thousand islands cruise cost

Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston (Our Boat Tour Experience)

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Choosing A Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston Can Be Tough!

Want to explore the famous Thousand Islands region in the Saint Lawrence River? Great idea!

This beautiful region is a piece of classic “Canadiana” and – as a simple day trip from Kingston – there’s no better way to explore it than by water on an island cruise!

As a refresher, the 1000 Islands are a geographically and historically significant area of the St. Lawrence shared between Ontario (Canada) and New York State (United States).

That said, there are a few cruises to choose from and it can be confusing to find the best island cruise for you. Some cruises offer breakfast or dinner while others vary by tour boat prices and lengths.

Being Kingston locals for several years, we did the 3 Hour Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise from Kingston . Eric had already done the Kingston sunset cruise, but Lisa hadn’t been out on the water yet.

So, in this guide, you’ll see what we experienced and get an overview of different 1000 Island boat tours available that leave from Kingston. If you want to leave from Gananoque, you can check here for Gananoque Boat Line . You can even tour from the USA with Uncle Sam Boat Tours.

* Friendly Disclosure: We paid for the boat tour we did ourselves – this is not a sponsored post .

Table of Contents

Thousand Islands Cruise – Boat Tour Options

If you know the kind of boat tour you’re looking for, feel free to jump ahead and click through to learn more below.

Be sure to make note of the specific details, the reviews, addresses, how to book, etc. All you have to do is book the one you like and show up to the waterfront!

• For the Classic 3 Hour Thousand Islands Cruise (We Did This) – Check Out This Boat Tour
• For the 1.5-Hour Discovery Cruise – Check Out This Boat Tour
• For a Sunset Dinner Cruise – Check Out This Site

Below, you’ll find more details about the above boat cruise tours so keep reading to make the right decision for you and your group!

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Classic 3 Hour Thousand Island Riverboat Tour (Our Tour)

If you want to experience the 1000 Islands, the cruise that we did is probably the best bet.

This cruise explored an area called The Admiralty Islands (which was beautiful) and is entirely sightseeing so you don’t get off the boat. Tour times for this longer tour are 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. We did the 10:30 am.

There is also no meal included – but you get live entertainment and amazing views of the historic waterway.

This tour also comes with audio commentary (which is really interesting) in English and there are audio guides available for Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese!

Overall, we really liked our tour – it was well organized and enjoyable. There’s a shop on-board where you can buy alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and even snacks/food like popcorn.

This tour can actually be done with a breakfast or brunch add-on but this is a different ticket altogether.

You can read about our sightseeing tour in more detail below – we’ve included LOTS of photos so you can get see what we saw on tour!

⇒ Check out the exact sightseeing cruise we went on here

Kingston & 1000 Islands: 1.5-Hour Discovery Cruise

If you’re short on time but want to get out on the Kingston waterfront, you can always do a 1.5 Hour Kingston Discovery Cruise. This cruise is on a smaller boat than the Island Queen (what we took) called the Island Belle.

To compare, this cruise focuses much more heavily on Kingston and not so much on seeing the Islands. The tour covers the rich history of Canada’s first capital city and the waterways that shaped our nation – which is admittedly very interesting!

Since the cruise is shorter, they offer more times throughout the day. You can book to leave at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, or 5:00 pm. The 5:00 pm wouldn’t be quite at sunset but close enough and certainly not as hot as midday!

This tour also comes with audio commentary in English and audio guides for Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese!

⇒ Check the times to book your 1.5 Hour Island Discovery Cruise

Sunset Dinner Cruise

If you’re keen to have a meal and experience the sunset on the water, you can book a sunset dinner cruise. These cruises make use of the long, flat, glass-domed roof boat called the Island Star.

Cruises are 3 hours long and tables by the windows book up in advance so be sure to lock in your cruise if you know you want this option!

⇒ Check the prices and times here

Our Thousand Islands Cruise Experience

Since there are quite a few options, we went on a boat tour to show you exactly what it’s like.

The tour itself is run through Kingston Destination Group – the same group that runs the Tourist Information Centre downtown in Confederation Park and handles lots of Kingston tourism tours/activities like the famous Kingston Trolley Tour .

Overall, we really liked our tour. We knew it was sightseeing which meant 3 hours of sailing around in the sunshine and learning about stuff. That worked perfectly for us – and many others on the boat also enjoyed the tour!

We booked the boat cruise through GetYourGuide (a really good travel company) because the official tour booking website used to be very outdated.

That said, you can also book in person when you get to Kingston. However, the summer months are VERY busy in Kingston so some of these tours might sell out if you wait.

Personal advice: If you know the day you want to cruise, we’d suggest booking in advance.

After having booked online, we just walked up to the Kingston ticket pavilion before the cruise, showed the email voucher we got and received our paper tour tickets. Simple.

If you want to learn more about the tour and/or booking process, you can check out our boat tour here .

What You’ll Need For This Boat Tour

If you do end up on this sightseeing cruise, here’s a shortlist of the things you might want to have with you for a great day on the water. Some of these items are weather dependent, but in general:

• A hat – with a string to stay around the neck in wind
• A windbreaker jacket (in the spring or fall)
• A water bottle
• Hair tie (if you have longer hair)
• Seasickness pills (it’s not too rough, though)

Thousand Islands Cruise Itinerary

So, to give you a better idea of exactly what we experienced on our island cruise, here’s a detailed breakdown of the day.

