Coconut Smuggler celebrates saltwater hedonists all over the world who are committed to exploring and protecting the place they love so much.
We sit down with Tabitha Lipkin, a real life mermaid, scuba diver, broadcaster and self-proclaimed BFF to sharks.
Meet Tabitha Lipkin
Tabitha Lipkin is an Emmy-winning journalist and travel influencer who has built a career blending adventure, storytelling, and advocacy. Before stepping into the spotlight with NBC and the United Nations, she began her journey as a jetpack pilot instructor and earned the title of Miss Scuba International 2014. Her passion for the environment led her to work as a Dive Master, traveling the globe and championing marine conservation.
Over the past decade, Tabitha has become a dynamic presence in television, hosting the acclaimed travel shows Private Islands, The Wanderer, and 1st Look on NBC. Tabitha has also worked as a national TV host for NBC LX. Her work spans interviews with athletes, astronauts, actors, advocates, and adventurers, capturing unique stories with her hands-on approach.
From flying in an F-18 Hornet to hosting a live underwater broadcast highlighting coral conservation, and sailing to some of the world’s most remote destinations, Tabitha brings unparalleled energy and curiosity to every adventure she embarks on.
Her journey is far from over—and chances are you're going to find her somewhere out in the ocean, since she is a self-proclaimed saltwater hedonist and Coconut Smuggler!
IG: @tabithalipkin
TikTok: @tabithalipkin
Website: www.travelwithtabitha.com
What is your favorite saltwater adventure?
PICK A FAVORITE?! Woof, that’s tough. I would have to say any salt-water adventure that involves sharks is top of the list! I love bringing attention to these apex predators across the globe and their struggle against mis-information. It’s estimated that between 100- 200 MILLION sharks are killed annually due to a range of factors from finning to being a by-product in nets, and even being hunted down because they’re deemed “dangerous”. Sharks are like bees of the ocean and are critical for a healthy ocean.
Anyone who has seen a shark underwater can attest to just how incredible and unique these creatures truly are. Some of my favorite dive spots for seeing sharks:
Tahiti (White Tips, Black Tips, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks)
Guadalupe Island (Great Whites, but currently closed to commercial vessels)
Jupiter, FL (Lemon, Nurse Sharks)
San Diego, CA (Leopard Sharks)
Costa Rica (White Tips, Bull Sharks)
Is there a memorable moment from being in the ocean?
My most memorable moment in the ocean was actually hosting an entire live tv broadcast underwater for Earth Day in 2021 on NBC. The focus of our show was on the importance of corals, so we teamed up with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School to show what can be done to help our corals around the world, and actually planted some corals live underwater. It was a massive undertaking with a lot of different people engineering the technical side of things so we could talk underwater during a live broadcast, while I was focusing on the content of the show. Overall, I think anyone who tuned-in learned a lot about our oceans that day!
What is your ocean spirit animal?
Great White Shark. They’re so beautiful, powerful, and overall incredible predators who have lives for hundreds of millions of years. I’m not saying I’m necessarily those things, but those factors make me love them even more!
If you were stranded on a remote island, what are the three things you'd want with you?
Seems like there weren't enough restrictions put on this question, LOL so here’s my hopes and dreams for this scenario.
All-inclusive dive resort
5 of my best friends
big bag of Sour Patch kids
What does “live wild and stay natural” mean to you?
Be true to yourself and the planet around you.
Do you have any hair tips or tricks for fellow saltwater hedonists?
YES - for my divers with long hair, take about 3-5 hair ties on the boat with you.
First, spray the Feelin Nauti hair serum all over and put your hair in a low ponytail. Then every inch or two going down the pony, put a hair tie around the pony. This is the only thing I have discovered that helps my hair from getting super tangled in saltwater. Let me know if this works for you! :)
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