Caribbean provide a perfect setting to lime the day away listening to the rhythm of the islands. The music is a fusion of African, European and indigenous influences. Each European power influenced the culture and music of its respective island, but all the rhythms are heavily inspired Read More

Eco-Friendly Boating Matters

Advocate for Eco-Friendly Boating! I’ve been straw shamed. The waitress simply asked if I’d like a straw. “Sure,” I replied without a second thought, until I heard my dinner companions politely decline the offer. No one actually commented on my less than eco-friendly choice, but afterward I did a little research about the dreaded plastic Read More

To Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em: Invasive Species Recipes

Snakeheads on the menu? Sounds like a meal straight out of Hollywood. In reality, it’s how Chad Wells, Maryland-based chef and restaurant consultant, hopes to put a dent in the population of this invasive yet edible fish – the snakehead is a tasty invasive species! Aggressive African and Asian native species traveled to the United Read More