Blackwater Tubing Green Route Forest Adventure

The river sets the pace here. The Blackwater Tubing Green Route takes you into the Plaatbos Indigenous Forest Nature Reserve near Storms River for three hours of tubing, standup paddleboarding, swimming, river walking, and optional rock jumps. I like the private format, which keeps the outing personal, and I like that this is an easy entry-level activity for families rather than a test of serious outdoor skill. The main thing to check is water level: when the river runs low, you may spend more time walking and pushing your tube than floating.

This is also a fine way to see the Tsitsikamma Forests from a different angle. The scenery is quiet and remote, the guides provide the equipment and transport, and a 6-meter rock jump adds a little nerve to an otherwise gentle outing. At $66.38 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the private guide, multiple activities, snacks, and included transport, but it may feel high if you are expecting nonstop river action.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours in Plaatbos Reserve: The route combines tube paddling, SUP, river-bed walking, swimming, and optional jumps.
• A calm, entry-level outing: It is designed for families and most people can participate.
• Water level matters: Low water can mean stuck tubes and plenty of walking between pools.
• Private group experience: Only your group takes part, allowing the guide to adjust the pace and explain each activity.
• Transport is included: A 20-minute drive from Storms River Village takes you to the river access point.
• Bring your own wetsuit and footwear: Helmet, PFD, tube, SUP, snacks, drinks, and taxes are included, but those two clothing items are not.

Starting at Tube ’n Axe Lodge in Storms River

The outing begins at Tsitsikamma Blackwater Tubing, at Tube ’n Axe Lodge on Darnell Street in Storms River Village. You receive a welcome, a basic orientation, and about 30 minutes to get fitted with the supplied equipment.

That preparation time is useful. You are not simply handed a tube and sent toward the river. The guide helps organize your helmet, personal flotation device, tube, and SUP equipment before the group leaves the village. Since this is a private experience, you can use the briefing to ask questions about the route, the optional jumps, or the expected river conditions.

Transport from the meeting point is included. The drive takes about 20 minutes through thick indigenous forest, and it moves you quickly from the village into a quieter part of the reserve. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second vehicle or work out a pickup from the river.

The location is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not give a detailed public transit plan. If you are staying outside Storms River Village, confirm how you will reach Darnell Street before booking.

Walking 100 meters to the old Storms River Pass

After the drive, you receive your own tube and walk about 100 meters to the river edge at the low-water bridge in the old Storms River Pass. This is a short approach, but you should still expect to carry or manage your equipment over uneven ground.

At the river, the guide gives a final safety talk and demonstrates the basics. You learn the practical do’s and don’ts before setting off on flat water. That matters for first-timers, especially when you are handling a tube, a helmet, and a personal flotation device in a natural river rather than at a managed swimming pool.

The opening paddle heads upstream into the Plaatbos Indigenous Forest Nature Reserve. The water is described as calm, making this part suitable for people who want a gentle start. You have time to get comfortable with the tube, take in the forest, and watch for local plant and animal life.

The setting is the main attraction at this point. You are not racing through a series of manufactured obstacles. You are moving through a remote forest area, with the river providing the route and the guide helping you notice what is around you.

Choosing the 6-meter jump, or taking the easier route

Within the first 100 meters, you reach the optional rock jump. The highest jump is about 6 meters, which is enough to make your stomach tighten even if you are otherwise relaxed about the outing.

You do not have to jump. Lower alternatives are available, so the group can include people with different comfort levels. That flexibility is one reason this works for families and mixed-age groups. A confident teenager may want the higher jump, while a parent or younger participant may prefer a lower option or no jump at all.

The jump is not the whole point of the tour. If you skip it, you still have the tubing, SUP section, swimming, forest scenery, and river-bed walking ahead. I would treat the jump as an optional extra rather than a measure of how much fun you will have.

The private format should help here. Your group is not being pushed along by a large crowd, and the guide can give people a little space to decide. The information does not provide guide names, so you cannot request a particular guide in advance based on the details available.

A sandy beach and a 250-meter river walk

After the jump section, the group paddles across the pool to a sandy beach. This gives you a natural pause between activities and a place to get out of the water before the next part of the route.

From the beach, you walk about 250 meters along a rocky river bed while carrying your tubes. This is the part that may surprise you. The tour is called tubing, but the river does not provide a continuous float from start to finish. You should be ready for a real walk over rocks, not just a short stroll between two easy pools.

River level makes a major difference. At a low level, tubes may get caught between rocks, and the group may walk much of the route. One 3-star rating specifically points to this issue, while still praising the staff and scenery. That is useful advice, not a minor footnote: ask about recent water conditions before you commit, especially if your main goal is floating.

The walk also changes the character of the day. Some people will enjoy the chance to move through a less developed part of the reserve. Others may find carrying a tube over rocky ground tiring, particularly if they expected a mostly seated water activity.

Wear footwear suited to the river section. Footwear is not included, and the route includes a rocky river bed. The information provided does not name a required shoe type, so confirm the operator’s current recommendation before arriving.

Switching from tubes to standup paddleboards

The next challenge is the SUP section. After carrying the tubes up the river bed, you change over to standup paddleboards for another way of moving through the reserve.

Standup paddleboarding adds balance and coordination, but the activity is still presented as entry-level. You do not need to arrive as an experienced paddler. The guide provides instruction and safety information, and the calm water at the start should make it easier to learn the basic movements.

