About us
Welcome to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group! This group was created in 2016 for like-minded people and active adults who enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors. Check out our calendar of events page to see what new adventure travel and special events we have coming up here in 2026 & 2027. Our group adventure travels include single and multi-day trips, here in the U.S. and internationally. Our outdoors activities and events include hiking, white water rafting, river kayaking, scuba diving & snorkeling as well as other special events including an online destination orientation meeting for our upcoming international adventures and a “Discover & Explore” online travel series with expert guest speakers.
I hope you will come out and join us on one of our amazing adventure travels and special events, and enjoy a whole lot of fun, friendship and camaraderie through the exciting discovery and exploration of the beauty, majesty and wonder of the great outdoors! Cheers! 😎 Laura Halik, Administrator, Group Organizer
Follow us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thegreatoutdoorsadventures
Or join us in our group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638129706438217/
Follow our You Tube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXSmDumi9zPdwG_PWBZHPGQ
Stay in touch with us and receive news updates and announcements of new and upcoming travel and events, as well as information on new travel destinations and adventures. Join our email list at https://mailchi.mp/7cb28f797c63/great-outdoors-adventures-travel-email-list
GROUP TRAVEL & EVENTS POLICIES & GUIDELINES:
· Please be courteous and treat organizer(s) and all members with kindness, courtesy, and respect at all times. Come to participate positively and responsibly. Contribute constructively to all trips and events and respect the laws & customs of the host country on international travel. No soliciting, criticisms, gossip, or discussions of politics.
· Members are welcome to post within the group’s discussion area online to share travel and adventure related information.
· There is zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, offensive, confrontational and/or otherwise unacceptable conduct or behavior towards the group organizer or any member during any trips or events. Non-compliance will result in the member’s removal from the group and all future trips and events. Should you have a conflict with another group member, please take it privately to resolve it in a constructive manner. If you are unable to resolve it privately, please let your organizer(s) or event host(s) know.
· You must be a member of the group to attend any trip or event. Guests of group members are always welcome. All guests must comply with the policies and standards of conduct of the group. Group members are responsible for their guests.
· All attendees must be RSVP’d in advance for a trip or event and plan to participate in the trip’s primary activity or activities with the group. No exceptions.
· Please be sure to read through the trip and event descriptions, which include all the details and logistics to attend. If you have any questions about the trip or event, please contact the organizer.
· Please follow the advisement and direction of the group organizer. There are many hours of time and work in the research and planning to ensure that all trips and events are well-planned and organized and are a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Multi-Day Domestic & International Travel Events:
-All deposits, payments, cancellations, and refunds will be subject to the policies of the outfitter, dive operator, resort, or cruise line.
-A valid passport or passport card good for at least 6 months is required for international travel.
-All international travel events will abide by the host country’s laws, customs and regulations.
-“Partying”, or otherwise excessive alcohol drinking & disorderly conduct and behavior is not acceptable on any trips whether foreign or domestic.
Single Day Hiking Events:
-Please be sure to read the event description and if you have any questions about the difficulty and experience level advised for a particular hike, please contact the organizer. You are responsible for yourself so please ask questions regarding any concerns you might have, prior to attending the hike.
-Group Pace: On the hiking adventures, we do not trail run. So, if you average 3+ mph, you may be ahead of the group. If you hike 2 mph or slower, you may be behind the group. Hike at the pace which is most comfortable for you but please note you are responsible for yourself should you lose the group and are not familiar with the route. Highly advise to research the hike before you come by reviewing the websites and logistics information that’s provided and come prepared.
-If you are RSVP’d for a single day trip or event, we are looking forward to your coming. If you are running late to the meet up location, just let us know and we will wait for you. However, if you cannot make it, please let us know by updating your status to NOT GOING. “No Shows” will be flagged and may be removed from future day hikes and events.
-Please be sure to help minimize your impact on the environment by packing it in and packing it out and reducing plastics in our oceans & seas by using refillable water bottles and ocean reef-safe sun protection while on trips and events.
Through the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group, it is my hope that you will find a whole lot of fun, friendships, and camaraderie, and the inspiration to get out and travel, and live life now to its fullest through the amazing discovery and exploration of the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors! 😊
Upcoming events
4
SUNDAY FUN DAY…VERDE RIVER KAYAK TO WINE ADVENTURE
McDonalds, E of I17 @ Carefree Hwy, 3140 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086, Phoenix, AZ, USDiscover & Explore the Pristine and Picturesque Verde River Valley on a Kayaking to Vineyard Journey Through the Heart of Arizona’s Newest Wine Making Region…and Enjoy a Great Day of Paddling, Wine Tasting and Fun & Adventure in Nature & the Outdoors, Camp Verde, Arizona!
