Ottawa Ecological Reserve Kayak Tour with TURTLE Sightings
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Petrie Island consists of several islands with a large portion forming part of an Ecological Reserve. Our guide will bring you into the nooks and crannies of the inlets, to look at the wildlife. Petrie has an abundance of turtles, herons, great egrets, beavers, muskrats, river otters and much more. Our bilingual guide (French and English) will tell you all about these beautiful creatures. Your guide will also tell you a bit about the history of Petrie and how it was saved. In addition, Petrie has 2 beach areas, several picnic tables and walking trails.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
Reviews(17)
We had such a fantastic time! Our tour was wonderful and we saw so many turtles! We would absolutely do this again next time we visit the Ottawa area.
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.
Hi Michael. Thank you for your kind review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour in our small wilderness. It's a special place. Take care. Sylvie
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!
Hey there, sorry for responding late. I'm so happy you enjoyed your experience. Thank you for your review. Take care.. Sylvie
Peacefully relaxing interesting tour. Brilliant guide, Silvia. Enjoyed every bit of it. Not to strenuous. Fabulous.
Thank you Janet. It was my pleasure to paddle with you both. All the best. Sylvie
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.
Wonderful morning. Ottawa River was still. Even though it was cloudy, we still saw more turtles than people.
I love your review. Thank you!
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!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. I really appreciate it. Take care. Sylvie
We had a lovely tranquil morning kayaking around the beautiful park with Sylvie. She was patient and hugely knowledgeable about the park wildlife.
Thank you Christian for your review. Take care, Sylvie
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!
Thank you for taking time to write such a wonderful and detailed review. I’m glad you and your son both enjoyed the entire experience. Paddling this eco reserve is more than just kayaking and you expressed this well. I hope you and your family all have a nice summer.
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!
Thank you so much for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the island and the wildlife. Take care. Sylvie
