Matador Network's Blog, page 137

A New Instagram Wildlife Filter Will Tell You When You’re Too Close to Wild Animals

The intersection of tourism and wildlife conservation is increasingly fraught with peril, as anyone who’s been active on social media in the last few years has probably seen. Instagram has highlighted a disturbing uptick in unsafe wildlife encounters, usually centered around the “touron” — a portmanteau of “tourist” and “moron,” encapsulating tourists whose behavior poses a significant threats to both themselves and the natural world.

Tourons, often driven by a combination of a desire for instagram photos and a lack of awareness and outdoor knowledge, are almost always to blame when a wildlife encounter turns bad. The vast majority of the time, negative animal encounters are caused by people who disregard distance guidelines, don’t properly store food, and fail to take the basic steps to learn how to act around animals. If you walk up to a bison to try to pet it, you can be surprised when it charges at you to defend itself — wild animals are, after all, wild.

Some outdoorsy towns have gone so far as to make parody promo videos using real footage of tourons to try to educate visitors on safe behavior, as with the clever YouTube video below.

But Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a mountain town known to be rife with both tourists and wildlife, debuted a clever solution to help minimize instances of bad behavior and keep animals (and humans) safer in the process. A new Instagram wildlife filter launched by the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism board uses simple augmented reality tech to tell you when you’re too close to wildlife. “Wildlife are at home here in the Tetons, even if it’s on the side of the road or trail,” reads the program website. “Humans are just guests.”

Using the Instagram wildlife filter is easy. Users can access the filter by clicking this link on their mobile devices. That will open the filter on Instagram, and the filter will remain as an options on future Instagram stories, even after you close Instagram. When using it, you’ll see five icons with shapes of animals. Choose the animal you’re photographing, and the filter will superimpose that icon on your screen. If the real-life animal on your camera screen is bigger than the icon, it means you’re too close. Currently, five species are available: grizzly bear, bison, elk, moose, and black bear.

 

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Whether you’re taking photos or not, it’s important to respect each species’ space. In generally, the more dangerous and faster an animal can move, the further away you need to be. Getting too close can not only endanger the animal, yourself, and people around you, but it’s also illegal. You should always stay at least 100 yards away from grizzly and black bears (and any other large carnivore, like mountain lions), and 25 yards away from bison, moose, and elk. The latter is especially important to remember around Jackson Hole, as the town is home to the US National Elk Reserve, and elk are known to wander through town year-round.

A tourist standing far too close to a bear in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: Tom Reichner/Shutterstock

While not getting too close to wildlife is an important and essential step anyone visiting outdoorsy areas needs to take, it’s not the only one. Visiting outdoor destinations, including national parks, comes with a responsibility to know the law and the local rules. In most places like Jackson Hole, that means educating yourself on proper bear behavior, doing your part to help keep communities livable for locals, observing posted speed limits to reduce animal-car collisions, and maintaining proper control over dogs.

On that note, remember that the minimum distances for humans and wildlife are the same for dogs and wildlife — and it’s owners who are on the hook for a fine of up to $1,000 if their furry friends break the law.

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In Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Experience and Support the Heart of Traditional Coffee Culture

“Coffee can’t wait; it dictates what it needs and when, and we have to listen,” Delfina Porras Solís from Alto El Vapor coffee farm explained, looking out over the vast expanse of lush green coffee plants her family has cultivated for generations. We’d just maneuvered our way up the side of a mountain, standing in the back of the family’s blue pickup to reach their high-altitude farm in Santa María de Dota, Costa Rica. The ride was dotted with views of rich, rust-colored soil, banana trees, ripe avocados, and coffee plants.

Breathless from the altitude and the views, I listened as Porras Solís and her family shared exactly how their lives have revolved around the planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing of coffee for generations. Recently, they’ve added a tourism aspect to the business to make it more viable.

Their story mirrors that of many farmers at other micro beneficios, or small coffee farms, across the region. However, these farming families now face a troubling chapter marked by the decline of traditional organic coffee farming. For the past few years, small farmers have contended with labor shortages, rising material costs, and expanding coffee cooperatives that set low rates. Not to mention more animate issues like beetles the size of poppy seeds that burrow into ripe coffee beans, potentially destroying entire harvests if not caught in time.

It’s a livelihood that doesn’t allow for much rest. As Porras Solís said, the coffee dictates when you must act and when you can rest.

Seeing this firsthand — hearing the challenges and tasting the difference between coffee grown organically and with pesticides — made for an eye-opening adventure in the Costa Rican cloud forest. One I wasn’t expecting, to be honest.

Now, as I scoop my coffee into the French press each morning, I think of Delfina, her mother Mayra, her family, and incredible organic coffee growers like Doña María and Rodrigo. These individuals have made a livelihood cultivating this magical fruit for the world to experience. For them, coffee represents life, community, and family. After exploring this region, my morning ritual holds a much deeper meaning, and every sip is accompanied by profound gratitude.

No one, not even the coffee-governing organizations, knows how much longer traditional organic coffee farming will remain viable. To help preserve these pesticide-free methods, families in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, especially in Santa María de Dota and Naranjo, are turning to rural tourism.

Traditional organic coffee farming is the heart and soul of Costa Rican coffee and has supported communities for over a century. By visiting, you can enjoy world-class coffee while supporting the conservation of these traditions and the communities that uphold them.

Getting to the Central Valley

Photo: Serge Goujon/Shutterstock

The Central Valley is one of the most accessible destinations in Costa Rica, as it surrounds the capital city of San José. Although it’s not commonly visited by tourists, due to the strong agricultural industry here, the roads are not as daunting as some areas of the country, priming the area for tourism.

Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport and add three or four days to your Costa Rica itinerary to explore this remarkable region that’s perfect for coffee lovers, foodies, birders, and adventure seekers alike. Then, you can continue to other Costa Rica favorites like Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Peninsula Papagayo, or Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica’s Blue Zone.

While you can rent a car and drive the region, hiring a local guide for the Central Valley will allow you access to more off-the-beaten-path farms and experiences. Some, like Christhian Ureñam, Co-owner of Peregrinus Expeditions, actually grow their own coffee for fun and share it with those they lead throughout the country.

Your coffee fix in Naranjo

Coffee farms to visit

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Café Arbar, a hidden gem in the hills of Naranjo, is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team, Don Carlos and Doña María Arrieta Barboza.

While their coffee is delicious, don’t leave without tasting the tea and wine. Both are produced with the husks of dried coffee cherries and are naturally sweetened with the mucilage, a fibrous honey layer surrounding the fruit. After the experience, I’m a coffee bean tea convert and prefer the lighter caffeinated alternative.

Tours are offered daily and cost approximately $40 per person, but they must be booked in advance. The easiest way to reserve is via your hotel, which will pair you with a bilingual guide. However, if you speak Spanish, you can message them via Instagram or email to reserve directly.

Photo: Sara Iannacone

For a facility that’s still locally owned but has larger production and a more commercial tour, visit Hacienda Espíritu Santo. Owned by a coffee cooperative in the area that produces coffee beans for big names like Starbucks, it offers five guided tours daily with bilingual guides for approximately $20 per person. It’s not typically crowded, so you can just walk in or call to reserve in advance if you want to be extra sure you’ll have a spot.

