The 1000 Islands are the reason many visitors come to this corner of Ontario, and there are several very different ways to see them: from a cruise boat, from a castle, from a tower and from a helicopter. Each gives a different view and costs a different amount of time and money, so this guide sets them side by side to help you choose, or combine two, depending on your days and your budget.
The classic: a cruise from Gananoque
The boat cruise is the heart of the experience. The 90-minute sightseeing cruise is the easiest to fit into a day, and it takes you among the islands and past island homes with commentary. Longer cruises from Gananoque add more distance, and the one with a stopover includes a landing at Boldt Castle. Cruises run in the warmer months, so check the season and book ahead for July and August weekends. Sit on the side with the best views and carry a windproof layer, since it is always cooler on the water.
The landmark: Boldt Castle
Boldt Castle on Heart Island is the best-known building in the area and a US port of entry, which means you must carry a passport or a NEXUS card for every traveller if you land from the Canadian side. The castle is open from early May to mid-October, and its Yacht House is reached by shuttle. If you do not want to land, you can still see the castle from the water on a cruise. For a different perspective, the Boldt Castle and Thousand Islands helicopter tour shows the island and the surrounding channels from the air, though it is a flight rather than an admission ticket to the castle.
The view from the top: the 1000 Islands Tower
The tower stands on Hill Island, near the bridge to the United States. An elevator carries visitors to observation decks, and on a clear day you can see far across the river and the islands. It is the cheapest and quickest way to get the big picture, requires no boat, and suits anyone who dislikes being on the water or wants a rain-check option for a bright but windy day. It is a short stop, so combine it with a lunch stop or a drive along the river.
The bird's-eye view: the helicopter tour
A helicopter flight is the most dramatic way to see how the islands fit together, with the bridge, the shipping channel and the castles laid out below. It is brief compared with a cruise and costs more per minute, but it is a strong choice for special occasions and for photographers. Flights depend on weather, so keep your schedule flexible and avoid back-to-back commitments. There are options with different routes, so choose the longer ones if the castles and the widest sweep of islands matter to you.
The free option: the Wolfe Island ferry
From downtown Kingston, the Wolfe Island ferry crosses the St. Lawrence to the largest island in the area, and the crossing itself gives a lake-level view of the harbour and the skyline. It is the most economical way to be on the water and is well suited to a car trip or a bike ride on the island. It does not take you among the 1000 Islands proper, but it is a pleasant addition to a Kingston day, particularly with children.
On the river's edge: Gananoque
The town of Gananoque is the main base for cruises, and it is a pleasant place to spend time before or after a boat trip. The Thousand Islands Playhouse offers professional theatre on the riverfront in season, and the town has shops, restaurants and a Thursday farmers market in summer. Staying in Gananoque, for example at the Gananoque Inn and Spa, lets you take an early cruise and an evening show without driving.
Choosing and combining
If you have one island day, take the 90-minute or three-hour cruise from Gananoque and finish with dinner by the river. If you have two, add Boldt Castle with a stopover cruise on the first day and the tower or the helicopter on the second. If you are visiting outside the boating season, the tower, the Wolfe Island ferry and the town of Gananoque are the practical options, because the cruises and the castle are closed or limited in winter.
Practical tips
Always check the cruise schedule for your date, because seasons and times vary. Carry a passport for any trip that lands in the United States, and bring a small daypack with water, sunscreen and a warm layer. In summer, book cruises and the helicopter ahead, and in the shoulder seasons keep a rain plan, such as the Agnes Etherington Art Centre or the Kingston Public Market. The islands look very different from each vantage point, so combining the water and the air or the tower view is the way to see them properly.