Canada · BOAT TOURS IN OTTAWA
Distances here are long and daylight is finite. These 13 boat tours in Ottawa justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back to the map.
A 90-minute Ottawa River cruise on Paula D with live bilingual guide, big landmarks like Parliament and the Rideau Canal Locks, plus great photo angles.
“The sightseeing cruise was terrific with the very energetic and enthusiastic tour guide who did an excellent job of explaining key historical places along the Ottawa River.”
Ottawa Rideau Canal 90-minute electric cruise from downtown for $41. Bilingual live narration and UNESCO views from Château Laurier to Dow’s Lake.
“I believe our guides name was Caleb although (if it’s a bad review my name is Greg) stuck in my head lol so I had trouble remembering if his real name was Caleb or Craig or something else. Hopefully if he reads this he knows it’s him! He was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable of the area. We really enjoyed the trip. It was a nice cruise along the canals with some fun stories. You don’t even feel the heat with that light breeze.”
A 90 minute electric boat cruise on the Rideau Canal with live guide stories, big Ottawa landmarks, and calm, quiet views.
“Wendy is an excellent tour guide. Very relaxing and informative 90-minute cruise on the Rideau Canal.”
A 90-minute Ottawa River cruise with bilingual narration, big-deck views, and special takes on Parliament Hill, Sussex Drive, and more.
“The trip duration listed on the website is 1 1/2hrs but this is a little deceiving as the boat runs over to Gatineau to pick up more passengers which takes time off the cruise so in duration the scenic tour is only 1 hr.”
Float Ottawa’s river on a tiki bar palapa boat near Parliament Hill, with panoramic views, music, and a cashless bar.
“Mike and Gabby were fantastic hosts. We had such a fun time, brilliant concept so book now.”
Ottawa’s top sights in a 4-hour small-group tour with hotel pickup, a narrated drive to Rockcliffe Lookout, and an included Rideau Canal cruise.
“It was fun! Very educational and our guide was very accommodating.”
A 150-minute Ottawa night tour with a sunset Ottawa River cruise, narrated drive past Parliament Hill, scenic photo stops, and dessert.
“We were very well treated by our guide. The pick-up and bring back to our hotel service was great. Everything was well planned. Will definitely recommend. Thank-you!”
Ottawa night driving tour with a guided Rideau Canal river cruise, downtown pickup, and narrated views of Parliament Hill lights.
“Great guide that offered much more than just the river cruise. he showed us various sites along the way and took time for us to take some wonderful photos too along the way. He provided lawn chairs for the light show at Parliament too. I would recommend this tour highly.”
Small-group Ottawa walk to Maman, ByWard Market, and Centennial Flame, then a narrated river cruise or National Gallery time for a solid 3.5 hours.
“Both the walking tour and cruise were enjoyable. The walking tour guide was very nice. We loved the narrator on the cruise.”
Ottawa River sunset yacht cruise with a small group, no narration, and skyline views of Parliament, the Rideau Locks, and Alexandra Bridge.
“It was a great time. Well priced overall. We were lucky as we had perfect weather and only six of us on the bow. The crew was very attentive and just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves. Definitely recommend at least once.”
Full-day Montreal tour from Ottawa with Mount Royal, Olympic Park, Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica area, plus an included St. Lawrence cruise.
“The tour guide, Jason, was great...very kind, polite and knowledgeable. The only issue, when the cruise is included, it's too much packed into the day...no time to explore Old Montreal.”
See Louise Bourgeois Maman, walk Ottawa landmarks, hit ByWard Market, then finish with a scenic downtown river cruise or National Gallery time.
“Well a pleasant young women, our guide had a shockingly lack of basic knowledge about Ottawa, our history, government, key figures and buildings and locations. We had to Google things that she did not know. On the other hand, Ellen, the guide on the Ekeau boat was great. We learned so much from her vs getting "I don't know" as an answer.”
Real yacht cruise past Rideau Falls, Parliament Hill and PM Residence. Small group, 1 hr 15, drinks onboard.
“It was a very nice boat ride! The Crew super nice, I love they help to take pics of my boyfriend and I.”
Six time zones of days out, sorted by the kind of day.
