Our Final Month on La Vagabonde
Get ready for what might be our most bittersweet episode yet.
This week, join us for one final adventure through the wild beauty of Raja Ampat, a place that has completely stolen our hearts. Towering limestone islands, reefs bursting with life, and communities whose connection to the ocean runs deeper than we could have imagined.
For years, one of the most common questions we’ve been asked is “what’s the best place you’ve ever sailed?” After a decade at sea and countless incredible destinations, it’s never been easy to answer… but after this week, we think we finally have one 🥹
From freediving over thriving reefs to meeting inspiring locals protecting this extraordinary corner of the planet, this episode captures the magic of a place that reminds Riles and I exactly why we set sail in the first place.
As always, thank you for you for your support. Let us know what you thought of this one in the comments below... we can’t wait to share our next chapter with you all very soon!!
Love,
Elay, Riles, Lenny & Darwin
xx
Our Final Month on La Vagabonde? (Raw, Unfiltered Hour Special) (YouTube)
Comments (32)
I'm hoping you guys will find the way to keep your marine home and find a secure spot to live at the same time. Wishing you all the best on your new journey! Marine farming, maybe?
Just mesmerizing & enthralling
What a milestone. Need a crest for that too. Elayna gets more beutiful every year. Hope the mole check turns out a-ok. Love, love ,love watching you. Lenny - what can I say - a trooper. So nice to see kids exploring the world and learning valuable skills while not staring at a screen.
Thank you, thank you, thank ya’ll for the unimaginable past real life adventure’s ; Looking forward with you’ll, lets go!!
I knew about Lidia & Axel !!! Hahahah I hate endings! I am in tears. I love you guys 🧡💜
Carpe Diem!
Looking forward to the next chapter. Another great episode and more ideas for future travels!
What an incredible place to close this chapter of your life. I may not be a sailor, but I’ve followed you for many years and truly loved watching your journeys and adventures—and getting to know the amazing, ever-changing crew along the way. It takes real courage to step away from the boat and embrace a new adventure, but I’m sure it will lead to something just as fulfilling. There are so many more adventures ahead for you.
We loved seeing you at Aldejus Home Stay. It so cool to see a place that we know in your video. All the best on the next chapter❤️
I can understand why you want to anchor on land for the boys to experience that way of life….its the social context they’re going to enjoy most, I imagine, as well as raising animals, building a tree house and other projects. Life at sea is all about living in the moment and physical challenges, so hopefully you can still do that as well from time to time (however, animals are a big commitment and tie).
A beautiful episode. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for all the sailing videos, the butterfly effect of which gave me a new lease on life.
Looking forward to new adventures on both land and sea. Prayers and blessings always.
All Beautuful!!! Sending love to you all for your next adventure. ☀️🌀🍦
❤ GR8 VID ~ LOVED IT ❤ and GOOD LUCK on the new direction .. exciting times ❤
Another epic video. That area is so beautiful. Off to new horizons. Looks like you had an amazing time in Cape Town. Thanks to Instagram, congrats to Alex and Lydia. Kind of felt that for a long time. Good luck on your search for stability and a new beginning. Look forward to that search and decisions. Love you guys.
Looking forward to your future adventures and wishing you the best of luck with the cancer screening. Love to all of you. Congrats on the new relationship.
So bittersweet indeed. Looking forward though to what is to come. You all are the best.
I can't wait to see where you wind up. And yes, I'll watch the farming videos. Congrats Axel and Lydia!
Snickerdoodle . . . I haven’t watched this episode yet, as I am savoring what’s to come. This period of reflection has taken me back to before you had children - and how you were wondering about starting a family ~ and then whether to have another child. Look where you are now! Our lives all take new leaps on to unknown adventures. Sure I will miss following the ocean voyages, but I am sure I will not be disappointed with what lies ahead for your family. I just hope you take us along! I will get brave enough to watch this episode later today in the twilight of this March evening . . . You always have a place to stay in Vermont if you are ever in this part of the word. GRRRRR . . . forever! xoxoxoxo Eloise Twilight
You have no idea how you helped me continue to live when I was going through a traumatic breakup which ended very badly for my husband. You're videos of your adventures captured me and kept hope alive for a peaceful life in the future. The future has arrived and it is indeed peaceful. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your children are so uplifting and encouraging. Your all such an inspiration. The ending of this chapter coincides with my life's new chapter as well. I can't thank you enough and look forward to more videos from your new chapter! I'm sure there will be many funny times and amazing adventures to come. Please keep sharing! 🙏🏻
Raja Ampat is stunning. Thanks for all the fish guys! Hearts and flowers, hogs and quiches. Hope this next phase is as growth powered as the last, it has been a joy of my life watching you become the people you are today. Survivors, thrivers, divers, artists, storytellers and legacy builders. I personally mourn the rise of AI and all of the ground water it will consume, I'm not sure there is much one can do to stop it except for keeping it conscientiously out of one's life if they choose(I think it makes people more dependent and dumber). I do NOT think it is smarter than I am, because I'm fucking brilliant*pats self on back* For the boy's, imo as a homeschooler, everyday different learning is the key and you have it down already. And for animals, always go for pairs. Snickerdoodle, oodleoo!
I have watched so many great episodes. Thank you. Over the last year or so, I've noticed a slight shift. Riley voiced the change in this video ... his day to another amazing beach was "pedestrian". After 12 years, what's another beach? More of the same. Your sons are going to outgrow a sailboat. IMHO, you absolutely are making the right decision. Sailing will always be an important part of your lives and has provided you with so many great memories. It's time to move on. I'll still be watching!! As your sons chase their dog around the farm and tend to their gardens.
On a personal note, I have fraternal twin sons now age 24. One completed an Ironman Triathlon in Ottawa on August 3, 2025. At the end of March, we travel to Toronto to watch the other compete in a Powerlifting competition. He can bench press 400 lbs. These are significant life achievements. I say this because not so long ago my sons were much like Lenny and Darwin. Yeah, they will indeed outgrow a sail boat.
Aloha. Bucket list if I make it through this storm! Mahalo!
This is bittersweet, although I think I was more upset when you sold L V-2nd When will videos get closer to real-time?
We watched this episode with heavy hearts. You were able to convey your emotions; the uncertainty, the excitement, the sadness, and the awe of the opportunity for a new future. From our living room couch down here in Florida, we cried, laughed, and were also amazed by the dives. I think this was the most beautiful place you’ve ever shown us. Take care, we’ll be cheering for you. Much love your way, Paulo and Silvia P.S.: Loved the quote: “A person can only meet you at the depth to which they have met themselves.”
As one chapter in life closes a new one opens. It will be interesting to see were you buy your first farm/ranch land. I can see dogs, chickens and goats in your future.
I started watching a little bit after you started this long journey and will miss the sailing adventures to the exotic places you have been. The growth of your family and the beautiful yacht that you currently own. Just an amazing trip...will miss this...
You just took me on my 1st night dive! I really enjoy it when Lenni talks us through an eductional tidbit about the island you on as well as local wildlife and sea creatures.
This was definitely bittersweet 🥹… watching your last few dives and the amazing shots of LaVaga III in the water made me so emotional! But regardless I am so excited to see where your next chapter will take us all to! Well done SLV⛵️
All the best for your new adventures. Snickerdoodle 🥳
