boat tours 1000 islands canada

THE 10 BEST Ontario's Thousand Islands Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in ontario's thousand islands.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Speed Boats Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Boldt Castle and the Boldt Yacht House
• Thousand Islands Bridge
• City Cruises Gananoque
• 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises
• 1000 Islands Tower
• Saint Lawrence River
• Singer Castle
• Wellesley Island State Park
• Clayton Island Tours
• Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
• Brockville Railway Tunnel
• Wellesley Island
• Thousand Islands
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Boldt Castle and 2 Nation Tour

2. 3-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque with views of Boldt Castle

3. 5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque

4. 1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea with views of Boldt Castle

5. 1000 Islands 90-minute Sightseeing Cruise

6. 1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque

7. Half Day Breakfast Tour in 1000 Islands

8. Private 1.5 hour 1000 Islands Cruise for up to 10 people

9. 1 hour 'Singer Castle Express' Wildcat 1000 Islands Cruise

10. 2 hour 1000 Islands 'Castle Prowler' WildCat Cruise

What travellers are saying.

• 3-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque with views of Boldt Castle
• 5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque
• 1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea with views of Boldt Castle
• 1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque
• 1000 Islands 90-minute Sightseeing Cruise
• Cove Dweller Boat Works
• 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises
• Rockport Cruises
• Houseboat Holidays - Private Day Charters
• 1000 Islands Kayaking
• Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals

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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

Explore by Activity

Experiences

Rockport cruises.

Depart from the heart of the 1000 Islands with the guarantee you’ll see castles.

• 20 Front St, Rockport, ON K0E 1V0
• 613-659-3402
• rockportcruises.com

If you want to see all the highlights in the 1000 Islands – including the majestic Boldt Castle – this is the way to do it. Each year, this company hosts thousands of tourists per year, speaking to its enormous popularity.

Watch our video trailer

What you’ll see.

• Zavikon Island
• Boldt Castle
• Millionaire’s Row
• Canadian Palisades
• 1000 Islands International Bridge

Tours/Options

Heart of the Islands Cruise

Palaces and Palisades Cruise

Sunset cruise.

Boldt Castle Cruise

View all details about this activity.

The 1000 Islands are waiting to be discovered.  

Additional Information

• Group tours are available
• Charters and private functions – including weddings, corporate events, anniversaries, and more – are available
• Rockport Cruises has been awarded a Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council 
• Bring weather-appropriate clothing and sunscreen for your tour
• Don’t miss the Rockport General Store and Gift Shop
• Check the website , as some cruises and schedules will change.

“Our family took the boat tour and loved it so much that we will be back to take the tour to explore the castle next time! Friendly staff and very informative. Overall it was a wonderful experience.”

“It was a really amazing experience to 1000 Islands by Rockport boat line. Such a pleasant 1 hr trip around this island.”

“I would 100% recommend this cruise if you are planning to visit 1000 islands! I went for the 2 hour cruise and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a lot of sitting space and the organizers try not to make it congested. The boat we were on consisted of three levels, each providing a really nice view and I felt as though the tour was informative and detailed, which I liked! The boat enters the American borders for a little bit! The boat passes a historic castle, and some cruises stop at that location for two hours so that passengers can visit it! I would definitely go on this cruise again!”

None of the tour boat companies can show you all 1,864 islands on a single tour. Rockport Cruises has an advantage being in the Heart of the 1000 Islands, so you will be able to see all of the highlights on any of their cruises. 

Dress in weather-appropriate clothing and bring sunscreen for the tour. For the Boldt Castle tour, you’ll need to bring your valid passport for this cruise.

Only registered service dogs are allowed on the boats, and in the motel, general store, and dining establishments.

What You'll See

Tours / options, enjoy a comfortable stay.

Gananoque Inn & Spa

Gananoque Inn & Spa

Travelodge by Wyndham Gananoque

Comfort Inn & Suites 1000 Islands

Comfort Inn & Suites 1000 Islands

Ramada by Wyndham Gananoque Provincial Inn

Ramada by Wyndham

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Extend Your Visit Overnight

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Gananoque’s only waterfront accommodation

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Visitor Information

• (613) 382-8044
• 10 King St E, Gananoque, ON K7G 1E6

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Copyright © 2023 1000 Islands Tourism.

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1000 Islands Tourism acknowledges that we are on traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-oh-show-nee) and Anishinabe (A-nish-in-‘a-bay) and First Peoples, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston (Our Boat Tour Experience)

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here

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

Pin it for later!