Try both tours to experience the difference between small- and large-scale production facilities.

Where to stay

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Chayote Lodge, a former coffee farm turned hotel in the heart of a Central Valley cloud forest, is the ultimate stay for coffee lovers. Each of the comfortable bungalows, dubbed Recibidor Suites, is modeled after Costa Rican recibidores, or coffee-receiving stations, which you’ll still see peppering the streets of the Central Valley if you look for them. These traditional structures were historically where small coffee farmers would bring their harvest to be processed at larger mills.

The bungalows’ walls are adorned with authentic burlap coffee sacks and recycled wood fixtures, while the private suspended decks offer views of coffee farms in the Central Valley and the imposing volcanoes.

The best part is falling asleep, listening to the rain showering on the tin roof, and watching the storm hover above San José in the distance. Rates start around $225 per night.

What to do

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Spend an afternoon coffee tasting with Erasmo Arrieta. Arrieta is a certified coffee connoisseur, owner of Ciencia del Sabor, and (you may have guessed it) cousin of Don Carlos Arrieta of Café Arbar. It comes as no surprise that coffee runs in the family, as you’ll find it usually does in this area of Costa Rica.

Arrieta has studied coffee around the globe and has a penchant for finding the highest quality coffee for brands worldwide. His team has a tasting room and travels for coffee experiences throughout the region.

He sets up the ultimate station for you to explore the art of cupping, aka professional coffee tasting. You learn to rate coffee by picking up the aromas, flavors, body, acidity, uniformity, balance, and more. Every aspect of the experience is based on standards set by the global trade association, Specialty Coffee Association, so you’re truly an expert by the end.

Your coffee fix in Santa María de Dota

Coffee farms to visit

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Alto El Vapor is a family-owned coffee farm pioneering rural tourism in Santa María de Dota, a community that depends 100 percent on coffee cultivation. Arriving at their home first thing in the morning, you’ll hop in the back of a truck and hitch a ride to the family’s farm. Those who fear heights may want to brace themselves, as the farm is one of the highest-altitude farms not only in Santa María de Dota but also Costa Rica at large.

Half-day tours are approximately $40 per person. They include a tour of the 6,500-foot-high farm and corresponding coffee processing facilities and a professional coffee tasting of the farm’s magnificent beans in the family’s home, culminating with a home-cooked, traditional Costa Rican lunch. If there’s one thing I’d say you can’t miss in the region, this is it. Experiences can be booked via Instagram DM.

You can visit a handful of other micro beneficios, including Los Eucaliptos and La Chumeca, within 20 minutes of Alto El Vapor.

Where to stay

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Designed to be a birder’s paradise, Paraiso Quetzal Lodge is also a prime jumping-off point for local coffee adventures. The estate offers basic private cabins starting at $125 per night and a large main lodge where you’ll feel miles away from civilization, up in the clouds with metallic hummingbirds flitting by constantly.

The property has a network of trails where you can stumble across a stunning waterfall and hundreds of local bird species. When planning your hike, consider the altitude and give yourself some time to climb back up. If you’re a sea-level dweller like me, you’ll want to take a few breaks as the lodge sits at over 8,500 feet in the heart of the Talamanca mountain range.

The lodge also offers a daily birding tour, which is where I saw my first majestic emerald quetzal. I seriously considered becoming a birder after witnessing such beauty. Even for non-birders, it really is a little slice of paradise.

The lodge’s meals were some of the best I had in Costa Rica, which is good because there aren’t many other dining options in the area. I indulged in local trout with passion fruit sauce, beef with mushroom sauce, and traditional breakfasts with plenty of gallo pinto (a Costa Rican rice dish that’s a breakfast staple) and sweet plantains.

One thing to note is that there is limited cell service, and the WiFi connection is spotty in some cabins, so be ready to go off-grid and reconnect at the lodge during the day.

If you want something a bit more upscale, try Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa or Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota nearby. It’s more of a drive to the coffee farms, but the town has easier access to adventure sports, birding and hiking, restaurants, and small shops.

What to do

Photo: Joshua ten Brink/Shutterstock

One unique foodie highlight you can’t miss in this fruitful region is a vineyard tour. It’s not coffee, but it’s a perfect pairing.

Copey Estate Winery is the first commercial winery in Costa Rica. It’s not only figured out how to grow grapes in a non-traditional region, but it’s also making magic with uchuvas, or golden berries.

The winery offers standard daily, family, and private tours, starting at $85 per person, including tax. You explore one of the vineyards and the golden berry plantation before tasting three wines, the golden berry liqueur, and the low-ABV sparkling beverage they make with the same berries.

The best time to visit the Central Valley

Photo: Sara Iannacone

The best time to visit Costa Rica to experience coffee culture is harvest season. The kicker, though, is that harvest season depends on the altitude of the crops.

For example, the best time to visit Alto El Vapor and Santa María de Dota is around February and March, whereas for Cafe Arbar in Naranjo, it’s December. Even if you can’t hit them all during the harvest, planning to visit around those months will drastically change the landscapes, with plump, red berries maturing on each tree.

I visited in July, and frankly, it wasn’t a great time for coffee tours. It was extra green due to the rainy season, which was beautiful, but this also made day trips unpredictable after 10 AM. A downpour is pretty much guaranteed every afternoon, and while that’s great for relaxing in the comfort of a bungalow, it’s not the best for trekking through coffee fields. Since many of these farms are off the beaten path, visiting during a downpour is not always safe or comfortable.

Plus, during this time of year, you won’t experience the essence of harvest season when entire Indigenous communities from around Central America come to the region to help locals hand-pick berries for processing. Every farmer told me the energy is palpable during that time of year. And since all coffee in Costa Rica is hand-picked, it’s an inevitably spirited season.

Pro tip: Pack boots no matter what season you go. It’s muddy out there, and my sneakers didn’t stand a chance.

How to support small local coffee farms

Photo: Sara Iannacone

One thing to remember as you’re planning your caffeinated adventure through the Central Valley is that much of the area is still new to tourism. While you can easily book coffee tours at places like Hacienda Doka or Starbucks’ first coffee farm, Hacienda Alsacia, with a quick click, I urge you to seek out small coffee farms in the local community, too.

You can search social media, ask the local chamber of commerce or tourism board, use regional tour companies, or contact Erasmo Arrieta via WhatsApp for an experience and suggestions.

Booking these local coffee experiences can often take more work, as communication is typically handled through WhatsApp or social media rather than a website or email. This approach is more manageable and cost-effective for the farms, as many are also out working in the fields daily.

However, the extra effort is truly worthwhile. It offers an authentic glimpse into the heart and soul of local coffee culture in Costa Rica, which is far beyond what more manufactured versions can provide and helps these communities preserve tradition and livelihoods.

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How to See Scotland’s Most Inaccessible Islands on a Small-Ship Cruise

St. Kilda is arguably Scotland’s most storied island destination. The archipelago, inhabited for 4,000 years and evacuated of its last 36 inhabitants in 1930, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the home of nearly one million seabirds, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin. While intriguing, the westernmost island in Scotland is, unsurprisingly, a hard place to reach. But it’s not impossible. St. Hilda Sea Adventures is one of a handful of Scottish small-ship cruise lines that can take you there.

