Underway aboard Swell with my feline first mate, Amelia the Tropicat.
I wrote a book!
While at anchor in the South Pacific, I wrote a book about my voyage. From daunting weather to relationships sweet and sour, wild waves and boat repairs, this very personal memoir shares my many challenges, my search for harmony with nature, and how I come to feel the unity of all things. The team at Patagonia Books, along with illustrator Daniella Manini, bring my story to life with amazing art and four photo galleries. It’s a work of enormous love, with the intention to inspire others to follow their hearts, protect our planet, and live out their dreams.
Ask for it in your local independent bookstore, order online, download as an e-book, or listen to me read it as an audiobook.
While at anchor in the South Pacific, I wrote a book about my voyage. I’m excited to share the personal story of my voyage with the world. Book available now!
About
48 Comments
jason
May 27, 2012Liz,
Like many, I heard about your departure soon after you left the states a few years back. I have been following at a distance, reading, and wondering. For some reason I chose today to say “hi”. Coming from someone who has directly and indirectly devoted himself to openness of spirit and body through the pursuit of waves and has spent more than his share of time “sleeping in the dirt” through the pursuit of various disciplines, I respectfully take my hat off to you. Thanks for showing some how to breathe and for taking those of us who presently are walking a different path, to the place we know all too well. Be safe… j
lizzy
June 2, 2012Thanks Jason…truly a pleasure to serve the world this way. wishing you the very best, Liz
catherine SESTIER
June 22, 2016How brilliant is your idea just wish you all the best for your future . I love sea , swimming and …you make me dream . I just wish my dream become true one day …Cathy
Don Rogers
June 3, 2012Lizzy, I just started working with your dad a couple of months ago and think he’s a great guy. We were having dinner in Chicago with a bunch of colleagues tonight and he told some great Lizzy stories. I have a daughter also and have
a very special relationship with her too. Good luck on your voyages
Don
lizzy
June 7, 2012Thanks, Don! My dad is my hero and my dearest friend. I’m so glad you’re enjoying some time with him! thank you for the well wishes. much love to you and your daughter! :) Lizzy
Kyle
June 20, 2012Hope you made some time to have a wicked awesome International Surf Day, keep up the stoke and inspiration!
Hood
July 13, 2012Your pictures of your trip rock
BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS – Live and Be Well
September 18, 2012[…] Check out her pics and great words of description and wonder at http://www.swellvoyage.com/about/. […]
Rafael
November 8, 2012Get well soon Liz, the post you wrote about your recovery experience was very powerful, your attitude and perspective is pure inspiration.
Kind regards,
Rafael
Mushburger.com
Dave
November 12, 2012Nov. 12, 2012
Following your adventure from Gig Harbor, WA.
Discovered your site from Totem, hails from nearby Bainbridge, WA in Puget Sound near Seattle.
Smooth sailing!
Giulia
November 19, 2012Hey lizzy !! Im from Brazil and i love all the stories that you share with us!! Thank you for sharing!! Btw.. When is book gonna come out?? I cant wait for that!! :)
Thank you again for sharing with us all these amazing stories!!
Bye and kisses from Brazil !!
Kurt Gurtuna
December 11, 2012Hello Again,
Just checked out your site after posting my first comment. Very Cool! You have Swell (“Maria”) as your friend. Since 1967 I’ve held a very special place for her.
I hope we connect sometime.
When Maria had a bowsprit, 70-72, we were the first with a partial asymmetrical spinnaker that had a full-length zipper, was 2oz. Dark blue and only got pulled on deck if it was blowing in the upper 20’s to high 30’s. A real “Ride”.
Cheers to you,
Kurt
David Pangburn
January 12, 2013Liz,
I’m 73 and for years I have dreamed of going to French Polynesia, especially after I read Fatu-Hiva Back To Nature back in 1974. I recently resurrected this book from my library and reread it. I have been an admirer of Thor Heyerdahl since I was a very young man and had read about his voyage across the Pacific on the raft, Kon Tiki. I’m an aspiring writer and have been planning for some time now to retrace Thor and Liv Heyerdahl’s voyage to the Marquesas and try to see and experience as much as possible what is chronicled in the Fatu-Hiva book. I have done a lot of research to date and just happened to stumble upon your blog while trying to determine whatever hapened to Liv Heyerdahl.
I still want to go to French Polynesia but now must put aside my Return To Fatu-Hiva adventure and documentary. While I am saddened to have to cancel my plans to retrace Heyerdahl’s adventure on Fatu-Hiva, I admire you for what you have accomplished in doing what I wish I could have done.
