East London - Canoeing

Canoeing in East London – Paddle Through Peace and Wild Beauty

Trade the traffic for tide and discover East London’s serene side with a canoe paddle through its winding rivers and lush estuaries. This is where the city loosens its grip and nature takes the lead — birds overhead, reeds swaying, and nothing but the gentle dip of your paddle in the water.

East London is laced with waterways perfect for canoeing, from the calm Nahoon and Gonubie rivers to lesser-known tributaries that snake through thick coastal forest. These routes are beginner-friendly yet brimming with natural wonder. Glide past mangroves, trace the curves of river bends, and keep an eye out for kingfishers, fish eagles, and maybe even a shy otter peeking from the banks.

Guided tours are available for those wanting to learn more about the ecology and hidden stories of the region, while self-guided rentals let you chart your own course. Either way, canoeing here is more than a workout — it’s a quiet kind of adventure, a way to explore off-the-grid spaces without leaving a footprint.

This is slow travel at its best. Just you, your paddle, and the rhythm of the river.