The Adventure Fix Podcast

Issue 190: Matmata Guelta, Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel, diving with Hawaiian monk seals and more.

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Check out the full issue here: 

https://www.adventurefix.co/p/issue-190

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Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:

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In this Issue

We explore the latest issue of Adventure Fix, a newsletter featuring extraordinary journeys from Hawaiian monk seal dives to hidden Sahara oases and Arctic radio-station hotels. These remote locations offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences that connect travelers with endangered wildlife, ancient landscapes, and extreme environments.

• Hawaiian monk seal diving near Niihau (the "forbidden island") offers encounters with critically endangered marine mammals in pristine waters
• Matmata Delta in the Sahara features desert crocodiles surviving from when the region was lush thousands of years ago
• Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel in Svalbard provides Arctic luxury accessible only by snowmobile, dog sled or boat
• Activities range from wildlife encounters to extreme sports across diverse environments
• Quick adventure snippets include deep-sea creatures in Palau, Balkan hiking trails, and Greek island climbing
• The newsletter's quote reminds us to choose our lives rather than settling for them

As you go about your day, consider: where could your next extraordinary adventure take you? The world's packed with possibilities.


Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today we're jumping into the latest issue of Adventure Fix.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's that newsletter, you know, the one that digs up these really extraordinary journeys and experiences.

Speaker 1:

Exactly, and this issue Wow, we're going from, like Hawaii Diving with seals, to the Sahara Desert, a hidden oasis, and then way up north to an old radio station turned hotel in the Arctic.

Speaker 2:

Quite the range. Plus, there's that whole bunch of smaller features too, the quick hits.

Speaker 1:

Loads to cover. Okay, so let's dive right in. Maybe literally first stop is the diving section. Yeah, swimming with Hawaiian monk seals, I mean, seeing cool marine life is always great, but this feels a bit more significant.

Speaker 2:

It really does. They focus on Nihau, you know Hawaii's forbidden island.

Speaker 1:

Ah yeah, heard of it.

Speaker 2:

Very restricted access right, exactly, and because of that, the waters are incredibly untouched. Amazing visibility, apparently, which is, you know, gold for divers.

Speaker 1:

And that's where you might see these Hawaiian monk seals. They're endangered, aren't they Like really endangered?

Speaker 2:

Seriously endangered, fewer than 1,600 left in the wild. So just the chance to see one is well incredible.

Speaker 1:

Makes the encounter really precious.

Speaker 2:

And the newsletter mentions how they behave. They're actually quite curious, apparently. Oh, really they don't just swim away. No, sometimes they come closer, glide alongside divers, maybe even mimic their movements a bit. It sounds like this really gentle, unique kind of interaction.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's amazing. They mention specific dive sites too.

Speaker 2:

Vertical awareness and Lihua Rock Descriptions sound incredible Sheer walls, caves, all in that super clear blue water.

Speaker 1:

You can just picture it, that deep, clear blue.

Speaker 2:

And it's not just the seals, obviously. Lots of colorful reef fish, manta rays, even the occasional hammerhead shark. Apparently it's a whole thriving ecosystem.

Speaker 1:

Sounds intense, though Is it for, like, beginner, divers.

Speaker 2:

Good point. The newsletter does flag that it's definitely for more experienced divers. They mention strong currents, deep water plus. It's a long boat ride just to get out there, so it takes commitment. They mention strong currents, deep water plus. It's a long boat ride just to get out there, so it takes commitment Right.

Speaker 1:

Not your average reef dive, but worth it for that experience sharing the water with a wild monk seal in such a remote spot.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely unforgettable, I'd imagine. And hey, if people want to know more, there are links in the newsletter.

Speaker 1:

Oh yeah. Yeah, an article on Nihau itself and a video specifically about diving at the monk seals. Cool, love to check those out. Yeah, okay, let's shift gears completely from underwater Hawaii to the Sahara Desert.

Speaker 2:

Big change of scenery. We're in the remote places section now talking about Matmata Delta.

Speaker 1:

Matmata Delta. Okay, what exactly is a delta?

Speaker 2:

It's basically a natural water pool, often tucked away under cliffs, especially in desert areas. This one is special because it's deep in the Sahara.

Speaker 1:

So getting there is tough.

Speaker 2:

Sounds like it Trekking through dunes, rocky bits. The journey itself is part of the adventure. You know Makes finding the water even more rewarding.

Speaker 1:

I bet Seeing those still pools after all that sand and rock Must be quite a sight.

Speaker 2:

Definitely, and the really wild part.

Speaker 1:

Go on.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, a small surviving population. They're like leftovers from when the Sahara was much wetter thousands of years ago. Rivers, swamps, the whole deal.

Speaker 1:

That is mind blowing. Talk about adaptation.

Speaker 2:

Isn't it? They've just hung on in this one isolated spot, and the Delta attracts other wildlife too, of course.

