Issue 192: Ile Alphonse

Hey Explorer,

This is Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Stays: Great Bear Lodge

• Remote Places: Ile Alphonse

• Wild Flights: The Siberia Experience

The newest category, Wild Flights, is designed to bring you the most adventurous and scenic aviation experiences from around the world. Let us know what you think of this exciting new section!

Great Bear Lodge

Great Bear Lodge is one of those places that feels straight out of a nature documentary. Floating in the middle of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, it’s only accessible by seaplane.

The main draw? Grizzly bears. Every day, expert guides take small groups out to watch these incredible animals in the wild—whether they’re fishing for salmon, wandering through the forest, or just hanging out on the riverbanks.

The lodge itself is cozy and off-grid, running on solar and wind power. Meals are fresh and locally sourced, and evenings are spent unwinding on the deck or learning about the area’s wildlife from the guides.

It’s a small group setting, so it feels personal, like you’re part of something special rather than just another tourist passing through.

And it’s not just about the bears. The rainforest is alive with wildlife—bald eagles, otters, and even the elusive coastal wolf. You can kayak through misty fjords, explore ancient forests, or just soak in the solitude.

If you’re looking for a remote, wild getaway where nature takes center stage, Great Bear Lodge is about as good as it gets.

Explore more:

• Great Bear Lodge (website)

• Wild Canada (video)

Alphonse Island

In the Indian Ocean, about 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Mahé in the Seychelles, Alphonse Island is remote, wild, and incredibly beautiful.

You won’t find crowds or big resorts here—just one eco-lodge, sandy paths, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and some of the clearest water you’ve ever seen.

People come here to unplug and really soak in nature. Whether you're diving with manta rays, fly fishing on flats that stretch for miles, or just biking around the island barefoot, it feels like you’ve stumbled onto a private slice of paradise.

The marine life is insane—huge schools of fish, colorful coral, and turtles everywhere.

While there are a ton of remote and beautiful islands out there, when I saw that it’s possible to snorkel with sailfish here, I knew I had to tell you about this place. These sleek, fast-moving predators—often seen in small groups—can be found in the open ocean during the right season.

You can head out on a guided bluewater trip, where spotting and swimming alongside these agile, electric-blue creatures feels like witnessing a marine ballet.

Explore more:

• Alphonse Island (website)

• Introducing Alphonse Island (video)

The Siberia Experience

The Siberia Experience is one of those “only in New Zealand” kind of adventures. It’s a half-day trip that combines a scenic flight, a peaceful hike, and a wild jet boat ride—all in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the South Island.

It starts with a small plane flight out of Makarora. You’ll soar over snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and valleys that look like something out of a movie.

The views are next-level, and before you know it, the pilot lands you right in the middle of the Siberia Valley—no roads, no crowds, just you and nature.

From there, you’ll start a self-guided hike. The trail winds through native forest and alpine meadows, and it’s quiet, peaceful, and stunning the whole way. You’ll end up down by the Wilkin River, where things start to pick up speed.

That’s where the jet boat comes in. A guide swoops in and takes you on a high-speed ride down the river, twisting and turning through crystal-clear water with the mountains rising up all around. It’s the perfect adrenaline-pumping finish to the day.

Explore more:

• Siberia Experience (website)

• The Day I Went on the Siberia Experience (video)

Animals: 11 interesting facts about sociable weavers

Natural Wonders: Ben Amera

Wildlife Photography: Stay in a hide in the Arctic Sea for 15 hours

Hiking: Hannels Spur

National Parks: Gauja NP  

Where in the World

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

I’d love to hear what you think of this issue, scroll down to the poll to let us know.

Until next time…

Keep exploring,

-Amanda

 ANSWER: Mangawhitikau Glowworm Cave, New Zealand