From Surf to Soul: The 40-Year Journey That Built Wild Earth Stays
Where Were You in ’82?
In 1982, I wasn’t chasing a career - I was chasing waves and freedom. I packed my surfboard in a small Hollywood, Florida home, hugged my parents goodbye, and boarded a flight to Eleuthera, a wild and little-known island in the Bahamas. The board barely fit on the plane, but somehow, it made the journey with me. What greeted us on arrival wasn’t a resort or a curated destination. It was pure nature - raw, untouched, and unforgettable. Gregory Town was a sleepy village with a single bakery, welcoming faces, and a rhythm that moved with the ocean’s tide. And then we found it - Surfer’s Beach.
Down a dirt path, past brush and palms, a hidden cave perched above the break became our home for a week. No Wi-Fi. No schedule. No distractions. Just the sound of the surf, the shimmer of the stars, and a few pots and pans to make simple meals. That moment changed everything. It wasn’t just a surf trip - it was an awakening to the wild beauty of the world. It was here, among the tides of Eleuthera, Bahamas that the seed for Wild Earth Stays was unknowingly planted - a vision of connection, simplicity, and sustainable adventure that would grow for the next 40 years.
The Spark Behind Wild Earth Stays
That week in Eleuthera stayed with me long after the waves faded. Something had shifted. It wasn’t just the thrill of surfing remote breaks, it was the feeling of being completely alive in a place untouched by time. That moment became the spark that changed my path. I began to realize that travel, when approached with humility and curiosity, could be more than an escape, it could be a way back to ourselves.
For the next four decades, I chased that same feeling across the planet. From quiet surf towns in Costa Rica to the lush rice terraces of Bali, from desert dunes in Morocco to the misty mountains of Peru, I searched for places that still pulsed with wild energy, places where the land teaches, and time slows. Each journey whispered the same truth: the earth still holds its wild heart - we just need to go where it beats the loudest.
Wild Earth Stay exists for those who seek something deeper than luxury — for those who crave meaning, authenticity, and the chance to experience the earth as it truly is: wild, beautiful, and alive. That truth evolved into a vision. A calling to create something bigger than a travel company - a way to connect travelers with destinations that inspire reflection, respect, and renewal. That calling became Wild Earth Stays - a platform born from a lifetime of exploration and a belief that travel should leave the world better than we found it.
A Vision: Travel That Transforms
Wild Earth Stays.com isn’t a booking site. It’s a movement - a bridge between travelers and the world’s most meaningful places. We curate eco-conscious stays, immersive experiences, and sustainable journeys designed for those who crave connection - not convenience.
It’s built for people who believe:
Luxury is space and silence.
Adventure begins where Wi-Fi ends.
Travel is a way back to yourself.
Each stay featured on WildEarthStays.com is handpicked to honor local culture, community, and conservation. It’s about balance, between human comfort and the untamed spirit of place.
40 Years in the Making
Wild Earth Stays is the culmination of every wave chased, every jungle trek, every sunrise coffee brewed over an open flame. It’s my way of giving back to the planet that has given me everything, through travel that heals rather than harms. From a cave above Surfer’s Beach to an online platform connecting travelers to the wild, it’s been a four-decade-long ride of curiosity, courage, and care.
So go bold.
Go off the map.
And remember - your next story is waiting in the wild.
“It’s not just about where you go. It’s about what the earth shows you when you arrive.”
James Papagno, Founder of Wild Earth Stays