Speaker 1:

Like camels, I guess.

Speaker 2:

Camels, barbary, sheep, lots of birds. It's a vital lifeline. Makes sense, and it has this deep human history too. Nomadic tribes have relied on it for centuries. It's a place with stories.

Speaker 1:

Wow. So you might see signs of that, like old carvings.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, potentially ancient rock art, maybe even encounter Taurig nomads. It connects the past and present. It just sounds like a place that leaves a real impression.

Speaker 1:

Definitely the wildlife, the history, just the adventure of reaching it.

Speaker 2:

And if you're intrigued by the desert crocs, there's a link to a blog post called the Last Crocodiles in the Sahara Desert.

Speaker 1:

Adding that to my list too. Okay, one more main stop. We're off to the Arctic now.

Speaker 2:

Yep the stays section Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel.

Speaker 1:

Isfjord Radio Sounds intriguing already. Where is it?

Speaker 2:

Svalbard way up there on the remote West Coast, it used to be an actual telecommunications hub, built back in 1933.

Speaker 1:

No way. So they turned an old radio station into a hotel.

Speaker 2:

Exactly A boutique hotel now.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

And getting there is an adventure in itself Snowmobile, dog sled or boat, depending on the season.

Speaker 1:

Okay, that sets the tone. No roads, basically.

Speaker 2:

Pretty much, and inside it's meant to be really warm and welcoming, contrasting with that stark Arctic landscape outside.

Speaker 1:

Cozy inside, wild outside.

Speaker 2:

I like that the rooms are spread out a bit, unique decoration and the views Arctic Ocean, mountains just stunning apparently.

Speaker 1:

Must be incredible. What about food in a place like that?

Speaker 2:

They make a point of using local ingredients things like smoked seal, reindeer sausage, fresh fish and they serve it family style.

Speaker 1:

Oh nice, so people mingle.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, encourages guests to chat about their day's adventures.

Speaker 1:

And what are those adventures? What can you actually do there?

Speaker 2:

Lots. Winter means snowmobiling, dog sledding, maybe seeing the northern lights. Summer brings guided hikes, boat trips to see glaciers, wildlife spotting, reindeer, arctic foxes, maybe whales, wow. And year round they have a cliffside sauna with amazing views.

Speaker 1:

Sauna with arctic views.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Sold.

Speaker 2:

Right. It's really about experiencing the raw Arctic beauty. It's not just a place to sleep, it's part of the whole experience.

Speaker 1:

Sounds truly extraordinary. Is there info on booking?

Speaker 2:

Yep. They include a check rates and availability here Link for anyone tempted.

Speaker 1:

Good to know. Okay, so those are the big three, but Adventure Fix always has those shorter bits too. Right, the quick fix.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah, always worth a look. Little snippets of adventure.

Speaker 1:

What's in there this time.

Speaker 2:

Let's see Deep Sea mentions, footage from Palau, achanakops and a dumbo octopus.

Speaker 1:

Dumbo octopus Cool. Never heard of achanakops though.

Speaker 2:

Me neither. Then there's hiking in the Western Balkans, some untouched wilderness route.

Speaker 1:

Sounds rugged.

Speaker 2:

Climbing talks about a Greek island that shifted from like clubbing hotspot to climbing destination. I would have kind of expected. Right and paddling features kayaking down an Arctic waterfall.

Speaker 1:

Whoa Okay, definitely for the adrenaline junkies.

Speaker 2:

Seems like it. Then there's the compass.

Speaker 1:

Ah, the photo quiz.

Speaker 2:

Where is it this time? Don't tell me Uh-huh, nope, it's a photo by Hisamatsumura and you have to guess the location. Answers at the end of the newsletter.

Speaker 1:

Always a fun challenge. And the quote they always have a good quote.

Speaker 2:

They do. This time it's Mandy Hale, ten years from now. Make sure you can say you chose your life, you didn't settle for it.

Speaker 1:

Ooh home, especially thinking about all these adventures. Choose your life, don't settle. Exactly A good reminder to be intentional and they wrap up with a quick poll asking readers what they thought of the issue Right, always good to get feedback. So that's a wrap on this issue of Adventure Fix. What a trip. Seals, crocodiles, arctic radio station.

Speaker 2:

A bit of everything. It really covers the spectrum of adventure.

Speaker 1:

Definitely encourages you to check out the full newsletter. Follow those links if something grabbed you.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, there's always more detail and amazing photos in the actual issue.

Speaker 1:

Makes you think, though, which one stands out most. What kind of adventure are you looking for?

Speaker 2:

That's the question, isn't it? Maybe this sparks an idea for someone's own extraordinary experience.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely so, as you go about your day, maybe ponder that when could your next adventure take you? The world's packed with possibilities.

Speaker 2:

It really is Keep exploring.