Dave Pangburn
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Crystal
February 1, 2013You are living my greatest dream! Such a blessing and you so sincerely appreciate it, leaves me teary :-D I hope one day we cross paths.
Cheers
Aaron Fink
March 5, 2013Liz:
I just met your dad on a plane to New Orleans. Turns out we are both involved with the same company. When he shared your story, I was immediately intrigued given our passion for the ocean, as well as scuba diving and underwater photography. Thanks for all you have done in support of worlds’ oceans.
Casey Bell
April 16, 2013Dear Ms. Liz Clark,
I’ve already sent you a couple emails and just to be honest I probably will send you more, since you don’t have a real email adress. My name is Casey Noel Bell, I am 16, a sophomore in high school, and I am currently living on the east coast in a town called Alexandria, Virginia. I don’t have much to say about this town, except the closest beach to me is three hours away in a place called Newport News, Virginia, which has a beach that is known as Virginia Beach. On that note I just wanted to say that high school could be better, althought there are not too many things offered that spark my intrest, and my friends are in love with things such as singing so they do choir or the sport lacrosse so they are on multiple club teams and spend more than 10 hours a week playing. I am interested in film, and something else that I haven’t ever tried. Any guesses Ms. Clark? Well if you haven’t figured it out it’s surfing. When I was 10 I saw a movie about surfing and I became obsessed with it. Just watching the wave barrel over someone was simply refreshing. It looked as if that person were reaching some new depth of peace or nirvana. I told my dad about it, he kinda laughed and I put that dream aside for a long time. Until, recently, as in 2012, I saw a documentary called White Wash, it explains the history of surfing and touches base on the fact that there are no black professional surfers. And I would just like to mention that I am black and female. Anyways, this film gave me some kind of hope, “Wow, Casey maybe you aren’t crazy, maybe if you put your mind to it, this dream of your could happen.” And so here I am, frantically emailing you, hoping and expecting for my dreams to come true. Well I understand you are a busy lady, and I don’t see any harm in letting you know that I want to learn to surf, actually I just want to surf period. I don’t care what I have to sacrifice I want this so bad. People have always called me a quitter, but I don’t want to quit I want to try. If you respond to this email I might scream my head off for a few days, haha, but then I will come to a realization. One that I have been telling myself for a long time, When you see the goal, the goal that you have been dreaming about since you were young. The goal that everyone said was impossible, when you see that, and when you focus, nothing else matters. Liz, I hope you took the time to understand where I am and where you could help me. I don’t want to go on vacation to hawaii and get some guy at the resort to give me a $500 dollar one time only surf lesson and then I move on with this life, never experiencing something that captures my intrest fully. I will pay you, or work for you, or anything just to get a chance for this summer, summer 2013 to learn how to surf. I’m not the prettiest, or smartest, or even most confident person (actually lacking this), but I want to try this so bad, every night I dream about it. I recently told my dad again, and he said if you want to do this send those letters, make those calls. He could tell I was already getting passionate about something, and don’t get me wrong there will be times when I give my hopes up. But please just consider what I am asking. You decide the month, there are three months of summer, you decide the place, you decide everything, all I’m asking is for you to teach me the art of surfing, and also if you don’t mind, I’d like to understand a lifestyle different from the ones I am used to that means no shopping, no expensive hotels or resorts no private islands for rich people, and I can tell by reading your blog that that isn’t what you’re about. If you take me up on this favor I will never stop thanking you ( I swear!). And I don’t know if you believe in anything, but I believe in this and I also believe in God, and I think he is behind me, even with my decision to randomly send this email to you. And if you can’t teach me, I might be sad, or I might keep sending emails. Unless you tell me to stop. I just really want this. And hopefully you reply to my awfully long email. If you say yes, you have my promise that I will follow any directions that I can, and help you with anything that I can aid you in. Thanks for being who you are Liz. You are truly my inspiration, I never knew what I wanted to do after high school, but reading about you made me realize there is a job that I can relate to and possibly have when I am older. Thank you for your time.
Kindest Regards,
Casey
Scott
April 27, 2013Thanks for all the adventures you’ve shared. Many years ago I read Kon Tiki, Fatu Hiva, and many more adventures. You are to be congratulated for keeping the dream alive. I will be back to your blog again and again.
Best Wishes!
