Oceanside selfie: Balancing on the rocky shoreline, Calvin Barbounis '26, Hayden Johnson '27, Ojal Dhar '27, and Emma Shaughnessy '26 against the backdrop of Monterey’s crashing waves—a reminder that every great adventure is better together. / Photo courtesy Ojal Dhar
Finding Connection on the Coast
One of the most popular adventures of the semester brought Gaels together for a full day by the sea.
Even with cooler weather rolling in and the semester in full swing, Saint Mary’s students showed up in full force for the Outdoor Adventure to Monterey Bay this past Sunday. The trip—funded through the Student Life Enhancement Fee—offered a welcome pause from busy schedules and an opportunity to reconnect with nature, friends, and the broader California coastline through a day of kayaking, e-biking, and exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
A Change of Scenery
As kayaks pushed away from the shore, the group quickly learned that the ocean has its own rhythm. The water started a bit rough, waves pushing against each paddle stroke, but as students reached open water, the sea began to settle—replaced by calm ripples, distant laughter, and the occasional splash of a seal surfacing nearby.
For some, like Rachel Fry ’28 from Washington state, it was their first time kayaking. “I never would have tried kayaking if it wasn’t for this trip,” Fry said. For others, the day offered a welcome return to the ocean’s quiet balance after weeks of classes and campus routines.
After kayaking or e-biking, groups explored the coast by bike and foot—discovering local shops, grabbing lunch on Cannery Row, and taking in the smell of salt air. By afternoon, the group wandered through the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where quiet moments among jellyfish tanks and sea otters brought a sense of wonder and calm.
“I never would have tried kayaking if it wasn’t for this trip.”
— Rachel Fry ’28
A Window into the Underwater World
At the world-renowned aquarium, students were immersed in a different kind of calm. Beneath the shifting blues and golden light of the kelp forest, they watched sea turtles glide effortlessly and schools of sardines move like silver ribbons through the water. The sense of awe was palpable—students enthralled in equal parts with by the science, art, and serenity of the experience.
Tatiana Gunawan ’27 is studying Computer Science at SMC and helps lead the K-Pop Club and Gaels Boxing Club. “I haven't been to the aquarium in a while, probably since elementary school,” she said, “so being able to visit the aquarium again in college with a bunch of my friends was an amazing experience. I'm so grateful to have been a part of it!”
For many, the aquarium became a reflective space—an unspoken reminder of balance, curiosity, and care for the natural world that mirrors the mission of Saint Mary’s itself.
“I haven't been to the aquarium in a while, probably since elementary school, so being able to visit the aquarium again in college with a bunch of my friends was an amazing experience. I'm so grateful to have been a part of it!”
— Tatiana Gunawan ’27
Beyond the Adventure
Nearly three-quarters were first-time attendees, many noting how the trip helped them meet new people and feel more connected to the Saint Mary’s community. What began as a day by the water became something more—a reminder of how stepping outside routine can renew perspective. Many participants said the trip helped them feel more balanced, refreshed, and inspired to try new things, aligning directly with Campus Recreation’s goals to foster wellness and belonging through shared experiences.
Nearly three-quarters were first-time attendees, many noting how the trip helped them meet new people and feel more connected to the Saint Mary’s community.
