Canada · LAKE CRUISES & BOAT RIDES
The good lake cruises & boat rides fill weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
A $53 Toronto day trip to Niagara Falls with guided stops, free time at the Canadian side, and optional Hornblower cruise.
“Our driver was the best, very funny and very good driver.”
Zodiac whale watching in Tadoussac on the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, with bilingual naturalists, waterproof gear, and close encounters.
“Loved this excursion! Saw my first whales, couldn't be happier!”
Niagara Falls day trip from Toronto with door-to-door pickup, maple tastings, and optional Hornblower boat cruise plus Journey Behind the Falls.
“Very kind tour guide (TRACEY) she was accommodating to her passengers needs. She was friendly and funny . when I return ill be booking with Viator .”
Full-day Niagara Falls tour from Toronto with winery tasting, falls-view lunch, and boat cruise in season, plus Niagara-on-the-Lake time.
“It was a wonderful experience. Our driver was great. The stop at the winery was good. Bought some wine. The lunch stop at Niagara was very nice and good. Good options for lunch. We had a beautiful view having lunch. The boat ride was awesome. Got soaked. Tour was great. Highly recommended”
Thrill a jet boat on the lower Niagara River, hit Class 5 rapids, and learn the river’s history, wet or dry, in 45 minutes.
“chris and charlie were amazing. i won’t ever forget this boat ride!”
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.”
Soaked-in-the-best-way open-top jet boat ride on the Niagara River. Live guide commentary, fast rapids near Niagara Whirlpool, no falls view.
“Lots of fun and perfectly safe! The scenery and water were beautiful and riding the rapids was lots of fun. I would have liked more rapids, but my friend who was scared to death thought it was perfect. We got really soaked and the folks working there are terrific! I would love to go again!”
Day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls with guided stops, about 4 hours to explore Clifton Hill, and optional Hornblower cruise.
“Jeremiah our host/tour guide was great! I would recommend this tour for anyone. We schedule the boat and also were able to book the zip line through the tour service. We had a great time”
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.”
Victoria Harbour Zodiac whale watch with suits, a small 12-passenger boat, expert skippers, and a whale sightings guarantee.
“Very knowledgeable guide and company was very communicative and helpful. Great experience. We didn’t see Orcas but we saw 4 humpbacks and seals/sea lions and bald eagles. 10/5 stars”
Relax on Maligne Lake in Jasper with a guided cruise to Spirit Island for glacier views, history stories, and a short trail stop.
“It was awesome! Our guide Mitchell was charming, and so knowledgeable. We learned a lot! Best cruise captain is Michael!!!”
Toronto to Niagara Falls day trip with Hornblower boat cruise, Table Rock views, and optional Sheraton Fallsview buffet at night.
“This is not as advertised. In winter I was informed only 1 trip from the tour guide. I was only notified 24 hours before and said not enough people which is incorrect. we booked afternoon and evening this does not run and when we booked it offered us boat clearly this does not run. We booked day trip and evening with 3 course dinner. There is no boat as it is frozen this should not be advertised as such.”
Granite Falls Zodiac tour from Granville Island with warm suits, Siwash Rock, Indian Arm fjord views, and close-up Granite and Silver Falls.
“Great Captain Cassidy was a lot of fun & took us to beautiful spots! We saw so many harbor seals & even Moon jellyfish.”
Sail on the Tall Ship Kajama in Toronto, help raise sails, enjoy skyline and cannon, and grab poutine and drinks onboard for $38.
“They precede terms with "Para" meaning "not really" like Paramilitary, it's not really the military but 3rd party contractors. Para-medic. They're not really doctors but they help out until the drs can step in. Para-normal, not really normal, so I'm calling this Para-pirate. Its for pirate wannabes :D [ note: I would have called it para-sailing but that's already been taken lol ] the boat does not "sail". They pull up some old sails for show but it motors out to the eastern gap, turns around and comes back. They get passengers to hoist the two main sails. The package it as if you get to be part of the…”
Victoria zodiac whale watching on an open 12-passenger boat with hydrophones, flotation suits, and a whale-spotting guarantee
“Excellent trip, we saw 2 adult humpback whales, 2 juveniles, harbour seals basking and white sided dolphin. Naval submarine and an open- prison confined space for white collar crimes. Went into American waters twice on zodiac trip and saw Olympic Mountain range. Would definitely recommend this trip.”
Six time zones of days out, sorted by the kind of day.
