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Ottawa Ecological Reserve Kayak Tour with TURTLE Sightings
5.0
16 Ratings
Ottawa
Discover Ottawa’s wildlife on a tranquil kayak tour. Paddle through serene inlets and spot turtles in their natural habitat. Perfect for nature lovers.
Discover Ottawa’s wildlife on a tranquil kayak tour. Paddle through serene inlets and spot turtles in their natural habitat. Perfect for nature lovers.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Petrie Island Park - Petrie Island is composed of multiple islands, with a significant portion designated as an Ecological Reserve. The guide will lead visitors through the inlets’ hidden spots to observe the local wildlife. Petrie is home to a variety of animals, including turtles, herons, great egrets, beavers, muskrats, river otters, and more….
- Petrie Island Park - Petrie Island is composed of multiple islands, with a significant portion designated as an Ecological Reserve. The guide will lead visitors through the inlets’ hidden spots to observe the local wildlife. Petrie is home to a variety of animals, including turtles, herons, great egrets, beavers, muskrats, river otters, and more. The bilingual guide, fluent in French and English, will provide fascinating insights into these magnificent creatures. Additionally, the guide will share some history about Petrie and its preservation efforts. Petrie also features two beach areas, numerous picnic tables, and walking trails.
What's Included
- Kayak
- Paddle
- Personal Floating Device
- Drybag
- Safety Bucket
- Kayak
- Paddle
- Personal Floating Device
- Drybag
- Safety Bucket
What's Not Included
- Parking fee of $2 for 5 hours
- Parking fee of $2 for 5 hours
Additional Information
If you love nature, wildlife, and especially turtles, this tour is for you. Grandmaître Ecological Reserve is an amazing place to paddle. The peace and tranquility here is outstanding. What makes it special is the numerous inlets which protect all the wonderful creatures from the high winds and fast water currents. This is their hang out place! Also, I…
If you love nature, wildlife, and especially turtles, this tour is for you. Grandmaître Ecological Reserve is an amazing place to paddle. The peace and tranquility here is outstanding. What makes it special is the numerous inlets which protect all the wonderful creatures from the high winds and fast water currents. This is their hang out place! Also, I should mention that these conditions are great for humans too. It makes it easier to paddle your kayak. This is a great activity for children.
- Infants and toddlers 3 and under are not permitted
- Liability waiver need to be agreed to and signed
- Please note that the guide speaks both french and english. On occasions, some tours may be conducted in both languages.
- Paddlers may get wet. We suggest you bring spare shorts and wear water shoes.
Location
GG35+MG Ottawa
Go down Tweddle Rd (previously named Trim Rd), pass the 90 degree bend in the road, then turn left into the 1st parking lot on the LEFT side. Look for our VW white van.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(16 Ratings)
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Michael
Sep 11, 2025
Wonderful trip - I had a great time during the kayak tour. There was another couple joining us but they were very late so I had to wait for quite some time. The guide made up for this by giving me extra time on the water which was really appreciated. There were so many turtles to be seen during the trip, definitely worth checking out if you enjoy being in nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniill689
Sep 2, 2025
Good time! - We had a great experience with Sylvia, she was easy to talk to and was very welcoming and helpful. It was a lovely experience and we definitely will be back. As our first time kayaking we will remember it in positive memories. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicola_b
Aug 16, 2025
Kayaking - Peacefully relaxing interesting tour.
Brilliant guide, Silvia. Enjoyed every bit of it. Not to strenuous. Fabulous.
Review provided by Viator
Catherine_l
Jul 29, 2025
Hidden gem of ecological sightings and beautiful surroundings - The guide was friendly, pleasant and very knowledgeable about local wildlife. She pointed out several species of turtle as well as muskrat, egret and animals both in and out of the water, and made sure we could all see the sometimes secretive critters. The waterway was an absolute hidden gem. Very pleasant way to spend several hours! Would definitely do it again on a future trip to Ottawa.
Review provided by Viator
Scott_f
Jul 27, 2025
Ottawa River kayak tour - Wonderful morning. Ottawa River was still. Even though it was cloudy, we still saw more turtles than people.
Review provided by Viator
Corradinazara
Jul 21, 2025
- Our first time kayaking and our experience was absolutely amazing. Our tour guide was wonderful and educated us. Turtles, muskrats, otters, wild turkey and a herons can be seen. Our guide taught us about the wet lands and different species. I would highly recommend.
Thank you very much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christian_r
Jul 16, 2025
Tranquil and fascinating tour - We had a lovely tranquil morning kayaking around the beautiful park with Sylvie. She was patient and hugely knowledgeable about the park wildlife.
Review provided by Viator
Rasha
Jul 2, 2025
A Memorable Mother-Son Adventure – Ottawa Ecological Reserve Turtle Kayak Tour - I had the pleasure of going on this incredible kayak tour with my 15-year-old son, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! Sylvie, our guide, was absolutely amazing. From the moment we arrived, she made sure we were set up with kayaks that were comfortable and suited to both of our builds.
Sylvie took us on a leisurely-paced tour, allowing us to explore at our own speed. She was so patient with us and made sure we had plenty of opportunities to spot turtles basking in the sun, as well as various birds – including a surprise sighting of a turkey! We were both amazed at how knowledgeable Sylvie was about the local wildlife and the ecological reserve. It felt like a mini nature lesson, and my son really appreciated the opportunity to learn about the environment in such a hands-on way.
What I loved most was the calming, peaceful atmosphere. Kayaking through the beautiful, serene waters was so relaxing, and it was the perfect way to disconnect and bond with my son. It was a unique and enriching experience for both of us, and I can’t recommend it enough!
If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure that’s both educational and relaxing, this is the tour for you. Sylvie made it extra special, and we’ll definitely be back for more with friends and family!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
383parvink
Jun 2, 2025
Awesome Experience! - Amazing time!! A beautiful kayaking experience on Petrie island. Sylvie our guide was wonderful, she educated us on the history as well as all the animals that live on the island. I highly recommend it, you will not be disappointed! Thank you Sylvie!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura
May 29, 2025
Must do activity! Especially for the turtles - Amazing day out with Sylvie! Would highly recommend for all ages. She also took some really wonderful photos of us throughout, a must do experience when visiting Ottawa!
Review provided by Tripadvisor