Magpie river rafting
"This was my first Canadian river and it did not disappoint. The long helicopter trip to drop-in showed just how remote we were and we did not see any other humans or wild-life for the whole week."Elizabeth H
We are very excited to offer you the chance to join us on this gem of a trip on the truly spectacular Magpie River. For years it has seemed but a dream but now we can’t wait to share this departure with you this year. In terms of dramatic scenery, untouched wilderness, stunning camps and numerous class IV/V+ rapids, the Magpie is hard to beat. Enjoy a stunning helicopter flight into the river to this area of immense beauty. Without question one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in North America and the World, you are going to love this adventure. Come and join us on one of Canada’s best trips.
Itinerary & Map
Arrive into Montreal and fly up to Sept Isle where we spend the night at Chateau Arnaud.
No meals included.
After breakfast this morning a gorgeous one hour drive past dramatic sea cliffs and waterfalls, takes us to our rendevous point with the helicopter. After an amazing flight we camp at Magpie Lake.
Included: All meals
After breakfast we paddle a few minutes to where the Magpie River spills from the lake. The day is filled with numerous class IV rapids. Our final rapid is Marmot, a class 4+. The upper Magpie looks a lot like a Norwegian river with granite, lichen, moss and black spruce trees. We camp just below Marmot Rapid in a tucked away cove.
Included: All meals
This morning we run a series of class 4 rapids. We reach two grade VI rapids and have lunch in between them as guides line the rafts through them. The afternoon sees the river ease off and your opportunity to try an inflatable kayak or stand up paddle board. We spend the night on a beautiful little island, surrounded by beach, in the middle of a miniature lake,
Included: All meals.
This morning we raft a series of class 3 rapids down to the mile long class IV Saxaphone Rapid after which we have a sumptuous lunch. More opportunities this afternoon for people to paddle in inflatable kayaks in the rapids down to camp.
Included: All meals
Today contains the biggest rapids of the trip including Double Drop (IV), Ledges (IV), Picket Fence (IV) and the 13 foot high, class IV Trust Falls. In the afternoon we paddle across a lake to our gorge camp for the night. This is one of the most spectacular camps in the world. The camp hangs on the edge of a sheer walled gorge containing three class VI rapids.
Included: All meals
This morning we take a hike to the base of the first falls in the gorge and take time for a swim. Meanwhile a helicopter will arrive to portage our gear down to to our final night’s camp below the gorge. After hiking down the gorge we have the chance to paddle our kayaks across the lake to marvel at Magpie Falls where the entire river leaps down to a pool thirty meters below and an ever present rainbow from the spray. Our camp for the night directly across from the falls is simply breathtaking.
Included: All meals
This morning we paddle the sea kayaks or stand up paddle board down to our vehicle. A 45 minute drive takes us to a trail head where we embark on a 2 hour hike to the spectacular 130 foot high Manitou Falls. In the early aafternoon we arrive at Sept Isles and check into our hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
included: All meals
After breakfast we will transfer you to Sept Isles Airport for your flight home.
Included: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Duration | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 15 August 2025 - Saturday 23 August 2025 | 9 days | £4295 | €4995 | $5250 |
What you should bring
- A pair of Chacos / Keens or similar sandals. (Sandals with a closed toe are ideal)
- 2 pairs of river shorts (longer leg length) shorts can be purchased from our online shop.
- 2 swimming costume or bikini for ladies.
- Long sleeved thermal top and bottoms to wear under your life jacket. Capilene, Polypropylene or Merino wool is best. (not cotton)
- A rash vest (not cotton) as an alternative to the thermal layer.
- A baseball cap for under the helmet to keep sun off – can be purchased from our online shop. (remove the button from the top of the cap – sometimes your helmet presses down on it, causing discomfort)
- Sunglasses.
- Chums for fastening your sunglasses to your head – can be purchased on line or from your river crew.
- 2 x 1 Litre Nalgene / Sigg or similar water bottle.
- Carabiner for fastening water bottle to your boat.
- Waterproof camera such as GoPro for the ‘action’ shots
- Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm SPF30 minimum.
- 2 pairs of lightweight long trousers, zip off legs are ideal.
- 1 pair of warm fleece like trousers.
- 2 Lightweight tops – long sleeved shirts or t shirts.
- Fleece jumper.
- Light weight down jacket (essential).
- Rain jacket.
- Wide brimmed sun hat.
- Woolly hat, gloves, buff / scarf.
- Walking shoes or boots.
- Underwear.
- Thermal top and bottoms. (Good to sleep in)
- A 4-season sleeping bag. (Can be hired in advance)
- Travel Pillow.
- Glasses or Contact lenses. Disposable lenses are ideal.
- Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Forget the cosmetics and hair dryer! But we do suggest moisturizer.
- Hand wipes and a small bottle of hand sanitiser.
- Small pack towel.
- Headlamp or head torch with spare batteries.
- Any medication you may be taking.
- Blister plasters or moleskin.
- Your favourite book/kindle or a journal for recording your river memories.
- Sketchpad.
- Binoculars.
- Photographic or video equipment. We recommend a cleaning kit as sand gets everywhere.
- Spare memory card.
- Solar or portable charger.
- Zip lock bags to keep valuables dry and sand free.
- Rehydration tablets (Phizz, Nuun and O.R.S are easily available)
- The only money that you need to bring is for meals in town, souvenirs, DVD, personal items, gratuities and the beer kitty for the raft trip if you drink.
Magpie river rafting Reviews
Remote and fabulous!
This was my first Canadian river and it did not disappoint. The long helicopter trip to drop-in showed just how remote we were and we did not see any other humans or wild-life for the whole week. Everything was really well organinsed and the guides were personable and helpful, especially as I had to borrow kit due to the airline losing my luggage! The river and scenery are stunning and it was, to date, the most enjoyable multi-day expedition that I have been part of.
Magpie River Expedition
Those words are forever etched in our minds as we reflect on our Magpie River Expedition!! This was not your ordinary river “trip.” It was a true expedition in every sense of the word. The commitment began immediately.
Our guides totally rocked. Their smiles were contagious, no task was too difficult, and every guest felt special. They wore many hats working seamlessly as a team to create an unparalleled experience:
Julian (Trip Leader/safety coordinator/story teller/,) Raphael (safety kayaker/ gourmet chef) Vince (paddle boat captain/ “Oh Yeah”), and Andrew( gear boat manager/gourmet chef) They were a well oiled machine.
After our scenic helicopter ride to Magpie Lake, our expedition included EPIC whitewater, amazing campsites, gourmet meals, inflatable kayaking, standup paddle boarding, hiking, fishing, canoeing, whitewater canoeing, numerous unrunnable majestic waterfalls with portages through lush forest terrain, and not least of all…cold beer and other libations.
All of the guests on the expedition were seasoned Water By Nature veterans, and we quickly meshed as family. We can’t think of a better group of crew and guests!
We leave the Magpie River behind with lasting memories and new friends!
Incredible Adventure
My wife and I did the Magpie in August ’18. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The river was so challenging and provided incredible scenery. The guides were wonderful. All our needs and more were met with a smile everyday and night. The meals AND the camaraderie were above our expectations. Living in the USA we had no idea such a great wilderness ( outside of our party we didn’t see another person for the entire trip) adventure was so close. We highly recommend the Magpie.
Water By Nature News