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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Discover history and heritage along Kingston's spectacular waterfront on a 1-hour Discovery Cruise. Or, experience the 1000 Islands on a 3-hour Heart of the Islands Cruise. See Frequently Asked Questions for information on parking, boarding, reservations and cancellation.

Heart of the Islands Cruise

See the 1000 Islands! The world-famous 1000 Islands begin in Kingston and span the St. Lawrence River for miles. Wind your way through the small cottage islands of the Admiralty group featuring Napoleon’s Hat, Wanderer’s Channel, the opul...

Discovery Cruise

See historic Kingston! The Discovery Cruise provides an informative introduction to the unique sights and heritage of the 1000 Islands region, with a main focus on the historic waterfront of Kingston. The cruise passes close to National Historic Site...

Sunset Discovery Cruise

See historic Kingston! The Sunset Discovery Cruise sails along Kingston’s waterfront with spectacular sunset views. Step aboard for a unique atmosphere: a floating patio on the river. Enjoy history and folklore about our local setting while rel...

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Home > Cruise Destinations > Kingston & 1000 Islands

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..

1000 Islands Cruises — Gananoque

Looking for 1000 Islands cruises? Hop on with City Cruises Gananoque (formerly Gananoque Boat Line), Gananoque’s very first tour boat company. It operates five triple-decker, all-aluminum vessels with on board facilities such as restrooms, coffee shops, bars and refreshment areas. Each boat has its own open deck and two enclosed decks.

City Cruises Gananoque is located at 280 Main Street in the town of Gananoque, in southeastern Ontario. Gananoque is about a two-hour drive along the ON-401 E from Toronto, and 90 minutes from Ottawa.

To learn more information about tours, bookings, and general information about City Cruises Gananoque, we recommend that you visit their official website . For more information about what you can see around the area, keep scrolling to read Destination Ontario’s recommendations.

Accessibility Features

Accessible entrances/exits, accessible parking, accessible restaurant, accessible seating, accessible washroom, assistive listening devices available, service animals welcome, support persons welcome, universal washroom, wheelchair accessible, wheelchair and/or mobility devices available, more about 1000 islands cruises — gananoque.

City Cruises Gananoque started out with a local mailman taking passengers along on his boat as he delivered mail to residents living on the 1000 Islands. In 1951, the boat line grew to include Linda 7, a wooden tour boat that could hold 55 passengers. A few years later it was joined by four more wooden, single-decker boats: Linda 4, Miss Rockport 2, the Island Wanderer, and Pickle. In the 1960s, Miss Gananoque 1 and Miss Gananoque 2 joined the roster.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that the City Cruises Gananoque started building its current vessels, starting with the Thousand Islander. It spanned almost 34 metres, had three decks, and could carry 380 people. When it set sail, it became the first, all-aluminum tourist vessel in North America.

Today, City Cruises Gananoque offers many tours to choose from. For visitors wanting a quick introduction of the 1000 Islands, there's the Landmarks of the 1000 Islands Cruise. The tour takes visitors around 1000 Islands’ most well-known landmarks including the Statue of St. Lawrence, the 1000 Islands International Bridge (the shortest international bridge in the world), Zavikon Island and Boldt Castle.

Visitors curious about the 1000 Islands’ history will want to get on the Original Heart of the 1000 Islands Cruise. It takes passengers for a one-hour jaunt around the Admiralty and Navy group of Islands, and provides a close look at several generations-old cottages and summer homes dotting the islands.

Visit ghost ships resting underwater with the two-and-a-half hours Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands Cruise. The tour visits seven 18th to 19th century shipwrecks while using video and audio commentary, as well as side-scan sonar images to bring their stories to life. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the famous Boldt Castle, St. Lawrence Statue, 1000 Islands International Bridge, as well as the many lavish homes that stand on Millionaire’s Row.

Chase the sunset on the Sunset Cruise, a favourite among photographers and romantics alike. It takes visitors on a one-and-a-half hour cruise around the Admiralty Group of Islands, with intimate views of UNESCO and Parks Canada-classified islands, and details their unique ecosystems and aquatic wildlife––all while surrounded by the dazzling colours of the setting sun.

Visitors who appreciate a good love story will want to hop aboard the Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise. The tour goes around all of usual 1000 Island haunts, but also makes a 2 hour stopover at Boldt Castle, allowing passengers to explore the castle and its grounds. The Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island, was built by the proprietor of world-renowned Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, George C Boldt. Originally intended to be a grandiose symbol of love for his wife, it was hastily abandoned when his wife died in 1904.

Please note, all visitors to Heart Island (Boldt Castle) will be required to have a valid passport or a valid VISA and passport since Heart Island is an American Island.

