The 15 Best Canada Island Hopping Tours

1.Toronto: Harbor and Islands Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,566 reviews · 1 hour · from $28Our pick

Set out from Pier 6 for a one-hour cruise past the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Billy Bishop Airport, and Toronto Islands. Your English-speaking guide, such as Sam, Sophie, or Asha, adds local stories and humour while the captain pauses for photos. The small boat keeps views open from nearly every seat.

“This was a great way to see the harbour and islands, plus the amazing Toronto skyline. Our guide was excellent - giving just the right amount of information. All very enjoyable.”

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2.Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,165 reviews · 13 hours · from $208

Travel from downtown Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferry, with time at Butchart Gardens and the Inner Harbour. English-speaking guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, and Dion provide local stories along the way. Expect a long but well-planned day, with transport, ferry fares, and garden admission included.

“Justin is easy to listen to and very knowledgeable. The entire experience was wonderful. The gardens were awe inspiring, a must-do.”

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3.Kingston: Heart of the Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 771 reviews · 3 hours · from $49

Cruise Kingston’s Admiralty group aboard the triple-deck Island Queen, a Mississippi River style paddlewheeler. You’ll see cottage islands, Napoleon’s Hat, Wanderer’s Channel, Bateau Channel, Mandalay Mansion, and Kingston’s waterfront while an English-speaking host shares history and live music plays onboard.

“It was very very nice very nice lots of space it wasn’t over packed so we could sit anywhere. The weather was amazing the entertainment was fantastic! All round great experience!”

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4.Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour with Gulf Islands Cruise Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 565 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $214

Travel from Vancouver to Victoria by coach and BC Ferries, with a scenic Gulf Islands crossing, two hours at Butchart Gardens, and about 1 to 1.5 hours in downtown Victoria. Guides such as Mark, Justin, Dan, Dion, and Senan provide local history and practical tips.

“Long way to the gardens, but an adventure, nonetheless. I didn’t read carefully enough about the duration of the trip. It was a pleasant bus ride to the ferry, back on the bus to the gardens. Pick up was 8:50am, made it to the gardens at 1:05 for 2 hours, then back on the bus to the ferry to town arrival at 9pm. Very nice day, and our driver was excellent!”

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5.3-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque with views of Boldt Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 388 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

From Gananoque, you’ll cruise the St. Lawrence River past Millionaires Row, the Thousand Islands International Bridge, Boldt Castle, Zavikon Island, and the 1000 Islands Tower. English and French audio commentary, seating indoors and outside, snacks, drinks, and a restroom are available aboard.

“Beautiful scenery, awesome information about islands and stories behind some, very friendly crew. The boat being smaller could sail much closer to the land, taking more narrow channels between the island, sailing so close to the Bolt Castle was a real treat. Enjoyed every minute of it!!!!”

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6.Toronto: Guided Harbour and Islands Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 281 reviews · 1 hour · from $18

Cruise from Harbourfront Centre aboard the Harbour Star for about an hour of skyline views, Toronto Islands scenery, and live English commentary. You will pass lagoons, Billy Bishop Airport, Rogers Centre, and the CN Tower, with indoor seating, an open upper deck, snacks, drinks, and washrooms on board.

“This is worth every penny. If you are considering it. Just do it”

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7.Kingston: Lunch Cruise of Thousand Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 212 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Sail from downtown Kingston through the Admiralty Group aboard the Island Queen or Island Star. Enjoy a three-course lunch, live music, and commentary on sights such as Napoleon’s Hat, Bateau Channel, and Mandalay Mansion. The guide may be Donna or David, depending on the sailing.

“The cruise was very well narrated by our guide Dave. However, I had the stuffed pepper and I did not enjoy it so much.”

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8.Jasper: Maligne Valley Wildlife & Spirit Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 182 reviews · 6 hours · from $150

Ride from Jasper through Maligne Valley with a guide such as Fred, John, or Kevin, stopping for wildlife, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Canyon views before a 1.5-hour cruise to Spirit Island. Hotel pickup, commentary, and the boat trip are included.

