Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25166
I total miles: 70-100 greenland: ammassalik island GGGG eee @@@ 000 eee I total miles: 60-70 USA: glacier bay, ak @@@ 000 eee GGG 00 The largest island in the world, Greenland lies between Canada and Iceland. The country is mainly an ice·covered plateau surrounded by a generally ice· free moun· tainous rim where breathtaking fjords and mountains rise straight up from the sea. During this strenuous trip, paddlers will float past massive icebergs more than four stories high, interact with the local Inuit and have the chance to see musk oxen, narwhals, walrus, arctic wolves and other animals.-MA OUTFITTERS MOUNTAIN TRAVEl-SOBEK, USA Mountain Travel-Sobek offer trips that encourage participation in all aspects. 11 days, $3,100-$3,600, July 26 to August 10, 888-687-6235, www.mtsobek.com As recently as 200 years ago, Glacier Bay was completely covered in ice. Due to changes in global climates and the recession of glaciers, there are now more than 200 smaller, individual glaciers in the area. Established as a national park in 1980, Glacier Bay is one of the most popular sea kayaking destinations on the planet. When exploring the East Arm, you'll paddle 60 to 70 miles and get up close views of the famous Muir Inlet and the McBride and Riggs Glaciers. Paddlers hike and camp along the way and will see abundant bird and marine life, including humpback whales.-MA OUTFITTERS ALASKA DISCOVERY, USA Alaska Discovery is the only company that holds permits to kayak in this part of Glacier Bay. 8 days, $1,995, June 11 to August 26, 800-586-1911, www.akdiscovery.com I total miles: 60-70 greece: Ionian sea • @@@ 00 ee GGG ooe Although a relatively small country, Greece has one of the longest coastlines in the world-8,soo miles of it. You can get a taste for Greece and its whitewashed villages by taking an extended paddle trip on the clear turquoise waters of the Ionian sea. An eight-day trip begins on the west coast as you paddle through the Strait of Lefkada, passing a medieval cas- tle and Skorpios, the Onassises' private isle. You'll paddle six to 16 miles a day exploring the Ionian Islands, and spend the nights beach camping or sleeping in quaint island inns.-MA OUTFITTERS PIRAGIS INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS, USA Piragis will take you to the homeland of Odysseus, providing a view of Greek culture and history from the water. 9 days, $1,900, May 11 to June 25, 800-223-6565, www.piragis.com • I total miles: 60-70 mexico: sea of cortez, baja 00 ee GGG 00 @@ The arid, finger·like peninsula of Baia California extends 760 miles south from California. Tucked neatly between that peninsula and mainland Mexico is one of the top sea kayaking playgrounds on the planet, the Sea of Cortez. With the island of Espiritu Santo as a base camp, paddlers on a seven-day trip can easily explore the stark desert coastline and crystalline blue waters. Kayakers hug the island's volcanic cliffs for eight to ten miles each day as they enjoy close encounters with blue whales, sea lions and giant manta rays. -MA OUTFITTERS BAJA EXPEDITIONS INC, USA/Mexico Baja Expeditions was one of the pioneers of adventure travel south of the border. 7 days, $945, 2001: 10/13-10/19, 10/17-10/24, 10/21-10/27, 10/25-10/31, 10/29-11/4. 11/1Pr-11/24. 11/22-11/28. 12/20-12/26.12/24-12/30. 12/2Pr-l/3; 2002: 3/9-3/15. 3/13-3/19. 3/17-3/23. 3/21-3/27. 3/25-4/1. 3/30-4/5. 4/3-4/9. 4/7-4/13. 4/11-4/17. 4/15-4/21. 4/19-4/25. 4/23-4/29. 4/27-513. 5/1-5/7; 800-843-6967. www.bajaex.com