BlackWater Tubing
Blackwater Tubing isn’t just an activity; it’s the original pulse of Tsitsikamma. For over 50 years, this experience has defined the Storms River Gorge as the Garden Route’s premier adventure frontier.
It remains the only excursion that weaves together the silence of pristine indigenous forests, the rush of coffee-colored river rapids, and the raw power of the unique coastline into a single journey.
The Legend of the Storms River: The Blackwater Tubing Story
The Heritage of the “Tchoop”
Long before the Garden Route became a global tourism magnet, the deep, amber-colored waters of the Storms River Gorge were the playground of local legends.
Nearly 50 years ago, the first adventurers—local farmers and foresters—ventured into the gorge armed with nothing but a pair of “piti” shorts, a “skipper” T-shirt, and a rugged tractor inner tube, known affectionately as a tchoop. This wasn’t a commercial tour; it was a rite of passage.
By the late 1980s, this grassroots bravery evolved into the iconic adventure attraction we know today. Blackwater Tubing proudly carries this torch, having taken the helm of this historic Tsitsikamma activity in 2008 to ensure the original spirit of the river lives on.
"In the shadow of the giant yellowwoods, where the water runs dark and the air stays cool, find your rhythm on the river and feel the pulse of the wild South Africa."
We Don’t Control the River. We Guarantee the Experience.
If conditions aren’t ideal, you get a return trip at peak flow.
A Small Team with a Big Heart
We aren’t a faceless corporation. We are a small, owner-run MME (Micro-Medium Enterprise) based in the heart of Storms River Village.
Our team—comprised of eight permanent guides, two drivers, and an operations manager—is more than just a workforce; we are a family. This bond is the secret to our success. When you join us on the river, you aren’t just a client; you are a guest in our home.
We thrive on the family market, valuing every opportunity to introduce visitors to our spectacular natural environment through a fun, high-value, and unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Exclusive Access, Unrivaled Safety
Through a prestigious five-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with SANParks, we hold the exclusive rights to take you where no one else can.
Our license grants us entry into the most remote, pristine areas of the Tsitsikamma wilderness.
While the scenery is breathtaking, your safety is our obsession. We don’t settle for “standard.”
Recognizing that generic swiftwater rescue courses didn’t fully capture the nuances of the Storms River, we are currently spearheading a new National Qualifications Framework (NQF) specifically for tubing through CATHSETA.
Our guides are Level 3 First Aid qualified and undergo rigorous in-house training during the quiet winter months to ensure that even though no two river trips are the same, the quality of your experience is guaranteed.
“Follow the flow of the Storms River as it carves its way to the sea, and discover a side of Tsitsikamma that can only be reached by those brave enough to dive in.