Surf Matt
October 23, 2013Liz, I just found your blog a couple minutes ago. I’m so stoked to see someone living the dream! Sailing the world finding surf breaks along the way. Can’t wait to catch up on all the previous posts and follow along on your journey.
Tommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
November 24, 2013Lizzzzzz- YO! Greetings from the Jersey Shore.
Hope you are well…
Chongo says meowww. He is feisty as ever.
Did some chainsawing. I cut the tree down.
Happy sailing!
-T
–
Brent Swanson
January 3, 2014Hi Liz!
Happy new year !I hope peace and love finds you well! You remain an inspiration to my surf travels!now that I can duck the galloping giant white horses! Thanks to you my friend! Hugs and stellar snowflake kisses!
Siempre pada siempre
Captain lizzy
January 10, 2014Yea Snowflake!!! You tamed the white horses!!! i knew you could do it!! Yeeeeee haaaaaaaaaa!!! Keep on riding amigo… abrazos from the salty she pirate :)
Peter
July 29, 2014Hi Liz,
Firstly, let me say you are an inspiration for doing. I am so close to getting out there myself. I don’t have an ocean sailing background, hence some inertia to remain on land. But I can’t shake the desire to sail, so I continue the process, selling my belongings – not many.
One question I always like to ask, especially since you mentioned a frightful encounter in one of your videos, is do you have any form of lightning protection on board your sailboat? What do you think about lightning protection? :)
Thanks,
Peter
Jake
August 7, 2014Hey Cappy Liz
It’s late here, … by some fortunate, familiar mis-turn I found myself face-to-face with you via a video on a website – while researching an electric motor – ahhhs, how nice – it has been awhile :-)
your passages, your life, your disposition, your everything has made a serious, unexpected, fantastic impression on me. My college degrees are in design and construction management, but my passion has always been to ‘live freely, live well, and live smartly’. A decade and a half ago, sailing open again for me and provided a channel – I took it, yay :-). Currently, I have three jobs in the real world, one of which is behind the helm. I have 2-3 blue-water vessels at any given time and love my deep appreciation for them and their needs. I also love all my time on the docks ‘praying to the gods of shipwrightness’, time at sea, people I meet sailing, and the evolving, new thoughts in my head about the next decade – on land, at sea, in challenges, and in happiness.
Oh, one item you were not privy too till now – sorry I missed meeting you in SF @ Patagonia – man alive, that opportunity was *stared* on my calendar, alas I had a last minute important item pop-up – gesh the gravity of an urban life can pull so erratically! (… allow me to digress and be silly for a monument – going to you that night, figuratively speaking, would have been like ‘leaving your best friend’s wedding to go sit in a quiet, dark closet – slowly nibbling on fresh berries and tracing the contours of your lover’s face with the tip of your nose).
… yeah, I am not usually like ‘this’, so I’d better get back on track. Man, … I just though how embarrassed I would feel if I did ever get the change to meet you – wow, there’s a new ‘reality-check’ feeling for me.
I’m forty years young, but ‘still get carded when buying beer’. I’m charismatic, well traveled, mostly fit, kinda handsome, and good people whom are my friends all around. I would probably be a big science geek given the right influences – i.e. outer space / travel than terrestrial endeavors, but the World of Sailing has me firmly and warmly in her grasp, happily so.
You – to me, are like “the Picasso” of confident, beautiful, inspirational, real pictures. Pictures of different places, changing landscapes, focusing and focusing, safely blurring, reaching out to make us ‘feel’ more than ‘see’ — rendered with your unmistakably familiar magic paint brush which brings meaning and intrigue to everything no matter what the topic.
You make me feel – lucky. Thank you.
Taoto maitai
– Capt. Jake
The Southern Adventurer
April 19, 2015I loved reading every part of this amazing lifestyle you have developed over the years. It’s truly amazing and inspirational. I’m so glad I came across this and can’t wait for future posts! Best of luck!
– The Southern Adventurer
tim
April 30, 2015amazing! what a life.
i would absolutely love to join this. I would give up everything in London to come and sail the world.
i know nothing about how to sail but am a fast learner and can fund the trip!
Carrie
April 30, 2015You are living my dream!!!! What an amazing adventure of a lifetime!!! I wish I could be in your shoes and see all the amazing cultures, foods, and experience in real life. Keep sailing!! Keep traveling, keep blogging and keep posting. You are beautiful!!!