Every year from April to October, St. Hilda Sea Adventures, a family-run business that started in 2006, takes travelers on cruises past the many islands of the Hebrides archipelago. The Hebrides, located off the west coast of Scotland, consist of the Inner Hebrides (the islands that are closest to the mainland), and the Outer Hebrides (farther from the mainland). Kilda belongs to the latter.

“St Kilda is on the bucket list for many of our guests,” says Julie, a director and manager of St Hilda Sea Adventures. “Its remoteness, its history, and its wildlife are a tremendous draw. That is why we have over 10 cruises to the archipelago every season.”

The cruise line’s most popular sailing, and the one that is best suited for first-timers in Scotland, is the Mull Odyssey Cruise that travels around the Inner Hebrides, including the islands of Staffa, Iona, and the Isle of Mull in six or eight nights.

Photo: St. Hilda Sea Adventures

“The cruise is incredibly varied. For example, we visit the puffin colony on Lunga, Iona Abbey, Fingal’s cave on Staffa, and the colorful town of Tobermory,” Julie explains. But the St Kilda and the Shiants voyage is a close second. The 10-night cruise is an island and wildlife-packed trip to isolated islands and bays where its easy to spot sea and golden eagles, many species of seabirds, basking sharks, orca and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals. For a deeper dive into local wildlife, St. Hilda Sea Adventures also organize guided wildlife cruises with wildlife experts on board.

Atlantic puffin and dolphins are some of the wildlife you can see during a Hebridean island cruises. Photo: St. Hilda Sea Adventures

St. Hilda Sea Adventures has four small ships. There’s the St. Hilda, a traditional, wooden ex-tall ship (a rigged sailing vessel) that can hold six passengers. There’s also the 11-passenger Seahorse II (an ex-Norwegian ferry), eight-passenger Gemini Explorer (an ex-cruising lifeboat), and the eight-passenger Spiederen (an ex-Norwegian rescue ship). “All four ships have been converted to cruise the western islands of Scotland in comfort and style,” Julie says.

Cruises to the Inner Hebrides vary from five to eight nights, while the 10-night longer cruises go to St. Kilda and the Outer Hebrides. Prices depend on whether you opt for a basic cabin or a full en-suite, ranging from about $246 per night on the St. Hilda to about $506 per night on the Speideren. Included in that are all meals (locally sourced food and specialty produce are the highlights), fruit, morning coffee, afternoon tea, and a pre-dinner aperitif and wine with dinner.

“The plan is for our guests to go ashore every day,” Julie says. “Aboard our vessels there is a folder with a list of things to do and places to visit. The crew are always very happy to help guests organize their time ashore, booking, for example, the visit of a garden or a whisky distillery. Also onboard are specialist books on local walks and Ordnance Survey maps to help guests plan their time ashore. The crew are able to suggest walks of various difficulty and length at every stop. On some cruises we include a tour. For example on The Outer Hebrides Wildlife Explorer: Lewis and Harris cruise, we include in the cost of the cruise a tour to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, a traditional crofters’ Blackhouse and a spectacular white sandy beach and turquoise ocean.”

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How to Embrace Scottish Wild Swimming

Chris Sifleet hates flat water. For the renowned British open-water swimmer, a good swim is one that takes place outside, preferably while battling the elements. And over the course of her 50 years of experience as a professional wild swimmer, she has had a fair share of excitement in the waters of Great Britain.

Beyond swimming across Torbay in Devon multiple times (four miles each way), Sifleet has swum the length of Windermere, England’s largest lake, and back (10.5 miles each way), as well as the length of Lake Bala, the largest natural lake in Wales (3.5 miles). She is also the first woman to have swum from Eddystone Lighthouse to Plymouth (14 miles), from Weymouth to Lulworth Cove and back (15 miles), and the first person to have ever swum from Mewstone Rock in Dartmouth to Torquay (12 miles). Her most impressive achievements, however, are her two crossings of the English Channel: She swam the arduous 21 miles once in 1976 in 14 hours and 56 minutes, and once more in 1979 in 20 hours and 15 minutes.

With that kind of experience, it’s only natural that Sifleet has become a professional open water swimming coach. Nowadays, she owns and runs Inchbaggers, a wild swimming coaching business located in Loch Lomond, Scotland (part of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Scotland’s first national park.) She shares her extensive knowledge with those who want to complete some of the most challenging swims in the world through Inchebaggers, but also with beginners who have little to no experience about wild swimming — and even nervous swimmers.

“It is a sport for all ages, all sizes, all levels of ability,” she explains in an email.

Loch Lomond, just one hour and 15 minutes by train from Glasgow, or 50 minutes by car, is an ideal spot for wild swimmers. There are about 20 islands of varying sizes in the loch, allowing swimmers to set ever-increasing goals in their long-distance swimming ambitions.

“I escort swimmers with a kayak or boat to swim anywhere from 200 meters [656 feet] around Swan Island, all the way up to across the loch [3.5 miles], and the whole length of the loch [21.6 miles],” she says. “I take so much joy in seeing swimmers achieve their aims. That great big smile at the end of a swim where they have had to work but have done more than they ever dreamed of doing.”

In short, if you want to embrace wild swimming in Scotland, Sifleet is your woman no matter your skill level or experience. I talked to her to get the lowdown on everything first-time wild swimmers need to know before they get in Scottish waters.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Matador Network: What advice do you give to people swimming in Scotland’s waters for the first time?

Chris Sifleet: Sign up for an introduction to open-water swimming course with a trained professional. The course should cover safety, equipment, where to swim, and give you an introductory swim. Scottish waters are cold and there are hidden currents. If you can’t find a course, then join a group. Never swim alone.

Introduction to open water swimming courses are available through Inchbaggers. Some dates are on the website, however, if no dates fit, I can be flexible around bookings. I also run a Sunday morning group at 9 AM at Luss Beach for £5 [$6].

What equipment and preparation do people need to start wild swimming in Scotland?

Swimming as a pair in Cullykhan Bay, Scotland. Photo: Discover Fraserburgh / Damian Shields

A bathing suit or a wetsuit (optional depending on time of year and water temperature), a silicon hat, goggles, and water shoes, but most importantly a tow float so they are seen in the water. There should be a whistle on the tow float. For getting out, have a dryrobe-type coat, changing robe, layers, socks, gloves, and hat. Don’t forget warm drinks and cake! Bring along a great sense of humor and adventurous spirit.

What are the potential dangers of wild swimming?

Hypothermia is a big danger, so are hidden currents, and sudden drops entering the water. Wild swimmers need to do a lot of research before going in the water. Always swim parallel to the shore and swim with a group or a more experienced swimmer. If in doubt, stay out! Never swim in thunder and lightning.

Cold water shock is a real thing. Never jump into cold water without acclimatising first. It can bring in a cardiac episode.

The symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, feeling confused or feeling sleepy, and feeling very cozy in the water. The remedy is to get out and get warm as soon as possible. However, swimmers shouldn’t get to that stage.

