Light at Night Kayaking is a guided evening paddle through downtown Ottawa. Guests explore the Rideau Canal in our LED-lit kayaks, taking in the city skyline, historic landmarks, and a stunning sunset-to-twilight atmosphere. It’s a mix of sightseeing, storytelling, and calm water adventure.

Kaleidoscope Kayaking is a vibrant, beginner-friendly evening paddle through Ottawa’s Rideau Canal—complete with LED-lit kayaks and a front-row view of the Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy fireworks show.

This guided 2 km adventure is all about colour, connection, and calm waters. It’s perfect for beginners, date nights, or anyone looking to experience the city in a whole new light.

Yes! Each group is led by a knowledgeable guide who ensures safety and fun along the way. Your guide will also share fun facts about the Rideau Canal’s history, unique architecture, and iconic landmarks as you paddle past them. It’s a floating mini tour of Ottawa—with a glowing kayak twist.

You don’t need kayaking experience—but we do recommend some basic familiarity for Light at Night Kayaking. It’s a longer 5.5 km route that takes about 2.5 hours on the water. If you’ve never been in a kayak before, we suggest trying our Kaleidoscope Kayaking experience first—it’s a shorter 2 km paddle and designed with beginners in mind.

Both tours include a full safety briefing, gear fitting, and support from our guides throughout the experience.

We love that you have your own gear, but for this event, all guests must use our provided equipment. Our kayaks are specifically chosen for this tour and fully outfitted with LED lighting. It ensures everyone has a consistent and safe experience.

You'll be paddling an Oru Kayak, a lightweight, foldable kayak designed for stability and ease of use. These kayaks are made from a translucent material, which allows the LED lights rigged underneath to shine through—so you’ll literally glow on the water as you paddle through the night. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s as magical as it is functional.

Light at Night Kayaking runs for approximately 2.5 hours. This includes check-in, a safety briefing, launching, a 5.5 km guided paddle through downtown Ottawa, and returning gear after the trip.

Kaleidoscope Kayaking is about 2 hours, but the exact duration may vary slightly depending on the timing of the fireworks show. It's a shorter paddle focused on fun, colour, and a vibrant group atmosphere.

We recommend:
• Change of clothes (just in case)
• Layers (for cooler evening air)
• Sandals or water shoes (your feet might get wet)
• Water bottle
• Bug spray

We paddle rain or shine, as long as conditions are safe. In the event of severe weather or lightning, the tour may be canceled or postponed. For full details on our weather, cancellation, and refund policies, please visit our official policy page:

👉 Kaleidoscope Kayaking Weather, Cancellation, and Refund Policies

There are several convenient parking options for both events:

Light at Night Kayaking: There’s plenty of street parking nearby, and the parking garage at Isabella and O’Connor Street is just a 7-minute walk to our launch site at Patterson Creek.

Kaleidoscope Kayaking: You’ll find street parking on Lewis Street, Waverley Street, and Frank Street. There’s also a parking garage at Cartier and Cooper Street, about a 10-minute walk to the launch site.

Participants must be 12 years or older to paddle in a single kayak.

If riding in a tandem kayak with an adult, we recommend children be 8 years or older.

All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Yes—well-behaved, small to medium-sized dogs are welcome on our Light at Night Kayaking tour!

However, we ask that all pups sit out the Kaleidoscope Kayaking experience, as it takes place close to a fireworks display, which can be overwhelming and stressful for animals.

To bring your dog along for Light at Night, please ensure the following:

• Your dog is small - medium sized (maximum 40lbs)

• Your dog is comfortable in a kayak and okay with getting a little wet.

• A doggy life jacket is strongly recommended.

• Your dog can remain calm in a group setting and won’t disrupt the experience for others.

If your furry friend fits the bill, they’re more than welcome to join in the glowing adventure! 🐾🛶

You might get a little splashy while paddling or getting in/out of the kayak, but you won’t be submerged unless there’s a (very rare!) tip. Our kayaks are stable, and our guides are there to help with launching and landing. We've only ever had 1 accidental swimmer in our 4 years of doing these guided tours.