Ottawa City Rafting - Ottawa

Ranking: 5/5

Was thumbing through my photos and came across a lovely memory with this one… Right around the first week of September we got really lucky with a beautiful day so we decided to try out rafting.

These wilderness tours guys killed it. I lived in Ottawa for over a decade, and I feel like I saw more than a couple new things on this relaxing but enthralling ride. The staff’s friendly demeanour, informative facts about the area, and overall enthusiasm really put this experience over the top.

When I return, I will look forward to every aspect of the tour: from hopping in and motoring down to the rapids, to hopping out and heaving the raft to shore.

The only thing that could really stand between you and great time rafting here is the weather.

Ranking: 5/5

Had an amazing experience rafting here! Was nervous to go initially but the guides were wonderful in their skills as well as their knowledge of Ottawa and the river. We even got to swim! So awesome highly highly recommend if you’re looking for some fun!

Ranking: 5/5

Best rafting in the city - coming from someone who is well seasoned with rafting companies around the Ottawa region. The workers were especially impressive with their knowledge of rapids and general safety. Shoutout to Kyle! He ensured my family felt very safe and comfortable out on the water. Will definitely recommend!

Ranking: 1/5

I had a very bad experience with Ottawa City Rafting. We were made to wait for other participants and departed much later than expected. The rafting trip was much shorter than advertised, with minimal actual rafting as the boat was mostly on motor mode. The guide seemed more interested in chatting than guiding, and there was no chance to swim or jump despite our requests. Shockingly, we learned that other participants, who were not Indian like us, were charged significantly less for the same experience, making it feel like we were overcharged based on race. We were also asked to help lift the boat afterward, which was unreasonable for paying customers. The guides were unprofessional, and the washroom facilities were unusable and unhygienic. Overall, it felt like we were discriminated against, overcharged, and poorly treated.

Ranking: 1/5

I attended the 2:30 PM rafting trip on September 7, 2024, and was thoroughly disappointed. I received no pre-trip info on what to wear, and despite being told to arrive at 2 PM sharp, we didn’t leave until 3:15 PM. The advertised two-hour rafting trip lasted only about one hour, with minimal actual rafting time (only about 5 minutes of paddling).

The guide was unprofessional, laughed at our concerns, and discouraged us from swimming despite being perfectly capable. After the trip, we were asked to help load the boat, which felt completely unreasonable for paying customers. We also found out Canadian participants paid significantly less, making it feel like we were being overcharged.

To make matters worse, they told me I could come back for rafting in Summer 2025 as compensation, but now they’re ghosting me and ignoring my emails.

The experience ended with unprofessional guides, unsanitary facilities, and poor communication. Overall, this was an unfair and frustrating experience, and I would not recommend it. A full refund is requested.

Ranking: 4/5

Got some good information and a Pamphlet, it looks like a lot of fun with their 2hr raft down the Ottawa River, and a shuttle is included on the way back to Britannia Beach, be ready to get wet if you choose there is a Clift jump into the water. The price is a little steep but I assume it will be a great experience. For experienced people go during windy days it is a little challenging.

Ranking: 5/5

With Canada Day 2020 looking like just another day hanging out at home as part of our family COVID-19 coronocation, I saw that Ottawa City Rafting was opening up for a floating family bubble of awesomeness. Though we were a little nervous being one of the first families to cruise down the Ottawa river in this brave new world, it turned out to be an incredible way to spend the day. Jim, our experienced rafting guide, story teller, history buff and all-around solid dude, led my family bubble of 8 people on an 3 hours cruise through family-friendly-but-still-super-fun class rapids, body surfing, cliff jump and a relaxing "Lazy River" float. Blessed by both Zeus and Mother Nature herself, the hot, humid day on land was converted to an warm, breezy and refreshing mid-day adventure that pleased the crew from 11-62 years of age. From sanitized rafts and equipment to a private family trip, all imaginable COVID-19 health and safety protocols were in place. It is apparent the Ottawa City crew has not only taken personal (both guests and staff) protection seriously, but they have also done so in a open and transparent way to reassure all their guests safety remains paramount without making it annoying and painful. Listen, there isn't much we can do as our family units/bubbles right now, so do yourself a favour: Get out of the house, head to Ottawa City Rafting and spend a few hours touring the great Ottawa river in a way that would make even Big Joe Mufferaw (en francais, Joseph Montferrand) jealous. Remember that amidst a world of turmoil and uncertainty, our own backyards (or in this case, rivers) can still generate great family moments, memories and adventures that will remind you, at the core, why our National Capital Region is so great. Thanks Ottawa City Rafting, we really needed that in our lives right now!

Ranking: 1/5

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the rafting experience I had on September 7, 2024. As a visitor from the USA, I had high expectations for this activity, but unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing. We were made to wait for other participants, resulting in a late departure. Additionally, the trip was significantly shorter than advertised, with the boat primarily in motor mode rather than engaging in active rafting. The guide spent more time chatting than actually guiding us. We also requested opportunities to swim or jump, which were not accommodated. After the trip, we were asked to help lift the boat, which felt unreasonable given the $112 fee we paid.: We discovered that Canadian participants were charged only $50 for the same activity. This price discrepancy felt discriminatory and unfair. The unprofessional behavior of the guides and the unusable washroom facilities further detracted from the experience.

Overall, I felt overcharged and mistreated, and the entire experience was extremely disappointing. Based on this experience, I will not consider returning.