Rafting Tuscany Lima River Rapids Slides Bagni di Lucca

Navigate rapids and natural slides, then dive into calm stretches of the Lima River

Rafting on the Lima River near Bagni di Lucca in Tuscany puts you in a raft with a guide for 2.5 hours of rapids, small natural slides and moments to swim and play in the water. You arrive at the center, get fitted with a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and paddle, receive a safety briefing, then ride private transport to the launch point. The descent includes opportunities to dive and water games between the faster sections. At the end, transport takes you back to the center and you get photos and videos of the best moments.

The experience

What makes this different from a guided tour is that you're operating the raft yourself, not watching from a boat. The Lima River near Bagni di Lucca has stretches built for it: rapids that demand paddle work, small natural slides you navigate, and calmer sections where you can dive into the water or play. A live guide in English or Italian rides with you, calling out the techniques and keeping everyone safe, but the work of moving through the river is yours.

The day starts at the rafting center, where staff fit you with a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and paddle. Bring only a swimsuit. After a detailed briefing on navigation and safety, you board private vehicles to the embarkation point. The descent itself runs about 2.5 hours, moving through the exciting stretches and the quieter moments in sequence. Along the way you'll have chances to dive and swim between the rapids. At the end, the same vehicles bring you back to the center, where you'll get photos and videos of the best moments captured during the run.

May and June bring lower water levels, which opens up more diving and swimming opportunities in stretches that are usually faster. The operator offers a discount in those months for this reason. The activity suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, mobility difficulties or pregnancy. Children are welcome from age 5.

What’s included

• Private transport to and from the launch point.
• wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and paddle.
• live guide in English or Italian.
• safety briefing before launch.
• photos and videos of your descent.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 to 70 years) · Youth (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lucca Rafting

Is this one for you?You operate the raft yourself with a guide riding along, so this suits anyone who wants to do the paddling and navigate the river rather than watch it from a boat. The mix of rapids, slides and swimming stretches means you get both the adrenaline and the chance to dive and play in the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Lima River like when I'm actually on it?

The Lima River near Bagni di Lucca has a mix: rapids that need active paddling, small natural slides you steer through, and calmer sections where you can dive or swim between the faster stretches. The descent takes about 2.5 hours and moves through these different sections in sequence.

Do I need rafting experience to do this?

No. The guide gives a full briefing on navigation techniques and safety before you launch, and the activity suits all fitness levels. You'll learn the paddle work and river reading as you go.

What happens if the water level is low?

In May and June, lower water levels actually open up more diving and swimming opportunities in stretches that are usually faster. The operator offers a discount during those months because the experience shifts toward water play rather than continuous rapids.

What do I bring and what's provided?

Bring only a swimsuit. The center provides a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and paddle. Private transport to and from the launch point is included, along with photos and videos of your best moments on the river.