What is your advice on entering cold water? Do you have a strategy to get in more easily?

The best thing to do is to join a group or get specific lessons — there is confidence in experienced swimmers. Get in the water slowly — don’t jump in! Breathe deeply and control your breathing. Enter steadily and get swimming right away. Keep moving. If you swim head-up breaststroke, you can chat and keep swimming!

When should swimmers use a wetsuit?

Wild Swimmers in Cullykhan bay, Scotland. Discover Fraserburgh / Damian Shields

It depends on body composition — some people get cold quicker than others. However, when the water temperature is in the single figures, a wetsuit should be considered. The wetsuit, if possible, should be stroke specific; for example you’ll need a wetsuit with less buoyancy in the legs for breaststroke.

What are some safe and scenic spots for first-time wild swimmers in Scotland?

Luss beach at Loch Lomond, which is a long beach gently shelving, Milarrochy Bay at Loch Lomond, which is a pebbly beach gently shelving, but also the rocky beach at Ben Lomond car park for great views (but not so great for midges). Farther north, you have the beautiful beach at Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park.

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How to Go Wildlife Spotting for the Real Creatures of Loch Ness

Loch Ness, a ribbon of inky water snaking through the rugged Scottish Highlands, beckons not just with whispers of mythical beasts, but with a vibrant tapestry of wildlife. Here, red deer graze on heather-clad slopes and otters play in the cool-water depths.

There may or may not be a monster down there, but one thing is for certain: There’s a whole lot of wildlife in, on, and around Loch Ness. Here’s how to spot it.

How to spot wildlife around Loch Ness

Photo: MarekXcz/Shutterstock

Steven Duncan, senior north regions sectors marketing manager at Visit Scotland, is among the people who know the real story about this ancient loch and its fascinating, if elusive, creatures. The first step in your Loch Ness wildlife-spotting road trip is to compile a list of animals to look for.

“There’s a huge variety of wildlife to spot in and around Loch Ness, such as the majestic red deer, golden eagles, red squirrels, ospreys and ptarmigan,” Duncan says. “It’s also possible to spot pine martens and otters in the area.”

Loch Ness is 22.56 miles in length, but just over 1.5 miles in width in most spots. If coming from the bigger cities down south, you’ll likely head up highway A9 to Inverness, the main entry point to visiting Loch Ness. It may be worth a detour down the A86 to the A82, according to Duncan, because South Loch Ness provides better habitat for wildlife.

“South Loch Ness is perhaps a wilder but more tranquil spot for wildlife watching and the area has a rich and varied birdlife,” Duncan says. “Loch Ruthven RSPB Reserve is a great location for seeing the Slavonian Grebe, one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds. In the UK, they only breed around Inverness, so it makes Loch Ruthven a very special wildlife watching spot.”

In particular, plan to spend some time at Loch Ruthven RSPB Reserve, a major nature reserve near Inverness — especially if you’re into bright, fluttering animals.

“Farigaig Forest and Inverfarigaig are great places to keep an eye out for red squirrels and red deer, with the stunning Falls of Foyers close by, and Loch Bran is one of Scotland’s top locations to see dragonflies and damselflies,” says Duncan.

Spotting wildlife from lake to coast

Photo: Stock1987/Shutterstock

Once you’ve settled into Inverness, set your eyes to the northeast. Here, you can spot the world’s northernmost population of bottlenose dolphins, and do so from a guided tour that (hopefully) takes you right to them. By touring with a local guide, you can avoid having to guess where the animals might be and instead rely upon the expertise of someone who quite literally tracks the dolphins for a living.

“Slightly farther afield at Chanonry Point on the Black Isle, you can search for the bottlenose dolphin, where around 200 reside in the Moray Firth,” Duncan says. “A guided tour is a great way to enjoy wildlife spotting and there are many companies offering this service, including Dolphin Spirit with boat trips departing from Inverness Marina.”

Touring with a reputable outfitter also ensures your trip won’t cause harm to the local wildlife or otherwise negatively impact the destination.

“Wild Scotland, a membership organization representing wildlife, adventure and activity tourism operators across Scotland, requires its members to commit to its Wild Scotland Best Practice guidelines and code of conduct as part of a commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism,” Duncan says.

When to visit Loch Ness for optimal wildlife viewing

Photo: Christopher Chambers/Shutterstock

Duncan recommends visiting in the latter half of the year for the best chances at spotting wildlife around Loch Ness.

“Spotting wildlife at any time of year is never guaranteed, so selecting the best time of year depends on what you would be hoping to see based on the seasonal changes in the area,” he says. “The autumn and winter months are a particularly unique time of year to visit thanks to the rich autumn colors and crisp winter days. Autumn is the season of roaring stags, hunting eagles, and rare migrant birds. Red squirrels can be spotted harvesting their nuts for the winter and fluffy gray seal pups bask in the sunshine by Kessock Bridge in Inverness.”

Beyond spotting wildlife, Duncan notes that autumn is also a great time of year for stargazing. Northern Scotland is largely rural and free of light pollution, and once the summer rains have moved on the skies open up to the wonders of the cosmos.

“Scotland’s dark skies burst to life and limited light pollution in the high moors above Loch Ness makes this an excellent spot for stargazing,” he says.

How long to spend visiting the Loch Ness area

Photo: Chris Hoff/Shutterstock

As is the case with the rest of Scotland, slow travel is the best way to enjoy wildlife watching around Loch Ness. Duncan recommends at least three to five days, and longer if you can.

“The longer you have here, the more you will be able to immerse yourself into the local way of life, discover hidden gems, and spend quality time searching for wildlife,” Duncan says. “Loch Ness has so much to offer, from exploring the Loch Ness 360° Trail by foot or on two wheels and taking in loch views from the Suidhe Viewpoint, the highest point on the trail, to discovering waterfalls like Plodda Falls, which is especially powerful after an autumn downpour.”

If you have time, Duncan recommends rounding out your Loch Ness trip by exploring the ancient mysteries of the region at locations like Corrimony Chambered Cairn. And of course, no matter when you’re in the area, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the monster herself.

“In amongst all the wildlife spotting and outdoor adventures, there’s always an elusive monster to keep track of,” Duncan says.

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The 9 Best Outdoor Sunglasses for Summer Adventures

Going outside without a proper pair of shades is like hitting the trail without proper footwear. A good experience depends on your ability to see what’s in front of you, and when it comes to sunglasses, the best are built for an active lifestyle. Your sunglasses need to prevent light flares and minimize eye strain, which will reduce eye fatigue that can lead to headaches after long days in the sun.

These five pairs of unisex sunglasses we’ve recommended below will help protect your eyes (and look good while doing it) during your favorite outdoor pursuits. Oh, and they’re all eco-friendly or come from carbon-neutral brands, so you can feel good about your purchases.

