TAHOE CITY, CA, June 2, 2016– The small ship cruise company that brings seagoing adventurers into intimate contact with seldom-visited shorelines around the world wholeheartedly embraces the fastest growing watersport – stand up paddle boarding (SUP).
Thanks to a recent green light from the Galapagos National Park Service, SUP is now an approved activity in these UNESCO World Heritage Site waters as well.
AdventureSmith Explorations (http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/), purveyor of small expedition ship experiences around the world, books passage in the Galapagos on 20-guest sister yachts Eric & Letty as well as the new luxury 20-passenger Origin. Each of these small vessels was recently supplied with SUP equipment in anticipation of the park's final approval granted in late April 2016. This makes them the first SUP-equipped cruises in the region. Guests can pursue paddle boarding along with kayaking in Gardner Bay on Floreana Island, Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island, Tagus Cove on Isabela Island and Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island.
Smith explains that SUP provides a different perspective on the water than does kayaking.
SUP Antarctica on Ocean Endeavour: Currently in Antarctica, only one vessel, the 199-guest Ocean Endeavour, offers SUP as an add-on adventure option among the ice and icebergs in a calm bay with penguins swimming by. A one-time session atop southern polar waters is $150 (2016-17 season), with all gear including a dry suit provided.
"The stillness and absence of noise are the best parts of SUP. You can hear the ice popping and cracking all around you," comments AdventureSmith Explorations Adventure Specialist Nick Mitchell.
SUP Alaska, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Baja & the Pacific Northwest with Un-Cruise Adventures' Fleet: AdventureSmith's partner Un-Cruise Adventures offers the most SUP cruise options in its fleet, and has been doing so since it added paddle boards in 2011. Itineraries include Baja California, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Panama and the Pacific Northwest region. Paddle boards can be launched right from the ship, or on the shore from beaches.
To see all the Un-Cruise SUP cruise options, browse the following ship's itineraries: 84-guest Safari Endeavour, 36-guest Safari Explorer, 22-guest Safari Quest, 62-guest Safari Voyager, 76-guest Wilderness Explorer, 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer, 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer.
SUP Baja & Costa Rica on National Geographic Sea Bird & Sea Lion: In Costa Rica aboard Sea Lion guests can circumnavigate a tiny island, explore mangroves or paddle along an idyllic beach; Sea Bird brings the option to Baja California's Sea of Cortez.
SUP the Amazon on Delfin Riverboats: Because of the calm, still waters of the Peruvian Amazon's Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, SUP can be enjoyed by all ages. The luxury 8-guest Delfin I carries four paddleboards, and the 28-guest Delfin II carries two.
SUP New Zealand & Tahiti: The 24-guest Island Passage sailing in New Zealand's Fiordland and Bay of Islands regions as well as Tahiti carries two paddleboards for more intimate exploration of tropical waters, remote motus and misty fiords. Another bonus to this ship? There's a heli pad on deck for flightseeing.
Today several magazines are devoted to this paddle sport; in 2008 the US Coast Guard classified SUP boards as vessels like canoes and kayaks. By 2009 it became the fastest growing part of "paddle sports" in North America. By 2012 World Series championship races were created and by 2013 SUP enjoyed the most first-time participants of any sport in the United States.
Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA, along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. A recognized leader in small ship cruising, in 2012 owner Todd Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious Annual Travel Specialists List as the world's expert on small ship expeditions.