Michael and Lisa excelled at setting expectations for the weekend, as well as coaching gently. Most of all, they were patient with my questions.

By Kelly Y. on June 01, 2026

Great skills training, knowledgeable instructors, and fun students

By . on May 26, 2026

This was a fantastic way to get re-introduced to kayaking and improve my skills (and learn what I should work on). Michael is a great teacher and an interesting host. Cannot recommend more highly. Only downside is that early May in the Great Lakes (even in the small lakes) is the cold water. But even that was manageable because of the expert planning and approach of Michael.

By Matthew T. on May 25, 2026

By Peter M. on May 19, 2026

A lovely week in a paddling paradise exploring beaches, islands, mangrove trails, and sea life below. Michael found us a good blend of challenge and safety on the water and spoiled us with scrumptious meals on land. The house we stayed in was very comfortable and ideal for launching and staging kayaks before and after trips. A wonderful week with fun fellow paddlers!

By Jill L. on April 15, 2026

By Lora A. on March 29, 2026

3rd year in a row, we are enjoying kayaking around the world ... It is quite a special experience

By Lora A. on March 29, 2026

This trip was a great combination of learning some new skills, reinforcing some old ones, & getting experience with tidal flow and eddies. We learned that water can be behave quite squirrley around big sandbars! Mike and Lisa are very knowledgeable coaches. It was a wonderful group of people in a beautiful setting with a lovely comfortable cottage to come back to each night, only steps away from the beach. Mike and Lisa did a fantastic job of feeding us delicious food three times a day. Some of the most delicious food I have ever had anywhere! I wish I had had more energy at the end of the day to hang around and help while the cooking was happening so I could learn some of their secrets. They could easily turn this trip into a combination Kayak workshop and cooking school!!! A great time!

By Debra N. on November 18, 2025

The Lamborghini of kayaking trips and instruction. Don’t know what could have made it better.

By Libby W. on November 16, 2025

This was my first trip with Michael Gray, even though I’ve met him before it put in Bay when he showed up for the rendezvous. On our first paddle day we loaded our kayaks with our gear and food for a 5 day trip around the Keweenaw peninsula. The first day of paddle we stopped at coppers Harbor for a lovely lunch in such a Pat town. It was definitely worth the stop if you’ve never especially if you’ve never been there before.. then we got in our boat and paddle to our first campsite. We sat then we set up our tents and enjoy this surroundings while Mich got a light dinner prepared. He informed us that a rainstorm was approaching and as we saw it approach we ran for our tents. Well, the wind came from a different direction at around 40 mph and some of us had a little extra adventure in that. I got to my tent, but then I stopped from getting in because Joyce was hollering for help because her rain fly was blowing off of her tent. Then as I went over to help her, we turned around and look, and my tent was flying like a kite in the process of trying to save my tent for there was a little weight in it at the time I did everything wrong and end up, tearing the rain fly and breaking a pole. Mich and Jake came to the rescue. They got Joyce in her tent in her rain fly reattached, and they got me with my soaking wet clothes and sleeping bag and sleeping pad. In fact everything that wasn’t in the dry bag was soaked into another tent for the night. I was very upset with what had happened. I didn’t know how this situation was going to be remedy. We were to have 50° weather and rain for the rest of the trip and my warm clothes where all wet. A total disaster.- what options did I have to save this trip after all it was just the first night. Well, in the morning we had a solution and we spent another day at the campsite we were at so that Jake could go into Copper Harbor and retrieve me a new tent and then we worked on getting my wet clothes dry. This event turned into a learning lesson and how to deal with unexpected outcomes. Plus the weatherman was wrong about the prediction and we end up having sunny days at around 80° calm seas all the way around on the rest of the trip. For those that were interested, we got to work a little bit on navigation and also on towing individuals if they were having trouble while doing a crossing so that was a plus.

By Michele W. on August 05, 2025

Keewenaw Rock Garden trip - Michael organizes and leads truly unique experiences. Paddling instruction, camp sites, food and camaraderie are all first class. Highly recommend!

By Christopher E. on August 04, 2025