1000 island cruise reviews

1000 Islands Cruise Review & Tips

This summer we went on an Ontario road trip with stops in Kingston, Gananoque, and Ottawa. One of my “must-do” activities was the 1000 Islands Cruise. We actually planned our itinerary around when we could get tickets for this and our visit to the Kingston Penitentiary (check out my Kingston Itinerary here ). This was definitely one of the highlights of our road trip. Since it was during Ontario’s stage 3 of reopening, there were lots of changes in place. Below I’ll share my review of the cruise and you can take a look at my cruise vlog to see what our experience was like.

New Regulations

As part of the new regulations, masks had to be worn at all times while on the boat – with the exception of very small children. Social distancing was also in effect so that cruisers could remain spaced out while on this cruise. Unfortunately, that also meant that they removed a number of the benches and roped off some prime seating on the top deck of the boat.

My Experience

We cruised with the Gananoque Boat Line in August 2020 and purchased our tickets online. We originally sat on the upper deck, but didn’t arrive in time to get prime seating. Once the boat was on the move we were able to roam around freely and we were able to find some lawn chairs at the back of the boat. This allowed us plenty of distance from other people and great views as we cruised the 1000 Islands. Wearing a mask didn’t bother me, but we were only on the cruise for 1-hour. If it was a longer cruise, or we went during peak sun hours, it might have been more uncomfortable.

The boat played a narration as it cruised through the 1000 Islands to tell you more about the area and the history. This made the cruise much more interesting and we learned some interesting information. The 1-hour duration was the perfect length, and the scenery was incredible. I’d definitely recommend it!

Tips for Planning Your 1000 Islands Cruise

If you’re thinking of planning a 1000 Islands Cruise, here are some things that might be helpful for you.

• Determine if you’re going on a day trip, or staying somewhere in the area. If you’re staying in the area, check to make sure there are both hotels and cruises available during your planned visit before booking your accommodations. You may need to be flexible, as there are limited tickets sold for each cruise.
• Arrive early. This is always a tip of mine, but as they say the early bird gets the worm… and in this case the early bird gets the best seating! Since seats are limited now, the earlier you get there, the more likely you’ll be able to get seats with a good view.
• The top deck is extremely windy. Even though it was about 28 degrees out, it was still chilly on the top deck due to the wind. If you prefer a more sheltered viewing point, you can sit on the second deck under full cover. The windows here can be opened or closed.
• Parking is $4 in the lots, or you can get free 2-hour parking on the street. We ended up paying, but could have easily done the 2-hour parking since we were only on the 1-hour cruise.
• Pick the right cruise duration. They had different tour lengths available ranging from 1 to 5 hours. The 5-hour cruise made a stop at Boldt Castle (I did this when I was a child and it was very fun!). If you have small children, I’d recommend the 1-hour cruise as there’s not much to do on the boat except watch scenery pass by.
• Bring sunscreen! My husband forgot his and he got a sunburn since we were sitting up high with no shade coverage for the full cruise.
• Stay hydrated. Especially if you are cruising during the peak summer heat or an afternoon cruise. We cruised at 10am so we had our coffees and water with us. Their website said they don’t allow outside food or drinks, but no one said anything about us taking them onboard (other people had drinks too).

1000 Islands Cruise Summary

Be sure to do your research and planning in advance. The cruises typically only operate from April to October. Overall, I really enjoyed this activity and would recommend it to families with older children and adults. Have you ever cruised the 1000 Islands?

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The Average Tourist

Hey there. My Name is Sara and I was born with a passion for travel. Over the years I've collected tips, tricks, and itineraries so this blog is dedicated to sharing travel resources with average travellers (like me). Thanks for stopping by!

2-Day Kingston, Ontario Itinerary

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

Uncle Sam Boat Tours Thousand Islands, New York

Any of our daytime tours offer an optional stop at Boldt Castle at the end of the tour. If you choose to disembark at the castle you can purchase the castle admission at the ticket booth on the island.

Come explore one of America’s greatest vacation getaways, the Thousand Islands, in Alexandria Bay, NY. Here you can find magnificent homes, including historic American Castles and modern mansions, all carefully placed throughout one of nature’s most picturesque settings. Uncle Sam Boat Tours is family-operated and has been navigating these waters since 1926!!!

Contact our office with any questions at 315-482-2611 ext. 131 or [email protected] . 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

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Give them something more, give them an experience! Explore the St. Lawrence River & 1000 Islands aboard one of our famous cruises. And don’t forget the Castle’s!

About Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Uncle Sam Boat Tours invites you to cruise the St. Lawrence River and explore the famous Thousand Islands. Uncle Sam Boat Tours has been providing guided tours of the Thousand Islands for nearly 100 years from our downtown Alexandria Bay location, directly across from Boldt Castle.

