The 1000 Islands cruise is the signature experience of this corner of Ontario. City Cruises runs sightseeing boats from the dock at 280 Main Street in Gananoque, and the three-hour cruise is the best single choice for a first visit. It passes the island cottages, the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping channel, the 1000 Islands International Bridge, Millionaires Row and Boldt Castle on Heart Island, with narration in English and French. The boats are triple-decker, all-aluminum vessels with open and enclosed decks, restrooms and a snack bar, so a cool or wet day is still comfortable. Shorter one-hour cruises and a longer five-hour cruise with a stop at Boldt Castle are also offered. The operator's pages do not state season dates, so treat this as a warm-season activity.
What to do
Board at the Gananoque dock, choose a seat on the open top deck for photographs or the enclosed lower deck for shelter, and let the commentary guide you through the islands. The three-hour route is the one that brings Boldt Castle into view and runs along Millionaires Row, the stretch of grand island summer homes.
Food and drinks can be bought on board. If you want to step ashore at the castle, the five-hour cruise includes a stop on Heart Island, which is United States territory, so you need a valid passport or a NEXUS card for that option.
Seasons and planning
The operator's pages that we could read give no opening or closing dates, and the 1000 Islands is a boating destination that quietens through the colder months, so check the current schedule before you travel, especially from late autumn to spring. This is a cruise to book ahead in July and August and on autumn-colour weekends. Paid parking is available at the dock, and Gananoque has a VIA Rail station, with a local taxi to the port. Dress in layers, because the wind on the St. Lawrence is cooler than on land.
Fitting it in
Gananoque is about 30 minutes by road east of Kingston, so you can drive over in the morning, cruise, and have lunch in town. Allow the full three hours plus boarding time. The cruise combines naturally with a walk through Gananoque and, on a later day, with a visit to Boldt Castle during its season. If you only have time for one 1000 Islands experience, make it this one.
What to expect
The experience
A narrated sightseeing cruise on a triple-decker aluminum boat with open and enclosed decks, restrooms and a snack bar.
Best time
The warm season; the operator's pages state no dates, so confirm the schedule, and choose a clear day for the best views.
How long
Three hours for the main cruise; one-hour and five-hour options also exist.
Tips
Bring a windproof layer, arrive early for a deck seat, carry a passport or NEXUS card only if you choose the Boldt Castle stopover, and book ahead in summer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the classic 1000 Islands experience in one outing.
- Families
- The enclosed deck, restrooms and snack bar make it manageable with children, though three hours is long for the very young; the one-hour cruise is a shorter alternative.
- Couples
- A golden-hour or autumn-colour cruise is a romantic way to see the islands and the castle from the water.
- Pair with
- Gananoque's waterfront, a meal in town and, in season, Boldt Castle fit around the cruise.
- Time needed
- Three hours aboard, plus boarding and a short drive of about 30 minutes from Kingston.
Good questions
What does the three-hour cruise see?+
It passes the St. Lawrence Seaway, the 1000 Islands International Bridge, Millionaires Row and Boldt Castle, with commentary in English and French. Food and drinks are available to buy on board.
Does the cruise stop at Boldt Castle?+
The three-hour cruise passes the castle but does not stop. The five-hour cruise includes a stop on Heart Island, and you need a valid passport or NEXUS card for it.
When does the cruise season run?+
The operator's pages we could read do not state season dates, so confirm the current schedule before you travel, particularly outside summer and early autumn.
Where does the cruise leave from?+
It leaves from the City Cruises dock at 280 Main Street in Gananoque, about 30 minutes east of Kingston. Paid parking is available on site and the VIA Rail station is a short taxi ride away.
Is there a shorter option?+
Yes, the operator also runs one-hour cruises from Gananoque and from Ivy Lea. They cover the history of the islands and the island cottages but are not the route that passes Boldt Castle.