The boat tour was advertised as 3 hours long and it ended up being a little longer (by about 10 minutes) because the boat had to slow down in the high water around the islands.

Pick-up/Drop-off

We started our day at the Kingston waterfront. If you are unfamiliar with Kingston, head for the massive building called Kingston City Hall.

On the side that faces the water, you will see a large green park called Confederation Basin/Park. This is the park full of attractions and the Kingston Tourist Information Centre.

In the water, (that’s Lake Ontario), you’ll see many small boats at the Kingston waterfront docks. Looking at the water, look left and you will see the large tour boats (you physically cannot miss them) and the round ticket pavilion that says “BOAT TOURS” on the side.

The address for this ticket office and island cruise boat pier is: 1 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Z1, Canada

The tour boats leave from this above address and NOT where you catch the ferry to Wolfe Island – which is located at Barrack St, Kingston, ON K7K 2X9, Canada.

As expected, we went into the office, exchanged our online voucher for paper tickets, and walked to the nearby pier where a line was forming to get on the boat.

We were 30 minutes early and it’s wise to be early so you get good seats on the boat and so you aren’t running down the dock as it sails away!

We got our tickets checked, got a souvenir photo taken, and climbed aboard. We immediately went to the top deck where it’s open to the sun and the air but you can sit on the first deck (shown above) or the second deck for some shade and still have amazing views.

At the end of the day, the boat returned to this exact spot on the pier. We got off, thanked the crew, had a look at our souvenir photo (didn’t buy it but honestly ALMOST did), and walked downtown for dinner and a drink!

Heading For The Thousand Islands From Kingston

Once we pushed off from the pier, they went over safety procedures thoroughly which was really good. With that many people aboard it was good to know there was a plan in place if things went bad out on the water.

The entertainer introduced himself – he was an older gentleman who played classic tunes on both a banjo and a guitar.

He was hooked up to the loudspeaker so he could wander the decks and take requests from people. He was really good – and provided some comedic commentary.

Heading out of the Kingston waterfront, the entertainer shared time with the audio guide which was a narration over the loudspeakers.

The guide was actually really interesting and shared historical dates, locations of events, shipwrecks, famous battles, you name it! We learned a ton in the first leg of the trip.

We passed Wolfe Island and left Kingston behind as we headed up the Saint Lawrence. The cottages/homes on the shore were lovely and the whole area, in general, is just really, really pretty.

It was the perfect day weather-wise, too. We actually went inside for a bit because we didn’t want to get TOO much sun!

If you want, you can grab a snack or a drink at either “shop” they have on both the first and second interior decks. Families with kids were snacking on popcorn and some people even cracked a bottle of wine or a beer.

We didn’t buy anything so we don’t know about prices – but many people took advantage of the food and drinks for purchase.

Arriving At The Thousand Islands

After about an hour we arrived at the edge of the Thousand Islands. It does take a bit to actually get there but the ride was lovely (and lively) so we didn’t mind.

On this cruise, you learn all about the island chain – and explore a region of islands called the Admiralty Islands.

We learned that different parts of the islands were named by different people or groups and so that’s why there are different naming conventions all through the region! In any case, the Admiralty Islands were lovely.

Touring The Thousand Islands

Once “in” the islands, the boat started weaving between big ones, small ones, etc. The audio commentary started up and provided the names of the important islands and the history of it.

Usually, there was a historic cottage or building on it built by someone from “back in the day” – each with a small story attached.

The fact that basically every island had a short story attached made the experience so much richer. If they said “here’s a bunch of islands” it would have been pretty but boring.

However, learning the names and getting a sense of the history of the area was very worth the trip… and we just scratched the surface!

It was also easy to see the islands and snap photos from any of the decks so don’t feel like you have to stand at the top the whole time.

The large port windows make for excellent photo-taking spots – and these seats are closer to the bar and the snacks!

At one point, we could even see the waterfront of Gananoque in the distance. The small town – being even closer to the actual islands – is also rich with history.

We’ll write about Gananoque on this site soon because even Eric hasn’t explored the town in-depth yet!

Returning To Kingston

Once we zigzagged around the islands for a while, we left the grouping of islands to enter the big river again. And back to Kingston we went.

The entertainer started up again to play a few songs and take requests – and we enjoyed the sunshine and snapped as many photos as we could.

Eventually, you start to recognize the Martello Towers (the stone towers with red tops built by the British) and know that you are back in the waters near Kingston.

You actually learn more on the way back but not as much from the audio commentary as heading out for the day.

Once we got back – as we mentioned above – it was great to see Kingston from the water for a change and snapped lots of photos.

We docked, waited not too long to get off, had a look at our souvenir photo, and went downtown for a drink! The captain and crew were there to see us off and it was a great way to end the day.

Related Articles

If you are hanging around Kingston (or travelling to Kingston from Toronto ), check out these other posts for trip planning – we know LOTS about the historic city!

• Things to Do and See in Kingston
• Great Restaurants + Bars & Pubs in Kingston
• Awesome Kingston Breweries to Visit
• Coffee Shops in Kingston You Should Try
• Where to Stay in Kingston

And there you have it – our experience on a Thousand Islands cruise from Kingston. What do you think? Have you been on any of these boat tours before?

