"Its was amazing, frendly people and comfortable location"
Lac de Sainte-Croix · Pont du Galetas · On the Water
Verdon Gorge Boat & Kayak Tours
Paddle up into the canyon on the turquoise water — canoe, kayak and stand-up board rentals, plus pedalos and electric boats on Lac de Sainte-Croix.
Top pick
From
$20
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.8 / 5 Top Rated
- Round-Trip Transport From Aix · Marseille · Nice
- Photo Stops In the Blooming Fields
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
Why Get on the Water in the Verdon
The classic Verdon photo — and the most affordable way into the gorge.
Highlights
- Discover unspoiled, wild nature in the heart of the Verdon Gorges!
- The Baudinard Canyon is an iconic spot in the Verdon Gorges!
- Paddle through a major prehistoric site under the sun of Provence!
- Canoe and kayak in the Verdon Regional Natural Park
What's Included
- Canoe and kayak rental includes:
- A life jacket suitable for each person;
- One paddle per person;
- One waterproof container per boat;
How Verdon Gorge Boat & Kayak Rentals Work
From the lakeshore base out onto the water and up into the canyon.
Choose How You Want to See the Gorge
Pick a guided day trip, a boat or kayak tour on Lac de Sainte-Croix, a rafting or canyoning adventure, or a private tour — each is built around the canyon, the lake and the viewpoints.
Book in Season (May–September)
The roads, the lake and the water sports are at their best from May to September, with June and September the sweet spot for weather and smaller crowds. Combine with the lavender from late June to mid-July.
Confirm Instantly
Pay through our secure GetYourGuide booking partner — instant confirmation by email, mobile voucher, and free cancellation on most tours up to 24 hours before.
Meet Your Guide & Go
Meet at the pickup point and let your guide handle the winding canyon roads, the Route des Crêtes viewpoints, the lake stop and the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Photo Gallery
On the Turquoise Water of the Verdon
Canoes and kayaks below the cliffs, and the wide blue of Lac de Sainte-Croix.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your date and group size. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Compare Verdon Boat & Kayak Options
Canoe/kayak rental, a canoe-kayak-SUP combo, or a paddleboard — compared.
| Feature | TOP PICK Montpezat: Canoe & Kayak Rental | Verdon Canyon: Canoe/Kayak/SUP | Montpezat: SUP Paddleboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $20/per person | $28 | $17 |
| Craft | Canoe / kayak | Canoe, kayak or SUP | Paddleboard |
| On Lac de Sainte-Croix | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle into the gorge | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guided | Self-guided rental | Self-guided rental | Self-guided rental |
| Free cancellation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Couples & families | Choosing your craft | Solo & balance lovers |
| Check Availability | View Tour | View Tour |
More Verdon Gorge Water Experiences
Different ways to get onto the turquoise water of the gorge and the lake.
CANOE / SUPVerdon Canyon: Canoe Kayak or SUP Rental
Discover the beauty of Verdon Canyon with a rented canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Receive all equipment so you can access this secluded canyon from the water.
PADDLEBOARDMontpezat: PADDLEBOARD (S.U.P.) Rental in the Verdon Gorges
Rent a stand-up paddle board in the Verdon Gorge and paddle across the emerald green waters that make this exceptional natural site so famous!
LAKE DAY TRIPNice: The Gorges du Verdon and Ste Croix Lake Full-Day Tour
Discover the Grand Canyon of France. Enjoy the lake of Ste Croix along with a visit to the medieval villages of Castellane and Moustiers-Ste-Marie, and famous lavender fields (end of June – July).
FLOATINGVerdon: Floating in the Grand Canyon
Imagine yourself surrounded by several hundred meters of vertical cliffs. Imagine yourself floating in the vibrant turquoise waters of the Verdon.
Boat & Kayak Tours
The Best View Is from the Water
Why most people remember the Verdon from a canoe.
The picture everyone has of the Gorges du Verdon — a little boat dwarfed by turquoise water and white cliffs — is taken on Lac de Sainte-Croix, the reservoir at the canyon’s mouth. From the Pont du Galetas you can launch a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard and glide straight up into the Basses Gorges, where the cliffs close in and the engine noise of the road disappears. It’s the most affordable way to experience the gorge, and for many visitors the most memorable.
If paddling isn’t your thing, the lake also has pedalos and electric boats for hire (no licence needed for the small electric ones), which let you reach the canyon entrance at an easy pace. Rentals run by the hour or half-day, with the busiest, brightest water in the May-to-September season; mornings are calmer and cooler before the afternoon breeze picks up.
Prefer to see the canyon from above first? Combine the water with a full-day day trip that loops the viewpoints, or — for the river at the bottom of the gorge rather than the lake — look at rafting and canyoning out of Castellane. Riviera-based? The day trip from Nice reaches the lake too.
Guest Reviews
What Travelers Say
4.8/5
"It was absolutely stunning. The view were outstanding."
"tons of fun with beautiful views. the ride down was peaceful but be prepared for an uphill battle against the wind in your way back. It took a ton of strength! worth it if you are up for that though."
"Excellent value for money with picturesque views of the Verdon Gorge. Highly recommend"
"This was a great activity. The rental was very straightforward. The team there are friendly and helpful. The canoe trip through the gorge was beautiful."
"Amazing experience, we took 3 hours option and it was more than enough to explore the gorge. Breathtaking!"
"Easy to find, easy to navigate! Beautiful water and gorge!"
"What an amazing day ! Fantastic organisation at the kayak centre, superb value for money and the best location ! Highly recommended"
Read all 0 verified reviews
See All ReviewsReady to See the Gorges du Verdon?
Skip the self-drive logistics on the canyon's hairpin roads — let a local guide handle the route, the viewpoints, and the lake. Choose from day trips, boat and rafting tours, most with free cancellation. Starting from $20 per person.
Browse Verdon Gorge ToursVerdon Gorge Boat & Kayak Tours — FAQ
Getting onto the turquoise water of the gorge and the lake.
Most launch from Lac de Sainte-Croix, especially around the Pont du Galetas at the canyon's mouth, and from lakeshore villages such as Les Salles-sur-Verdon and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. From there you paddle up into the lower gorge.
No licence is needed for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedalos and the small electric boats commonly hired on Lac de Sainte-Croix. Operators give a safety briefing before you set off.
Petrol motorboats are restricted on the lake and in the gorge to protect the environment. The usual options are human-powered craft (canoe, kayak, SUP, pedalo) and licence-free electric boats.
From the Pont du Galetas you can paddle several hundred metres up into the Basses Gorges before the current and rocks stop most casual paddlers. It's enough to feel the cliffs close in around you.
Yes — the lake is calm and the rentals are beginner-friendly, which is why families love it. Children must wear the provided buoyancy aids; check minimum-age rules on each rental.
May to September. Mornings are calmer and cooler, before the afternoon breeze and the midday crowds; the water colour is most vivid on bright days.
Rentals are the most affordable way to experience the gorge, often starting around $17–$30 per person for a paddleboard or canoe hire by the hour or half-day.
Swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, water and shoes that can get wet. A dry bag for phones and cameras is wise — the famous canyon photos are taken from the water.
Yes, the lake is popular for swimming, with several beaches around its shore. The water is cool and clear; it's part of why the area is so loved in summer.
Most rentals and trips allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Confirm the policy on the booking page before you pay.
Still have questions? Email us at info@gorgesduverdon.tours