Adventure Tours in Caribbean

This trip was amazing! Genuinely life changing for me, and many of my friends agree. I learned so much about the culture of the area, the salmon habitats we worked near, and how I can live a more sustainable and educated life style. Thank you GIVE!!!

This was one of the biggest challenges of my life. I learned skills and made memories that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I made lifelong friends during this shared adventure. This was the best thing I could have done for myself.

Travelling with GIVE is always a special experience for me, and this new era of VIP experiences is so exciting!! Cuba was one of a kind, the guides (John, Hannah, Silvia and Ihosvany) made it so special for us. Our itinerary was full of a perfect mix of fun adventures, sight seeing, learning about the history in Cuba, and connecting with the locals people. Amazing memories were made with incredible people, in a beautiful and unique country! I can’t wait to make more memories with GIVE on the next VIP trip!

I've been to many camps before, but this one went above and beyond! It changed my life for 3 weeks completely: from complex school and research to easy-going diving and sailing, from tight schedules to relaxed life on a boat. It refreshed me and gave me the charge to go to the next year of school. I've also found many amazing friends, so next time I'll be in their area I'll come visit! Thanks Broadreach)

Prior to going on my Broadreach trip I was a little nervous going into it, not knowing what I was getting myself into and meeting bunch of “strangers.” Little did I know all the instructors and everyone else were so welcoming and kind spirited, I immediately felt a sense of relief and knew I was gonna have the best time. Learning to scuba dive was my favorite part, I always felt so safe and it was just such an exciting and fun thing to do. Also, living on a boat and learning to sail showed me a new side of myself and the world. It taught me to be so great full for the normal Luxuries like unlimited water and internet but also taught me that you don’t need fancy things to live your best life. Exploring all the islands was so cool, I was immersed so many new cultures I had never experienced, and I loved hiking and exploring. The bond I formed with the people around me, is a bond I will never forget, and by the end of the trip I didn’t wanna leave and was ready to come back as soon as I could.

This trip was really fun, but also a bit stressful. For starters, the living situation was rough. It was too hot to sleep in the cabins, so we had to sleep outside, but it rained every night, and it was difficult for all of us to fit under the covered area. My boat had seven people on it, but some had 12, which must have been really cramped! I loved learning to dive and meeting new people, but I felt a little bit unsupported sometimes. For instance, I got this rash (probably due to the fact that you're only allowed 10 seconds of fresh water to shower with), and I wasn't sure who to go to. I guess I could have gone to my counselors, but I would have rather spoken to someone from the support boat. It was kind of frustrating because, even though they were supposed to be there to support us, we never really had a chance to talk to them. I kind of just wanted to call my mom and ask her what to do. I know that all of our counselors and staff were adults and professionals, but I would have felt more comfortable talking to my mom and having her contact support boat for me. We weren't allowed to wash out hands, we could only use hand sanitizer, and we almost ran out before the trip was over. We washed our dishes in the ocean (although we rinsed them off at the end), and if someone used the bathroom while we were doing dishes, we had to wait for a while. Maybe I'm just not cut out for boat life, but I did have a pretty good time.

This voyage was insane! I had so much fun and new friends that I think I got more memories there than in all of my previous camps. If you will ever go on that trip, get some candy to share with your teammates and counselors (if you do that they might even take you on the unplanned night dive :). I had a lot of fun!!!

I had an amazing experience for 12 night aboard our boat seeing the Carribbean and snorkeling on all the islands. The food was great overall and I had fun cooking and preparing meals with friends and counselors. I loved sleeping outside on the boat and seeing the amazing stars and night skies. I loved being able to disconnect and just be with peers and the amazing counselors. I learned to sail and want to learn more next summer. Our hikes and our adventures on land were great! I highly recommend this trip and hope to return to Broadreach again soon!

I am really liking this experience, I am learning a lot about the marine life. I also really like that we do this in group because I get to bond with different people from different places and countries.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewAugust 02, 2024

Hi Maria! Thanks for sharing your experience! We're happy to hear you gained knowledge about marine life, and that you bonded with students from different backgrounds. Maybe in the future you can visit each other in your respective countries? We hope to see you next summer too!

i loved everything about this trip and most of all the experiences. the sights were absolutely amazing and stunning. the people were so incredibly nice and welcoming, i am so glad that u participated in this program because i met amazing people and saw beautiful places.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewAugust 02, 2024

Hey Olivia! We're also glad you participated in this program too. Thank you for being present and realizing how welcoming and nice people are in the DR. Hopefully next summer we'll see more beautiful places together!