We hope you love the sunglasses we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to buy anything. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Best sunglasses for improved vision outdoors: Bajio Hopedale ReadersPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto courtesy of Tim Wenger

I stare at a computer screen all day for work, and I believe that 14 years of doing so has hastened the progression of my farsightedness. Not severely, but noticeably, particularly when I’m working on tasks outdoors that require the use of my hands. Bajio makes sunglasses for fishing and on-water life, and though that’s not what I most commonly use them for, I’ve found an equally compelling use case: outdoor tasks that require intense focus while exposed to overbearingly bright sunlight. Case in point, last weekend I assembled a foldable kayak on my porch. It was bright and hot outside, and I needed to not only read instructions but be able to complete manual tasks with my hands in a precision manner. When doing such things, I often find myself leaning in so close to the task at hand that I could bump my head on it, but with the Bajio Hopedale Readers, I could sit at a comfortable distance.

The oval-shaped portion of the lens in the bottom-right corner magnifies what’s in front of you, in my case 1.5x. This allowed me to more easily read in bright sunlight as well as put the kayak together. I was better able to focus my eyes on small points a couple feet in front of me when looking into the magnified lens, without sacrificing hand-eye coordination. I’ve also used these sunglasses when working on a bike outside, in this case a task that included the use of a screwdriver and other casual tools. Moving my eyes between the standard lens and the magnified area is nearly seamless, with less than a second needed for my eyes to transition. I tend to lift my head up slightly when using the magnifiers because I’ve found that looking down ever so much provides a broader scope of vision.

The Hopedale Readers fit well across my ears and on my nose with an ergo rubber nose pad. I also appreciate the barrel hinges in particular, as I seem to have a wide head that stretches many pairs of sunglasses. These shades fit my head well, as the hinge allows the arms to stretch out wider than any other pair of sunglasses I’ve owned. For an active guy like me, this greatly improves their lifespan, as the main reason I go through sunglasses quite quickly (other than losing them) is that I break off one of the arms. That isn’t a worry with the Hopedale Readers.

I also love how the rubber nose pads rest on my nose without getting greasy as I sweat. I’ve worn these shades for hours at a time while working outdoors, hiking or biking, or being near to/on the water and they’ve never become uncomfortable either on the nose or the ears. Additionally, I wear a hat most of the time, and have had issues with certain pairs of shades being uncomfortable under a hat, but that’s never been the case with the Hopedale Readers.

Since acquiring the Bajio Hopedale Readers about three months ago, they’ve become my daily driver. I keep them in my key bowl next to the front door and grab them each time I leave the house.  At $229, they’re not cheap, but the dual functionality of magnified vision and the flexible arms means they’re significantly more durable and productive than budget pairs — which means buying fewer pairs over time.

Sustainability

Bajio uses bio-based frames and plastic-free shipping, it’s two most noticeable eco-friendly efforts. The brand’s stated mission is to protect the world’s saltwater flats, known as bajios, and to that end also works with a local producer in Florida to provide cactus leather cases for its sunglasses. The brand’s Italian factory is solar powered and its fleet is comprised of electric vehicles for local factory business. The factory also uses heat pumps, a big step in reducing emissions used for heating and cooling buildings.

Price: $229

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Best sunglasses for travel and everyday use: Roka Rory 2.0Photo: Tim WengerPhoto courtesy of Roka

Admit it: Part of the appeal of a new pair of sunglasses is how you feel when wearing them. I’ve never felt cooler than when wearing a pair of Roka Rory 2.0 shades. I opted for the Matte Black frame with Dark Carbon lenses and found that the sunglasses matched everything in my wardrobe — be that a comfortable outfit for a travel day, a functional setup for tackling a peak, or a t-shirt and hat for happy hour. The polarized shades are light on the nose and ears and never feel uncomfortable under a hat.

The 12 percent light transmission means I can take them on golden hour hikes in the high desert where I live, where sunlight reflects off the shale rock faces to the point of torture at times, without the worry of glare puncturing the lens. Furthermore, the carrying case actually fits comfortably into a small backpack pocket without being bulky or awkward.

As shown in the photo gallery above, I have a young daughter who I frequently load into an Osprey carrier pack and lug along on hikes. She has a tendency to smack my head repeatedly on these hikes, giggling like a possessed clown all the while, and once managed to yank the Roka shades off my head. She proceeded to toss them onto the side of the trail. I credit the lightweight frame and flexibility of the temples for the lack of even a small marking anywhere on the shades after this tumble, and this durability has resulted in the Roka Rory 2.0 shades gaining status as my go-to sunglasses for daily use.

What’s more, Roka specializes in prescription sunglasses. You can submit your prescription when ordering and the company will ship with lenses matching your exact specifications — promptly ending the days of sacrificing both style and functionality for the sake of simply being able to see.

Sustainability

The brand doesn’t boast of green efforts, but the simple fact that you can own one pair of sunglasses that will last for years and match your prescription is an excellent way to cut down on overuse.

Price: $220

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Best overall outdoor sunglasses: Anon AdvocatePhoto: BurtonPhoto: Alisha WengerPhoto: Burton

I rarely feel like I look very good when I return to the parking lot sweaty and panting after a full day of spring splitboarding or backcountry skiing. That changed this spring with the arrival of the Anon Advocate sunglasses. Designed for active mountain adventurers who value style, quality, and performance, these outdoor sunglasses are expensive but worth the cost if you can swing it.

As far as I’m concerned, the Advocate is the best improvement on activewear shades since SPY Optics shifted the market in 1994. The round eyepiece fits well underneath a hat or helmet, the slight curve of the lenses reflects sunlight from three different angles (which spares your eyes), and the side shields reduce reflection from snow or water on the ground around you. They’re also comfortable to wear: the frame widens just enough around the nose to sit comfortably on your face and stay there, helped by a curved temple tips that hug the ears.

I started using the Advocates this year for backcountry touring, in large part because of how easy they are to wear under a beanie and helmet. Admittedly, with the rounded and larger-than-average lenses, I felt a bit like Val Kilmer in “Wonderland” when I first put them on. But I got over that by the top of the first ascent and now they’re my go-to outdoor sunglasses.

The large frame size and high-performance Perceived Polarization do a great job of controlling bright white light (the type of light reflected off snow). And the unisex design means you can buy yourself or your significant other a pair, and either can be jealous of the person wearing them (or steal them).

I finally have a pair of outdoor sunglasses I want to wear both on the mountain and on the brewery patio afterward. The Advocate is almost too stylish for a brand that largely targets snowboarders, but I’m not complaining. My style has needed a swift kick for some years now, and these shades will play an ample role in making that happen.

Sustainability

Burton, Anon’s parent company, is the role model for how a major snowboarding brand can embrace sustainable business practices. The company aims to be climate positive by 2025 and is actively working to reduce emissions from its supply chain and power all of its facilities with renewable energy.

Price: $229.99

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Best sunglasses for cycling active movement: Ombraz Armless Classic RegularPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: OmbrazPhoto: Suzie Dundas

Ombraz went back to the drawing board to create a pair of shades that won’t fall off your head when you’re constantly on the go. The Classic Regular sunglasses ditch the traditional temples for a polyester strap that tightens to fit around the head. The armless design prevents helmets or hats from pushing on the armband, and it also keeps the shades on your noggin while in motion. This makes them great for travel days as well as activities like cycling, where you need the shades to hug your face tightly and not slip or slide.

I keep my pair of Ombraz in my mountain biking pack so that I always have them with me when I head out to the trail. They store easily in your pocket or backpack without creating a lump. The strap loosens to allow you to wear them around your neck while not in use — a huge plus if you’re like me and are constantly “forgetting” where you put your sunglasses. As a bonus, the lenses are perfectly polarized and the Classic Regulars look good on both women and men.

The Classic Regulars do take a bit of getting used to. For starters, you can’t rest them on top of your head because there’s no side support, and you need two hands to tighten and loosen the strap each time you put them on — though this takes just a second and the secure fit is worth the effort.

My immediate reaction to them wasn’t overtly positive, but the more I used them, the more I got used to the routine. I took them with me on a week-long trip to sunny Mexico and wore them either on my eyes or around my neck the entire time. I was concerned  I’d look ridiculous wearing shades without temples, but my wife confirmed that was a non-issue and thought they looked “distinctive.” And another huge bonus? They’re nearly impossible to break, which is ideal if you’ve ever sat on a pair of sunglasses.

Sustainability

Ombraz is a 1% for the Planet member and is Carbon Neutral Certified.

Price: $150

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Best sunglasses for the beach and on-water activities: COSTA WaterWoman II Polarized Sunglasses and Del Mar Polarized SunglassesPhoto: CostaPhoto: REI

Being on the water can be extra-taxing on your eyes as they have to constantly readjust between sunlight coming from above and reflections from the surface. COSTA addresses this by polarizing its sunglasses specifically for beach conditions, and it’s noticeable. I prefer to wear COSTA Del Mar shades on river trips and beach days and have noticed I can look at the water and the area directly above it more clearly and with less strain.

The Hydrolite nose stays firmly in place even on choppy water, and with 10 percent light transmission and 100 percent UV protection,  I can capture the scene around me without burning my eyeballs or lids. The lenses are specifically designed to filter yellow light, making them ideal for coastal areas. I found them comfortable and easy to conform to my big noggin thanks to the customizable core wire.

COSTA sunglasses are some of the coolest-looking shades you can buy, and while they aren’t cheap, they’ll last you for several seasons and can go with just about anything you wear. The shades have gained a dedicated following among anglers due to the enhanced color patterns allowed by the polarization of the glass lenses – it’s easier to spy into the water with improved contrast, and if there’s one thing COSTA excels at above other brands, it’s in designing lenses with strong contrast.

If your time is spent on the sea, the river, or the lake, COSTA’s WaterWoman II and Del Mar are your go-to shades.

Sustainability

The COSTA Kick Plastic initiative means the brand uses BioResin (naturally derived) rather than plastic-based resin as the base material for their shades.

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Best outdoor sunglasses for hiking and light mountaineering: Smith LowdownPhoto: Smith Optics/Vimeo ScreengrabPhoto: Smith OpticsPhoto: Suzie Dundas

A good hike includes great views. Smith’s Lowdown Split sunglasses are perfect for alpine vistas and seaside overlooks because the wraparound ear frame stays put no matter where your head moves. I’ve worn Lowdowns on dozens of hikes and appreciate their comfort and simplicity. Matador’s outdoor editor also likes the Lowdown (though she uses the non-split, with a full frame around the lens) for hiking because of its excellent ability to filter light and reduce contrast in sunny, heavily wooded areas.

The ChromaPop polarized lenses curve around my eyes almost perfectly, preventing the sun from sneaking in no matter which direction I’m walking – even at sunset. Crossing large scree fields (piles of small-to-medium-sized jagged rocks) means hikers sometimes have to bend over and use their hands to stabilize themselves, which can cause sunglasses to fall off your face and directly into a pile of jagged rocks. But I find that the Lowdown Split shades remain firmly tucked around my ears even when I’m contorted to near-horizontal postures to move across challenging sections of trail.

Another aspect I love about these shades are the silicone nose pads, which prevent grease from building up on your nose and keep the shades comfortable even if you’re out on the trail all day long. The shades look good on both men and women and come in a variety of colors and options ranging from dark to light. You can also choose a lens color that matches your trail style.

Sustainability

Lowdown frames are built with a bio-based resin and with stainless steel temples, rather than plastic.

Price: $189

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Best affordable outdoor sunglasses: Sunski Puerto Polarized SunglassesPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: REI

Sunski is an anomaly among outdoor sunglasses manufacturers. Rather than continually pushing up its prices, the brand keeps shades around $50 per pair. Somehow, it manages to hold onto quality and performance at that price point. I’ve had a pair of Sunski Puertos for over a year now and love them for daily use. The shades are comfortable and polarized, reducing glare and the skin-harming squinting that comes with it.

I take my Puertos with me on road trips because their performance is dependable for just about any activity I might get into. And let’s be honest — items tend to turn up missing on the road, and while losing a $50 pair of shades stings, it stings much less than losing a $200 pair. The Puertos look good on both men and women, and their vibe is versatile enough to wear to summer weddings or outdoor brunches.

Sustainability

The SuperLight frames are built from “scrap plastic” — plastic that would otherwise end up in the trash.

Price: $48

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Best sunglasses for bike-commuting: Tifosi SanctumPhoto courtesy TifosiPhoto courtesy Tifosi

When riding a bike on the side of the road, or anywhere really, you want a full scope of vision. The same is true for most outdoor adventures, but I’ve found it particularly pressing when riding my e-bike into work and elsewhere where I need to keep an eye out for cars, pedestrians, and other bikers. I’ve long been on the hunt for the right pair of sunglasses for this activity, as most have vision that slightly restricts when you turn your head sharply to the right or left due to the frames cutting into the field of vision. Tifosi addressed this issue with its Sanctum sunglasses, which remove the sight-blocking piece of the frame that runs down the middle of the glasses. In essence, the glasses are comprised of one large frame.

The experience of wearing these while commuting by bike is comparable to riding in a car with a large windshield and an extra-large sunroof — like a Tesla or the Chevy Bolt EUV with the double-sunroof — where you are struck immediately by how much your eyes are taking in. Tifosi dubbed it the Thrive Frame, and since acquiring a pair early in 2024, I never pedal off without them. The shades come in a variety of colors to match your cycling setup, like Crystal Red Fade and Aqua Shimmer. I went with Blackout, as I tend to wear a lot of black.

Polycarbonate lenses on the Sanctum shades are shatterproof and scratch-resistant. With Hydrophilic nose pieces that provide a no-slip grip, the brand claims that the more you perspire, the more they grip — and after two months of use, I concur. Tifosi also got the price right — at only $34.95, you don’t have to break the bank to set yourself up for success on this summer’s commutes.

Price: $34.95

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Best sunglasses for apres-ski: Timberland Matte BlackPhoto: Tim WengerPhoto: Tim Wenger

When hanging out on the patio after a spring day on the slopes, I like a pair of shades with big lenses and black frames reflect the sun. I’ve owned multiple pairs of Timberland sunglasses over the years, and the Matte Black shades have been my go-to this winter for days on the mountain. They’re lightweight and flexible, so you can case them in your backpack while on the hill.

