Get ready to walk on water! Join us and experience the desert from a thrilling new perspective while on the deck of a Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP). Our guided paddle board tour features the excitement and ease of paddling a SUP on the gentle Lower Salt River, exploring the beautiful, one of a kind Sonoran Desert and the river environment. It’s the perfect playground to discover more about the natural history of this oasis or simply learn and practice proper SUP techniques. Paddling a SUP is a great activity for the whole family, allows a full-body workout, and provides the opportunity to witness incredible views of the mountains and wildlife.
All of our guided SUP tours take place near Phoenix on the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. The Salt is a Class I river (the easiest rating on the international scale of river difficulty) and provides some of the best wildlife and bird watching opportunities in the Southwest. Water temperatures are in the 60s in the winter and rise to low 80s in the summer months. Swimming is possible year-round, but the water may be chilly in January!
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours on the water
Departs: Phoenix/Scottsdale; 8am or 1pm tours available – Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
***Tours may be booked for other days of the week, but would be considered “private” tours and would incur an additional $125 fee
Includes: Professional certified guide/instructor, equipment, water & snacks, permits.
Description:
Beginner Stand Up Paddle Boarding – Our guided SUP tour is a perfect introduction to this exhilarating form of recreation. A SUP is like a big surf board that allows a standing/paddling form of on-water recreation and touring. We’ll learn the basics of launching and landing, techniques for balancing, kneeling and standing, and how to turn and navigate on gentle water. We’ll also have a great opportunity to learn about the amazing ecosystem of a desert river, and see some of flora and fauna which make this such a unique habitat. This tour is appropriate for anyone with good physical fitness, a willingness to learn a new skill, and a modest sense of adventure.
Advanced Stand Up Paddle Boarding – For our guests who are already experienced and proficient with standing, kneeling, and turning a SUP, this excursion will travel down river, negotiating turns in moderate river currents, and avoiding natural obstacles along the way. Guests should be comfortable moving between standing and kneeling positions on their board upon direction from the guide.
Cost:
- Beginner – $140/person; Advanced – $175p
- Transportation available for an additional $95/group
- Private tours are available for a one-time $125 fee
- 20% discount for groups of 4 or more
Season: This tour is available year round, weather dependent.
Skill level: Beginner to Advanced; All guests must have previous moving water SUP experience for the advanced river tour.
Notes: RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Minimum of 2 guests to confirm a tour. Minimum height 4’10”. Shoes that can get wet and will not come off in the water are required. Sport sandals (Teva/Chaco/Keen/etc) are ok. No flip flops or bare feet. Participants should wear swimwear or athletic clothes that have a good range of motion and can get wet. We suggest guests bring a t-shirt for additional sun protection as well as sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. Don’t forget a waterproof camera! Wetsuit rentals are available, please inquire.
Cancellation Policy: All half and full day tours have a 72-hour cancelation policy. If your plans change for any reason, please be sure to call at least 72 hours prior to the day of your tour to avoid charges.