CANOEING

Hiring a canoe and cruising the waterways of the area is a very popular all year round activity.  From our base at the Fairy Knowe Hotel, one can easily set off on the Touw River and explore the placid waters of the Garden Route National Park but there are other waterways in the area as well.  Please remember that should you intend to take a canoe onto the Touw River, and you don’t have a valid Wildcard, you will be required to pay SANParks conservation levy. These can be paid at the Eden Adventures office.

Canoes come equipped with large splash proof buckets to keep your belongings dry. You can use them to pack cameras, picnics etc. Most daypacks fit inside one of the buckets.

Routes on the Touw River include

  1. The Touw River Waterfall. By far the most popular route, this trip involves roughly 40mins (3km) of paddling through indigenous forest and 40mins (2.5km) of walking on a boardwalk to a waterfall. After taking in the scene at the waterfall, you return via the same way. The highlight of the route is that it culminates at a lovely waterfall which is ideal venue for a picnic and a refreshing dip.
  2. Island Lake is about a 1.5 to 2 hour (3.5km) paddle down the Serpentine River. This will take you through meandering reedbeds where birdlife is abundant. At Island Lake there is a picnic site on the left. Return the same way. Round trip = 4 to 5 hours. Although scenery on this route is not spectacular it is often good for birdwatching.
  3. The River Mouth is about 30 to 40 mins paddle.The river gets wider towards the mouth and river banks become more developed.

Rates from 01 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2027 (excluding SANParks conservation levy which may be applicable – see below table)

Single Canoe

R215Per Hour

Single Canoe

R450Half Day / 5 Hours

Single Canoe

R650Full Day

Double Canoe

R260Per Hour

Double Canoe

R650Half Day / 5 Hours

Double Canoe

R860Full Day

SANParks conservation levy (valid 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2027) – applicable for those who do not have a valid wild card or SANParks permit

SA Residents: Adults (12 years and older) R63 pp Children (2 -11 years) R32 pp

SADC Nationals: Adults (12 years and older) R133 pp Children (2 -11 years) R67 pp

Foreign Nationals: Adults (12 years and older) R270 pp Children (2 -11 years) R136 pp