I was really lucky to have chosen Corazon Cuba for my trip to Cuba. As an American it is especially important to have a properly prepared stay. Tim was super responsive, flexible for special requests and clarified everything before my departure. Considering that Cuba has various challenges, my itinerary was well organized and everything went smoothly. The hosts in Havana and Vinales were wonderful and very helpful. I'm frankly amazed that Corazon Cuba provided such a rich program of activities, good accommodations, taxi collectivo transfers, breakfast and lunch as well as Spanish lessons for such a good value! I returned home full of great experiences, memories and fun stories to tell.

Being a student on Sea|Mester was the most incredible experience of my life. I did the South Africa to Antigua voyage on Vela, and it exceeded any and all expectations I could have possibly had. I got to visit places that I never thought I would get to go. I met people that started out as strangers, but quickly became family to me. Prior to Sea|Mester, I had very little sailing experience and no diving experience and I think that that is a common turn off for people that come across this program, but you have no need to be worried if you're in that boat (haha). The staff does an exceptional job teaching you the ropes, making you feel safe, and making you feel like the boat is your home. If you're a hands on learning that thrives on getting outside of your comfort zone, adventure, and travel then this program is for you. I can not effusive enough how much Sea|Mester and my crew changed my life. If you're presented with the privilege to be a student on Sea|Mester... do it. If Sea|Mester taught me anything, it's to say yes even when you're scared. The greatest adventure of your life could be waiting for you.

loved it. The challenges that brought people together and helped me grow as a person, the sheer beauty and thrill of sailing across an ocean, all the stops along the way, and the list goes on and on. The staff were super super super incredible and I wish that everyone had the opportunity to do something this awesome and fun. Thanks for the best summer ever. I did actionquest two years before and I knew the GXG was an awesome group. I would recommend taking some stuff off the packing list because I did overpack. That might’ve just been me though. Loved the food and even though they warned us we would get tired of pasta, I never did. All the staff was awesome. They always cared selflessly and made the trip so much fun. They always made sure to put us before themselves and even though I would’ve been tired of dealing with us by the end, they were always energetic, smiling, and positive. I was able to grow as a person and socialize better. This trip was awesome.

I booked the the learn spanish, clulture and volunteer program. I already had a good grasp of the Spanish basics. The teacher placed me with basic beginnners -- which I didn't mind because we were the only class that week (If I did I would have spoken up to the director). I was having so much fun with the other students I didn't want to be alone in a class!. The teacher also showed me/taught me some of my weaknesses in Spanish. I enjoyed his teaching method with the other students -- the pace that we progressed was great. He helped them be more conversational--which as travelers we want. The city tours provided were wonderful -- informative. I was slightly disappointed with no hands on for the volunteer part -- I know my donations I brought went to worthy cause "for the good of the Cuban people". The housing was good -- liked being apart for the main school -- I gave a 9 only because my water wasn't very hot. I loved my room and got accustomed to walking 4 flights of steps!. The room was spacious, clean and losts of storage --bathroom clean and modern. Also, I was assisted in making arrangements after my time at the school. I can't say enough about that. I loved what was provided to me in Vinales (despite the minor housing mix-up) and Trinidad was lovely too. The activities arranged for me in Vinales was beyong my expectations. I was on my own in Trinidad but the casa particular there assisted me with arranging any activities I wanted. Oh, the meals provided at the school -- breakfast and lunch --plenty of food! Then, I don't want to forget all the other people working there -- sorry I am bad a names but so friendly and happy to socialize or answer any questions help me with currency exchange. Leonel the directory of course a big thanks for making my additional arrangements

The three times our daughter has participated in Action Quest summer camps all three have surpassed ours and her expactations, in all aspects. It has giving her so much confidence, knowledge, it has helped empower her to become an independent and resposible teen. Ready for her next adventure, anywhere she so chooses!

