The 6 Best Banff Kayaking Tours

1.Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 303 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Join Hydra River Guides at the Banff Canoe Club for a 90-minute paddle on the Bow River. Your guide handles safety, paddling tips, local stories, and wildlife spotting as you travel in a 12-seater canoe. No experience is needed, and the trip ends with a light refreshment.

“Beautiful views and a fun group activity. The tour guides really do their best to make sure you have a good time. Bri was excellent! Such a fun personality and very educational too!”

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2.Banff National Park: Big Canoe River Explorer Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 286 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Banff Canoe Club, five minutes from downtown, for a gentle 90-minute Bow River paddle. Guides such as Abbey, Brie, CJ, and Kate explain canoeing, Banff history, and local wildlife while you take in the Rockies. The tour suits beginners and families, but bring warm, weather-ready clothing.

“It was super fun, laughed a lot and had a good time despite the cold and rain.”

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3.River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Join the Banff Canoe Club for a 90-minute guided paddle on the Bow River. You will row upstream, float back, and hear about Banff’s waterways, wildlife, and mountain country. Guides such as Abbey, Madi, Cam, Tim, and Fergus have led lively, informative trips. No canoeing experience is needed, and the big canoe keeps families and groups together.

“Jessie arranged for great weather. He was very knowledgeable and personable. Learned a lot about beavers and mountains”

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4.Banff: Wildlife on the Bow River Big Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 130 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

Join a 12-seat canoe at the Banff Canoe Club for a 90-minute evening paddle up the Bow River. Your English-speaking guide explains animal behavior, habitats, and conservation while you watch for bald eagles, elk, deer, muskrats, osprey, and beavers. No canoeing experience is needed, and lemonade is included.

“Amelia the guide was very chatty and funny, giving us stories and info as we paddled. We saw osprey, ducks and beaver which made the tour extra special, but the peaceful atmosphere as we drifted back with the flow was beautiful.”

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5.Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Join The Banff Canoe Club for a 90-minute wildlife trip on the Bow River. You will paddle a large canoe with up to 11 other people, then float back while your guide points out elk, beavers, bald eagles, loons, herons, and more. No paddling experience is needed, and guides such as Cam, C.J., John, Jacob, and Nieve have been praised for their stories and friendly style.

“Very calming experience after a long day of hiking. We saw some beavers, loon and Heron. Cam was our guide, super friendly and shared lots of interesting facts!”

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6.Banff/Canmore Moraine Lake & Lake Louise-Hike/Canoe/Sightsee

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 9h 30m · from $152

Spend 9.5 hours visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise from Banff, Canmore, or Harvie Heights in a 14-passenger van. Choose more time at either lake, hike, sightsee, or canoe at your own cost. Guides such as Corey, Yannick, Dave, and Mike share local knowledge and wildlife tips.

“Excellent overall. Yannick was really knowledgeable and helpful, and it was very clear how much he cares about the region/nature/animals. The trip was very well organized, and it was such a great way to see the key places in the Banff area in a day. We were especially pleased/grateful the company accommodated our trip after we booked it maybe 12 hours before the departure. Overall, highly recommended and big thanks again to Yannick.”

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