We honestly really liked the boat tour we went on . That said, let us know how your island cruise goes – we’re always interested in hearing about the best experiences Ontario has to offer!

As always, Keep exploring, eh? -E&L

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Eric Wychopen

Hi, we're Eric and Lisa - an Ontario-born Canadian and a German! After settling in Ontario together, we realized that there is lots more to explore in this beautiful Canadian province! On Ontario Away, we as well as local contributors cover everything from cities and hikes to wineries, attractions, accommodations, and more.

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Go on a cruise

Thousand islands national park.

Take in the sights and sounds of the Thousand Islands from the comfort of a tour boat. Public and private cruises are available from Kingston to Brockville. Thematic cruises highlight the cultural and natural places of interest. Routes and prices vary. Find the following Canadian operators organized by location.

1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises

Rockport Cruises Andress Boat Works

Gananoque Boat Line

Gananoque Boat Line Harmer’s Cottages

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

Related links

• Camping and overnight accommodations
• Guided nature and forest therapy walks
• Paddling in the Thousand Islands
• Shuttles and boat rentals
• Visitor centre
• Bird watching
• Snowshoeing
• Kitesurfing
• Photography
• Scuba Diving
• Wildlife Viewing
• Parks Canada Xplorers

• Destinations
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1000 Islands Cruise Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The Thousand Islands is a beautiful destination and a must-do Ontario road trip whether you’re from the province or visiting it. This group of 1800+ islands has plenty to see and do, but one experience you can’t miss out on is a 1000 Islands cruise. In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to plan your own 1000 Islands cruise while ensuring you have a wonderful experience.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why Take a 1000 Islands Cruise?

The 1000 Islands are the Saint Lawrence River’s iconic archipelago. It was created when the roots of an ancient mountain range flooded after the retreat of the last ice age. Spanning over 75km, the area is made up of 1867 “islands” – 997 are known to be actual islands, while the others are mainly shoals and rocks. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of beauty to be discovered within the area. What better way to tour the Thousand Islands than with a cruise!

Why should you take a 1000 Islands cruise? First, who doesn’t love to hit the water and explore? A cruise allows you to cover a lot more ground than you could by staying on land or hopping on a kayak. It also allows you to catch a glimpse of some of the more famous islands like Heart Island (home to Boldt Castle) as well as some of the private cottages which I guarantee will have you daydreaming about owning one yourself. Lastly, the views are absolutely gorgeous so sit back, relax and listen to the commentary as you enjoy the scenery.

My Thousand Islands Boat Tour Experience

It’s been a very long time since I visited the Thousand Islands myself, so I was excited to get back and explore more. My parents and I used to visit the area with my parents when I was much younger. I can remember are bits and pieces from our trips to Alexandria Bay on the US side so I was looking forward to experiencing the area now that I’m older!

Grab a spot along the edge of the deck as you take off onto the calm waters of the Saint Lawrence River. Soon after your departure, you’ll hear your guide over the loudspeakers as they share some information tidbits during your tour. They’ll also share specific points of interest that are unique to the area. One of my favourites is the smallest international bridge which you’ll spot connecting one island in Canada and one in the USA. It looks more like a little walkway than a bridge!

I have to say, it was surprising to see just how many of the islands had cottages on them. I had no idea so many of the islands were privately owned. If you’re wondering how these isolated destinations have access to power, it’s thanks to underwater cables!

While this is all fine and dandy, chances are you’re on this cruise to catch a glimpse of the famous Boldt Castle. Located on Heart Island, this historic site is just as hauntingly beautiful as the story of its creation. Construction started in 1900 as George Boldt began building the castle as a gift to his beloved wife. However, Boldt’s wife tragically passed in 1904 very suddenly. Upon her death, Boldt could never return to Heart Island and chose to leave the unfinished castle as a monument to his love.

For over 70 years it was left to face the elements until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority purchased it in 1977 for $1. Why so cheap? The agreement was created so that all revenue would go towards restoring the castle and maintaining it for future generations. If you want to go inside, you’re in luck as tours are available of the castle from both the Canadian and American side of the Thousand Islands.

Planning Your 1000 Islands Cruise

Are you ready to book your own cruise around the Thousand Islands? Fantastic! Here are all the details you’ll need to plan this awesome adventure.

How to Get to 1000 Islands

The 1000 Islands is a region that encompasses parts of both Canada and the USA. It extends from Cornwall to Kingston on the Canadian side and from Massena to Oswego on the American side. In this area, you’ll find a number of popular destinations within the 1000 Islands including Brockville, Gananoque and Mallorytown.

Gananoque is considered your entrance to the Thousand Islands region and is located about a 3 hour drive from Toronto along Highway 401. It’s also a great getaway from both Ottawa and Montreal as driving times are 2 hours and 3 hours respectively. From the American side, it’s less than 2 hours from Syracuse to the 1000 Islands and about 3 hours from Rochester.

By far the easiest way to get to the Thousand Islands area is by car. If you’re visiting from out of the country, I highly recommend renting a car . As places of interest are spread out across the area, this will make it easy for you to get around and not have to worry about trying to find transportation.

If you don’t drive, there is a Via Rail service to Gananoque that runs twice daily as well as two airports in the 1000 Islands area. You can get flights to Kingston as well as flights to Gananoque . Lastly, there’s a Megabus service that has stops in Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall, but you’ll need to taxi or rent a car from there to get around the area.

