By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated
GetYourGuide lists guided kayaking sessions, river float experiences and Galilee outdoor adventures from operators based in northern Israel. Check availability and book ahead for July–August peak season — spots fill quickly.
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Viator connects you with vetted operators running guided and self-guided kayak routes on the Upper Jordan River and Hula Valley. Group and private options available, including family-friendly routes suitable for children from age six.
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Tiberias and the lakeside kibbutz guesthouses are the natural base for a Galilee river day. Booking.com lists hotels, kibbutz B&Bs and self-catering units across the northern shore — ideal if you want to combine kayaking with the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights.
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The Upper Jordan River is one of the most scenic rivers in the Middle East, and one of the few places in Israel where you can spend a full day outdoors on the water without heading to the coast. Flowing south from the foot of Mount Hermon through the green Hula Valley, the river is fed by snowmelt and powerful springs and runs clear through dense riparian forest before emptying into the Sea of Galilee. Two kibbutz-based operators — Kfar Blum and HaGoshrim — have been running guided and self-guided kayak routes on the Upper Jordan for decades, and between April and September they are among the most popular outdoor day trips in the entire north of Israel.
This is not whitewater kayaking. The Upper Jordan is a calm Class I river — perfect for paddlers of all experience levels, families with children and anyone who simply wants a few hours on the water in genuinely beautiful surroundings.
Kfar Blum kibbutz, founded in 1943 by English-speaking immigrants, sits directly on the Upper Jordan and has operated its kayak centre for over 30 years. It offers several route options ranging from a short 3 km family circuit to a full 8 km downstream paddle through the most scenic stretches of the Hula Valley. The 8 km route is the most popular choice for adults: it runs through forest, past waterfalls and over small natural rapids (genuinely mild — no skill required), and takes around two to three hours at an easy pace. Shuttle buses return paddlers to the start.
Kfar Blum’s site is open from April through September, with peak demand in July and August when Israeli families pack out the weekends. Advance booking is essential from late June onwards. Midweek in May, June or September is the least crowded window.
Kibbutz HaGoshrim, five kilometres north of Kfar Blum on the same stretch of river, runs a parallel operation with a slightly gentler set of routes — well suited to younger children and groups with mixed experience levels. The water flows through similarly lush terrain, and HaGoshrim’s centre is well organised with good changing facilities and a café on site.
The two centres complement each other: Kfar Blum for the longer, more immersive route; HaGoshrim for families wanting a shorter, calmer paddle. If you are travelling with children under eight, HaGoshrim’s routes are generally the more comfortable choice.
The Upper Jordan is nothing like the Lower Jordan near Jericho — it runs clean, fast and cold from its mountain springs, and the section around Kfar Blum flows through dense Galilean forest. You share the water with kingfishers, grey herons, little egrets and — if you are quiet — the occasional coypu surfacing from the bank. The current does most of the work; kayaks and Canadian canoes (two-person boats) are the standard vessels, both simple to handle with a brief orientation from the centre’s staff.
| Section | Highlights | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Start → Jordan fork | Open meadow, first papyrus reeds | 20–30 min |
| Middle canyon stretch | Shaded forest gorge, small rapids | 45–60 min |
| Lower Hula section | Waterfowl habitat, wider channels | 30–40 min |
| End point → shuttle | Organised shuttle bus back to start | 15 min |
Total on water: approximately 2–3 hours at an easy pace.
The fastest route from most Israeli cities runs up Route 90 (the Arava–Jordan Valley highway) northbound. From Tiberias: approximately 40 minutes. From Tel Aviv: around 2.5 hours (fastest via Route 6 north then Route 90). From Jerusalem: approximately 2.5 hours via Route 1 west, Route 4 north and Route 90.
There is no direct public transport to the kibbutz kayak centres. The nearest bus hub is Kiryat Shmona (served by Egged from Tel Aviv and Haifa); from Kiryat Shmona, a taxi to Kfar Blum takes around 10–15 minutes. Most visitors arriving without a car join a guided day tour that includes transport. See the car rental Israel guide for self-drive options; a hire car is also ideal for combining kayaking with other Galilee and Golan sites on the same day.
