Unless you are planning a water fight and to get soaked from it, avoid it! For most of the trip the guides encouraged a fight with the other boats, literally throwing buckets of water to the paying guests, also those who didn't want to engage.
Too bad, the scenery is beautiful and could've been nice
Tubs was awesome!!! Not a lot of white water but that was fine seeing as I had young kids with me. All guides were very friendly and helpful. I specifically requested Tubs as our guide because of the reviews on Trip Advisor...good move! He made it so much fun!! Warren, our driver, was also great and a wealth of information. Highly recommend!!!!
Overall it was more than worth it. It passed the we're glad we did it test. But there were some things they could do better.
Here's what went well. Check-in was smooth and we got going on time. During the van ride to where they dropped us in the river, one of the guides Sean? was telling lots of stories about the area. The rafts felt very sturdy and safe. They seat around ten people each, so expect to share one with other parties. Our guide Keith? was a strong, expert rower who gave us a good brief safety orientation as we got under way and handled the raft well throughout the trip. We got to pick which part of the raft to be in: up front to get splashed more, or in back to stay dryer. I was up front, and got totally drenched by waves which in 100 heat is wonderful.
The ride was calm and leisurely, only class 1-2 rapids. This varies by season, rainfall, snowmelt, etc., which affect the depth and flow of the river. The scenery was just what we'd hoped for: great views of canyons, cliffs, mesas, and mountains. This is a great way to see miles of scenery while someone else does the work, and you can jump out and go swimming when the guide says it's safe. At the end you put in at a ramp and get picked up and driven back to NAVTEC's office where you started.
In the middle of a wide river there is no shade of course, so you'd better bring a hat and water bottle, and sunblock well. NAVTEC advises you about this and other things. Take their advice. And bring snacks.
Here's what could have gone better. The van ride to and from feels very long with no air conditioning on a hot Moab summer day. The van was noisy enough I couldn't hear most of what the guide was saying from where I was.
Our guide once we got in the boat Keith? was much more interested in talking about himself than about what we were floating past. Dude, the trip is not about you. We learned almost nothing about the area while in his boat. That was the big downside. Other reviewers rave about their informative guides. Good for them. Just know that guides are not all equal, and they have a lot to do with the quality of the trip.
Getting back into the raft after swimming is a challenge. Unless you're in very good shape you can't do it alone and others must hoist you, and it can hurt. It'd be helpful if they had some rope ladder-ish thing to make it easier.
The wait to get picked up by the van after the rafts landed was pretty long, at least it felt long in that heat. There may have been some good reason why they weren't waiting for us near the ramp, but nobody explained it.
Still, like I said, we were glad we did it. Ask for Sean.