Where to Take a 1000 Islands Cruise

As you can imagine, there are a number of Thousand Islands cruises you can take. Not only are there plenty of tour operators but there’s also the time of day, special events and other things to think about when planning your trip. While it can mean an overwhelming number of options, it also means there’s probably a tour to fit your schedule.

To start, there are five cities that are home to Thousand Islands boat tours and each of these companies have multiple offerings. I’ll go by city and then by the tour company to try and keep this as simple as possible. For full details on what you’ll see on each tour, head to their respective websites.

Our first city is Rockport where you’ll find the aptly named Rockport Cruise Lines which is the tour company I went with. They have seven different cruise offerings ranging from just under an hour long to six hours. Their longer tours allow you to stop and visit Boldt Castle as well as Singer Castle, located on Dark Island. These castle tours would be what I would do on my next trip to the 1000 Islands! They have sunset cruise offerings as well.

Next is Gananoque which is home to the Gananoque Boat Line. These tour companies are very creative with their naming.  They offer six different cruises ranging from one to five hours. Gananoque Boat Line stands out from the others as it has a very unique tour offering – their Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands Cruise.

A Canadian signature experience , this tour combines audio/video commentary and sonar images to share the stories of ships that have been lost along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Note that some of their cruises depart from Ivy Lea so be sure to double-check your departure city!

We’ll finish off the list with Kingston where you’ll find two boat tour companies. First is the 1000 Islands Cruises which leaves out of both Kingston and Brockville. They have two sightseeing cruises (90-minute Discovery Cruise and a 3 hour Heart of the Islands Cruise) and three dining cruises (brunch, lunch and sunset dinner) each 3 hours long. They also offer special event concert cruises throughout the summer. Second is St Lawrence Cruise Lines which offers multi-day cruises that visit a number of cities including Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.

How Much is it to Take a Thousand Islands Boat Tour?

This can vary depending on the length of the tour, what company you go with and other amenities included within your tour. For a general hour long sightseeing cruise, it seems as though the price is the same across the board at approximately $27 per adult. Longer tours like the Rockport Cruise Line’s Two Castle tour are upwards of $120 per adult.

If you’re planning on a cruise with a meal, a lunch cruise will typically run you between $70-$90 per adult. As far as I know, 1000 Islands Cruises out of Kingston is the only tour company to offer a lunch cruise. They also have a summer brunch cruise at $66 per adult. For sunset dinner cruises, Gananoque Boat Line is the cheapest at $55 per adult. Second is Rockport at $64 per adult and finally, 1000 Islands Cruises is between $90 and $120 per adult.

Which Thousand Islands Cruise is Best?

Ah, the big question. Honestly? I can’t say for certain as I haven’t been on every single cruise line. However, I can share my conclusions based on my experience and research.

If you’re short on time and are looking for a quick cruise that hits the main hotspots, Rockport Cruises is a great option. It was easy to get to, the staff were nice and our guide onboard was full of information and happy to answer any questions the group had.

Are you a history buff that wants to know more about some of the important events along the Saint Lawrence River? I’d recommend Gananoque Boat Lines for their Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands cruise or Rockport Cruise Line’s Two Castle tour.

Calling all adrenaline junkies – if you’re looking for something with a little more oomph to it, you’ll want to check out the Wildcat tour from 1000 Islands Cruises. Departing out of Brockville, you’ll zip across the water past historic lighthouses and through inlets the larger boats can’t reach. They’re the only ones that offer this speedy experience so if you’re not a fan of the low-key tours, this might be for you!

Thinking of ending your day with a sunset dinner cruise? I’d recommend taking a look at the menus before booking to make your decision. It might be worth it to pay a few extra bucks if it means you’ll enjoy the food more! That’s just my two cents anyway.

Tips For Your 1000 Islands Tour

Based on my experience, here are a few of the things you should do in order to make sure your 1000 Islands boat tour goes off without a hitch.

If you can manage to get there in the morning, I highly recommend you book the first tour if possible . During peak season, this is often around 9:00 am and will help you dodge the crazy crowds that come with the bus tours. Just the difference between my 9:00 am departure compared to the crowds at 10:00 am was mind-boggling. 10:00 am is apparently when all the tour buses show up so go earlier to avoid those crowds! This will ensure your 1000 Islands cruise is as relaxing and enjoyable as can be.

Planning to visit during peak season? You’ll want to book in advance . It’s not uncommon for certain times to sell out so if you’re set on a specific time, try to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

In case you’re wondering, yes there are bathrooms onboard . Depending on the tour you book, you might not have as large of a boat meaning the facilities might not be super fancy, but you’ll be covered if you gotta go.

If you go on a tour where you will be disembarking to visit Boldt or Singer Castle, you will need your passport . No passport means no entry so don’t forget it! Also, admission to the castles isn’t always included in your cruise ticket price so be sure to confirm this before booking your tour to avoid any nasty surprises.

One additional fee you need to look out for is parking. Unfortunately, many of the tour companies don’t offer free parking … except for Rockport Cruise Lines! This might sway your decision to know that they make planning your trip a little easier.

My biggest tip is don’t forget your coupon ! Lindsay… there are coupons for these things!? There sure is if you know where to look! Head on over to Attractions Ontario’s website as they have coupons that can help you save some money on your tour.

