The boating world has transformed dramatically in recent years, with social media bringing us closer than ever to life on the water. Across social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, women are making significant waves in fishing, sailing, and all aspects of boating culture.
And these passionate creators aren't just sharing beautiful photos—they're breaking barriers, building businesses, and inspiring a new generation to embrace maritime adventures.
From professional anglers and world champion wakeboarders to full-time sailing nomads, these women on the water bring diverse perspectives and infectious enthusiasm to their content. They're showcasing not just the glamorous moments – but also the challenges, skills, and everyday realities of life connected to water.
So, without further ado, let's dive into some of the most captivating women making a splash in the boating, sailing, fishing, and water sports world right now. After all, it is Women's History Month!
Women Boating Influencers Making Waves
From paddleboards to powerboats, these women are taking social media by storm with their unique perspectives on life near, on, and in the water. And their diverse content celebrates the many ways to enjoy boating beyond traditional sailing and fishing.
1. Noelle Berkman
Ever wondered what it's like to wake up with the Mediterranean as your front yard? Noelle Berkman's Italian boat life content answers that question and more! Her popular morning routine videos capture the magic of sunrise ocean dunks and coffee with breathtaking views.
Additionally, her candid "funny things about living on a boat" series highlight both the dreamlike aspects and the quirky challenges of maritime living.
Whether she's paddleboarding at dawn in Mallorca or documenting a windy day onboard, Noelle's authentic approach gives followers a virtual ticket to experience boat life.
Follow Noelle at @noelleberkman
2. Emily and Amanda Gale
Talk about a career change! These twin sisters traded microscopes for maritime maps after earning degrees in Microbiology and Immunology. Now, as USCG 50-Ton Captains, Emily and Amanda navigate both boats and business with equal skill. Their engaging videos make boating accessible to followers of all experience levels.
When they're not filming adventures on the water, they're developing their Gale Force Gear brand, which includes everything from stylish apparel to custom-designed fishing rods. Viewers love following along as they test prototypes and share behind-the-scenes looks at building a marine-focused business. These entrepreneurial twins prove that boating influencers can create waves in multiple industries – while keeping content authentically fun.
Follow Emily and Amanda at @galeforcetwins
3. Black Girls Boat
This inspiring organization, founded by Stefanie Saleem and co-founded by Juawana Colbert, is dedicated to empowering Black women through water activities. Their mission goes beyond just having fun—though there's plenty of that, too! By providing safe, supportive environments for learning swimming, boating, and fishing skills, they're breaking down historical barriers to water access.
Moreover, their community-building events create lasting connections between women discovering their sea legs for the first time. Through their work, they're proving that the future of boating includes diverse faces and voices!
Follow Black Girls Boat at @Black_Girls_Boat
4. Bridget Grover Ryan
Nautical knowledge runs in the family for this yacht and boat advisor! Bridget Grover Ryan proudly carries on her family's maritime traditions through her work at the family business, Al Grover's Marine, in Freeport, NY. With her expertise and genuine passion for "honest business and admiration of the sea," she's become a trusted voice for both new and experienced boaters looking for guidance.
Unlike influencers focusing solely on lifestyle content, Bridget brings her followers practical knowledge and industry insights. Her professional approach and her genuine enthusiasm for boating make her content particularly valuable for those considering boat ownership or upgrades. In a sea of boating influencers, her specialized knowledge helps her stand out!
Follow Bridget at @boatwithbridget
Fishing Influencers Leading the Way
From freshwater lakes to coastal waters, these women are redefining fishing content with their expertise, passion, and unique experiences. They prove that fishing influencers come in all styles, from tournament competitors to specialty niche creators.
5. Ashley Rae
Talk about catching the fishing bug! This Canadian angler has transformed her childhood passion into a thriving career.
Now, Ashley Rae chases "anything with fins" from her boat, kayak, the shore, or even on ice! Her impressive journey includes being named a "Game Changer" by Field & Stream Magazine and qualifying for the Major League Fishing Toyota Series Championship three times.
Furthermore, she started her blog in 2009 as a simple fishing diary but has since expanded to international publications. With thousands of followers across platforms, Ashley's educational content hooks viewers who appreciate her authentic approach to the sport.
Whether competing in bass tournaments or filming for her YouTube channel, this multi-species angler continues to make waves in the traditionally male-dominated fishing world!
Follow Ashley at @shelovestofish
6. Kaitlyn Bui
Known as the "undercover crab fisherman," Kaitlyn represents a unique niche among fishing influencers! Her videos of Dungeness crab fishing in the Bay Area have amassed over 15 million likes on TikTok and a following of 484,000.
As one of the most recognizable women in boating focused on crabbing, she's turned her passion into a full-time career, sharing everything from bait selection to catch-and-release practices. Additionally, her specific focus on crabbing demonstrates how women in boating can carve out specialized niches rather than covering all aspects of fishing.
Follow Kaitlyn at @Katilyn_Bui
7. Sarah Kozlowski
Wisconsin native Sarah Kozlowski has made a splash on TikTok and Instagram with her engaging ice fishing videos. This outdoor enthusiast doesn't let cold weather stop her adventures—instead, she embraces winter with excitement and practical tips for fellow anglers.
Sarah's content shows that fishing isn't just a summer activity; she breaks through the ice to demonstrate year-round dedication to the sport.
Through her fishing, outdoors, and travel content, she connects with followers who appreciate her authentic approach to enjoying nature in all seasons. Her popularity proves fishing influencers can thrive even when lakes freeze over, inspiring women to grab their ice augers and join the community!
8. Jenny Anderson - @girlof10000lakes
Minnesota-based Jenny Anderson didn't consider herself "outdoorsy" until her mid-20s when she discovered fishing. Now, this outdoor and travel content creator shares her adventures catching lake trout and walleye with over 30,000 Instagram followers.
