Hire a double canoe at the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve entrance if you want to paddle independently. CapeNature hires day boats on a first-come basis. Choose a booked Keurbooms River Ferries trip if you want a guide and someone else to handle the boat. Whiskey Creek Cabin is a separate overnight paddle with its own booking and equipment requirements.

Where to hire a canoe at Keurbooms

CapeNature's reserve page places day hire at the entrance gate. From Plettenberg Bay, follow the N2 towards the river bridge and use the signed ferry turn-off just after the bridge. Save the reserve entrance before leaving. An accommodation listing near the estuary may give you a good base, but any hire offered by that property has separate arrangements.

The reserve lists double canoes and kayaks for day hire with lifejackets and paddles, subject to what is available. The CapeNature tariff page lists R160 per double canoe and separate day conservation charges of R80 per adult and R60 per child aged 4 to 17. Ask the gate team for your total and the equipment return time. CapeNature's cashless notice lists Keurbooms as cashless, so bring an accepted payment method. Booking general day entry online does not reserve a canoe.

Phone the reserve on 087 087 3937 before setting off if paddling is your main reason to go. Ask whether hire is running, which craft are being issued and which sections staff recommend for the conditions. If a day boat is available, choose an outing that leaves time for the return. CapeNature lists designated picnic spots reached from the river as well as a separate picnic area at the entrance.

The Keurbooms River winding through green hills beside a rural property — The upper Keurbooms River viewed from the R339 in 2009. This stretch is separate from the reserve entrance and canoe hire near Plettenberg Bay. Photo by NJR ZA, CC BY-SA 3.0. Displayed at a smaller size.

When the ferry makes more sense

Keurbooms River Ferries lists a guided trip of about two to two and a half hours. Departures depend on the tide and weather, and reservations are essential. The operator specifically says 08:00 can appear as a booking-system placeholder. Use the departure time on your actual confirmation when planning breakfast, driving or another booking.

A standard ticket is for a shared trip. Ask directly about age-based pricing, the current party limit, boarding arrangements and whether a river-beach stop is expected. The operator's pages give different vessel capacities, and its published child and adult rate bands overlap at age 12. A confirmed ticket or quote gives you the relevant details for your date.

Why Whiskey Creek needs a separate plan

Whiskey Creek Cabin is reached by paddling upstream, followed by an approximately 400 m walk from the river. CapeNature's reserve and accommodation pages give different distances and paddling times. Ask for the current itinerary and check-in arrangements, including how tide, wind and river conditions affect the expected time.

CapeNature requires lifejackets, helmets and water shoes for the overnight route, with water shoes supplied by guests. CapeNature says the overnight trail is unsuitable for children aged eight and younger. Children older than eight must be accompanied by adults. Ask which equipment the booking includes and plan for your own bedding, food and drinking water arrangements. CapeNature reports no cellphone reception on the overnight trail.

Pick the outing that fits the day

Keep day hire flexible if you are happy with a picnic or another stop when the boats are taken. Book the ferry first if a guided gorge outing is the reason you are coming. For Whiskey Creek, build the rest of the holiday around the cabin booking and the reserve's confirmed paddle plan. Our Knysna or Plettenberg Bay guide compares the wider holiday bases if you are still deciding where to stay.

Featured photo: The Keurbooms estuary near Plettenberg Bay, uploaded in 2006. Hurkummer, CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and may be cropped for display, shared under the same licence. Archive estuary setting.

Reviewed by Aqua Terra on 3 November 2026 using CapeNature and the ferry operator's visitor information. Confirm current conditions, hire and departure arrangements.