Uncle Sam Boat Tours provides a variety of regularly scheduled 1000 Islands sightseeing cruises as well as luncheon  and  dinner  cruises. We are also the ONLY tour company that allows guests an unlimited visit to Boldt Castle and Heart Island. It’s not just a tour; it’s an unforgettable experience!

The most popular option is the 2 Nation Tour. Departing from the heart of the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay, NY. This narrated tour offers you historic and scenic wonders of American and Canadian waters; no passport required! At the end of each trip, there is an optional stop at the world-famous Boldt Castle on Heart Island for an unlimited self-guided tour. Click here for more information about Boldt Castle .

Join us for a wonderful time on the water!

Check out our Instagram feed below!

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Uncle Sam has been providing scenic cruises of the Thousand Islands for over 85 years from its downtown Alexandria Bay, NY, location.

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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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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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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

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

Ultimate Sightseeing Tour in the 1000 Islands / with Breakfast Buffet

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.

• 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!

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.

Header Menu

• Call: 1-800-848-0011

One Pass, One Price, All of Kingston

Available May 17 – October 14, 2024. Visit kpass.ca for included attractions and pricing.

Copyright 2024 Kingston Destination Group

K-Pass Returns Spring 2024

Bellevue house, the pumphouse, 1000 islands cruises, kingston trolley tours, heart of the islands cruise.

• Sightseeing Cruises

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 opulent Mandalay Mansion and the historic sights of Kingston on the Heart of the Islands Sightseeing Cruise.

Experience the 1000 Islands

Cruise from downtown Kingston into the heart of the Admiralty Islands, home to the highest concentration of small cottage islands and picturesque channels in the 1000 Islands. The Heart of the Islands Cruise is our most in-depth cruise in the 1000 Islands: it’s the perfect way to explore the scenery that has made the region famous throughout the world.

Onboard you’ll enjoy live entertainment and live-hosted commentary which describes the history and folklore of the 1000 Islands. A full service-bar and canteen is available. The 3-hour Heart of the Islands Cruise is also available with Lunch daily.

See  Frequently Asked Questions for information on parking, boarding, reservations and cancellations.

All tickets are non-refundable. Changes to your reservation can be made with 24h advanced notice.

Schedule: Spring   (April 20-June 27)   and Fall   (Sept 3-Oct 27) departs at 12:30pm. Summer  (June 28-Sept 2) departs at 10:30am and 2pm.

The Island Queen Awaits!

Set sail for the 1000 Islands on this 3 hour sightseeing cruise.

Live musical entertainment will set the tone for the perfect 1000 Islands experience.

A full service bar, serving wine, cocktails and beer is available onboard for purchase.

Our on board canteen has assorted snack items and drinks available for purchase.

Add a Trolley Tour

Hop on the Kingston Trolley to explore more of Kingston. Enjoy a live-guided tour through downtown highlighting National Historic Sites and visitor attractions like Fort Henry, Queen's University and Kingston Penitentiary.

Book Now for 2024:

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Experiences

City cruises gananoque.

Because the 1000 Islands deserve to be seen up close.

• 280 Main Street Gananoque, Ontario
• 613-382-2144
• www.cityexperiences.com

With a variety of sightseeing day cruises or special event night cruises, you’ll get the chance to experience the best of the area out on the water.  Be sure to listen to the on-board audio commentary, which gives insight into the incredible wonders of the St. Lawrence River.

Watch our video trailer

What you’ll see.

• Boldt Castle
• Millionaire’s Row
• 1000 Islands International Bridge
• Statue of St. Lawrence
• Zavikon Islands
• Fifth and sixth-generation family cottages

( This varies according to the cruise you select .)

Tours/Options

Three-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque

One-hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea

One-hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque

Five-hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque

View all details about this activity.

Don’t miss the boat!

Additional Information

• Sight-seeing day cruises and special event night cruises are available
• Recognized as a “Canadian Signature Experience”
• English and French audio commentary are available
• Choose your cruise carefully, depending on the landmarks you want to see
• You don’t need a passport (unless you’re on the five-hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque)
• All City Cruises Gananoque vessels are fully accessible on the first deck

“Great tour!!! We did the 5 hour Boldt Castle tour and it was just perfect. 2 hours on the island is just enough, not too long and not too short. Highly recommend!!! Staff are super friendly and the price is right.”

“Excellent value for money. The 1hr tour gives you a good insight on the islands history and their present as well as the characteristics of the region. The 3hr tour takes you to the beautiful Body castle and the international bridge and also has a really good description of the area.”

“If you go to visit 1000 Islands this is a must do! We absolutely loved our 2.5 hour cruise. The weather was nice and we managed to make some great photos of Boldt castle. The boat crew was very nice and their boat was very clean and spacious. It was a great experience for us and our kids and we enjoyed the scenery.”

Cancellation Policy

Your reservations may be made online , over the phone, through our online chat, and in-person at ticket booths at select locations.