Ready to Enjoy a Thousand Islands Tour?

This is seriously one of the experiences you can’t miss out on when exploring the Thousand Islands. Even if you’re short on time, try to pencil in a stop so you can enjoy the natural beauty. On the off-chance you’re looking to take your Thousand Islands trip to the next level, check out this helicopter tour !

I do encourage you to spend plenty of time exploring this beautiful area as the 1000 Islands make for a wonderful getaway in Ontario. Check out some of the hotels in the area , check out some reviews on TripAdvisor or book an Airbnb if that’s more your speed.

Do you like taking sightseeing cruises? Have you ever taken one around the 1000 Islands? If you haven’t, you really should change that. This is a cruise that’s not to be missed!

Planning to take a 1000 Islands Cruise? Pin it for later!

10 Comments

Suvarna arora.

Wow this is something I would enjoy doing. Loved reading it.

I didn’t even realise that there were 997 islands on the Saint Lawrence River, and now I’m amazed by the beautiful structures on them. And a little sad for George Boldt for this loss of his wife and not being able to visit Heart Island. Thanks for the great tips on the different cruises you can take!

Oh, this looks wonderful! I would love to explore all those islands and castles! A sunset cruise sounds perfect to me. Thanks for sharing your tips.

I’ve always wanted to kayak or take a houseboat there. This was really good information on the area. Thanks. Pinning it for later.

Lindsay,thank you for the informative blog.

Lindz author

You’re very welcome, Elmar! I hope you get to enjoy one of these great cruises soon! 🙂

Thank you very informative! Will try to come with family in October 2023. Thank you Silvana

I’m so happy to hear that, Silvana! I hope you’re able to visit with your family later this year. The fall colours will be stunning in October! 🙂

Thanks for the article. Which months are best for fall colors? Thanks

Hey Krish! It really depends on the year but early to mid October is typically the best time for the fall colours. Unfortunately there’s no guarantee though as Mother Nature decides when the weather changes haha!

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Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Email: [email protected]

Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers a variety of tours through the scenic 1000 Islands. Featuring 1-hour and 2 1/4-hour sightseeing cruises, luncheon, dinner, charter and craft beer and wine cruises plus Singer Castle tours. All our daytime tours offer an unlimited stop at Boldt Castle. Passports or other identification is never required. In-season: Daily 10am-7pm; Off-season (early season and late season): Daily 10am-5pm.

Operating Season is May 1st to October 31st every year!

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Kingston & 1000 Islands

Kingston is the home port of the m/v canadian empress. all cruises either begin or conclude in this historic city. kingston is located at the beginning of the st. lawrence river and the southern mouth of the rideau canal. kingston once was a strategic military outpost and the first capital of the province of canada. kingston is now a city known for its educational institutions with queen's university, st. lawrence college & the royal military college. tourism makes up a large portion of the local economy., upper river expedition, overnight ports from kingston to upper canada village to kingston, 1000 islands anchorage    brockville   upper canada village    gananoque, seaway discovery cruise, overnight ports from kingston to montreal to kingston, 1000 islands anchorage    upper canada village   coteau landing   montreal cornwall   morrisburg    brockville, fall harvest and colour cruise, celebration of spring, heritage summer cruise, canadian connection east, overnight ports from kingston to quebec city, 1000 islands anchorage    brockville   upper canada village    coteau landing   montreal    trois rivieres, canadian connection west, overnight ports from quebec city to kingston, quebec city    trois rivieres    montreal    cornwall   brockville   gananoque, canada's capital north, overnight ports from kingston to ottawa, 1000 islands anchorage    upper canada village    coteau landing   lachine, a borough of montreal    montebello, canada's capital south, overnight ports from ottawa to kingston, ottawa    carillon   lachine, a borough of montreal   upper canada village   brockville, cruise choices, join us as we kick off the 2024 cruise season with 7 nights and 8 days of fresh spring air on the st. lawrence river and watch the flora and fauna of the river spring to life. this cruise features a unique itinerary and travels from kingston to montreal and return for 7 nights at a special 6 night rate. starting at $3144 cad per person., explore cruise, cruise with us in the heart of the summer for 7 nights and 8 days of relaxation on the st. lawrence river. this cruise travels from kingston to montreal and return, and features a unique itinerary that highlights the history of the international seaway. during this time of year the river bustles with lake freighters and pleasure boats. starting at $4076 per person., cruise with us for 7 nights and 8 days of warm summer weather on the beautiful and historic st. lawrence river. this cruise will explore the thousand islands region and retrace the routes of early upper canada explorers. learn about the history of the early trade route between kingston and montreal. starting at $4076 per person., discovery cruise series, these 4 night, 5 day cruises were created for those that want to deepen their knowledge of the history, geography, and culture of the 1000 islands and st. lawrence river. discovery cruise itineraries are enhanced with unique attractions, step-on speakers, and an educational focus. starting at $2096 per person., canada's capital cruise, start or end your cruise vacation in canada's capital of ottawa. the historic significance of the lower ottawa river coupled with the amazing 1000 islands and st. lawrence seaway makes this 5 night, 6 day cruise an unforgettable voyage. starting at $2910 per person., come and explore the beauty and the history of the st. lawrence river and the 1000 islands for 4 nights and 5 days. marvel at the intricate passages and channels of this amazing archipelago of 1870 islands known as the 1000 islands. starting at $2096 per person., fall harvest & colour cruise, as autumn unfolds, the shore and islands ignite with a blaze of colour and travellers come from far and wide to take part in this parade of colour for 7 nights and 8 days. the comibination of fall colours and the invigorating river climate makes this our most popular cruise vacation. starting at $4076 cad per person., canadian connection cruise, experience the beauty of quebec and the richness of french canadian culture on this cruise as your ship passes through all 7 of the st. lawrence seaway locks. this cruise vacation includes 6 nights 7 days on canada's showpiece, the st. lawrence river, between quebec city and kingston, ontario. starting at $3144 cad per person., additional savings, save on your next adventure — discover additional packages & savings on all available cruises., explore savings, talk to an expert & book your vacation 1 800 267 7868, employment • faq • cancellation policy • privacy policy, ©2022 - 2023 st. lawrence cruise lines, website designed & maintained by aliado marketing group..

