This was my first time in southern Utah. It will not be my last. This place is magical! My trip was made more perfect by choosing Coral Cliffs Tours of Kanab. I did it spontaneously and on a bit of a whim, and I am so grateful I chose so wisely. I ended up spending a full day with them, first taking a small group tour to Peekaboo, expertly led by Kenny. He got us safely to the canyon early, keeping us informed and entertained the whole way there and back. He even took the time to give photography tips and take our pictures in especially scenic spots. We never felt rushed.
I then opted to join in on a beginner small group half day canyoneering outing in the afternoon. If you asked me last week if I would ever repel down a canyon cliff I would have confidently said "absolutely not." Any yet.
And yet, I had a lovely conversation with Julie while booking my Peekaboo tour and expressing a desire to see and do more. She asked questions and listened to me, and in the end convinced me to try something new because I would have a chance to see and do things in Kanab I otherwise would not see. She was right.
Julie and Jeff led three of us beginners through Huntress Slot Canyon in the afternoon. I felt safe and well instructed and absolutely blown away by the natural beauty that surrounded me. They had complete confidence in me and my abilities, and by the end I was surprised and very proud of what this 54 year old body was able to achieve under their tutelage.
Over the course of my day I learned a few things about Coral Cliffs that I would like to share. They are a small (but mighty) family run business that absolutely puts their customers first in all things: safety, satisfaction, transportation -- everything. They have a deep love and appreciation for their surroundings and the ecosystems they bring people through. As such, they are extremely knowledgable and more importantly, they play by the rules. They have all the right permits and licenses to bring you where you want to go, and they make sure their guests understand how to proceed through these precious places while leaving no trace. From what I was able to see in my time here, that isn't necessarily the case for all touring companies.
Because I spent a full day (and then some) I feel I was able to really see their business in a way perhaps most clients don't. What I saw (and what makes me recommend them so highly) was knowledgeable, responsive, friendly staff who wanted to make customers happy. They always answered the phones. They took time to respond to texts. They work very hard with excellent attitudes and easy laughs. They greeted everyone in a friendly and welcoming manner. They went out of their way to make sure everyone had a wonderful and safe experience. Their prices are extremely competitive and worth every penny. They clearly love what they do. I will absolutely go with their company again when I return, and I will return.