The boats undergo constant inspections and certifications by Transport Canada, so you can be sure you’re boarding a boat with high safety standards every time.

Looking for more things to do after a tour with City Cruises Gananoque? Explore the town of Gananoque by taking a walk around the many sculptures at Sculpture Park , or splash around historic Joel Heritage Park and Beach. Try your luck with any of the 500 slot machines at the Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands , or catch a show at the historic  Thousand Island Playhouse .

Last updated:  April 15, 2024

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The Ultimate Boat Day

A SPLASH OF EVERYTHING

6 Guests Max

Available at: 

The Ultimate 1000 Islands experience, with all the best the river has to offer! Your group will see Boldt Castle, Millionaire's Row, the Lost Channel, Rock Island Lighthouse, and much more! Including extra time to swim or relax, with snorkel gear and water toys provided on the boat.

The Island Explorer

WATER & LAND ADVENTURES

Choose one of four destinations that are only accessible by boat, then cruise over and explore it yourselves! Destinations include: the famous Boldt Castle, beautiful Grindstone Island Winery, historic Rock Island Lighthouse, or the relaxing Picnic Point! Plus, see our favorite river spots along the way!

The Sunset Cruise

GOLDEN HOUR CRUISE

A relaxing cruise through serene waters to finish off your day! Great for groups or couple's date night. Watch the sun disappear over the horizon while putting through Eel Bay, one the best sunset spots on the river.

Meet Your Captain

Hi, I'm Jordan! I'm a U.S. Coast Guard certified Captain.

I've grown up year-round in the 1000 Islands since I was a kid, and I've developed a deep love for the area.

One of my favorite things is sharing it with others, and I love having the opportunity to do that with these tours.

How We Got Started

Growing up in the 1000 Islands, I've discovered so many special parts of the river that visitor's rarely get to see.

From untamed islands to little-known coves and passageways that larger tour boats can't reach. And of course the beloved local landmarks like castles, lighthouses, and historic private estates.

My goal is to help people experience the most special parts of this region through the eyes of a lifelong local.

Customer's Reviews

Joan Canastraro

1000 ISLANDS PRIVATE BOAT TOURS WAS PHENOMENAL!

"Jordan truly wants his guests to enjoy every minute of the tour. He is super cool and very accommodating!

You will not be disappointed! I HIGHLY recommend you give him a call and book a tour."

Hourly Rates for Custom 1000 Island Cruises

We offer tours by-the-hour! 

Experience the best of the 1000 Islands in one fun boat day! We offer unique tour packages and custom hourly tours upon request. Perfect for those looking to explore the Thousand Islands in whatever way suits them. Contact us to book your personalized private boat tour!

• Reservations

Wildcat Cruises

Get your motor runnin’ aboard the wildcat.

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THE WILDCAT WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO SERVICE IN 2023. LOOK FOR HER RETURN IN 2024.

Experience the 1000 Islands like never before on one and two-hour high-speed Adventure Cruises aboard the Islands’ ONLY high-speed catamaran, the ‘WildCat’! Cruise in comfort and safety at speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour as you’re whisked through the 1000 Islands towards a view of Boldt and/or Singer Castles. Soak up some sun and experience the fun as you bask in the fresh, clean breezes of the mighty St. Lawrence complimented by our licensed beverage and snack bar service. At speed, enjoy our toe-tapping classic rock soundtrack while during slower portions of the tour, our Captain’s commentary provides an accurate account of the regions’ history, its legends and its people.

Our WildCat cruises offer a unique soft-adventure cruising experience only available from Brockville on this fun-filled, stay-dry alternative to whitewater rafting and jet boating adventures.

1 hr 'Singer Castle Express' Cruise

Experience the ‘WildCat’ for less on a 38 kilometre high-speed adventure featuring the eastern groups of the 1000 Islands, the St. Lawrence Seaway, Crossover Lighthouse and a view of famous Singer Castle, built on the fortunes of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.

2 hr Castle Prowler 'AdrenIsland' Cruise

Get your motor runnin’ aboard our most complete 1000 Islands cruise experience, covering a distance of 70 kilometres and featuring a view of famous Boldt and Singer Castles, three historic lighthouse, the Shortest International Bridge, ships on the St. Lawrence Seaway and much more! 

A Safe, Stay-Dry, Soft Adventure that's FUN for all Ages!

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

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5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque

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1000 Islands Private Boat Tours

Email: [email protected]

The Ultimate 1000 Islands experience, with all the best the river has to offer! Your group will see Boldt Castle, Millionaire’s Row, the Lost Channel, Rock Island Lighthouse, and much more! Including extra time to swim or relax, with snorkel gear and water toys provided on the boat