The control points, shown on an orienteering map, may be visited in any order.

[1] Canoe-O is best done in a body of water with many small islands and a complex shoreline.

Route choice is important: competitors must select both water and land routes so that the controls are encountered efficiently, and neither team member wastes time waiting for the other.

If a course requires or favors travel on land, canoes have an advantage over kayaks.

[3] Seven-time United States canoe orienteering national champion Aims Coney is also a ski orienteer[4] affiliated with Cambridge Sports Union.