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.

Uncommon Adventures Paddling Trips

Paddling Trips

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.

Uncommon Adventures Paddling Trips

Pinnacle Adventures

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?

Uncommon Adventures Paddling Trips

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.

Shopping for Someone Else?

GET SOCIAL

Cover for Uncommon Adventures
1,760
Uncommon Adventures

Uncommon Adventures

Getting people to play in the water since 1982! ...For details visit https://www.mi-paddleadventure.c

1 week ago

Uncommon Adventures
Check out our latest newsletter ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

4 months ago

Uncommon Adventures
Thinking about joining us on an Isle Royale Trip? Here’s a sample of recent reviews:“The level of organization, the quality of the provisions, and the variety of experiences on water and on land made for a fantastic experience.”“As magical as I hoped for.”“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!”“5+ experience. Starting with magical beauty of Isle Royale, everything about the trip was outstanding.”Want to read more reviews about any of our trips? Here’s the link: www.mi-paddleadventure.com/testimonials/And here’s a link to our schedule: www.mi-paddleadventure.com/trips/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

BACKCOUNTRY COOKBOOK

Michael Gray's Backcountry Cookbook

REVIEWS

“As always, all preparation was expertly accomplished in advance, and Michael actually fished for our dinners. It can’t be better than this!”

— Stephen L
Isle Royale National Park

Please visit our Reviews page for more.
Uncommon Adventures