Kinga Philipps

Never one to sit still, Kinga Philipps has tested herself for the past 20+ years by traveling the globe...scuba diving, free diving, spear fishing, surfing, jumping out of airplanes, spelunking and swimming with sharks as a writer, producer and on camera journalist for networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, USA, AMC, Travel Channel, Fox Sports, Universal Sports, Food Network, Current TV, Syfy, Discovery, History Channel, EPIX, BBC and National Geographic.

Kinga was born in Warsaw, Poland into a family of explorers and adventurers. Her dad, a geologist, trekked repeatedly across Europe and her mom, trained in botany, can give the Latin name of every plant. Expeditions are in her genes. Her folks believed in regular road trips, camping, cultural exploration, photography and natural sciences. She didn't stand a chance of becoming anything other than the world wandering, adventurous, story telling soul she grew up to be.

She has traveled the world reporting on intense subjects like police corruption in Mexico, gangs in LA, women in the sex trade, humanitarian and environmental causes, world conflict and natural disasters. On the flip side she has explored the night life, festivals and exotic eats of the world's most vibrant cities.

Kinga was one of the original on air journalists to launch Al Gore’s Emmy Award winning Current TV, where she covered everything from travel, car culture and entertainment to current issues and hard hitting vanguard journalism stories that put her in the line of fire…sometimes literally.

As an on air producer for Syfy’s Legend Quest, a Da-Vinci-Code-meets-Indiana-Jones style adventure show traversing the globe in search of mysterious artifacts, Kinga traveled to 13 countries in two months exploring some of the world's most exotic destinations. For National Geographic Kinga co-hosted America’s Lost Treasures, traveling across the United States in search of hidden links to America’s past, authenticating artifacts and telling the stories that connect our past to our present.

Kinga has done several projects for Travel Channel including The Wild Side with Kinga Philipps, which had her kite surfing, bungee jumping, free diving and mountain biking across the US; the network's yearly special The Trip, where Travel Channel talent team up to show off exciting destinations; Travel Hacks, an animated multi part series written and hosted by Kinga and based on her more off beat and comical adventure travel moments and the award winning THE REAL, a comprehensive locals perspective of exotic destinations.

Her most recent project with Travel Channel was the 2020 series Lost in the Wild. Kinga, along with co-host JJ Kelley, travel the world investigating unsolved mysteries of missing persons that took place in some of the planet’s most harrowing and remote locations. The series filmed in the US, Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Zimbabwe, Malaysia and the Philippines.

In 2021 Kinga became the first female host in 33 years of her own show on Discovery’s SHARK WEEK with Tiger Queen. Filmed in Turks and Caicos Kinga investigated a mysterious population of never before studied tiger sharks coming face to face with these magnificent apex predators.

She is also a regular contributor to Adventure Journal and her travel expertise has appeared in a variety of publications including Travel + Leisure, Martha Stewart Weddings and Readers Digest.

All Articles From Kinga Philipps

A Skeptic’s Trip to the Heart of Ayahuasca Tourism

Why are veterans, psychologists and lawyers traveling to Costa Rica to drink a hallucinogenic brew that’s illegal in the U.S.? Kinga Philipps joined them to find out.

A One-of-a-Kind Adventure Deep in French Polynesia’s Remote Marquesas Islands

Our correspondent explores fascinating tribal history and encounters unexpected thrills in a destination 900 miles from any 5-star resorts

Exploring the Remote, Tranquil Beaches and Bustling City Life of Panama

RCL adventure correspondent Kinga Philipps goes native in this Central American nation.

Meet a Real-Life Lara Croft: Magali Cote, Under-Ice Explorer, Free Diver

RCL adventure correspondent Kinga Philipps chats with an underwater explorer of the frigid deep.

Whether You’re Seeking Peace or Adventure Head for Mexico’s La Paz

This beach enclave on Baja California's east coast is a watersports paradise.

How YOU Can Help Save Florida Sharks From the Nefarious Fin Trade

A bill banning the sale and trade of fins needs your voice

An Adventurer’s Guide to Enjoying America’s Public Lands Now That Shutdown Is Over

From National Parks to Bureau of Land Management sites, our nation's wild worlds welcome you.

The Aftermath of the California Wildfire: “I Didn’t Recognize the Place”

RCL correspondent Kinga Philipps captures the devastation near her home.

Meet a Real Life Lara Croft: Oceanista Susan Casey

RCL adventure correspondent Kinga Philipps chats with an intrepid explorer and chronicler of the sea.

Meet a Real-Life Lara Croft: Dani Cessna, Park Ranger, Bear Guru and Outdoors Guide

RCL adventure correspondent Kinga Philipps chats with a passionate guardian of our natural world.

The Secrets Behind the Mission to Raise King Henry VIII’s Flagship

Richard Larn, a real-life Indiana Jones, reveals how Mary Rose shipwreck was raised.

The Off-the-Grid Guide to the British Isles of Scilly

RealClearLife's Kinga Philipps travels to dreamy, overlooked archipelago off the Cornish coast.

Meet a Real-Life Lara Croft: Lauren McGough, Anthropologist, Skydiver, Falconer

RCL adventure correspondent Kinga Philipps chats with a master of an ancient hunting technique.

Stars, Scorpions and Sharks… Welcome to Cabo Pulmo

RCL travel columnist Kinga Philipps reveals her favorite secret paradise.

Your Off-the-Grid Guide to Socorro Island

On this island, mantas are like puppies and sharks let you school with them.

The Spearfishing Prodigy, the Great White Shark and Redemption

A pioneering spearfisherman's son lost his father to a shark attack, but it didn't stop him.