Join me on a cultural sailing journey through Guna Yala
This spring, I’m opening a few spots for a small sailing expedition through Panama’s Guna Yala region, an area shaped by a long history of self-governance and close relationships to land and sea.
Over the past five years, I’ve sailed from Norway to Panama, exploring different coastlines and documenting how people live with and through their environments.
Of all the places I’ve travelled, Guna Yala stands apart.
Located on the northern shores of Panama, it is an autonomous region made up of hundreds of small coral islands, where the Guna continue to maintain a strong degree of political and cultural independence.
Across the archipelago, life follows rhythms that are closely tied to the sea, the land, and community life.
Knowledge is shared through practice. Decisions are made collectively. Value is often grounded in relationships rather than accumulation.
It’s not a place you simply pass through.
It’s a place that invites attention.
Sustainable cultural travel
In the coming months, I’m inviting a small group (max 3 people) to join me on a 9-day sailing journey through the region.
This is not a typical sailing trip. It’s a slower, more intentional way of moving—where the focus shifts from covering distance to engaging with the places we arrive in, the people we meet, and the experience of being there.
We will sail between islands, spend time in Guna communities with local guides, snorkel along reef systems, and explore parts of the rainforest.
This journey draws on my work as a documentary photographer and anthropologist, and is designed for those who are interested in questions of travel, ethics, and how we relate to different ways of living.
It may resonate particularly with photographers, filmmakers, and others working creatively, but it’s open to anyone who feels drawn to this kind of experience.
What to expect
We move slowly and keep things simple.
We aim to travel in a way that is attentive to both environmental and social impact, working with local guides and contributing to local economies along the way.
We will:
fish and eat with local families
learn freediving and explore reef systems
travel between islands under sail
spend time in communities with local guidance
create space for conversation, reflection, and experience
Life on the boat is simple. It’s warm, salty, and close. We share space, meals, and rhythm.
In return, you step into a way of travelling that is difficult to access through conventional routes.
How you can join
This is an intentional expedition for those looking for depth, perspective, and a different way of moving through the world.
If this speaks to you, fill out the sign-up form where you can let me know what month you are available, and I’ll share more details.
I’m not looking to fill spots—I’m looking for the right people.
I’ll be confirming the first group over the coming weeks.