OVERVIEW:
Located just 1.5 hours north of Phoenix and just south of Sedona in Central Arizona is the beautiful and picturesque Verde River which meanders through the heart of the Verde River Valley with stunning scenery rich in natural beauty and rugged mountain vistas offering paddlers a spectacular outdoors journey. However, the Verde River Valley, which is comprised of up to 10 small towns and communities, there is much more to discover and explore!Wine making and growing grapes is not at all new to Arizona. In fact, Arizona has a long history of wine production dating all the way back to the 16th century. It was the Spanish missionaries who first discovered planting grapes for the purposes of sacramental wine production for the Catholic Church. While grape growing continued throughout later centuries, according to historical information, it was the prohibition era that ended any significant wine production up until the 1980’s when after the Arizona Farm Winery Act of 1982 allowed for Arizona’s first winery to open in Sonoita, in southeastern Arizona.
It is Arizona’s rich volcanic soil and high desert climate similar to California and Argentina that makes it ideal for grape growing. Today, the Verde River Valley is one of Arizona’s three largest wine making regions with local vineyards each growing and producing their own unique variety of high-quality wines ranging from reds, whites, blended and sparkling that in the past few have gained popularity and recognition for Arizona as one of the top regions for wine production in the world!
For adventure travelers like us, we can visit any one of Verde Valley’s vineyards & wineries that located along the “Verde Wine Trail” and sample Arizona’s wines on a wine tasting & vineyard tour while also enjoying nature & the outdoors through activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking & tubing, horseback riding, or wagon or jeep riding, making for a great day of travel, fun and adventure discovering and exploring the beautiful and amazing Verde River Valley Region of Central Arizona!
You are cordially invited to come join us for a great day in Camp Verde on the Verde Wine Trail, where we’ll start with a ton of fun and adventure kayaking and discovering and exploring the beautiful and amazing scenery along the Verde River. Then after our return, we’ll visit the boutique and family-owned, Salt Mine Wine Vineyard ending our day’s tour with a whole lot of fun, food and wine-tasting adventure in the Verde River Valley, Camp Verde, Arizona!
VERDE KAYAK TO WINE ADVENTURE TOUR:
For this combination kayaking and vineyard tour, we plan to meet Verde Adventures Tours at up in Camp Verde at the Beasley Flat parking lot where a shuttle will be waiting to transport our group to the put in point on the Verde River. After a brief orientation and getting our gear, we’ll launch onto the river for a pristine and scenic journey down the Verde River until reaching the take-out point back at Beasley Flat. From there, we’ll drive to Salt Mine Winery where we’ll begin the vineyard and wine tasting part of the tour there at the vineyard.WHAT’S INCLUDED:
For the self-guided, Verde River kayaking part of this adventure tour with Verde River Adventures, the following is included:
-Individual inflatable kayak
-Personal flotation device (PFD)
-Paddle & Helmet
-Shuttle transportation
-5 miles of scenic paddling with class I-II rapids (all beginner friendly)
-Tons of fun, fun, fun!For the vineyard & wine tasting part of the tour at Salt Mine Winery, the following is included:
-Outdoor wine tasting with a $22 credit at Salt Mine Wines
-Charcuterie and sandwiches
-Gratuities
-Taxes & feesWHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- RT Gas/transportation to/from Phoenix to Camp Verde
-Additional gratuities for shuttle guide and wine tasting staff
-Water, snacks & electrolytes for kayaking on the river
-Dry sack/bag
-Sun protection/hat, quick dry, protective clothing
-Water shoes/sandalsFor more information about Salt Mine Winery & Vineyard, go to
Home - Salt Mine Wine - Valley Verde WineryFor more information about the Verde Valley Wine Region, go to
The Best Insider's Guide to the Verde Valley Wine Region | Wander With WonderFor a map of the Verde Wine Trail go to,
Printable Trail Map - Verde Valley Wine Trail - A Flavorful-JourneyFor the kayaking part of this amazing day adventure, we will be working with the folks at Verde Adventures by Sedona Adventure Tours. For more information about Verde Adventures Tours, you can check out their website at
Verde Adventures | Wine Tasting, Tubing & Kayaking in (sedonaadventuretours.com)SIGN UP & REGISTER:
To sign up and register for this special event, 1) RSVP, then 2) confirm your reservation and make your payment by contacting Laura Halik, group organizer at info@greatoutdoorsadventures.net. You will receive a copy of the full event description plus how to send a payment. Payments can be made by Zelle, Venmo or PayPal.PAYMENTS & DEPOSITS:
The total cost for this amazing Verde River kayaking & wine tasting adventure day tour is:
$151 per person, due by March 22nd.If you have any further questions regarding this special event, please let me know.
If you have any further questions regarding this special event, please let the event organizer know.I hope you will come and join us for a great day of kayaking and wine tasting, fun and adventure and a spectacular discovery and exploration of the beautiful and pristine Verde River Valley, in Camp Verde, Arizona! 😊
11 attendees
SOCORRO ISLANDS WHALE SHARK & MANTA RAY CITIZEN SCIENCE DIVE EXPEDITION
Marina San Jose Del Cabo, Blvd. Mar de Cortez s/n 23403, San José del Cabo, MX“A Spectacular Bucket List Adventure of a Lifetime….Discover & Explore the Marine Life Wonders of the Socorro Islands, aka “The Galapagos of Mexico” ….Plus, Participate in a Citizen Science Expedition to Research Whale Sharks and Manta Rays Aboard the new Quino Del Mar Liveaboard, Baja California, Mexico!”