Tours Resume May 11th for the 2024 Season. Calendars are open, book your tour now!

Clayton Island Tours

Thousand islands cruises on the st. lawrence river.

Clayton Island Tours offers the 1000 Islands’ most unique boat tour experience on our 43-65 passenger boats. Enjoy an uncrowded, intimate tour with our highly professional and friendly staff as they share the legends and lore of the beautiful St. Lawrence River.

Our Best-Selling Thousand Islands Boat Tours

• Our Best Selling Tour!
• Clock 11:30am
• Hour Glass 5.0 hours

The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour in the 1000 Islands

Designed for those who wish to see the most attractions in an afternoon from the river!  Tour the 1000 islands on the St. Lawrence River through US and Canadian Waters, visit Boldt Castle on Heart Island and Rock Island Lighthouse on Rock Island.  Picnic Lunch and all admissions included.

• #1 Attraction on the River
• Hour Glass 3.5 hours

Boldt Castle and Two Nation Tour

Experience the most unique and complete Boldt Castle Tour in the 1000 Islands.   Narrated & intimate boat tour travels over 27 unique miles among the islands through US and Canadian waters on the St. Lawrence River .  Stop at Boldt Castle on Heart Island to explore the grounds and castle.

• Only Public Tour to Rock Island Lighthouse
• Hour Glass 2.75

Rock Island Lighthouse on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Glide through the clean waters of the 1000 Islands on our Glass Bottomed Boat, “The Night Heron,” for an unparalleled view of this mighty river we call The St. Lawrence. Bring your camera because this tour offers many unique opportunities to photograph natural settings, many bird species (perhaps even a Great Blue Heron), ships traveling from around the world, and so much more!

• NEW for 2024!
• Clock 9:30am
• Hour Glass 5.5 hours

The 1000 Islands Ultimate Breakfast Tour

Enjoy a Buffet Breakfast as you experience our one of a kind “Heart of the 1000 Islands Tour!”   Your opportunity to walk on two of the islands along the St. Lawrence River and get up close to many more of the 1000 Islands.

Welcome to Clayton Island Tours!

Experience the grandeur and beauty of the 1000 Islands Region the Clayton Island Tours way.  Our family-oriented tours get you closer to the islands and offer magnificent views of premier sights such as giant Great Lakes freighters, lighthouses, magnificent island homes and the American Span of the Thousand Islands International Bridge up close.Daily stops to Boldt Castle and Rock Island Lighthouse are available. All tours have many photo opportunities and cruise areas of the 1000 Islands not seen on other tours.

Clayton Island Tour Events

Dreaming of a wedding out at sea? Or ready to take your next corporate party to the next level? Our private charters, weddings and events offer guests a chance to enjoy the lovely 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence River area.

Clayton Island Tours can provide a full bar and dining options depending on the occasion. From your bachelor or bachelorette party to your “I dos,” we can provide a serene or festive setting to celebrate. Check out our “private charters” page to find out more information, and feel free to reach out to our team at Clayton Island Tours with your questions.

Book Boat Tour

Buy gift card, learn about private events, chateau country inn.

Free Boat Tour Tickets with Your Minimum Two Night Stay

With Over 1500 Reviews, We're The #1 Tour In Clayton!

Went on the Boldt Castle two nation tour. Very friendly captain and narrator. The price is very reasonable compared to going from Canadian side. We would definitely recommend this trip to all!!

My husband and I had a great time on this trip. We were able to get an up close view of the Thousand Islands. Capt. Jack and Mike were great. They shared a lot of knowledge with us and even more laughs.

The tour was great! The Captain and tour guide were very informative, friendly and funny. I only wish we had more time to explore Boldt Castle. Would definitely recommend the trip and wold come back!

This trip was well worth it. Our Captain Ron and Tour Guide Ken were both very friendly, knowledgeable, and interesting. The views that we had from this boat were breathtaking.

