Issue 166: Bijagós

Plus: Farasan Banks, River snorkeling in Brazil and more.

Author

Amanda Zeisset
October 25, 2024

 

 

ISSUE 166

 

 

In partnership with

This week’s issue is sponsored by Branded Bills. Elevate your brand with a custom hat.

 

 

Hey Explorer,

Before we jump into this week’s issue, I’m excited to share something we’ve been passionately working on.

It’s called Adventure Fix GO. 

Think of it as a curated travel booking platform featuring the most unique experiences from around the globe. But not just any adventures—only those truly exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that leave you saying, “I can’t believe I did that!”

Whether it’s swimming with orcas in Norway, diving the untouched reefs of the Seychelles, or trekking to the true Everest Basecamp, Adventure Fix GO lets you explore, compare, and book extraordinary experiences—without any of the guesswork.

Check it out and tell us what you think!

Now back to this week's issue. Here’s what we've got for you today:

  • Scuba Diving: Farasan Banks

  • Remote Places: Bijagós Archipelago

  • Unique Experiences: Freshwater snorkeling in Brazil

 

 

SCUBA DIVING

Scuba Diving in the Farasan Banks

Many divers travel every year to dive in the Red Sea in Egypt. I get it. It’s awesome. Cheap, good diving and… lots of people.

But what about the other side of the Red Sea?

Saudi has only been open to tourists for a few years. It’s the same reef, but there’s hardly any divers. And the Farasan Banks is the best spot to dive.

 

 

TOGETHER WITH BRANDED BILLS

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REMOTE PLACES

Bijagós Archipelago

Photo: Getty Images

When you think of a tropical island archipelago, you might picture crowded beaches, sprawling resorts, and staged cultural shows. The Bijagós Archipelago, however, is something entirely different.

Located just 62 miles (100 kilometers) off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, this collection of over 80 islands feels like an entirely separate world—one where time slows and the rhythms of the land and sea shape every moment.

On the Bijagos, you will find matriarchal societies, salt-water hippos, and miles of untouched beaches.

Explore more:

 

 

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Freshwater Snorkeling in Brazil

Photo: Trip Advisor

In the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the shallow, calm, and crystalline waters of the Rio Sucuri offer one of the best freshwater snorkeling experiences in the world.

Here, white sandy riverbeds, typically framed by aquamarine skies and lush green foliage, create the enchanting illusion of shimmering, viridescent rivers, lakes, and waterfalls.

As you plunge into the water, you can float fin-to-fin among the fascinating aquatic creatures of the Amazon, such as the shimmering dorado and the vibrant, citrus-striped piraputanga fish.

For the fortunate few, encounters with the legendary yet surprisingly docile anaconda, tapirs, or giant river otters might also be on the horizon. Above the surface, spot toucans, macaws, anteaters, and capuchin monkeys playing in the trees.

Explore More: 

 

 

TRIP PLANNER

3 Epic Trails to Hike in 2025

If you are planning your next big trip for next year and are looking for a truly unique backpacking trip, here are 3 terrific hiking trails to plan do in 2025.

Some of them have limited availability so don’t wait too long to book if you want to go next year.

 

Yosemite Grand Traverse

Most people visit Yosemite as a day-trip, take a picture of El Capitan and the Half Dome, maybe go for a short hike among the crowds, and leave. Checked. “They’ve been to Yosemite”.

If you’re here I assume you’re looking for something different. Twice a year, you can set off on a 8-day adventure specifically tailored for nature enthusiasts.

It’s called the Yosemite Grand Traverse and it passes sites such as Isberg Pass, Clouds Rest, and Cathedral Lake, uncovering hidden treasures along the way that most visitors have never even heard of.

Location: California, USA

Duration: 8 days

Price: $2,995.00

Season: July & September

Everest Base Camp Rugged Luxury

If you can afford the price tag, this is arguably one of the coolest hiking trips you can take—if not the coolest.

Everest Base Camp is epic on its own, but experiencing it with an Everest summit guide, staying in luxury lodges along the way, and gaining access to the actual base camp where the summiteers stay takes it to a whole new level.

Location: Nepal

Duration: 18 days

Price: $18,995.00

Season: March & April

 

Hut-to-Hut Laugavegur Hiking Trail

I will be honest with you. Iceland is pretty, but if you don’t get out of the Ring Road, it sucks. Every summer, tons of tourists come to Iceland looking for their Instagramable shot. They don’t care about the outdoors or adventure. They just want the picture to post it on social media.

But here’s a little secret: the Ring Road serves a purpose—it keeps most tourists in one place. Step off that well-trodden path, and you’ll discover breathtaking landscapes, hidden hiking trails, glaciers, rivers, and biking routes, all waiting to be explored—with hardly anyone else around.

One of the best ways to experience this untamed side of Iceland is by hiking the Laugavegur Trail, staying in cozy huts along the way, and enjoying the side of Iceland most tourists never see.

Location: Iceland

Duration: 6 days

Price: $2,890.00

Season: June, August & September

 

 

QUICK FIX

Stays: Next level nature escapes in New Zealand.

Safari: In Namibia, lions are returning to feed on the Skeleton Coast seals.

Astro: The nation that’s banishing light.

Sailing: Sailing the Abandoned Coast Cruising to Alaska.

 

 

THE COMPASS

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.

 

 

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

Do more things that make you forget to check your phone.

 

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

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