Tickets are not required for boarding. When boarding, you can check in with your confirmation number and the last name that is on your reservation.

Option 1: You may transfer to a different cruise date of your choosing. If you are rescheduling to a lower priced cruise, the company will refund you the difference. If you are rescheduling to a higher priced cruise, payment will be required for the difference once the new date is selected. Prices are subject to change based on demand and peak cruise times.

Option 2: If you are unsure of a new date when you can cruise, you may move your funds to a gift card. Gift cards never expire.

Option 3: If you are unable to join the cruise at a future date, you will receive a full refund back to the original form of payment. Please allow three to five business days for the funds to appear in your account.

Service animals are permitted. 

What You'll See

Tours / options, enjoy a comfortable stay.

Ramada by Wyndham Gananoque Provincial Inn

Ramada by Wyndham

Howard Johnson Inn Gananoque

Holiday inn express 1000 islands gananoque.

Holiday Inn Express

Colonial Resort 1000 Islands

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Experience fabulous amenities and a fantastic location in the heart of the 1000 Islands.

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Visitor Information

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

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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.

How my family of 4 spent $10,000 on a Caribbean cruise — and what we'll cut next time even though we had a blast

• My family of four splurged on a seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy .
• We stayed in an inexpensive class of stateroom, but paid $7,000+ to cruise during spring break.
• We didn't watch our onboard spending and money spent on excursions, which quickly added up. 

My family of four – my husband, two teens, and myself – sailed on the Disney Fantasy this spring. Our cruise was seven nights and left from Port Canaveral , Florida, near Orlando.

Our ship stopped in Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, Cozumel, Mexico, and Disney's island, Castaway Cay . This was our first time sailing on the Fantasy and our ninth Disney cruise.

Our trip cost just over $10,000. Perhaps surprisingly, this is on par with the higher end of what a family can expect to spend on a seven-night Caribbean cruise: about $270 to $2,600 a person .

Here's a rough look at what we spent:

Cruise: $7,300 (includes interior room, meals, and entertainment)

Excursions: $1,160

Alcohol: $334

Bingo: $152

Here's the value we felt we got and what we might do differently next time.

We got the cheapest room type but would've saved by sailing at a different time of year

Even though we stayed in the cheapest stateroom category — interior cabins — our cruise was still pricey because we sailed during spring break.

We could've saved $3,000 on the cruise if we'd went in September, which is during hurricane season and while school is in session for our kids. In the end, we couldn't justify our sons missing that week of school.

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Sadly, there's not much getting around this cost in the next few years. It's hard for us to travel during cheaper times since cruises almost always cost more during spring break, summertime, and over the winter holidays when most kids are out of school.

I don't regret our WiFi or bingo budgets

We bought an intermediate WiFi package for $490 and spent $152 on bingo.

We don't usually spend money on WiFi while cruising, but decided to get a package since this was a longer sailing . This allowed my kids to play their online games at night and me to keep an eye on my inbox.

No one was glued to their device, and even though this was quite a chunk of change, I'd consider it again for a longer cruise like this one.

The bingo turned out to be an OK investment since we won $145 and almost broke even. We usually play at least one round of bingo and usually don't win much, but my kids enjoy it, and it's something we do as a family.

Still, excursions, spa treatments, and drinks added up

We booked excursions in Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Cozumel, and my husband and I had a couple's massage on the beach at Castaway Cay.

We didn't book super elaborate excursions, but costs added up for four people. Even so, I don't regret any of the experiences or the time spent with my family.

We could've cut back on our excursions budget by not booking directly with Disney Cruise Line or finding a spot to snorkel on our own, but I liked the ease and security of booking directly with the cruise line.

We've heard a lot of horror stories lately about cruise-ship passengers getting left behind in ports , and we always figure our odds are better if we're on an excursion arranged by the ship.

Next time, we might cut back on drinks and spa treatments

Since we're limited by when we can travel, we're honing in on alcohol and spa treatments as areas we can spend less money on.

We're not huge drinkers, but my husband and I enjoy having a glass of wine with our dinner and a couple of cocktails on deck or while lounging on the beach at Castaway Cay.

On future trips, we may cut back. When we looked at our bill, we saw that some of the wine we ordered was as much as $18.50 per glass!

And, as much as we loved the massages on the beach, they cost $289 a person (including automatic gratuity). Getting a massage in a beachside cabana while on vacation was super relaxing, but we can get massages at home for a fraction of that price.

Overall, we loved our cruise and have no regrets

The longer cruise with four ports of call was pricier than we realized, and we got a bit of sticker shock when we saw the final bill with our onboard extras.

I don't have any regrets since my family has always been more focused on experiences than stuff : We don't drive fancy cars or wear expensive clothes, but we prioritize nice vacations.

Although we know we need to curb the spending in a few areas and be a little more aware of what things cost when charging things to our room, we came away with fond memories that were worth every penny.

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