Captain’s Log 190626 – Stepping Back to Where It All Started

Captain's Log 190626

Sometimes it's good to pause, look back, and remember why you started something in the first place.

After more than thirty years as a professional yacht captain — from the early days sailing off Durban and Cape Town, through busy charter seasons in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, to fourteen years commanding the beautiful M/Y Labrador — I found myself at a turning point.

I had done the big yachts. I had crossed oceans. I had experienced the glamour and the challenges of that life. But something inside me was looking for a new chapter. Something more intimate. Something more meaningful.

That's where the dream of Captain Murray's – The Uncharted Waters on the Ébrié Lagoon in Abidjan was born.

I was visiting my father and we were talking about many things. He mentioned the Ébrié Lagoon and that he had visited it. He felt it had something special to offer. I looked it up on Google Maps and was struck by the vastness of the lagoon and the long coastline. We started researching it, and I knew I had to go there myself.

Around the same time, I was speaking with a good friend of mine, Darryl Smith in Scotland who owns 'Haggis Waggon Tours'. When I told him about the idea, he was immediately enthusiastic. He felt it would be an awesome project and gave me a lot of encouragement, practical advice, and help with the website. He even talked about the possibility of linking his tours with mine in the future. That support meant a lot in the early days — and he is still very much involved today.

When I finally visited the lagoon, I fell in love with it completely. I knew then — this is what I am going to do.

The name "The Uncharted Waters" had been with me for a long time, and it felt right. The slogan "Uncharted Waters – Unforgettable Flavours" came naturally — because this place hasn't been spoiled and still has so much to offer the world.

The Original Vision

I wanted to create something different from the big commercial charter operations. My dream was simple but clear:

• Small, personal experiences on the water — maximum 8–10 guests.
• Authentic connection with the lagoon and the local culture.
• Relaxed, unhurried charters where people could really feel the place — not just tick it off a list.
• A business that respects the environment and gives something back to the lagoon and the communities around it.
• One day, combining practical pontoon boats with carefully restored classic wooden vessels.

It wasn't about building the biggest fleet. It was about building something genuine.

Where We Are Now

Looking back from today, we've come a long way, but we're still very much at the beginning.

We've started running real charters. The first guests have been out on the lagoon. The Captain's Log is growing with honest stories and reflections. The website is slowly taking shape. And we're learning the rhythms of the Ébrié Lagoon week by week.

There have been challenges too — being based in Ireland while the operation is in Abidjan, the slow pace of registration and setup, and the reality that building something meaningful takes time and patience.

But the core vision hasn't changed.

We still want to offer intimate, high-quality experiences that people remember. We still believe the Ébrié Lagoon has something truly special to share. And we still plan to give back to the waters and communities that make this possible.

Looking Forward

The next phase is about steady, responsible growth. More consistent charters. Better boats. Getting me permanently on the ground in Abidjan. And slowly turning the dream of classic restorations into reality as a personal project alongside the main business.

It's not a sprint. It's a long, meaningful journey.

If you've been following along — whether as a supporter, a future guest, or just someone interested in the story — thank you. Your interest and encouragement mean more than you know.

The Ébrié Lagoon still has so much to offer. And I'm more convinced than ever that this is exactly where I'm meant to be for the next chapter.

Would you like to be part of this journey?

Captain Murray The Uncharted Waters – Ébrié Lagoon, Abidjan