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With over 400,000 lakes and rivers, and a vast area of pristine wilderness to discover, with moose, bears, beavers and a wealth of wildlife to spot, Ontario is one of the best destinations in the world for an adventure on, in or around fresh water.
If you’re a thrill seeker, you’ll find world-class rapids to experience, with the biggest white waters east of the Rockies. Or maybe you’re looking for a true wilderness adventure? Then try paddling – and carrying – your canoe in the style of the first North American explorers along the world’s longest system of canoe routes. Or why not paddle a sea kayak through crystal clear fresh waters among the 30,000 wild islands of eastern Georgian Bay?
In a country-sized outdoors playground, there is enough water-based adventure to last a lifetime. So where do you start? To help, we’ve picked four different paddling experiences in four different places. Enjoy!
Find these and other Outdoor Ontario adventures at ontariotravel.net/ukadventure.
Georgian Bay
Paddle in a UNESCO world biosphere reserve
With over 30,000 islands, covering more than seven times the area of Wales, and some of the very best sea kayaking in the world, Georgian Bay, Ontario is a world of kayaking adventures waiting to be discovered.
In 2004, UNESCO designated 347,000 hectares along Georgian Bay’s eastern coast as a World Biosphere Reserve – the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. Part of the distinctive rocky, pine-covered landscape of the Canadian Shield, this wild, rugged and remote landscape of windswept pines is perfect for wild camping under the stars.
The unique geography and geology of the area creates more than 1,000 distinct habitat types which support a variety of rare species, including plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Protected as provincial and national parks and buffered by Crown Lands, you will paddle and explore a mosaic of open waters, sheltered bays and coastal wetlands, and relax on the exposed bedrock shores, or sand and cobble beaches.
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Three days paddling the coastline out from Byng Inlet is simply sublime. Escape into the back bays and channels to explore the lovely sheltered paddling country, then pull up your kayak and pitch your tent at campsites with panoramic lake-side views.
If you have more time, start your trip at the eastern end of the La Cloche Mountain Range in the quiet and historic town of Killarney. You’ll paddle out and set up a base camp on the southern shores of Phillip Edward Island. Here, you’ll feel like you’re on an ocean, yet the paddling is sheltered and the water warm — it’s the best freshwater swimming in the world.
How to get there…
The southern Georgian Bay area is easily accessed by car from Toronto’s international airport. Taking a bus to the bustling town of Parry Sound also provides an excellent starting location. To access Killarney, the city of Sudbury provides closer access.
Contact & price
White Squall Paddling Centre runs trips from £295. whitesquall.com
Ottawa River
Raft whitewater rapids
The Upper Ottawa River boasts class III to IV (intermediate to advanced) rapids, including some of the biggest whitewater east of the Rocky Mountains. During spring flood, the Ottawa’s flow rivals some of the world’s biggest-water rivers.
The options vary as much as the water levels, with a range from high-adventure whitewater rafting to gentle family float trips.
Whether you want to run beginner-friendly whitewater or massive, white-knuckle raging rapids, professional whitewater guides make these trips fun for everyone, no matter what level.
Riverside rafting resorts like OWL Rafting are tucked between the trees and rolling hills of the Ottawa Valley’s classic Canadian wilderness. Sleep under the stars at a campsite on the riverbank, or set up in one of the resort’s comfortable cabins, and enjoy outdoor dinners and evening fireside entertainment.
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Choose between family rafting or adventure rafting packages, which include meals, camping and all the essential gear for your days on the water.
Guided Big Boats and Sport Rafts are available with 13- and 8-person capacities, or you can amp up your adrenaline in a two-person Sport Yak kayak by taking on the rapids with a friend, with a guide kayaking nearby to give direction.
After an exciting day on the water, relax on a Pontoon Boat Cruise, where guides serve up a barbecued steak dinner on route back to the OWL resort.
How to get there…
Fly to the international airport in either Ottawa or Toronto and travel by bus or rental car to the small town of Cobden, Ontario. From there, a taxi can take you to your rafting destination.
Contact & Price
OWL Rafting runs 2-day trips on the Ottawa River from £140. owl-mkc.ca
Missinaibi River
Wilderness Canoeing
Few rivers can match the power, beauty and history of the Missinaibi. From its source at Missinaibi Lake, this Canadian Heritage River rushes 500 kilometres north over Precambrian granite, through string bogs and marshes to James Bay and the Arctic Ocean.
The exciting Missinaibi is an exceptional wilderness river, consisting of primarily class I and II (easy and novice level) whitewater with a few class III (intermediate) rapids. For the best experience, remote trips along it are best taken with a qualified guide.
A historic canoe route for fur traders and explorers, the Missinaibi combines unique natural history with the colourful cultural and human heritage of the aboriginal and early European inhabitants. Wildlife abounds on this river too, as it’s at the heart of the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, the world’s largest wildlife preserve.
At night, lie back and watch for the Northern Lights from around the campfire.
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The upper reaches of the Missinaibi require an intermediate level of fitness due to rapids, portages – where you and a partner carry the canoe overland – and some longer days on the water, though a laid back pace allows for whitewater instruction and plenty of relaxation time.
An expedition on the Lower Missinaibi is the perfect package for those looking for a northern wilderness adventure without the work of portaging. Rig a sail and enjoy a summer tailwind on your way towards James Bay, the largest estuary in the world.
Tackle the Upper Missinaibi section by meeting your guides in tiny Foleyet and paddling on to Mattice, a 7 to 10-day route that includes outstanding whitewater. Or, meet your group in Mattice and take in some of the most spectacular scenery on the river on a 10 to 12-day route to Moosonee and James Bay, including Thunderhouse Falls, Stone Rapids and Hell’s Gate.
How to get there…
To meet your guide you can fly into the small city of Timmins, a 90-minute flight from Toronto’s international airport. Adventurous road trippers with more time can rent a car and drive the 750 kilometres from Toronto.
Contact & Price
Missinaibi Headwaters Outfitters run 9-day Missinaibi River trips from £1000pp. missinaibi.com
Quetico Provincial Park
Flatwater canoe exploring
Quetico is a world-renowned destination for backcountry canoeing and angling. Explore its rugged beauty, sheltered lakes, majestic waterfalls, and virgin pine forests.
You’ll find plenty of wilderness here, as except for family friendly campground Dawson Trail, the park is accessible only by water. What’s more, a ban on logging and other regulations has helped preserve the park’s natural and remote splendour.
Expect to swim in crystal clear waters, portage into remote areas, paddle routes used by the Voyageur original explorers and discover Aboriginal pictographs.
Some areas of the park are more easily travelled than others. Portages and campsites are not signed so wilderness navigation skills are necessary. Tour companies offer all-inclusive packages for your self-guided adventures, including ultra-light canoes, complete camp kit, pre-packed meals, as well as trip and route planning advice.
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Start your holiday with a delicious dinner and overnight stay at an eco-friendly lodge where you will get a professional orientation and be fully outfitted for your self-guided canoe adventure.
5,000 square kilometres of designated wilderness include 1,400 kilometres of canoe routes and 612 portages. You can explore the heart of the park for just two days or two activity-packed weeks with the peace and quiet a complete mechanical ban in the park guarantees — there are no motorboats, ATVs or airplanes allowed.
How to get there
Fly to the city of Thunder Bay and rent a car from there. Quetico Provincial Park is located two and a half hours west by road. Some tour operators also provide a shuttle service from Thunder Bay.
Contact & price
Voyageur Wilderness Program runs 3 to 8-day Voyageur Wilderness trips from £40 a day. vwp.com
