From Passport Stamps to Private Islands: The Bucket List Family’s Next Great Adventure

The Bucket List Family (@thebucketlistfamily) • Instagram photos and videos

What if you could trade your routine for the world? That is exactly what Garrett and Jessica Gee did when they sold nearly everything they owned and boarded a one-way flight with their two young children. There was no roadmap, no brand deal, and no clear end game. Just a bold idea to explore the world together as a family. What began as a six-month escape from the ordinary has since become a global phenomenon. Known as The Bucket List Family, the Gees have spent the last decade living a life of adventure, documenting their travels across more than 100 countries while inspiring millions to live with purpose, presence, and curiosity.

Today, the Gee family is one of the most trusted and beloved names in travel storytelling. With millions of followers, a popular YouTube channel, collaborations with National Geographic, and even an animated series, they have built more than just an audience. They have built a legacy. But the magic of The Bucket List Family has always been rooted in something more meaningful than social media. At the core is a commitment to curiosity, connection, and the belief that travel can transform not just how we see the world, but how we live in it.

Their children include Dorothy, Manilla, and Calihan, who have grown up immersed in cultures around the globe. By the time the youngest, Calihan, was born, his two older siblings had already traveled to 50 countries. Before his first birthday, he had visited more than 25 himself. These are not ordinary childhoods. These are lives shaped by hands-on experiences, global friendships, and a deep respect for differences. From local markets in Morocco to temples in Thailand, their education has come not just from textbooks, but from the world itself.

In 2015, the original plan was simple: sell their apartment, their cars, and everything they owned, then set out on an adventure around the world. As a family, they began listing destinations to visit, skills to learn, and experiences they hoped would bring deeper meaning to their lives. Those ideas soon became their official family bucket list, a living blueprint for exploration, freedom, and unforgettable moments shared across the globe.

What they didn't expect was how deeply their journey would resonate. Their followers weren't just drawn in by the stunning visuals or unique destinations. It was the sincerity, the sense of joy, and the reminder that family can be your greatest adventure.

Over the years, the Gees have shared moments both profound and playful. From swimming with sharks in the Maldives to teaching and playing with kids at an orphanage in Indonesia, they have shown the world that travel is not about perfection. It is about being present. One of Garrett's favorite memories never made it to social media. It was the moment Dorothy scored the winning soccer goal on the Serengeti. Another was skinny-dipping in a Malaysian water hole with a family of monkeys. These private moments, recorded only in Garrett's personal video archives, capture what their journey is truly about.

They had spent years capturing the world. Now they were ready to shape a piece of it. After a decade of documenting their adventures, the Gees began to imagine what it might look like to build something lasting. Not a detour from their journey, but a way to bring others into it. They wanted to create spaces where families, like theirs, could unplug, reconnect, and experience the kind of wonder that had changed their own lives.

So, they returned to their original list, not to check something off, but to ask a new question: What if they could offer the ultimate bucket list experiences, not just tell people where to find them?

That vision became The Bucket List Collection, a pair of private island escapes grounded in nature, culture, and intention. One is rooted in tropical stillness. The other, in untamed wilderness. Both were chosen not just for their beauty, but for how deeply they moved the family. Together, they reflect everything the Gees have learned through a decade of immersive travel.

Mounu Island, Tonga

The first property in The Bucket List Collection is Mounu Island, a pristine private island

nestled in the Vava'u region of Tonga. Known for its crystal-clear waters and as a breeding ground for migrating humpback whales, Mounu is an experience in simplicity and wonder. Visitors are invited to swim with whales, scuba dive, kite surfing, and dine on freshly prepared meals in the ocean breeze.

Tonga completely captured their hearts from the moment they first visited. The Gees didn't just fall for the turquoise waters or the whales that glide through them each season. They fell in love with the people. "One of our favorite places on Earth is Tonga," Jessica says. "The Tongan people are kind, hilarious, deeply family-oriented, and full of heart. It’s a place where the pace of life slows, and the things that matter most, family, nature, and connection, are held very dear. We fell in love with the people and, of course, the whales."

Returning years later to purchase Mounu Island felt like a full-circle moment. "It's not just that we loved it," Jessica explains, "it's that we wanted others to experience what it made us feel."

With just a handful of oceanfront villas, Mounu is intentionally intimate. The experience feels personal, peaceful, and rooted in the rhythm of the island. It is not about lavish opulence. It is about the luxury of space, slowness, and connection to the ocean, the land, and each other.

Berry Island, British Columbia

The second location could not be more different, yet it offers a parallel sense of awe. Berry Island is located off the coast of British Columbia, surrounded by forest and cold Pacific waters teeming with wildlife. This is a place where guests may spot grizzly bears foraging for salmon, or orcas swimming peacefully.

Berry Island was designed to feel remote and restorative. With just 12 guest accommodations, it offers the kind of quiet that invites you to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with the world around you. It is not just a place to stay. It is a place to feel alive.

Travel Designed with Purpose

The Bucket List Collection is not just about picturesque destinations. It reflects everything the Gees have learned in the past decade. The properties are designed with authenticity and sustainability in mind. Interiors are crafted using local materials. Activities are shaped by the land and guided by locals who carry deep knowledge of their environment.

They have stayed in hundreds of hotels around the world. They took the best lessons from those experiences and poured them into these two places. They are not building resorts. They are building memories.

Luxury here isn't measured in stars, but in moments that linger long after you've left.

Both islands were already family-run before the Gees acquired them. Rather than erase what made them special, they leaned into the existing charm, working alongside local teams to enhance the guest experience. Their goal was to protect what was sacred while making it accessible to travelers who share their values.

Looking Ahead

The Gees now split their time between island life in Hawaii, where their children attend school and stay active with sports and local activities, and traveling together during school breaks. Adventure remains a central part of their lives, with Egypt currently topping their family's travel wish list. And as their vision grows, it's likely The Bucket List Collection will expand to include even more unforgettable destinations.

But for now, their hearts are invested in Mounu and Berry Island. These places represent more than a business venture. They are the physical embodiment of what travel has meant to them all along: freedom, connection, growth, and wonder. This isn't just for them. It is for families, for dreamers, for people who want to feel alive and inspired. They built these so others could experience what changed their lives.

The Bucket List Family may have started with one bold idea and a list of dreams. Now, they are giving others the chance to write their own.

Not someday. Right now.

Explore the wonder, plan your own adventure, and discover what's possible at www.thebucketlistcollection.com.

By IG @kaseycahen