5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque

• 5-Hour Cruise; a Canadian Signature Experience
• Views of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Millionaires Row, Boldt Castle.
• Views of American & Canadian Spans of 1000 Islands International Bridge and Statue of St. Lawrence
• Onboard food and beverage available for purchase.
• Audio Commentary in English and French.
• Restroom on board
• Paid parking available on site.
• Parking Fees
• City Cruises Gananoque, 280 Main St, Gananoque, ON K7G 2M2, Canada A paid parking lot is available on-site. Parking passes are available for purchase at the lot or in the ticket office.
• Service animals allowed
• Pushchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travellers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 225 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Boldt Castle and the Boldt Yacht House
• 1000 Islands Tower
• Thousand Islands Bridge

Similar experiences

• Tufjzydidhrjdk 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Lovely expensive cruise Very nice cruise on the St Laurent river but a bit expensive. Free parking on the spot appreciated. Friendly staff on board. Read more Written April 19, 2024
• Allie514 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nice way to see the 1000 Islands. Fantastic boat tour! Lots of history and great views of everything, including Boldt Castle. The boat had enough space to move around easily and the company caps the number of guests on each tour so you have opportunity to view the sites from different spots on the boat since it's not jam-packed. We all enjoyed the tour. Read more Written March 4, 2024
• 739annettk 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Unacceptable cancellation policy - be aware!!! Booked and fully prepaid a 1 hour cruise in October 2023 for our group of 18 back in May 2023. On the day of the cruise we had one person really sick and he couldn't participate. I did ask for a refund for the one ticket, but was told that the refund policy is 7 days. This is ridiculous! Prepaid month in advance and they cannot refund 1 ticket out of 18?! I loved working with the local tour operators in the past, but this company seems to get the small ones out of business and rule everything. Be aware! Don't pre-book!!! There was lots of space on the ship, even though it was a beautiful and sunny day. Read more Written October 31, 2023
• TERRAvelista 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Will be back We came once again here, as we cannot get enough of this great part of the world with it's small islands stretching between USA and Canada and yes, most surely we will come again in the future. Although we set our base in Belleville, we were travelling returning from our 3000 km trip between PEI and Toronto and I called in advance to ensure the cruise will not be busy for their afternoon 1h tour: - the person on the phone confirmed there were only a few people buying tickets due to being late September and asked to pay a fee higher than what we paid later on at the ticket office - we noticed nowadays the ticket office is housed in a different building, where they also have a souvenir shop but no toilets. The original building is now a shop and restaurant with live music - although I took pictures of the City cruises, we actually took the Thousand island boat which is laid on 2 levels: the first level with air conditioned inside and where the bar with drinks/snacks is and also toilets. The second level is not covered and a seagull travelled with us without paying any fee - Mr Bad!!!! - the tour is narrated and you learn lots of things about the life on the islands, how difficult is to get the produce and how most are un-inhabited in the cold season - there are still some people on the island waiving friendly or kayakers - after getting the tickets and parking the car at a discounted cost in their car park, we were fortunate to be the first in line for this boat, some 30min earlier: when we were here in the past, we noticed how people were running to get the best seats which is not nice to see. Even so, near us, there was a group who kept moving in 3 different directions repeatedly to take their 'best pictures' annoying just about everybody. Everything is very idyllic, yet every single time I get a headache, no idea why: could be the engine smell, or the heat etc. Yet we are still going to return here. Read more Written October 28, 2023
• 991antonr 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Pleasant trip The boat was ok but very noisy on the lower deck. One of the seats on the upper deck had a small split which caused a small tear in my wife's trousers. The commentary was reasonably clear and provided some interesting information. It was a pleasant 3 hour cruise, although the amount of development on the islands and along the river bank was surprising. Read more Written October 25, 2023
• Curtrm61 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 1000 Island tour Trip was a lot of fun. Great sites, great narratives. Staff was nice and friendly. Boat speed was perfect to be able to take the pics we wanted. Read more Written October 22, 2023
• 924maryjanet 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A must do in Gananoque! The views were amazing and so many picturesque opportunities! The boat also gets close enough to the castle that you can some pretty good pictures! Definitely a trip to remember. Read more Written October 20, 2023
• 685oleksandrg 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles ill-considered booking Unfortunately, we were not able to arrive on time to take part in the cruise. We were travelling from another city and there was a problem with our car. As we found out when we contacted the cruise company, we would have had an opportunity to rebook the cruise, if we had booked it through the website of the cruise company, but since we booked it through Tripadvisor, we did not have such an option. So, if you aren't sure, whether you can arrive on time, we would definitely recommed to make a reservation through the cruise company directly. Read more Written October 7, 2023
• Anonymous855 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles A long 3 hour cruise with not much to see I was hoping the trees would be turning colors but nope and so until we got to Boldt castle, it was a bit dull. Pretty scenery for about 30 minutes, that's enough. We circled the castle island twice and then came back, of course, the same route. Now I was bored and went down a deck to eat popcorn and check my phone. 3 hours was too long for an adult with a terrific attention span....think about it. Parking was more expensive than the website says too. Read more Written September 28, 2023
• gopak619 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A fun, comfortable, and interesting cruise around a lovely area. Very scenic and interesting. We had wanted to take the longer cruise that included the Boalt Castle visit, but that wasn’t available. It turns out the 3 hour cruise was just right — pleasant, informative, and not too long. Read more Written September 25, 2023
• 615filomenag 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles The Worse Boat Tour First of all, the price was ridiculous much more than the one we took with Clayton Tours in Kingston and it was approximately 3 hrs. I am still fighting with this company for my refund. It also cost $9 to park they kept stressing it was all day parking. The tour NEVER TOOK PLACE! They had us all board the boat and for the first 30 mins it was TOTAL SILENCE - no one spoke to any of us. Finally, I asked 2 very nice girls at snack bar what was up. They told us that the sound and video system was down and we would only be riding on the river for an hr clueless to our surroundings. They knew of a couple things and were kind enough to point them out. BOGUS!!!! Read more Written September 24, 2023
• andreasU7202RL 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Calm experience Calm.experience. Friendly staff Well organized. Get there early to get a hood seat. . Beautiful day on the water. Great commentary if you want yo listen but mot too intrusive if you don’t. Read more Written September 24, 2023
• AndrewM826 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles go on a sunny day nice scenery but a bit too long. it would have been much nicer if the weather was better, we had some rain. Read more Written September 20, 2023
• waltersU1843ED 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles this should be on every body's visit list We took the 3 hours tour and it was better than we had expected. Very interesting about the history of this particular area between Canada and USA. The properties are beautiful or stunning in some cases! Read more Written September 18, 2023
• KrisBrownfield 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great cruise, great weather Two couples made a last minute reservation for the one hour cruise. It was on time and very entertaining. We would all recommend this cruise. Read more Written September 11, 2023

