White Water Rafting · Quebec city
How to choose
Three tours, three very different intensity levels, starting at 23 €. The packraft on the Montmorency River with Quatre Natures (23 €, 3.5h, occasionally sporty) is the entry point: a personal inflatable raft that puts you directly in the current, no crew to absorb the shock. Rivière Concept (96 €) sends you onto the Jacques-Cartier River for a half day of kayaking or rafting, same physical rating but a bigger river with more consistent rapids. At 36 €, Expéditions Nouvelle Vague runs the same Jacques-Cartier stretch from Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier up to a full day, and explicitly welcomes everyone, making it the right call if your group has mixed experience levels. Pay more for longer exposure on the water, not just for a brand name.
Compare · 3 offers
Rafting down the Jacques-Cartier river from Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, near Quebec City
5.0 (9) €36 See offer
Our picks
Packraft on the Montmorency River from Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, near Quebec City
At 23 € for 3.5h on the Montmorency River, the solo packraft format puts you in direct contact with the current at the lowest entry price of the three tours.
Rafting down the Jacques-Cartier river from Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, near Quebec City
Rated “Everybody welcome” and running up to a full day on the Jacques-Cartier River, this 36 € tour from Expéditions Nouvelle Vague is the only option explicitly designed for all experience levels.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most intense moment on these rafting trips?
On the Jacques-Cartier River, the strongest rapids hit mid-run when the river narrows and gradient increases. The packraft experience on the Montmorency River delivers a different kind of intensity: you paddle solo in a small inflatable, which means every wave hits you directly with no buffer from a larger raft or crew.
Do you need prior experience to book these tours?
No prior experience is required for the Expéditions Nouvelle Vague rafting tour, which is rated “Everybody welcome.” The other two tours are rated “Occasionally sporty,” meaning basic fitness is enough but zero paddling background is fine.
Which river is wilder, the Montmorency or the Jacques-Cartier?
The Jacques-Cartier is longer and delivers sustained whitewater over the full run. The Montmorency is a shorter, steeper river with sharper drops, which is why the packraft format is used: smaller boat, faster reaction time required.
Are tours available in English?
Yes. All three operators, Quatre Natures, Rivière Concept and Expéditions Nouvelle Vague, run their tours in both French and English.
When is the best time to go rafting near Quebec City?
The season runs from May through September. Spring (May to June) delivers the highest water levels after snowmelt, which means faster currents and more powerful rapids. July and August offer warmer air temperatures and are the most popular booking window.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9.3 °C | 103.4 mm | Poor |
| February | -9.5 °C | 103.5 mm | Poor |
| March | -3.6 °C | 92.3 mm | Possible |
| April | 3.5 °C | 97.3 mm | Possible |
| May | 10 °C | 157.4 mm | Possible |
| June | 16.8 °C | 112.5 mm | Good |
| July | 20.6 °C | 160.2 mm | Good |
| August | 18.7 °C | 86.3 mm | Good |
| September | 15.9 °C | 154.1 mm | Possible |
| October | 8.5 °C | 133.5 mm | Possible |
| November | 0.8 °C | 123.3 mm | Poor |
| December | -7.5 °C | 117.5 mm | Poor |
Practical info
Equipment
Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry clothes under your wetsuit, which operators typically provide. For the packraft and rafting tours rated “Occasionally sporty,” secure your footwear with a strap, river sandals or neoprene boots hold up better than sneakers when you're wet for 3.5h or more.
Getting there
The packraft tour meets at Centre Infotouriste de Québec (12 Rue Sainte-Anne, Quebec City), Rivière Concept is located at 10 QC-138 in Donnacona, and Expéditions Nouvelle Vague meets at 1472 5e Avenue in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, all reachable by car from Quebec City in under an hour.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Quebec city
Updated September 2026