“Great. Kevin was a lovely knowledgeable chap with so much local insight to share. Nelson and Captain Lynn were great on the boat tour. The lake was stunning. We saw a moose and chipmunk. Plenty of time but not too much at each location. A real highlight of our time in Jasper.”

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9.Brockville: 1000 Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 170 reviews · 1h 30m · from $30

Board a 120-passenger catamaran in Brockville for a 90-minute cruise through the eastern 1000 Islands. Watch St. Lawrence Seaway ships, photograph mansions and cottages, and pass through narrow channels. Indoor and outer decks are available, with snacks and drinks sold onboard.

“It was very informative. Considering that's it's only a couple of hours away we learned so much about Canadian history”

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10.Kingston: Brunch Cruise of Thousand Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 132 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Spend three hours aboard the triple-decked Island Queen, cruising from Kingston through the Admiralty Group while enjoying a plated brunch and live entertainment. Guide Greg Webb is praised for clear local commentary. Expect scenic island homes, Fort Henry, Kingston Penitentiary, and limited wheelchair access to the dining deck.

“Well executed and put together. Ambiance was lovely. Music could have been better.”

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11.Halifax: Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 2h 30m · from $16Best value

Ride from Cable Wharf across Halifax Harbour to Georges Island National Historic Site. Your $16 ticket covers ferry transport, Parks Canada admission, a scenic boat circuit, and a guided tour in English. Allow 150 minutes, wear good shoes, and choose your return boat on the island.

“This is a very great tour and not very well advertised. I would highly recommend you go. It just looks like a little island off the shore, yet it is steeped in history you wouldn’t realise.”

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12.Boat to Bowen Island on UNESCO Howe Sound Fjord

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours · from $138Top rated

Spend four hours cruising Howe Sound with a local captain, spotting seals, porpoises, and eagles near the boat. Visit Bowen Island’s Snug Cove for beer, wine, specialty coffee, or ice cream, then view Lighthouse Park and 1,500-year-old coastal rainforest from the water.

“Megan was a great guide and did well when porpoises showed up near the boat on the way back into Vancouver which meant she needed to slow down until they had passed. Was booked on the 9am tour however since there was not enough people for the tour I was moved to the 1:30pm tour, by the Vancouver Water Adventure tours team the day before.”

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13.Toronto: Sailing Yacht Cruise of Toronto Harbor and Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $138

Spend 2 or 3 hours aboard a 41-foot sailing yacht with a captain and crew who handle the boat while you enjoy Toronto’s skyline, the Toronto Islands, and Tommy Thompson Park. Choose a shared or private cruise, learn basic sailing, and possibly swim during longer outings.

“Another great tour with Captain JC (this time I got the name right). Perfect conditions for a fantastic Sunday afternoon sailing experience. Fastest boat on the lake … 🥳”

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14.Guided cruise to discover Orleans Island and Quebec City

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Take a two-hour guided cruise from Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans with an English- or French-speaking captain. See Montmorency Falls, Château Frontenac, Quebec City, and Lévis from the Saint Lawrence River, with transportation from downtown Quebec City included.

“Vraiment une excellente journée,nous étions 4 et on a tous adorer et la capitaine est vraiment très gentille.De toute beauté,je vous recommande de le faire.”

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15.From Montreal: Kingston City Day Trip & 1000 Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5 reviews · from $122

Travel from central Montreal to Kingston with an English or French guide, see City Hall, Queen’s University, and the Royal Military College, then take a Thousand Islands cruise past Boldt Castle and Zavikon Island. Guide William has earned praise for his calm, helpful approach.

“I must have misunderstood that this was a boat tour to the 1000 islands. In this respect it was disappointing. Otherwise it was OK. The tour guide William was good. The bus was a clapped out school bus, so not very comfortable. It was a long 6 hour return bus trip to see a small town like Kingston. Without the final 1 hour boat cruise through the fantastic lakescape of the 1000 islands, the trip would have been a waste of time.”

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