OUR STORY

Somewhere along the way, this became home.

What began as an unexpectedly extended stay on Saint Martin slowly became part of our everyday life. Morning swims became snorkeling trips, and somewhere beneath the Caribbean, we started noticing little pieces of glass softened by years in the sea. A few pieces became handfuls. Handfuls became a passion. And before we quite realized what was happening, By The Sea had begun.

We’re Rhonda & Nico. Come in. Stay awhile.

IT STARTED WITH THE SEA

We weren't looking for sea glass. Then we started looking everywhere.

Morning swims became snorkeling trips. At first, we noticed a piece here and there beneath the water. Then a few pieces became handfuls. Before long, we were learning the colors, the shapes, the history — and realizing just how much the sea had been quietly holding onto.

BY THE SEA

The island gave us more than sea glass.

Saint Martin gave us friendships we never expected, stories we still laugh about, and a community that somehow became part of our lives. What started with a few pieces of sea glass grew into something much bigger — a way to share a little of the island we love with people all over the world.

We take it from the sea — and take it from there.

2020 newspaper article about Rhonda and Nico's extended stay in Saint Martin

THEN THE ISLAND HAD OTHER PLANS

Ten weeks became six months.

In January 2020, we came to Saint Martin expecting to stay until early April. Then the world changed. Six flights home were cancelled, and our ten-week stay became six months.

When we finally made it back to Iowa, our unexpected Caribbean chapter became a newspaper story of its own.

“And the future?”
“We will go back.”

WANT TO KNOW THE WHOLE STORY? READ THE ARTICLE →

A little island life.