Life jackets are provided and mandatory for all ages. No kayaking experience is needed.
| Month | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April | Cool mornings, flowing well | Quiet; beautiful spring green |
| May–June | Warm, excellent water levels | Optimal window — less crowded |
| July–August | Hot, very busy | Peak demand; book ahead |
| September | Warm, crowds thinning | Good late-season option |
| October–March | Centres closed | River runs but commercial operations stop |
A common question: this is not the stretch of the Jordan River associated with the baptism of Jesus or with Christian pilgrimage. The biblical Jordan baptism sites — Yardenit (symbolic, at the Sea of Galilee outflow) and Qasr el-Yahud (the traditional historical site, near Jericho) — are on the Lower Jordan, several hours south. The Upper Jordan at Kfar Blum is a completely separate stretch of the same river: clear, fast, ecologically rich and ideal for paddling, but not a pilgrimage destination. For details on the baptism sites, see the Jordan River baptism sites guide.
A kayak morning pairs naturally with several other Galilee and Golan experiences:
The Upper Jordan River — the stretch running through the northern Galilee and Hula Valley — is a calm, Class I river: gentle current, no white-water rapids, lush riparian vegetation on both banks. Routes range from 3 km to 8 km and take between 90 minutes and three hours to paddle. The water is clear, tree-shaded and typically cool even in summer. Expect to drift past willow trees, papyrus reeds and occasional water birds. Life jackets are provided and mandatory; no previous paddling experience is needed. This is a floating-and-paddling experience, not an adrenaline sport — it suits families, couples and groups who want a scenic outdoor day rather than whitewater thrills.
No — these are two very different stretches of the same river. The Upper Jordan flows clear and fast from the foot of Mount Hermon through the Hula Valley and into the Sea of Galilee. The Lower Jordan flows south from the Sea of Galilee through the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea; this southern stretch, near Jericho and Qasr el-Yahud, is the one associated with the baptism of Jesus and described in the Gospels. Kayaking at Kfar Blum and HaGoshrim is on the Upper Jordan — scenic and excellent for outdoor recreation but not the biblical baptism site. For baptism sites, see the [Jordan River baptism sites guide](/jordan-river-baptism).
The kayaking season runs from April through September, when water levels and temperatures are right for paddling. May and June are the sweet spot: water levels are still good from winter and spring rains, temperatures are warm but not oppressive, and the routes are less crowded than the July–August peak. July and August see the most Israeli families on the water — boats fill up fast and advance booking is essential. April can be cold in the mornings but is peaceful and green. The sites close for the winter season (October–March) when water is high and conditions can be unpredictable.
Yes — especially from late June through August. Kfar Blum and HaGoshrim are among the most popular outdoor day-trip destinations in northern Israel, and summer weekends and Israeli public holidays sell out quickly. For weekdays in May, June or September, same-day or next-day availability is often possible, but it's still worth calling ahead or booking online. Both operators have online booking systems. If you're visiting on a Friday, bear in mind that some activities end early before Shabbat; confirm times directly with the operator.
By car is the most practical option: Kfar Blum is about 40 minutes from Tiberias, 25 minutes from Kiryat Shmona, and roughly 2.5 hours from Tel Aviv via Route 90 or Route 6 and Route 90. The kayak centres are well signed from the main road. By public transport: take an Egged bus from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem to Kiryat Shmona (approximately 3 hours), then a taxi or local bus the final 10–15 km to the kibbutz. Most visitors coming from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem either hire a car or join a guided day tour that handles transport. See the [car rental guide](/car-rental-israel) for self-drive options.
Yes — the Upper Jordan is suitable for children from around age six, and younger children can often paddle in a double kayak with a parent. Life jackets are provided and are mandatory for all paddlers regardless of swimming ability. The current is gentle enough that even non-swimmers are safe with a life jacket, though all operators require participants to declare if they cannot swim. The family-friendly routes at HaGoshrim (shorter circuits, quieter water sections) are particularly well suited to children. Bring old shoes that can get wet, a change of clothes, and sunscreen; the midday sun on the water is intense in summer.
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated