About S3
The spirit of S3 Adventures is deeply rooted in my childhood memories, thanks in part to my Grandpa Hank, a man known for his resourcefulness and unknowingly as an instigator of dreams. Grandpa Hank, renowned for his frugality, would stretch every penny. I remember him cutting drinking straws into thirds when we were kids, even washing them for reuse. Conversely, he would never forgo his subscription to National Geographic Magazine, which by all means was a lot more expensive. During my frequent visits to my grandparents, I would pore over those magazines, captivated by the vivid images of far-off lands and the adventures they promised.
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The allure of those distant places stirred my curiosity, cementing a lifelong fascination with adventure travel that began in our remote town—the kind of places seldom discussed, much less seen. A particular image of Jellyfish Lake in Micronesia ignited a burning desire within me, ultimately leading me to get Scuba certified many years later. In a beautiful twist of fate, I eventually met and dived with the National Geographic photographer who captured that image on a dive trip in Florida. I eventually made it to Micronesia and photographed Jellyfish Lake myself. Experiences like these have shaped my journey firsthand, leading to the founding of S3 Adventures in 2018. Born out of corporate travel burnout, S3 Adventures emerged as a way to reclaim my passion for exploration after years on the road for work. Though I was fortunate to see many foreign cities for business, I was more interested in discovering places on my own terms. I wanted to explore not by someone else's schedule but by the pull of adventure. When I decided to name this little company that was taking shape, I settled on ‘S3 Adventures’, which was simply a play on my favorite things to do: Ski, Sail, and Scuba. Three happens to be my lucky number, and I feel like my inspiration as a child that shaped my hobbies and efforts today have all come full circle. The name was settled, the logo was designed, and the rest just fell into place. At S3, we pride ourselves on offering a unique style of adventure travel for the LGBT community and its allies—journeys that prioritize authentic experiences and profound connection over luxury. With us, you don’t need to worry about finding chocolates on your pillow or packing nice clothes for the trip. Instead, get ready to soak in the raw beauty of nature, whether it's hiking to hidden vistas, scuba diving with hammerheads, or enjoying a glass of fine wine under the stars on a rafting trip. Our adventures challenge the norm and offer a real, down-to-earth experience for people who aren’t afraid to get muddy and who love to explore and connect. While Covid posed significant challenges, suspending our adventures for nearly two and a half years, it also inspired a resurgence and a renewed craving for the world beyond our windows. Like many of our clients who were isolated, people wanted more—more adventure, more connection, more of what S3 Adventures is all about. We are grateful to be in a position to offer it. Whether it's forging friendships, discovering remote corners of the planet, or turning ‘big bucket list dreams’ into realities, S3 Adventures is dedicated to curating unforgettable adventures that bring people together. To us, it’s all about 'disconnecting to reconnect'—because sometimes, the best way to see the world is to step away from the ordinary and into the extrodinary. Our mantra is ‘arrive as strangers and leave as friends’. Adventures await you with S3, where experiences are cherished, memories are made, and the world becomes a little bit smaller with new friends by your side. Looking back, the journey so far has been incredible. Building a small business during nights and weekends while holding down a full-time job, maintaining a relationship, and keeping up with my personal hobbies has proven to me that anything is possible if you stay focused and stay the course. Today, both my partner Joel and I are actively involved in the business, and we look forward to many more adventures ahead with adventurous people like you. Adventures Await!
“It’s always a pleasure working with Hank.”
— Chris
California
“Hank is a very friendly and helpful agent.”
— Craig
Lynnwood, Washington
“Thanks to Hank, my trip was unforgettable and exceeded all my expectations.”
— Mike
Madison, WI
“Hank and the team at S3 Adventures provided an exceptional travel experience, start to finish. Our trip was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.”
— Nicole
Madison, WI
“Hank is an amazing person. He is professional, courteous, helpful, and perhaps most importantly, an incredibly fun guy.”
— Jon
Palm Springs, CA
“I have worked with Hank Kollross on a number of vacation adventures over the past several years and every adventure has been exceptional. Hank is detailed, always thinking "outside the box."”
— Bernie
Jacksonville, FL
“We were so well prepared for our Grand Canyon Rafting Trip. We still talk about this adventure and it has been 5 years and we walked away with lifetime friends.”
— Tom
Palm Springs, CA
“Detail is the key to S3. Every trip is layed out so that each day is filled with optional excursions that one can take advantage of.”
— Joel
Romeoville, IL
“Hank is very attentive and pays attention to detail. He makes complicated multi-connection transfers easy allowing for peace of mind while traveling a complicated itinerary.”
— Nurse Smith
San Francisco, CA
“Hank is well traveled, organized, supportive and generous with his time. I have been on many of his trips and will go on many many more.”
— C. Fluffington
Oakland, CA