Rental centre (km 3)

Additional information about calm water navigation

In addition to its classic white water activities, Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier offers calm water nautical activities. Located at km 3 of Chemin du Parc-National, the rental centre provides watercraft rental (without bookings) for those wishing to  discover a calm section of Rivière Jacques-Cartier.

Description of the navigable zone

From the launch site of the rental centre (km 3), you can travel upriver for nearly one kilometre for a view of the sharp ridge of Épaule mountain which dominates the landscape.

On your way back, the gentle current will transport you to the rental centre. If you have some time left, you can continue downriver, but not beyond the marker buoys, where you must turn around and head back to your starting point.

A one-hour rental is usually enough to tour the zone, but to properly explore all its hidden corners or simply to enjoy an afternoon in the sun, you can rent a watercraft for half a day.

Description of available watercraft

Regulations concerning calm water watercraft rental differ from those for white water watercraft rental. Please note that there's no minimum age for calm water activities and wearing a wetsuit isn’t required.

Watercraft rental always includes the necessary paddles and life jackets.

Canoe

Canoes are the traditional watercraft used by First Nations since the dawn of time. A canoe is an open-type vessel that can carry all sorts of cargo. Canoes are popular because they're swift and sleek. However, they can be unstable and difficult to steer for less experienced navigators. Canoes are rented for a minimum of two people. In calm waters, one or two children can be seated in the middle. Each participant uses a single paddle.

Solo and tandem kayak

Kayaks are speedy vessels that are simple to maneuver. The kayaks on offer are of the open and “sit-on-top” variety, so they’re easy to board and disembark. However, water enters easily and the chances of staying dry are slim. Solo kayaks are rented for one person and tandem kayaks are rented for two. Each participant uses a twin-blade double paddle.

Dinghy

A dinghy is an inflated watercraft midway between a canoe and a raft. These unsinkable vessels have been designed to travel down extensive sections of rapids. In the calm waters around the rental centre (km 3), they offer outstanding stability and keep their passengers dry. On the other hand, they’re slower and more difficult to steer during strong winds. Dinghies are rented for two people and one child can sit in the middle. Each participant can use a single or double paddle.

Stand-up paddling

Hawaiian in origin, stand up paddling is an activity that combines surfing and kayaking. The board, designed for calm water, is longer, wider, and thicker than standard surfboards designed for waves, and therefore more stable. Stand up paddle boards are rented for one person and are steered with a single paddle. 

If you're a small group, try our "Party SUP" for up to 6 people!

Kayaks for kids

The rental centre (km 3) offers free rentals of kayaks adapted for kids. Smaller and very stable, this type of kayak is ideal if you wish to introduce your small fry to the pleasures of kayaking. There’s no minimum age for children's kayaks; common sense rules the waves! Kayaks for kids are rented for one youngster, and children steer them with a double paddle.

Regulations

Visitors renting a watercraft at the rental centre (km 3) must comply with the regulations in force at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, in particular

• Remaining within the navigation zone.
• Wearing a life jacket at all times.
• Keeping off the islands.
• Refraining from consuming alcohol or drugs before or during the activity.

Rates

Check the current rates.