Palm trees silhouetted by a pink and orange sunset |Photo Ethan Robertson
Photo Ethan Robertson

There’s no denying Hawaii is a dream location for many. Me too, in fact. That’s why I asked a fellow travel writer who experienced firsthand all the fun Hawaiian adventures below to pen this piece. Enjoy.

By Katherine Parker-Magyar

There’s far more to the Hawaiian Islands than just eye-popping sunsets and mouthwatering mai tais (though both are spectacular, of course). From zip-lining to ATVing, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventure on Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, and the Big Island of Hawaii. 

Say ‘aloha’ to a Hawaii adventure holiday with these spectacular outdoor activities.

Guy on a zipline bridge sticking his tongue out. One of many Hawaiian Adventures worth trying.
Photo: PF Bentley

Zip-line in Haleakalā National Park, Maui 

Give back to the forest before ziplining above it with Skyline Eco-Adventures. Planting native trees in Haleakalā prior to traversing hanging bridges and gliding through tropical canopies on your return home. The program manager, Joe Imhoff, is famous for planting trees all over

Read More

We departed Ushuaia and headed south by way of the Beagle Channel. By the following morning, we were well into the infamous Drake Passage. 

Passengers in the know called the rough sea we encountered the “Drake Lake.” The “Drake Shake” is far more formidable, I was told. While it may have been true, it didn’t matter. I spent the early morning kneeling on my bathroom tile. Sweaty and cursing my feeble inner ear, I took the seasick pills the ship’s doctor gave me and spent the early hours in my room. 

Drake Passage 1, Susan 0. 

Challenges like this are part and parcel of a true adventure. While unpleasant at the time, I never felt unsafe, and I would deal with the seasickness again for an experience as rich as this. The good news: I––and most of my fellow guests––developed my sea legs quickly, and while we met with two-story

Read More

Practical Tips: What Gear I Used and Why Plus Some Suggestions

My Camera Kit

I took two bodies and three lenses: Canon 5D Mark III and Mark IV. My Canon 24-70mm f/2.8; 70-200mm f/2.8; and 200-400mm f/4 with 1.4 converter

This kit gave me a lot of flexibility for wide shots and varying distances of Antarctic wildlife and landscape elements such as icebergs.

Antarctica (I’m including South Georgia/Falkland Islands) throws wonderful photographic opportunities at you constantly. But rarely at consistent focal lengths. 

24-70 mm f/2.8

I carried two bodies for this reason. One fitted with a long lens for distance and the other for wide angles. You don’t want to risk changing lenses in the field with the wind, sand, snow, or saltwater. At best, you’ll nick your sensor. At worst, something gets into your camera that permanently damages it––no Bueno. 

70-200 mm f/2.8

If you don’t own

Read More

Wrapped presents/gifts

Great Gifts for Travel Lovers They’ll Actually Use

Only products I’ve used and love

If you’re looking for gifts for the travel lovers in your life, you’ve come to the right place. Everything below is something I use and recommend to my friends and family. They’re products every adventurer will thank you for and mean it.

(This post contains affiliate links. If you buy products using the links below, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Prices are as of publication)

(On another note: Here are some great gifts for photography lovers)


Photo Prints

For the holidays, all my images–wildlife, landscapes, portraits, and classic cultural travel photos–are available on inkjet paper or fancy fine art paper, depending on what floats your boat. Just click on the “Buy Photos” button, and it’s yours.

In addition to prints, you can purchase a variety of keepsakes

Read More