Dennis Szigat
May 2, 2015Dear Liz,
first some things about me :) My name is Dennis from Germany, Berlin and iam 30 years old. I love to life my live and i love it to enjoy every second i have to life on this beautiful paradies who calls planet earth ! Iam very strong personality and wants to have to every human i meet an good connection. In my free time i love it to cook and i have no problems to eat all the things what spend me our planet. I respect and love all animals and other creature who i meet and see. I have a small Billabong Store in Berlin and sometimes i go surfing in my free time. I wants to leave this hectic, an masse consumtion freaky world. If you wants to hear some more from me, it would be a pleasure to hear something from you !
I wish you all the best for you trip and if you wants to have a smart, funny buoyant at your side who loves our planet for lot of adventures, write me !
Kind regards
Dennis
Lance
May 9, 2015Wow what an inspiration. You are literally living my dream!!!!! Are you still sailing? Do you ever need crew?????
Christina McCarthy
May 11, 2015Hey Liz,
I’ve been reading up on your posts lately and was wondering if I could join you on your adventures. My true dream is to do live on a boat and be Eco-friendly. I was born into a sailing family and have never stopped loving being on the boat. I know I need to work on some of my sailing skills but I’m eager to do it. I also have always dreamed about getting away, learning about other cultures, be on the open waters, and getting as close to nature as you can possibly get. Please if you are looking for someone to join you on your adventures, please contact me. You’re life is awe-inspiring. From what I have read your days are full with beauty but also tons of hard work. I am so up for that and would love to learn from you how to sail a boat by yourself and how to make my dreams come true.
Thanks Liz!!
-Christina M.
Meryl
May 14, 2015Hi Liz,
I recently read an article about your life and travels, and that you may be looking for a co-pilot. I’m reaching out because I was wondering if you’d consider a guest for a leg of your travels and if it works out, then I could stay on a while.
I’ll be up in Newport at the Volvo Ocean Races this weekend. Hope to connect and discuss soon.
All the best,
Meryl
Philip Jan Blase
May 29, 2015Hello Liz, My name is Philip Jan Blase. My friend, Sharon Azzopardi and I are setting up a website devoted to travellers and travelling. We would like to have you be our first featured traveller of the month. Let me know if you are open to the idea. I think our future readers will be inspired by what you are doing. My personal e-mail is I thank you for your time. :)
Philip Jan Blase
Luca
June 16, 2015Hi Liz,
I’m Luca, i’m speachless about your courage.
I Think that your way to’ live is very close to mine, cause i’m a surfer too and i love nature in any parts.
So i ‘m ready to take off my shoes and get on board.
Lior glogau
July 8, 2015Hi Liz!
My name is Lior, and I live in Israel, I’m 17 years old. I’ve come across your story a few times now and each time I do I am in awe all over again :)
Your words, the idea of the kind of lifestyle you have, your vision, and just generally this incredible adventure are all very inspiring.
As someone who doesn’t have any experience in sailing, I have to say it is really calling out to me, I feel like this is what I am meant to do, and that I have to experience it.
I was wondering,
As someone who obviously is very passionate about sailing, if there is any advice you can give me as to where to start my own adventure. I have been looking at a lot of “crew finding” websites, but I just don’t know where to begin… Because I am young and because I have no experience I doubt anyone will invite me onboard, and I don’t know what kind of people to look for…
i would really appreciate any advice you have :)
Thank you, and good luck with the rest of your voyage!
Captain Liz
August 13, 2015Hi Lior!!
I’m so happy you feel inspired to get out on the sea. My best advice is to try to get on other boats as crew like you mentioned. Most captains are looking for crew with a good attitude and a desire to learn and be helpful, so having little or no experience certainly shouldn’t deter you from trying to do this!! Another thing you could do is try to get some work in a marina with someone who works on sailboats. this is a great way to begin to understand what goes on behind the scenes of the sailing life and see if you enjoy this part, too! Wishing you all the best. Keep focused on your dreams and the details will fall into place!! :) liz
Karl Andersen
November 26, 2015Liz I am a 19 year old, long board surfer from palm city florida.
i have had recent family issues that forced me to step up in my moms abance, when she recovered and she continued to evict me after getting out of coma. i have taken my dog and moved onto a 21 foot sail boat. i am conidering laving my job in florida as a “bag boy” and travel world with my dog. as i wanted to attend welding school but scools like money more than i make. i need help i am low on my self. o have never heard of u and dont listen to media. but the pictures i saw of ur experiances while looking for my home have inspired me. i am a natralist. i am very simple and nature works with me.