OVERVIEW:
“The Revillagigedo Islands more familiarly called the Socorro Islands are also known as “Mexico’s Galapagos”. Located out in the Pacific approximately 250 miles from Cabo San Lucas and the Baja California peninsula, the Socorro Islands are a group of four small volcanic islands: Roca Partida, Socorro/Santo Tomas, San Benedicto, and Santa Rosa and are an UNESCO World Heritage site with its own unique and diverse ecosystem and endemic species not found anywhere else. For scuba divers, the Socorro Islands are a magnet for attracting many of the ocean’s largest pelagic animals including many species of sharks, such as Hammerheads, Tigers, White Tips, Galapagos, also giant Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, plus schools of Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Tuna, Barracuda, Jacks, and many more, truly offering divers a spectacular once in a lifetime bucket list adventure that’s only accessible by liveaboard! So if you’re a scuba diver with some experience in deep water diving, this journey aboard the new Quino Del Mar Liveaboard to the Socorro Islands also a Citizen Science Expedition to help research and study the Whale Sharks and Manta Rays in partnership with Whale Shark Mexico…..will be an epic adventure and an extraordinary experience you’ll sure not want to miss discovering and exploring the rugged and pristine natural wonders and spectacular marine life of the Socorro Islands, aka “Mexico’s Galapagos!”You are cordially invited to join us for this special event which is sure to be an epic and unforgettable week of ocean fun and scuba diving adventure aboard the new Quino Del Mar Liveaboard on a Citizen Science Expedition to help research and study Whale Sharks and Manta Rays ….in the pristine and remote, Socorro Islands, aka “Mexico’s Galapagos”, 250 miles off Baja Mexico!
CITIZEN SCIENCE EXPEDITION:
On this adventure we have the exciting and special opportunity to be aboard a Citizen Science Expedition to research and study Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, and participate in marine conservation with activities such as animal/fish counts, tagging, photo identification, helping to collect data in order to learn more about these amazing creatures along with daily presentations on Whale Shark and Manta Ray conservation with marine biologist and Executive Director from Whale Shark Mexico, Beto Garcia!On this Citizen Science Liveaboard Expedition you will enjoy 6-7 presentations with topics to include:
- Biology and ecology of whale sharks
- Conservation Biology of the whale shark
- Conservation biology of manta rays
- I3S software for whale shark and giant manta ray photo identification
Citizen Science activities include:
- Whale shark and manta ray photo-identification
- Zooplankton sampling and looking at samples under a microscope
- Measuring sharks and bony fish using a stereo-video system to estimate their length and determine the length-frequency distribution of the most common species.WHALE SHARK & MANTA RAY CITIZEN SCIENCE EXPEDITION & LIVEABOARD ADVENTURE:
This all-inclusive Whale Shark & Manta Ray Citizen Science Dive Expedition Liveaboard Adventure includes the following:
-10 days and 9 nights aboard the Quino Del Mar Liveaboard (double occupancy)
-Three full course gourmet meals served daily
-Beverages, Alcohol (beer & wine)
-Taxes, port fees
-Tanks, and weights
-6 days of diving up to 3-4 dives daily
-Dive master & guide on every dive
-Plus….Whale Shark & Manta Ray Citizen Science conservation with presentations & research!
This all-inclusive liveaboard adventure does NOT include the following:
-Transportation costs to/from Phoenix to San Jose Del Cabo
-Transfers to/from the boat
-National Marine Park Fees
-Rental Gear-BC & Regulator, Wet Suits, Gloves, Hoods, or Booties
-Mask, Fins, Snorkels
-Crew Gratuities (10%-15% of the fare)PAYMENTS & DEPOSITS:
With the launch of the new Quino Del Mar Liveaboard, the retail cost is $4295 per person, double diver. However, we have a special discount group rate, and the total cost for this all-inclusive 10-day/9-night Citizen Science Dive Expedition Liveaboard Adventure is only $4080 per person double diver. A $200 deposit is required upfront to confirm your reservation. The balance is due in full by 90 days prior to departure. You will receive a confirmation email of your reservation as well as any required forms for you to sign & return.***PLEASE NOTE***This special event is open to certified scuba divers only***
***PLEASE NOTE***It is highly advised that all divers be current and have had prior deep diving experience (recommended 50 dives logged) prior to this trip***SIGN UP & REGISTER:
To sign up and register for this adventure, first RSVP, then contact Laura Halik, event organizer and group leader at info@greatoutdoorsadventures.net and provide your full name and a phone number.If you have any further questions regarding this adventure, please let me know. I am so excited! It is going to be an extraordinary adventure and a spectacular week aboard the new Quino Del Mar Liveaboard, at the Socorro Islands, off Baja Mexico! 😊
3 attendees
Past events
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