First in Adventure

Snapshot: Alaskan tennis shoes for the win.

Hearty, active adventures are rooted in our core. So is watching for wildlife, time spent with locals, and digging into the culture and history of the places you visit. You might be snorkeling with dozens of sea turtles in the morning and joining a cultural ambassador like Danny Akaka to talk story in the afternoon.

The spirit of the islands—in all our destinations—is alive and well. In Baja, the Romero family has been leading mule rides across Bahia Agua Verde for generations. Saddle up, sit tight, and wind your way through desert, beach, and a green oasis. On Molokai, Greg and Anakala Pilipo welcome you to the Halawa Valley where they farm, hunt, and fish. Sidle up to a park ranger in Alaska or visit Panamá’s historic Coiba National Park. These are some of the people and pulse of a place.

The spirit of adventure soars. Each night your expedition team lays out the choices for the next day: hiking, beachcombing, kayaking, skiffing, paddle boarding, and snorkeling are all possibilities. Place your adventure order. From slow beachcombing to hard-charging hikes, there’s something for everyone. And with small group excursions (usually a dozen or so guests) it’s easy to chat up your guides and pause for pictures and reflection.

“The crew and guides were so wonderful and personable! Loved chatting with all of them. … my favorite activities were hiking the hard-chargers, guided kayaks, rafting, and biking.”

— Ally P; Milwaukee, WI (Columbia & Snake Rivers 2018)

Come Play

Hikes Ascend a desert ridge in Baja or Galápagos. Tackle a switchback in the Pacific Northwest. Delve into Costa Rican jungle and sniff out a jaguar trail in Belize. Or meet the Alaskan bushwhack: a wild and woolly trek over logs and through brush. From an intertidal shore walk or stroll in town to an hours-long summit, hikes are as hard-charging or as slow-paced as you like. It’s up to you. We have hiking poles so you can head out with confidence.

Kayaking & paddle boarding From guided Kayaking 101 to an afternoon open paddle, settle in and explore. While open paddling is offered, most kayak outings are guided. In Alaska, challenge yourself to a yak-n-whack: a kayak and bushwhack all-day land and water excursion and UnCruise original. Paddle boards are also available in most destinations. If the water’s calm, keep your eyes on the horizon and give it a go.

Skiff rides Let our drivers shuttle you to shore for another excursion or power up and head around the bend to get a better look at sea otters cracking open a shell, iguanas on the move, or birds soaring above the treetops. Climb in, binoculars ready. The skiff’s the thing for covering serious ground with little effort.

Snorkeling & polar plunges Immersive in every way and—like all our excursions—snorkeling ranges from intro lessons along shore to deep water jump and go. Noodles are provided if needed, and wet suits are also available in some destinations. For those seeking an extra thrill, try Alaska’s polar plunge—a leap off the fantail and a fun, frigid experience. Chances are you’ll watch your captain jump in too.