i would love to talk with somone of your voyages. i can not take the life i am living and hold too much will to be doing nothing
Captain Liz
November 27, 2015Karl,
I dont claim to have all the answers, but i really believe that you must do what your heart tells you is best. If you are called to head out into the world with your dog, be certain that the world will delivery you what you need. It might not always be in the form that you had imagined, but it will come. I encourage you to go and travel the world. it will help give you some perspective on your family issues and some time to heal and grow for everyone involved. When you have a dream, the universe-God-Great SPirit–however you feel comfortable calling it, will help you get by. You can find work along the way, and if you still want to learn to weld, i’m certain that you will find a place to learn and work at the same time. The US school system is unfortunately based around debt and dollars and doesn’t provide equal opportunity for all. You can educate yourself online now fairly easily, and of course the sea and the journey of travel is always an extraordinary teacher. Life has so much to offer you. Have courage, move towards POSITIVE energy and people, and know that you are an unlimited being with every option in the world if you follow your heart and your passion. I wish you all the best and all the blessings possible. From my heart, Liz
Amal
February 4, 2016Hai,
I love to join alongside your adventures.
I know you’ve probably have a lot of requests by now. I don’t have much to tell you more about. But… If you haven’t found anyone please do consider me.
For me it would be like getting my life back.
God bless
Deb Fletcher
March 8, 2016Liz I came upon your adventures via Daniella Draper’s site. I’m in awe of your bravery and outlook on life. The ocean terrifies me, but I can spend hours sitting on a beach looking out and dreaming – the story of my life. I’ve never known what I wanted to do in life and hence have drifted along with other people’s wishes. I’m now of an age where I’m free but still trying to decide what I want to do ‘when I grow up’. As much as people say it’s never too late there does come a time when it is too late to take on some adventures. You are an inspiration and I hope your story reaches many more people and gives them the courage to go for their dreams.
ulu
April 28, 2016hello Liz,
i fall in love to you..
Best wishes
Woman Quits Job To Sail Around The World With Her Cat | ViralDaily.net
May 8, 2016[…] Clark has made a name for herself as a surfer and environmentalist living what she preaches. On her website, Clark explains, “This isn’t just a surf trip, it’s a lifestyle that has allowed […]
Maria
May 19, 2016Hi Liz & Amelia – Love reading your blog, what a great way to experience life. Just beautiful ….
Although it is easy to see how amazing Amelia is as a Catcaptain, a life jacket would look great on her, an adventurer with everything under control. I mean this in a good way ;)
All the best for you both, keep enjoying this wonderful World and stay safe!
Captain Liz
May 29, 2016That would be like putting a helmut on Superman!? ;) thank you for your concern but i promise that we are safe and happy!
Chris
June 7, 2016Your adventures are quite amazing! I love how you went against the grain of societal norms and chose a life at sea, it is inspiration for the rest of us. If my time frame holds true, I’ll be embarking on a similar path this July as I intend to sail my Catalina 27 from Lake Erie out to the Atlantic and then head south.
Now that you have some time at sea under your belt, would you do it all over again or choose to live a normal life?
Best of luck in all of your travels!
Tiago
August 29, 2016Hi, How were you able to travel money wise? I am a recent follower, couldn’t find the answer anywhere else :) Thinking about going on a year journey too but not sure what the costs and what think I can do to make it easier, looking for a very simple and basic journey, nothing luxurious if you know what I mean, just pure travelling around
Captain Liz
January 4, 2017Hi Tiago! I work as a writer, brand ambassador, photographer, and jane of many trades. it’s not lot of money, but you just have to use your unique skills and talents to figure out a way to make some income while traveling. I’m sure you can do it!! All the best, Liz
capitan tormenta
June 15, 2017S stumbled on your blog looking for a sailing companion and it appears you have travelled almost around the world! I’m impressed ! I’m sitting out the storm season in Guatemala. I loved your photo’s and you plastic cleaning project. Great idea. There are some good ideas being developed to collect large concentrations of plastic at sea.
I don’t surf but it looks like great fun. I’m more of a martini at sunset kind of guy !
Retired businessman and teacher .
Cheers,
Tim
Minzi Ereve
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Sailing the Ocean Waves with Captain Liz Clark. | THE COASTAL MAG
December 9, 2021[…] natural world from human destruction and to be the captain of her own sailboat. Her name is Captain Liz Clark. In 2005, she she set off from the Santa Barbara harbor and for the next 12 years traveled oceans […]