2. A Tour Offering Suited to All Skill Levels

A provider truly specialized in canoeing will have, through experience, developed a range of excursions tailored to different skill levels. Beyond offering a personalized experience, this is also a sign that the team masters various techniques and routes—a true canoeing professional will never push you into an unsuitable itinerary.

Be cautious of limited offers: if a provider only offers one or two standardized tours, and not even every day, it’s usually not a good sign. This likely reflects an inability to adapt to participants’ levels, changing weather conditions, or simply a lack of deep knowledge—canoeing clearly isn’t their core specialty…

At Nordic Odyssey: Whether you’re total beginners looking for a relaxing time on the water, seasoned paddlers wanting to enjoy your passion on wild rivers, or adventurers seeking a multi-hour or multi-day challenge, we’ve got you covered. Our carefully crafted range of guided tours caters to all levels and desires, built from years of hands-on canoeing and kayaking experience!

3. Check the Reviews and Photos!

Feedback from previous travelers is probably your most reliable source of information. Detailed and numerous reviews are a clear sign of trust and experience. If there are only a few comments—or if they’re vague and generic—it may indicate a provider with little experience in canoe tours, a brand-new business still finding its footing, or even fake reviews.

Take a close look at the photos—they usually don’t lie (hopefully…). They’re a key indicator to help you spot amateurs.

First, be wary of overly “perfect” images that look like they came from an advertisement. Some companies use stock photos that aren’t even theirs, or worse—images generated by AI. How authentic can the experience be if the photos themselves aren’t real?

Even worse, some providers don’t realize they’re using photos that don’t actually show proper canoes. If you see a random mix of canoes and kayaks, or boats that don’t resemble true canoes, that’s a red flag. The landscape can be just as telling—trees that don’t grow in northern climates, mountain backdrops in what is actually a very flat region… small details that reveal a lack of honesty.

Some providers even fail to understand the difference between a canoe and a kayak…

At Nordic Odyssey: You’re welcome to read through our customer reviews or inspect our photos—we guarantee full honesty and authenticity 🙂

A few examples of questionable photos found with providers in Rovaniemi:

Watch out for these cheap, unstable boats! They’re neither kayaks nor canoes.
You can also clearly see the life jackets are poorly fitted, low quality, and not adapted to proper use.

This photo is widely used by many local providers. It’s actually a stock photo from a free image bank—taken in Canada!

Likely generated by artificial intelligence (note the warped shape of the kayak on the right…), this image shows a kayaking tour—but it’s sold by the provider Arctic GM as a canoe trip.
Worth noting: kayaking is more difficult than canoeing due to its lower stability and requires even more professional supervision—clearly not the case here!

4. Equipment and Safety: Never Compromise!

Make sure the price includes proper canoe (or kayak) equipment: paddles and certified flotation vests (which are mandatory!). It’s easy to spot low-quality or budget flotation vests. Good gear isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety. Also check that the guides carry additional safety gear such as rescue throw lines and a first aid kit.

Look closely at the type of boat used: some providers use inflatable rafts, cheap plastic boats, or oversized vessels for 4 to 6 people—and try to pass them off as canoes!

Additionally, the duration of the tour should include a proper safety briefing and basic paddling instructions. A true professional will never send you out on the water without first explaining essential techniques and safety principles.

If you have the slightest doubt about the safety standards or guidance, don’t hesitate to ask the provider before booking—especially if you’re going with children. But remember: if you have doubts, it’s often because something’s not right…

At Nordic Odyssey: All our gear is top quality, using expert brands in water sports like Palm© and Piranha©. Our paddles are handcrafted wooden ones made in Finland—far more enjoyable than basic plastic paddles! And our canoes are recognized in the industry for their stability, safety, and ease of use: Esquif Prospector 15, Venture Ranger 149, Rainbow Apache, and more. With us, your comfort and safety are never compromised!

5. What’s Included in the Tour: Canoeing First and Foremost!

When choosing a canoeing excursion in Rovaniemi, one of the key criteria is the actual time spent on the water. Some tours, while appealing on paper, dedicate a large portion of the activity to extended breaks—like unnecessary barbecues, long transfers far from Rovaniemi, or questionable “touristy” stops.

This mix of add-ons often hides a lack of professionalism, very little real paddling time, and probably minimal variety in landscapes. A 3-hour activity can easily include only 45 minutes of actual canoeing when you factor in long transfers (e.g. 2 x 30 minutes driving), or a fire-side sausage barbecue in the middle of the afternoon (another 45 minutes lost…). What’s left? Just enough time to paddle in a circle on a lake and head back. Yet you’re still paying for a “3-hour tour.”

But the main goal of a canoeing trip in the Land of a Thousand Lakes should be to paddle—and to fully enjoy the river or lake environment. That’s why it’s important to choose a tour that prioritizes the paddling experience.

Look for tours that clearly state the length of the active time on the water. A good canoeing tour should allow you to paddle at your own pace, immerse yourself in Arctic nature, and explore the scenery without being rushed. Certified, practice-oriented guides will offer routes tailored to your level, with real quality time spent in the canoe—rather than an activity focused mostly on snacks and sightseeing.

At Nordic Odyssey: All our canoe tours are designed to provide a high-quality paddling experience adapted to your level and interests. For our 3-hour guided excursion, you’ll typically spend 2 full hours on the water. The rest of the time is allocated to transfers (2 x 10 minutes) and a thorough safety and technique briefing (30 minutes). If the group wishes, we also offer a relaxing break with swimming on hidden beaches, and a small snack served on the water or on the riverbank—depending on your preferences!