Living life as a digital nomad brings freedom and flexibility, allowing individuals to work from anywhere in the world. However, for those who choose to live aboard a sailing boat, one significant challenge remains; maintaining reliable internet access while navigating the open seas.
In today's interconnected world remote work relies heavily on a stable internet connection. As a result, finding solutions for staying connected while sailing has become essential. Having been a digital nomad since 2021, here's some of the strategies and technologies I've discovered that can help cruisers maintain access to the internet on a boat.
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How to get internet on a boat
When trying to get internet on a boat there are three main options.
Wi-Fi hotspots
Cellular data
Satellite internet
We've used all three methods throughout our time as liveaboard cruisers, with each option providing a viable internet solution.
Utilise public Wi-Fi hotspots
While docked, moored or anchored near populated coastal areas you may be able to take advantage of public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Many marinas and yacht clubs offer complimentary Wi-Fi access to their patrons, allowing sailing digital nomads to connect to the internet for both work and leisure activities. Depending on how far from the router your boat is, you may want to get a Wi-Fi signal booster. A signal booster is a device that takes the existing Wi-Fi signal and amplifies it so that it extends past the original range. This can help you take advantage of free internet on the boat.
Cafes, fast food outlets and restaurants often offer public Wi-Fi as well but you generally have to be pretty close to the establishment to access it. Rather than working from the boat, you may have to patronise the eatery and work or upload content while enjoying the food and beverages on offer.
Something important to keep in mind is that public Wi-Fi networks may not offer the same level of security as private connections, so use caution when accessing sensitive information. Make sure your anti-virus internet security protection is on and use a VPN to encrypt your personal data.
Use cellular data to power your boat WiFi
For coastal cruising and nearshore sailing, cellular data can provide a cost-effective solution for marine internet. In general, the cheapest way to do this is to buy a local data only SIM card from a provider in the country you're sailing in. Put that in a router or mobile hotspot and voila, you have yacht internet.
As a practical example, when we were in Croatia we purchased the T-Mobile tourist SIM, which at the time offered 30-day unlimited data plans for a reasonable price. That went into our phones and using them as a hotspot supplied us with uninterrupted internet for the weeks we spent anchored around Split.
If you're coastal hopping between well populated destinations then consider investing in a high-gain marine antenna and cellular signal booster to amplify cellular signals and extend your coverage range. Having this system allows you to access the internet further offshore without having to pay for a marine satellite internet system. For most of the time we were in the Mediterranean we had a Lobster SIM card in the Digital Yacht 4G Booster, which gave us internet up to 20 NM offshore. Lobster is an English language cell provider from Spain that allowed us to use their full data plan limit on roaming.
Invest in satellite communication
Satellite communication technology provides global coverage and is the only choice if you want to access the internet offshore or in extremely remote locations.
While it tends to be expensive, there are huge advantages to having satellite internet on a boat. High-speed satellite internet services allow digital nomads to work, communicate, and stay informed, even in the middle of the ocean. In the past slower or prohibitively expensive systems like Iridium Go, Inmarsat, Intellian and Garmin In-Reach were the go-to, but they were all left behind when Space X released Starlink.
Starlink for boats
Within the realm of satellite internet communications, the best internet for boats is Starlink. Its introduction has revolutionised the marine internet industry and its now become an essential system for many full-time liveaboard cruisers who work online.
The Starlink system requires a one off purchase of the hardware which includes a router and satellite dish. A monthly subscription is then needed to maintain internet access. The cost of the subscription varies depending on the selected roam region, your dish's registered address and whether you're using priority data.
For more information, you can read our complete breakdown of Starlink on Boats.
Plans have been announced by companies like Amazon to launch a direct competitor to Starlink, and Starlink themselves have announced plans for smartphone access to satellite internet, so this is a tech space to watch.
Starlink recently launched a referral program so if you use this link to sign up for a Residential or Roam plan, you get 1 month free and so do we.
Tips for getting internet on the boat
Here's a few other tips for using the internet at sea.
1. Choose the best provider for your needs
As you sail, research the service providers that offer coverage in the areas you're going to be cruising. While some coastal regions may have reliable cellular coverage, others may require you have satellite internet for boats. Personally we have changed to Starlink to ensure we have a reliable and fast connection that enables us to work anywhere as we sail the world.
2. Implement data-saving measures
Optimise your digital workflow by implementing data-saving measures to conserve bandwidth while sailing. Here's a few practical suggestions on how to do that.
Disable automatic updates
Limit video streaming
Disable automatic back-ups to the cloud
Priorise essential work-related tasks in your data usage
Utilise offline productivity tools (e.g. Drafting written pieces in Offline Google Docs or Microsoft Word)
Download necessary files and resources in advance to reduce reliance on real-time internet access
3. Prioritise work during optimal connectivity times
If you're relying on public Wi-Fi connections or cellular data plan your work schedule around times and locations where you have optimal connectivity. Take advantage of periods when sailing near coastal areas or when anchored close to shore to complete tasks that require a stable internet connection. Use downtime during offshore passages or when connectivity is limited to focus on non-internet-dependent activities or to recharge creatively.
Conclusion
As a digital nomad, reliable internet access is vital for maintaining productivity and staying connected to the digital world while sailing. By choosing the right service provider and investing in the appropriate hardware, digital nomads can navigate the open seas with confidence.
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