A man who has decided to take on the monumental challenge of sailing around the world alone has opened up about why he chose to embark on this daring adventure.
Luke Hartley, a former music teacher, has gained millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram for sharing his breathtaking and nerve-wracking sailing experiences. Posting updates under the handle @sailing_songbird, Hartley’s content keeps his audience captivated by his daring solo voyages across vast oceans.
Earlier this year, he embarked on a particularly gripping journey, spending 31 days crossing the Pacific Ocean. One of his videos during this time, which captured him isolated in the middle of the ocean, has garnered over 4.7 million likes, leaving viewers both awestruck and uneasy.
In one of his most talked-about updates, Hartley shared a clip of himself on a paddleboard, his sailboat a distant speck behind him. He explained:
“I’m in the doldrums, I’m stuck here in the doldrums, and there is no wind. For reference, I am right about as far away from land as you can be on the planet.”
While the realization of being over a thousand miles from any landmass would terrify most, Hartley expressed gratitude for the surreal experience.
“It is incredibly disorientating to be out on a paddleboard with absolutely nothing on the horizon except like a super cool sunset. This definitely feels like one of the more incredible things I’m privileged enough to experience,” he said.
While many viewers praised the uniqueness of his journey, others admitted they found the idea deeply anxiety-inducing. Some were particularly unnerved by his live location on Google Maps, which showcased just how remote his position truly was.
Currently, Hartley is partway through another ambitious trip, sailing from Tahiti in French Polynesia to Tonga, a journey of approximately 2,726 kilometers (around 1,700 miles). This voyage, expected to take three weeks, is another chapter in Hartley’s growing list of remarkable adventures.
But what inspired Hartley, who had no prior sailing experience, to leave his stable career and embrace such a risky lifestyle?
In an interview with Yacht.de, Hartley revealed the turning point came during the pandemic when he spent countless hours online.
“During the pandemic, I surfed the internet a lot. That’s when I came across sailing. I followed a few channels, especially on YouTube. I saw these people living on their boats and sailing around the world. I fell in love with this lifestyle—even though I had never set foot on a sailing boat before,” he shared.
Determined to pursue this newfound passion, Hartley quit his job, purchased a 27-foot sailboat, and spent seven months restoring it before embarking on his adventures.
As for the future, Hartley isn’t planning on stopping anytime soon. He shared with the publication that he hopes to continue sailing for five, ten years—or perhaps even for the rest of his life.
For Hartley, the open sea is not just a journey but a lifestyle, one that allows him to experience the world in a way few others ever will.