The shades look cool and tend to match most of my ski gear without any extra effort. The polarized lenses reflect bright light even when the ground is bright white. I also appreciate how easy the temples curve around my ears — I’ve worn these on the mountain with my helmet on twice when my goggles fogged up, and they never felt like they were about to fog up. As the photo gallery above shows, I took these with me on a Polaris trip in the Turkish backcountry this winter, and was glad I had them because the sun reflected incredibly brightly off open fields of snow. Now that spring is here, I’ve worn them on a couple hikes, as well.

Sustainability

Timberland’s Matte Black shades are made of 65 percent bio-based plastic as part of its Earthkeepers line. The brand is a leader in creating bio-based shades, which makes it easy to feel good about grabbing a pair to keep with your ski gear.

Price: $73.21

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An Impulsive Trip Abroad and Impromptu Concert Resulted Into a 15-Year Romance

Non-flying vehicles have always been my favorite mode of transportation. Not only because I used to have debilitating fear of flying, but also because I am a chatty, curious kind of person and I tend to befriend lots of people when I travel the slow, old-fashioned way. I met my first serious boyfriend on a long train journey and my current partner of 15 years on a 20-hour ferry ride. Public transport really does it for me, apparently.

After purchasing concert tickets from a scalper in 2009 (left). On vacations in the Mediterranean in May 2024 (right). Photos: Jesse Adams

While Jesse and I did meet on an Irish Ferry ship traveling between Ireland, and France, this is not where we started our relationship. After that first encounter, we met once in France, my home country, and then chatted for months online — still as nothing more than friends. The odds of meeting again were slim: Jesse was traveling around Europe on a Eurail Pass and I was completing my Masters Degree in Dublin, but apparently, the old saying is true: When there’s a will, there’s a way. I don’t remember which of the two of us took the leap and said we should see each other again, but in a matter of minutes we decided to meet in Scotland in a week’s time. I had a long break from college and he had three weeks left before his return to North America via England — it was now or never. Some of my friends like to say this was an international booty call, but I have a more romantic vision of things.

In June 2009, three months after the auspicious ferry ride, we met at a hostel in Glasgow, where, I’d like to make clear, we had separate rooms. Beyond the two nights we had booked at the Glasgow Youth Hostel, we had no other plans. We were going to play it by ear. After all, once we spent time alone, what if we did not really like each other that much? We shouldn’t have worried, however. We shared our first kiss two days after our arrival, and from then on decided to make the most of the little time we had by traveling around the UK.

During our meanderings, we got to know each other fast. What we liked and disliked, our families, our plans for the future, our past relationships. On our tour of Glasgow, when stopped at a record store called Monorail Music, I learned that he collected records and loved every kind of music under the sun. In return, he learned that I knew nothing about bands and genres — except for Oasis, the rock band that I listened to throughout all my teenage years. He’d never heard of it but, in an effort to know more about me, he picked up two second-hand Oasis CDs that day.

Life can have a very clear way to let you know you’re on the right path and for Jesse and I, the unequivocal sign was inside a free newspaper.

Only a few days after our visit to Monorail Music, at a café in Edinburgh, Jesse picked up a copy of a paper that was left on a nearby seat. In it, a one-page insert advertized the Oasis Summer Tour 2009, including a concert at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium that was to take place that very night.

Even though he knew nothing of the band, Jesse could not fathom us defying fate so brazenly. The concert was fully booked, but nothing was going to get in our way.

A few hours before the show was to start, we hung around Murrayfield Stadium with hordes of fans getting drunk on two-litter plastic bottles of Strongbow, in the hopes of finding a scalper. A little bargaining and £90 ($115) later, we were in.

Oasis performing at Murrayfield Stadium in 2009. Photo: Jesse AdamsPhoto: Jesse AdamsPhotos: Jesse Adams

That night, after Jesse discouraged me from leaving my seat to join the madness in the pit, I sang the band’s hits alongside the crowd of 60,000 and he listened. We held hands and watched while Noel Gallagher sang “Don’t look back in Anger” and his brother Liam, ever the showman, gave it all on “Rock ‘N’ Roll Star.” When we looked at each other at the end of the concert, we both knew we’d sealed the deal somehow. This was the beginning of something special.

Spontaneity and our willingness to take a chance is what started our now 15-year-old relationship and it’s what allowed it to flourish. While I said no to following him to North America right away after our travels around the UK, just a few weeks after Jesse went back home and I settled back in Dublin, I applied for a job and a Canadian work visa, both of hich I got almost instantly. In September, after I completed my thesis, I flew to Canada and started my new life.

As luck would have it, Oasis’ Murrayfield Stadium concert in June 2009, is one of the very last shows the band did. In August of that year, the band broke up permanently and they have never played together since then. For Jesse and I, however, it was only the start. 15 years later, we’re still going strong.

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Waikīkī Fights to Keep Beaches Public; Threatens $5K Fine to Luxe Hotels

With roughly a dozen beachfront resorts on Waikīkī Beach in Hawaiʻi offering perks like sun umbrellas, beachfront mai tai service, and cushy lounge chairs, it’d be easy to think those spaces are only for hotel guests.

But when it comes to Waikīkī Beach on O‘ahu, as well as any beach in the state of Hawaiʻi, there’s no such thing as a private beach. All beaches from the water up to the high tide line are open to the public, even though resorts may make it look like the stretch in front of their resorts are for guests only. That can lead to public beachgoers having trouble finding a space to sit for the day, assuming they’re not allowed to relax in the sand in front of resort hotels.

But Hawaiʻi is stepping in to ensure beaches are for everyone, and making the public have just as much right to sandy space as anyone else. On August 2, 2024, the state’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) within the Department of Land and Natural Resources issued cease-and-desist letters to four Waikīkī oceanfront resorts and five Waikīkī Beach activity operators.

DOBOR delivered cease-and-desist letters in person to resorts and operators for which it had photo evidence of violations. Photo: Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources

The letters warned the hotels and businesses that they were violating a law against “pre-setting” beach supplies. Essentially, it means businesses aren’t allowed to set up beach items like chairs and umbrellas in the morning. While that’s certainly easier from a staffing perspective, the law alleges that it effectively takes space away from public beach-goers and makes it seem like the section of beach in front of that resort is just for resort guests. Instead, hotels and rental companies are supposed to only set up items like chairs and umbrellas when a guest want to use them, and should remove them from the beach when the customer leaves.

A photo showing pre-set chairs taken by the state’s DOBOR in July 2024. Photo: Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources

In July of 2023, DOBOR sent notices to many properties on Waikīkī Beach to inform them of the law. The nine properties that just received the formal cease-and-desist letters were observed disregarding that instruction during site visits between July 2023 and July 2024. The DOBOR release includes photo and video evidence of violations at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Moana Surfrider Hotel, the Outrigger Waikīkī Hotel, and the Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort. The five activity operators that received similar letters include Waikīkī Beach Services at the Royal, Waikīkī Beach Beachboys at the Sheraton Waikīkī, Faith Hawaiʻi Surf School, Aloha Beach Services, and Aqualani.

The cease-and-desist letters were delivered in person, and while it may seem contentious, no penalties or fines have been issued to any businesses. If DOBOR did decide to penalize businesses, fines range from $5,000 for the first offense to $15,000 for three or more offenses, plus the potential to rescind the properties’ beach or event permits.

