Brandy Hastings
Author

Brandy Hastings

Key Facts

Longwood, Florida
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Magna Cum Laude
Adventure Voyager | Eco Wanderer | Global Nomad

About

Brandy Hastings is a travel writer who focuses on outdoors, nature, beaches, gear, and sustainability. Her work has been featured in a variety of publications such as Men’s Journal, Matador, and GearJunkie.

She’s a former broadcast journalist who spent many years in the radio industry before making the transition into the world of travel and tourism. As an award-winning destination marketing executive, she enjoyed several years of success working for tourism organizations such as Visit Florida. Her time there gave her a thorough knowledge of the best things to do in Florida and she’s excited to tell those stories on Beach.com.

Originally from Louisiana, she’s lived in Florida for almost 2 decades and loves exploring all of the amazing experiences throughout the Sunshine State. When she’s not writing inspiring stories to help others find unique new destinations to explore, you can find her paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, metal detecting, birdwatching, hiking, traveling, or hanging out with her cat, Smokey.

Highlights

  • Member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA)
  • Award winning destination marketing professional
  • Completed the Florida State Forest Trailwalker Program and then created her own hiking challenge in Alabama

Education

B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Magna Cum Laude

Favorite Destinations

  • St. Croix, USVI – This is my island home away from home since I have family there and is my favorite of all of the US Virgin Islands because of its local vibe and non-touristy feel
  • The Florida Keys – Amazing fishing, hanging with six-toed cats at Ernest Hemingway’s house, snorkeling alongside the Christ of the Abyss at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and chocolate-dipped key lime pie
  • Reynisfjara, Iceland – A drastic change from the white sand I’m used to in Florida, I enjoyed exploring the unique black sand beaches during my road trip through southern Iceland

Fun Facts

  • 🦌 Fed reindeer with nomadic reindeer herders above the Arctic Circle in Norway
  • 🐷 Swam with pigs in Exuma, Bahamas
  • 🇮🇸 Snorkeled between two tectonic plates in Iceland