Your group can expect a different view from the board than from the tube. Sitting low in a tube gives you a close look at the water and rocks. Standing on a SUP gives you a wider view through the forest and a more active role in steering. It also gives the outing a useful change of pace after the earlier float and walk.

The precise duration of the SUP segment is not stated. That means the amount of time spent on each activity may depend on river conditions, group comfort, and the guide’s judgment. If you want a particular balance between tubing and SUP, mention it during the orientation.

Swimming, snacks, and the rhythm of the route

Swimming is part of the Green Route, although the information does not specify a set swimming stop or how long you will be in the water. You should think of it as one of several activities rather than a full swimming session.

Coffee and/or tea and snacks are included. These are small extras, but they help on a three-hour outing that combines paddling and walking. Since food details are not provided, do not assume a full meal. Have a proper breakfast or lunch around the tour time if you need more than a light break.

A helmet and PFD are included, along with the tube and SUP. All fees and taxes are covered, and private transportation is part of the package. The major missing items are a wetsuit and footwear, so check those before departure.

The route’s rhythm is its strength. You move from flat-water paddling to a jump option, then to a beach, a rocky walk, SUP, and swimming. It is not a single repetitive activity, which helps keep the experience interesting for families and groups with different attention spans.

Forest scenery and local wildlife

The Tsitsikamma Forest views are a major reason to book this instead of a simple pool-based tubing session. The route reaches remote sections of the Plaatbos Indigenous Forest Nature Reserve, and the quiet setting gives you a closer look at the area’s flora and fauna.

The supplied details do not promise sightings of specific animals or plants. Keep your eyes open, but treat wildlife as a possibility rather than a scheduled feature. The value is in moving slowly through a natural area where the forest, river, and rocks provide the setting.

The scenery also gives non-jumpers plenty to enjoy. If you decide not to take the 6-meter jump, you still have a forest route, a sandy beach, calm river pools, SUP, and swimming. That makes the tour more inclusive than an outing built around one large adrenaline moment.

I especially like that the route is described as an unexplored or remote section of the reserve, but you should read that in practical terms. You are still with a guide, using supplied safety equipment, and following a defined activity route. This is outdoor adventure with support, not a self-guided wilderness trip.

Is $66.38 good value for three hours?

At $66.38 per person, the price is not bargain-basement, but it covers more than a single equipment rental. You receive a private guide, return transport from the meeting point, a helmet, PFD, tube, SUP, coffee or tea, snacks, fees, and taxes.

The private element matters most for value. Only your group participates, so the guide can manage the pace and make the experience more comfortable for a family or a group with mixed confidence levels. A shared outing might cost less, but it may offer less flexibility.

Value depends heavily on water level. In good conditions, you get several connected activities in a scenic reserve. In very low water, much of the tubing may turn into walking, and the same price may feel less satisfying. This is the single most important question to ask before booking.

The tour is booked, on average, 33 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your Storms River plans are fixed, particularly if you need a specific time. Several tour times are available, which helps you fit the outing around other Garden Route plans.

The current score is 4.7 from 21 ratings, with 90 percent recommending it. The strongest praise focuses on the beautiful natural setting, friendly staff, and fun guides. One family used it for a 15th birthday celebration and found it enjoyable for the whole group. That is a good sign for families who want an active shared experience rather than separate activities for adults and children.

Who should book the Green Route

I would recommend this for families, first-time outdoor adventurers, and private groups that want variety. It suits people who like being active but do not want an intense technical challenge.

It also works well for a birthday or small celebration. The optional jump gives older children and teenagers something to talk about, while the lower alternatives and calm water keep the outing open to less daring participants.

You should be comfortable with wet clothing, carrying equipment, walking over a rocky river bed, and changing between several activities. The tour is called entry-level, but entry-level does not mean effortless. Low water can add more walking, and the river bed may be awkward underfoot.

I would be cautious about booking if your only goal is continuous tubing. Ask about current water levels first. If the river is low, you may spend a lot of time walking or freeing a stuck tube, which can change the experience from a float trip into a mixed hiking and paddling outing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The activity depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation by the operator can result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this Storms River adventure?

Book it if you want a private, family-friendly outing that combines several activities in the Tsitsikamma Forests. The beautiful setting, helpful staff, included equipment, and optional jump give the three hours a good range of experiences.

Before paying, ask about the river level and confirm what footwear and wetsuit you need. If water conditions are favorable, $66.38 is fair for a guided private experience with transport and multiple activities. If the river is very low, book only if you are happy with a lot of river-bed walking and less actual tubing.

FAQ

Where does the Blackwater Tubing Green Route start?

It starts at Tsitsikamma Blackwater Tubing at Tube ’n Axe Lodge, 85 Darnell Street, Stormsrivier, 6308, South Africa.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point in Storms River Village.

How long does the Green Route activity last?

The activity lasts about three hours.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is described as an easy, entry-level activity suitable for the whole family, and most travelers can participate.

What activities are included?

The route includes tube paddling, standup paddleboarding, river-bed walking, swimming, and optional rock jumps.

Is the rock jump required?

No. The 6-meter jump is optional, and lower alternatives are available.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a helmet, personal flotation device, tube, SUP, transport, coffee and/or tea, snacks, and all fees and taxes.

Do I need to bring a wetsuit or footwear?

Yes. Wetsuits and footwear are not included, so you need to arrange them separately.