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5 Places You Can Bike to Stay Cool and Enjoy Summer in New York

This summer has been one of the hottest on record, with New York City facing recurring heat waves that fry the pavement and make many second-guess even their plans to hit the beach. NYC subway stations can reach up to 98 degrees – making it difficult to find an escape. Fortunately, there’s more to the city than the burning-hot concrete jungle – and all you need to reach them is a bike. If you’re in New York this summer, check out these new ways to get around and stay cool.

I got the new 4130 Road Bob Marley Bike from State Bicycle Co. to keep up with summer vibes. It is one of the smoothest and fastest bikes I’ve enjoyed riding, and the price point ($599) makes it far more affordable than high-end commuter bikes without having to sacrifice quality. Having the wind and sun on my face instead of sweating on a 98-degree platform was a more enjoyable and proactive way of traveling – with the bonus of getting tan and working out while I commute. In New York, with its unexpected hills, I find it easier to get around switching gears with this eight-speed bike rather than the single-speeds I see so often. It also feels tight to bike around with chrome wheels and a hemp saddle.

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4130 Road Bob Marley Bike. Photo: Alex Halky4130 Road Bob Marley Bike. Photo: Alex HalkyBring your bike onto the Wall Street Ferry to Rockaway Beach

The first place I biked to was the Wall Street Ferry, which allows bikes, and I took the ferry to Rockaway Beach. Having the ease of walking the bike on the ferry and knowing I have an alternate route back beside the subway, which on the weekends can have delays, was a relief. The bike 4130 Road bike is nice a light, though, if I need to carry it on. The ferry was great, with the breeze of the ocean and the added benefit of the ability to purchase drinks on board. Rockaway Beach is a 5.5-mile boardwalk with a great bike trail, as well. There are pickleball courts and lots of different food bites. Bringing my bike out makes it easier to pick less crowded spots to jump in the ocean. Cruising the boardwalk on my bike, I got compliments on the chrome wheels, which really shined in the sunlight.

Cruise stress-free through Governors Island

Photo: quiggyt4/Shutterstock

Governors Island is another great place I love to bike. It offers seven miles of car-free biking with incredible views of the city. There are many food trucks and places to get delicious drinks and ice cream. Not to mention, there is QC NY Spa in case you want to enjoy a nice spa day and enjoy the pools with skyline views. There is also an Urban Farm that offers tours. This summer, until September 2nd, there are even sheep you can visit from Friends of Tivoli Lake Pre­serve and Farm in Albany. There are also delightful hammocks that I used to lay back and relax while enjoying the island. As well as an amazing exhibit by artist Jenny Kendler called Other of Pearl. It is a powerful exhibit that con­fronts cli­mate change,chem­i­cal pol­lu­tion, and other con­tem­po­rary envi­ron­men­tal issues . It was beautiful and really made me think about sustainability and how I strive to live more sustainably. Happily, I’ve got a good start with my bike and its saddle made from eco-friendly hemp.

Cruise through Riverside Park

Riverbank Park. Photo courtesy New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Riverbank State Park Outdoor Pool has a 25-yard lap pool with an adjacent wading pool. It also has a roller skating rink, tennis court, and carousel. The area offers great views of the Hudson River, which provides epic sunsets. There are many great bites in the area, but my favorite summertime spot is The Baylander, a Vietnam-era warship converted into an outdoor, airy food and drink spot. I enjoyed some fish tacos and a steel beach margarita while watching the sunset.

Get a new view in Central Park

Photo: Mr. Ned Klezmer/Shutterstock

Central Park has a 7-mile loop that is great for biking in the shade, though there are many hills, I put the eight-speed gears to the test and had a smooth ride. Unfortunately, the outdoor pool is closed this summer, but there is still tons of shade to enjoy a lovely picnic. There are also the 40 acres of North Woods, a forest in the middle of Manhattan with a long, narrow watercourse called the Loch, known for its three waterfalls. It is one of the most peaceful spots in the city. Soaring trees block out the surrounding cityscape, and the sounds of small waterfalls might make you forget that you’re in the city. It is also a great spot for birdwatching. SummerStage also has great free outdoor concerts, which is great for any music fan.

Hit Smorgasburg at Prospect Park

Photo: lazyllama/Shutterstock

Prospect Park has a great 3-mile bike loop. Each Sunday on Breeze Hill is Smorgasburg, an open-air food market with some of the best culinary bites in NYC. Another great picnic spot with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn outdoor music, concerts, and movies. There’s also the Splash Pad, the park’s largest water play feature at the LeFrak Center at the Lakeside, and free Yoga classes on the Long Meadow every Thursday from 7 PM to 8 PM.

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Spirit Airlines’ New Flight Bundles: Free Drinks, Checked Bags, and Luxe Perks

Spirit Airlines is probably the US’s most well-known budget airline, but it just introduced a big change that will allows customers who want it to have a more luxurious flying experience.

Currently, Spirit has standard seats, premium seats, and “Big Front Seats;” the latter are akin to business class on most other airlines. But starting on August 27 (and bookable starting on August 16), flyers will have to choose one of four Spirit Airlines bundles, rather than just booking a ticket. The airline plans to offer four tiers, three of which will have premium amenities not usually associated with the budget airline.

The four new package options include “Go Big,” “Go Comfy,” “Go Savvy,” and just plain “Go.”

The “Big Front Seat” is the most luxurious option on Spirit flights. Photo: Spirit Airlines

Go Big is the highest and most expensive service tier, and will include snacks and alcoholic drinks, priority check-in and boarding, free Wi-Fi, and both a checked bag and a carry-on bag. Buyers also get to choose a “Big Front Seat,” the widest and most well-spaced seats, with two per row, rather than three. Go Comfy includes a standard seat with a guaranteed middle seat empty, a carry-on and checked bag, and priority boarding.

The lowest two tiers are Go Savvy, which includes seat selection and either a checked or carry-on bag, and Go, which includes absolutely nothing other than the seat — but travelers can pay extra for seat selection, Wi-Fi, and more. The airline also announced it’ll be switching to five boarding groups, rather than the current four, to accommodate the new classes of service.

 

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The announcement noted that the changing in buying models was spurred by guest demand, though it could be financially motivated, too. In the second quarter of 2024, Spirit reported a second consecutive quarter of losses, writing “significant industry capacity increases together with ancillary pricing changes in the competitive environment have made it difficult to increase yields, resulting in disappointing revenue results for the second quarter of 2024.” Translated in non-rose-colored terms, it means the airline hasn’t been able to compete with other airlines, resulting in a net loss of $191 million.

One question that wasn’t addressed in the announcement was whether flyers will be able to buy a Big Front Seat without selecting the most expensive Spirit Airlines bundle. And while the release announced that the new tiers will “provide unparalleled value,” it hasn’t yet announced the cost of each tier, so it’s possible they will almost exactly parallel the value of similar offerings from other airlines. As of early August of 2024, booking a Big Front Seat cost anywhere from $12 to $900 extra (the longer the flight, the higher the cost), and checked and carry-on bags can be between $50 and $100 per bag.

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