I loved my experience at Action Quest so much, I ended up going three years in a row! The BVIs are such an amazing place and the sailing, scuba, and activities make it even more rewarding. I’ve also made some of my life long friends at AQ, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

This experience absolutely blew my mind. You are surrounded with the best people, while having the time of your life. We live on a sailboat for either 17 or 21 days, learning to sail, scuba dive, as well as many other activities. The counselors and staff are the best I have ever had at a camp, always supporting, encouraging, and helping us along the way. The community that is built on your boat is one of a kind, I have made lifelong friends who come from all over the world. Furthermore, you are able to learn and improve many life skills, like teamwork, collaboration, or small things like cooking and cleaning. Some may think that close quarters is frustrating and cramped, but I have never minded, it teaches you to share your space and made me even closer with my roommates. Additionally, we are able to learn and explore the beautiful BVI's. You develop such a love for the islands, and some programs even get to help restore the BVI's from past hurricane damage. I have done the Vega and Carina programs, furthering my diving and sailing skills each year. I have no negative memory from camp, except from the day that we had to leave and go home. Being in the fleet is such an empowering and amazing feeling, whether it was race day or barbeques at Sandy Spit. I have had so many people at school and back home ask about ActionQuest, asking me how it was and wondering if they should go. Every single time, I always encourage them. I truly believe that this was the best experience I could ever ask for. Compared to every other summer/sleepaway camp I've done, the community created outdoes everything else. When I walked into the marina for my second year, I immediately was greeted by my friends and counselors from the year before. The memories created aboard will never leave you, and the family that you form with your "shippies" will live on forever. ActionQuest most definitely exceeded every single expectation that I had.

I would suggest this program to anyone. I met some of my best friends, learned so much about diving and sailing, and even used it to get into all my desired colleges by writing my essay about my experience.

Action Quest gave me a opportunity that I never would see myself doing, In 3 weeks I was able to learn to scuba dive, sail and make friends, The people I met inspired and encouraged me and made me feel like they were my family, I felt safe and respected by everyone there, I’m proud to call Action Quest my second home!!

My whole family has engaged in Action Quest's programs. I specifically went to please my family, yet I found myself having the time of my life. During my time in the Vega program, I made friends, had unforgettable experiences, and got to know cultures and areas I otherwise wouldn't have been exposed to. When people ask me what I do during summer, I jump at the chance to say: I spent 3 weeks sailing the caribbean and getting "scuba certy" with 11 other kids at THE summer camp known as Action Quest. The first questions I most frequently recieve are: How did you all fit on a sail boat? How did you sleep? and, What did you eat? To which I reply: We managed our space well thanks to our VERY organized and well-prepped counselors, We often slept on the tramp at the bow like burritos and we'd fall asleep quite easily to the smell of salty air, the star-filled sky, and the slight sound of the ever so often coming gusts of wind. The cooking, on the other hand, fell into the explanation of the chore chart and how, even as lazy teenagers, we'd come together and pull our load! Experience wise, AQ gave me everything they had to offer, the staff were always present, aware, and engaging. As I'd experienced a serious alergic reaction to a jellyfish sting years prior which led to a three day hospital visit, the day I arrived I met with James who assured me they'd do their best to keep me safe, with epi-pens on board, extra shower buckets if necessary, etc. The activities were fun but always required safety (which was greatly appreciated on those wakeboarding wipeouts), the "townhalls" with Mike brought the community together, our trip to spanish town brought only laughs to our crowd, the bbq night was filled with dance and sights of pure joy. After every dinner we'd have our nightly session of "squeeze" where the skipper otd would pose a question to which everyone would contribute a special and unique answer, and if we got lucky, we'd get a special guest appearance from the 3 ft long barracudas swimming below us. When a boat had a covid outbreak, it was delt with flawlessly and all of us took the required measures to keep healthy. Action Quest for me was a life changing experience that taught me independence, responsability, compassion, and more importantly, it brought me closer to the world of sailing and diving of which I'm so fond of. Now, I know I could keep spouting about the wonders of AQ endlessly so I'll keep it short and mention simply one more thing. Do it. Go. and don't miss out because I PROMISE you won't regret it.