Waterlogged: A Rafting Blog

With many rafting companies to choose from when planning a river adventure how do you pick the right one? We could start by telling you how wonderful we are but we are obviously going to be a bit biased. Instead, we think online reviews are a much better tool for you to use since you can hear about someone’s experience with us in their own words. – not ours.

If reviews aren’t enough, consider the following when choosing a white water rafting company for your next adventure:

Safety Credentials & Guide Training

• Ask about the guides’ certifications — good outfitters should have guides trained in swift water rescue, first aid, and CPR.
• Make sure they have a solid safety briefing before the trip, including how to paddle, what to do if someone falls in, and how to respond to emergencies.
• Check if they have a policy around river flow cut-offs (i.e., when they cancel trips due to dangerous water levels).

Guide-to-Participant Ratio

• A lower guide-to-rower ratio is safer — fewer people per raft means more control and attention.
• For more challenging rivers, there should ideally be more guides or “safety boats” nearby.

Company Experience & Reputation

• Look for outfitters with a track record: how long they’ve been running trips, how well-reviewed they are, and whether they operate in the specific river you’re interested in.
• Check customer reviews (TripAdvisor, Google, etc.).

Equipment Quality

• Ask what kind of rafts they use: you want sturdy boats (e.g., heavy-duty rafts with multiple air chambers) so they don’t deflate or leak.
• Make sure they provide quality life-jackets and helmets that meet safety standards.
• Check how old their gear is — well-maintained or newer gear is generally safer.

Trip Options & Fit

• Make sure the company offers trips that match your skill level and interests. For instance, beginners should stick to Class I–III rapids, while more experienced rafters might want Class IV–V.
• Look for flexibility in trip types: do they have one-day trips, multi-day, family-friendly routes, or more aggressive runs?
• Ask whether they customize trips or if they just run fixed itineraries.

Operational Transparency

• A good rafting company should be clear about what’s included in the trip cost (gear, meals, transportation, guide gratuity, etc.).
• Ask about their cancellation or refund policies.
• Check if they carry insurance or what liability you sign up for.

Environmental & Ethical Practices

• Consider outfitters that practice “leave no trace” principles or have environmental stewardship practices.
• Ask about how they minimize impact on the river and surrounding ecosystems.

Logistics & Practicalities

• Location: Are they local to the river you want to run? Do they provide shuttles to and from the river put-in/take-out?
• Group size: Is the trip large or small? Smaller groups often mean a more personalized experience.
• Age/health restrictions: Check whether they have minimum age, weight, or health requirements.
• Gear: Do you need to bring your own water shoes, sunscreen, change of clothes, etc.?

Cost vs Value

• Very cheap rafting trips can be a red flag, especially if safety or guide experience is being compromised. As one rafting expert put it, “cheap is expensive” when it comes to safety and quality.
• Compare what’s included (gear, guide, meals, transport) across different companies.

Ask Questions Directly

• Don’t hesitate to call the outfitter and ask questions. The way they respond (how knowledgeable, helpful, and transparent they are) can tell you a lot about how they operate.
• Some good specific questions:

1. What certifications do your guides have?
2. What’s your guide-to-guest ratio?
3. What happens if the river level is too high or too low?
4. What gear do you provide, and is there anything I should bring?
5. Do you have a cancellation policy?

Check out our many, many online reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor.com and decide for yourself if you want to book your trip with us. We hope you do and that you’ll write your own review after your trip.