Trip: Ocean Skills Week (Tybee Island) w/ Optional Assessment

Guide: Michael G.

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

By Libby W. on November 16, 2025

Trip: Isle Royale Explorer

Guide: Jacob W.

First, it's hard to say enough good things about Jake. On top of being a highly skilled, deeply experienced guide, he's a fabulous naturalist. Any trail walk with him, you will learn a great deal about the island and its ecology. We were a group of quite experienced kayakers, and we really appreciated the boats Michael supplied. They were all first-class skegged boats, of the quality we paddle at home. Good Werner Shuna paddles as well. For the first days of our trip, we had unusual prevailing NW winds, so we got to explore the south shore of the island as far as Chippewa harbor, which afforded us a good deal of mild rock play, as well as some mild active water on the way back — both highly enjoyable. I would be super-happy to do this trip again. Highly recommended.

By Margot O. on September 13, 2025

Trip: Isle Royale Explorer

Guide: Jacob W.

Uncommon Adventures’ “Isle Royale Explorer” trip was a delight! The storied location drew friends from the West Coast, their natural history interests well met by the depth and breadth of detail provided by our guide, Jake. We appreciated the quality of the kayaks and gear provided, comparable with our personal vessels. The level of organization, the quality of the provisions, and the variety of experiences on water and on land made for a fantastic experience. We enjoyed exploring islands and channels, catching rides on Lake Superior waves, and hiking trails with abundant flora, fauna, and geological features. Highlights included visiting the Rock Harbor Lighthouse museum, learning about wolf/moose research findings from Rolf and Carolyn Peterson, and dining on fresh-caught Northern pike. Many, many thanks!

By Kimberly P. on September 06, 2025

Trip: Isle Royale Sampler

Guide: Jake Weigandt

I'll be looking forward to bringing my girlfriend to a different trip next year.

By Todd B. on August 26, 2025

Trip: Isle Royale Sampler

Guide: Jake Weigandt

By Rahel N. on August 25, 2025

Trip: Isle Royale Explorer

Guide: Jacob W.

I had a great time paddling with Uncommon Adventures Isle Royale Explorer trip in early August 2025. Jake was a consummate guide for our trip. Under his wise guidance, we were able to safely paddle the remote Five Fingers area on the north side of the island. Jake’s knowledge of geological, botanical, and ornithological nature is top notch. His paddling skills, backcountry camping and cooking skills as well as his people skills are all exceptional. We had all kinds of paddling weather, met camping fishermen who shared freshly caught Lake Trout with us most nights, and discovered all kinds of hidden gems and remnants of past cultures on this beautiful, wilderness island.

By Terrence (terry) G. on August 12, 2025

Trip: Isle Royale Explorer

Guide: Jacob W.

As magical as I hoped for. Jake was amazing - knowledgeable. Helpful and an all around nice human.

By Beth D. on August 11, 2025

Trip: Keweenaw Rock Gardening Expedition

Guide: Michael G.

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

Trip: Keweenaw Rock Gardening Expedition

Guide: Michael G.

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

Trip: Isle Royale Explorer

Guide: Michael G., Jacob W.

This was a 1st time trip for me in Isle Royale. As an avid kayaker, I was very excited to be literally the farthest we could go before Canada. It has always been a dream to see this !!! Micheal Gray and assistant, Jake were outstanding in both their safety for all of us on the trip, as well as the fun and the vast beauty of IR! The food was wonderful and coffee: ever coming! We were kept safe and enjoyed our journeys into this vast space of nature that few ever get to see. I would certainly say that it is a trip that cannot be compared closely to anything else I had experienced! I would certainly say that it is for those wanting to go beyond the levels of adventure to all the beauty that lies in IR to be seen and experienced 1st hand . Thank you Uncommon Adventures for this great experience that only few get to see on the beautiful waters and islands of the IR!!!

By Rex O. on August 03, 2025