Besides fishing, Jenny enjoys hunting, camping, canoeing, and skiing while balancing family life with her husband and two young children.
Additionally, her background in broadcast journalism enhances her storytelling approach, which she's also channeled into authoring 123 Ice Fishing. Born in South Korea before moving to Minnesota at age 3, Jenny brings a unique perspective to the fishing influencer community. Followers appreciate her authentic approach to encouraging others to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their experience level or life stage.
Follow Jenny at @girlof10000lakes
Women in Watersports: Influencers to watch
These dynamic women in boating are redefining what it means to be on the water, showcasing specialized skills while building engaged communities through their authentic content.
9. Zahra Kell
Wakeboarding champion Zahra Kell flips, spins, and soars her way through social media with thrilling content that captures her impressive skills on the water. With 4 World Championships and over 500,000 followers across platforms, this Australian powerhouse ranked 1st in the World Wakeboard Series for both 2023 and 2024. Zahra effortlessly combines athleticism with style, creating videos that showcase both jaw-dropping tricks and her vibrant personality.
Splitting her time between Sydney and Orlando, she partners with big names like Nautique Boats and Jetpilot Company to produce content that inspires fans worldwide. Her high-energy posts celebrating sport, femininity, and confidence have made her one of the most recognizable boating influencers in the wakeboarding community, encouraging more women to take up board sports.
Follow Zahra at @Zahraoncesaid
10. Elizabeth Montavon
As a third-generation water skier with 9 National Championships and international podium finishes, Elizabeth represents water sports influencers who successfully bridge athletic prowess with business acumen.
As Director of Athlete Marketing, she collaborates with several interesting companies. Additionally, her unique perspective as both an athlete and an executive has made her a sought-after speaker, sharing insights about the sports mindset in corporate settings.
Along with her professional water skier husband, Stevie Island, she founded the lifestyle company Ski or Die. Plus, her appearance in Palm Beach Illustrated's '30 Under 30' further cements her status among influential women in water sports!
Follow Elizabeth at @ElizabethMontavon
11. Amber Torrealba
Talk about making a splash! As a world champion skimboarder with 1.6 million TikTok followers, Amber Torrealba combines athletic ability with a filmmaker's eye. Her bold decision at age 25 to leave everything behind in Palm Bay, Florida, and drive cross-country to pursue her passions has clearly paid off!
Not only does she showcase impressive skimboarding skills, but she also captures the footage herself, bringing a uniquely creative perspective to water sports content. Moreover, her journey demonstrates how following your passion—even when it means major life changes—can lead to extraordinary opportunities in the boating and water sports community.
Follow Amber at @ambertorrealba
12. Jeana Butler
Florida Keys native Jeana Butler might have the best office view in America! From her trusty paddleboard, she creates stunning content showcasing the crystal-clear waterways and vibrant marine life of the Florida Keys. Plus, her exploration videos take followers to hidden spots that most tourists never discover.
As paddleboarding continues to gain popularity, Jeana's content serves as both inspiration and practical guidance for newcomers to the sport. And her steady growth proves that sometimes the simplest water activities can create the most compelling content for aspiring boating influencers or hobbyists.
Follow Jeana at @butler.jeana
Sailing Influencers Navigating New Waters
From full-time sailors to adventure-seeking nomads, these women in boating are charting new courses across oceans and social media alike. Their journeys inspire followers to consider life beyond the shore, showcasing the freedom, challenges, and breathtaking beauty of sailing life.
13. Quinn Abiigail
From Pennsylvania to paradise, Quinn's journey to sailing life reads like a modern adventure novel! After a brief stint living in an RV on the Oregon coast, followed by running a vintage clothing business, she found her true calling during a chance sailboat race in Hawaii.
Now, she's sailed to five different Hawaiian islands, creating dreamy, aesthetic content that makes followers want to drop everything and buy a one-way ticket to boat life. Though she recently called Hawaii home, Quinn's already eyeing international waters for her next adventures. Her content perfectly captures that magical "sun glinting off waves" vibe that sailing influencers strive for while still showing the genuine challenges of living aboard.
Follow Quinn at @quinnabiiggail
14. Hannah Goldberg @hannahsailing
With 1 million followers on TikTok, Hannah represents sailing influencers who took the leap from conventional careers to maritime adventures. After quitting her 9-5 desk job to pursue her dream of sailing around the world, she's now sailed as crew on five different boats across 11 countries, including journeys across the Atlantic Ocean and through the Panama Canal!
Her recent STCW certification (a step toward obtaining a captain's license) shows her commitment to advancing her sailing expertise. With over 10,000 nautical miles under her belt, Hannah invites followers to join her adventures!
Follow Hannah at @hannahsailing
15. Beverley Cheng
Who says you can't stay fit while living on a sailboat? Certainly not Beverley Cheng! This fitness trainer turned full-time sailor brings together abs and anchors as she navigates the waters near Colombia.
Followers particularly love her practical boat life hacks, including her viral TikTok about moving a sailboat with a broken engine—talk about a real-world problem solver! Through her blend of workout routines and sailing adventures, Beverley offers an authentic glimpse into the highs and lows of maritime living.
Follow Beverley at @BeverleyCheng
The Rising Tide of Women in Boating
These sailing, boating, and fishing influencers are just a sample of the incredible women making their mark on maritime communities. Plus, their diverse backgrounds showcase the many paths women are forging in boating circles!
By sharing their journeys across social media platforms, these women in boating are not just entertaining followers; they're breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of boaters. And their authentic stories prove that the waters are open to everyone willing to dive in.
