Uncommon Adventures

Uncommon Adventures

Welcome to Uncommon Adventures!

We specialize in guided paddling adventures - both expedition style kayaking and lodge-based paddling retreats - in the Great Lakes, Roatan, Greenland, Iceland, Alaska and more. We also offer kayak skills training and ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor Training.

Since 1984 we have been known for professional, certified instructors, outstanding cuisine, and quality equipment that helps create an enjoyable learning environment for all experience levels.

Why Us?

Experience: Since 1982, we’ve continually grown skills in multiple paddling disciplines and approaches to learn to travel the world from the water. You can too. Let us show you how.

Equipment: Kayaks from NDK, Valley, Wilderness Systems and Boreal. Werner, Epic, Kokatat help flesh out the quiver of gear that’s purchased to fit YOU. Our philosophy…students have the most to gain from the best equipment. Don’t you deserve it?

Food: In the kayak world I have sort of become “the food guy” at symposiums around the country. Having written a popular cookbook, its a label I wear proudly, but hey, I paddle too.  You’ll eat as if your time off is precious, because it is!

Small Groups: We specialize in small groups of 2-6. No one else does that. Think boutique, built just for you.

Professional: High standards for skills and risk management keep us continually updating Instructor and Wilderness First Responder training.

Kayaking Isle Royale

Great Lakes
Adventures

From our Traverse City / Sleeping Bear base we offer a wide variety of skill and adventure based kayak programs from day paddles with a culinary twist to destinations like Mackinac, Beaver Island, Georgian Bay, Keweenaw and Superior’s crown jewel…Isle Royale.

TRIPS

Warm Water
Paddling Retreats

Many lodge-based options from Tybee Island, GA spring skills courses to Tropical Roatan retreats to easy Florida Keys escapes. All come custom tailored with legendary food, great equipment, amazing settings and the personal attention you get with a small group!

TRIPS
Sea Kayaking Greenland

Bucket List
Kayak Expeditions

Live your dreams now. Camp next to calving glaciers, paddle a river of ice, surf a tide race or fly fish streams with no names. Our 34 years of experience builds very good teams to Alaska, Iceland, Greenland, New Zealand…arctic Norway? Where in the world do you want to go?

TRIPS
Coastal Kayak Instruction

Coastal Kayak
Instruction

As owner, Michael Gray facilitates a variety of ACA Skills workshops, Trip Leader and Instructor Courses that are student centered and built out of a lifetime of field experience. Guest speaker at over 100 symposia and 30+ years experience, he makes YOU the center of attention.

TRIPS

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BACKCOUNTRY COOKBOOK

Backcountry Cookbook by Michael Gray