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5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque provided by City Cruises Gananoque

• Reservations

Experience the Thousand Islands Your Way!

Get Your Motor Runnin' aboard the 'WildCat'

Rock da boat on a special event cruise or private charter, explore canada's oldest railway tunnel, dog gone fun, we’re pet friendly, some restrictions apply., valid aboard 1.5 hr ‘jewels of the st. lawrence’ cruise only..

Experience the 1000 Islands YOUR WAY!

Sightseeing Cruises

Our convenient and affordable traditional-style 90-minute excursion of the 1000 Islands. 

WildCat Cruises

Get you motor runnin’ aboard the Islands’ only high-speed catamaran, the ‘WildCat’! A safe, soft adventure that’s fun for all ages.

Dining Cruises

The 1000 Islands are a feast for the eyes and the palate aboard our ‘St. Lawrence Soiree’ Dinner Cruises.

Special Events

Party Cruises, Full-Moon Cruises, Karoke, Drag Cruises, Search Light Cruises and More! Or, Charter one of our vessels to create one of your own!

Welcome to Brockville and the Thousand Islands

Welcome to 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises in Brockville, an enchanting destination that invites you to explore the breathtaking beauty of the St. Lawrence River and the renowned 1000 Islands region.

Nestled on the City’s historic waterfront, at the eastern gateway to the Thousand Islands, 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises is the only boat tour operating from Brockville and plays host to tens of thousands of visitors annually aboard our fleet of modern, Transport Canada certified tour boats. 

The Thousand Islands are a ‘must see’ attraction when visiting Eastern Ontario and we invite you to experience them YOUR WAY. Climb aboard one of our traditional sightseeing excursion or, get your motor runnin’ on the Islands’ only high speed catamaran, the ‘WildCat’; a soft adventure that’s fun for all ages! As evening falls over the mighty St. Lawrence River, climb aboard for a sunset dinner cruise or special event and experience the quiet serenity of the Islands by night.

While in Brockville, be sure to take in some of the City’s other attractions including, the ‘Aquatarium’ – a 32,000 sq. ft. interactive learning centre devoted to the ecology, geography and history of the 1000 Islands or, stroll through Canada’s Oldest Railway Tunnel, running a quarter mile under the City – a testament to our rich industrial past and another ‘must do’ City attraction. Take in one of the City’s many festivals, offered on most weekends, all summer long or simply enjoy a stroll through our New England style Courthouse Square historic downtown where you’ll discover rich architectural treasures of this one-time ‘Millionaire’s Capital of Canada’.

Come and discover for yourself why Brockville is the ‘City of the 1000 Islands’ !

The TALL SHIPS return to Brockville…June 24-26, 2022

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Daily tours starting April 27th!

Uncle Sam Boat Tours: 1000 Islands Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay NY

Luncheon Cruise

Quick details:.

• We offer 2 types of lunch cruise: Bistro & Buffet
• Cost varies by menu choices
• Generally offered on weekdays in the spring and fall
• Generally offered weekends in the spring and fall and daily throughout the summer months
• Duration: 2 1/4 hour tour
• Stops at Boldt Castle, at the end of the trip.
• Boldt Castle tour is optional & admission is not included

Alexandria Bay Luncheon Cruise

Turn a mid-day meal into a memorable occasion with our Thousand Islands luncheon cruise, combining our 2 Nation Tour with a delectable luncheon onboard one of Uncle Sam’s triple-deck vessels.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise through the enchanting channels of the Thousand Islands and learn about the region’s rich history from one of our knowledgeable guides while enjoying a sumptuous lunch. Afterward, get up close to the spectacular scenery and magnificent island homes.

If you wish, complete your day with an unlimited stop at historic Boldt Castle at the end of your cruise. Stay as long as you want, then return on any Uncle Sam vessel. Admission to Boldt Castle is additional, the return shuttle is free!

Guests dining will be seated on the first deck where you will be invited to the tended buffet by the table.

Ticket Information

You will receive a barcode for your party, via your confirmation email. We need to scan that barcode upon boarding.

For more information about Boldt Castle’s history, click here .

For Boldt Castle’s current schedule and admission rates, click here .