Aloha!

Hi, I’m Emma—founder of The Island Traveler—and I’m so glad you’re here!

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Our story begins over 20 years ago in Los Angeles, California, where my husband Gary and I met while working at an Australian travel company. It was a fitting start, as we’re both originally from Australia—Gary from Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland, and me from Hobart, Tasmania.

 

Now proud U.S. citizens, we’ve called Hermosa Beach, California home for over 15 years—easily one of the best little beach towns in America (in our opinion!).

 

We got married in May 2014, tying the knot in one of our favorite places in the world—Thailand. Our beachfront wedding in Koh Samui was magical, surrounded by our closest family and friends.

 

A few years later, in 2017, we welcomed our daughter Ella—a well-traveled baby who had circled the globe 1.5 times by just 6 months old! In 2019, our son Jackson joined the crew, and while travel with two little ones became more of a juggling act, we didn’t stop exploring. We took frequent family trips to Hawaii, Mexico, and across the USA—until the world paused in 2020 like it did for everyone.

 

Fast forward to 2025, and the adventure continues.

 

I’m still a full-time airline executive, a role I’ve held for over 11 years. Travel is not just part of my job—it’s part of our DNA. We love discovering new destinations, whether it’s solo adventures on work trips or family-friendly getaways around the world. On average, we explore 5–10 new countries a year and have no plans of slowing down.

 

✨ Why Follow Us?

 

At The Island Traveler, we share a mix of:

• Family travel inspiration

• Hidden gems & top travel destinations

• Real tips from the road—the good, the chaotic, and everything in between

• Work travel hacks & solo escapes from an insider’s perspective

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Whether you're planning your next tropical escape or dreaming up your first big trip, we hope our stories spark your wanderlust and help make travel feel a little more accessible (and a lot more fun!).

 

Join us on this journey—let’s explore the world together. 🌍💫