The Rivière Péribonka is a major river in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, stretching approximately 451 kilometres from its source just west of the Otish Mountains to its mouth at Lac Saint-Jean, near the town of Péribonka. It drains a basin of roughly 28,200 square kilometres and carries an average discharge of 635 cubic metres per second, making it the largest tributary of Lac Saint-Jean. The river flows through the Maria-Chapdelaine Regional County Municipality and passes through the Zec des Passes territory.

The character of the river varies considerably along its length. The lower reaches near Lac Saint-Jean feature rocky escarpments that give the corridor a fjord-like appearance, with 400-metre cliff walls visible along certain stretches. Numerous sandbars provide natural camping spots for multi-day trips. The area around Île du Repos and the surrounding islands on the north coast offers calmer paddling, though strong currents and rapids exist toward Sainte-Monique and are not recommended for casual paddlers. Water levels can fluctuate suddenly, and low-lying campsites near river mouths and certain islands carry a risk of flooding.

Several access points exist along the river. The Marina de Péribonka, located at 375, rue Édouard-Niquet in the town of Péribonka, serves as a primary launch point and offers boat ramps, gas, electricity, showers, picnic tables, and kayak rentals (solo and tandem, by the hour, half-day, or full day). Another access point is found via the Uniforêt road heading toward Sainte-Monique, marked by a boat launch sign and equipped with a dock, tables, and a pergola, though water levels there can be shallow. The Péribonka IV dam is used as an upstream launch point for guided multi-day expeditions.

Guided four-day sea kayak expeditions are available through at least one outfitter based in Alma, covering roughly 15 to 25 kilometres per day and rated at a beginner level. These trips typically depart from the Péribonka IV dam and travel downstream. Wildlife viewing, including moose, is possible along the route. Canot Kayak Québec publishes a free seven-map digital bundle for the Avenza Maps app covering the full river corridor, indicating launch points, rapids, portages, and camping sites — a useful planning resource for independent paddlers.