Whitewater Rafting: Teamwork and Shared Fun (From Age 6-7)
To go rafting, no prior experience is required! Depending on the chosen route (Discovery or Pont de Soleil), this outdoor activity is open to children as young as 6 or 7. You simply need to know how to swim and be ready to splash around.
- The Guide's Role: On a raft, your professional guide sits directly in the boat with you, at the back—and that changes everything! They steer, call out the paddle strokes, and manage all safety maneuvers.
- Ideal Conditions: Rafting is the ultimate choice for families, groups of friends, or corporate team-building events. When the dam releases high water volumes, a raft is the safest and most stable option to ride the big waves.
Canoe-Rafting (2-Seater) or Kayak-Rafting (Solo): Independence for Beginners & Intermediate Paddlers
Contrary to popular belief, canoe-rafting and kayak-rafting (sometimes called hot-dogs) are not low-water alternatives. Just like rafting, they require official water releases from the local EDF dams to provide full whitewater excitement. However, the physical approach is much more active.
- The Guide's Role: You are fully supervised by a guide, but they are not on board your boat. They paddle alongside you in their own kayak to guide you through the best paths (lines) in the rapids.
- Ideal Profile: This is a more technical craft. You need to know basic paddling techniques and have a good sense of balance. For the two-seater canoe-raft, you and your partner must coordinate your movements perfectly to navigate the Verdon's currents without flipping over!
Packrafting: Our Exclusive Spring Savior for Closed Dams
The schedule of the Verdon's dam water releases depends on regional electricity production and cannot be guaranteed in advance. If the dams happen to be closed during your spring holiday, Buena Vista Rafting has developed an innovative and exclusive solution: the Packraft.
What is it? A packraft is a modern, ultra-lightweight, and heavy-duty inflatable kayak.
Why is it a game-changer? Thanks to its unique buoyancy and shallow draft, it allows paddlers to navigate the lower Gorges and explore the Grand Canyon (specifically the stunning route from Carajuan to Point Sublime) even under natural, low-flow conditions. This is a Buena Vista exclusive, allowing you to explore the Verdon regardless of dam schedules!
What Our Adventurers Say
"A perfect adaptation to the conditions"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We had originally booked a rafting trip, but the dams were closed. The Buena Vista team offered us packrafting through the lower Gorges, from Carajuan to Point Sublime instead... An incredible experience, very stable and highly accessible. You can really tell they know their river inside out!" — Review from Julien (April 2026)