Canada Island Hopping Tours: 15 to Book

1.Vancouver: Victoria, Gulf Islands Cruise, & Butchart Gardens

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

Take a full-day coach and BC Ferry trip from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island. You get two hours at Butchart Gardens, about 1.5 hours in Victoria, and live English commentary from guides such as Mark, Justin, Dan, or Dion. Ferry fares, garden admission, taxes, and hotel pickup are included.

“This tour was a wonderful way to see both the Butchart Gardens and Victoria in one day. Justin, our guide and bus driver, was not only friendly and courteous, he was knowledgeable and very competent. The timetable and resources for the day were clearly communicated, he shared a lot of information about history and culture, he drove safely and carefully, and he had great energy throughout the day. The tour itinerary was a full day, with a lot to see and do. The pick ups and drop offs were smooth, the drive through Vancouver was a mini-tour, the ferry was very comfortable and smooth, the Butchart Gardens were beautiful, and…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Ride from Vancouver to Vancouver Island by coach and ferry, visit Butchart Gardens with admission included, then enjoy free time in Victoria. Guides such as Mark, Dan, Justin, and Dion provide history and practical tips. Expect a long day, with roughly two hours at the gardens and about 1 to 1.5 hours downtown.

“12-13hrs trip just to see two places. Gardens were worth the visit, but i'd trade 30m there for more time in Victoria - 1h15m is hardly enough for a few photos and a quick bite. 5min walking distance at most. The whole trip was conducted very well though. The real highlight was the history, background and other commentary by our guide/driver Justin: on-spot, informative and funny!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.3-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 international bridge, Zavikon Island, the 1,000 Islands Tower, and Boldt Castle. English and French audio commentary adds context, while onboard snacks, drinks, seating, and a restroom make the three-hour trip easy to manage. You’ll view Boldt Castle from the water, not tour it.

“My sister and I really enjoyed the 3 hour cruise. The cruise left on time, and returned on time. We would recommend this cruise to anyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 236 reviews · from $65

Set out from Gananoque at 9:30 a.m. for a five-hour cruise through the American span of the 1000 Islands. You will have about two hours at Boldt Castle on Heart Island, with admission included, plus views of Zavikon Island, Millionaires Row, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Thousand Islands Bridge. English and French audio commentary is provided.

“Awesome experience on our cruise to Boldt castle, would highly recommend. Very well organized and informative, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Brockville: 1000 Islands Cruise

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

Join a French and English sightseeing cruise from Brockville aboard a 120-passenger catamaran. For 90 minutes, you’ll pass waterfront mansions, island cottages, narrow passages, and large ships on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Choose the open outer deck or indoor seating, with food and drinks available to buy.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

6.From Montreal: Toronto, Niagara Falls & 1000 Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 131 reviews · 2 days · from $416

Travel from Montreal to the Thousand Islands, Niagara Falls, and Toronto over two full days. You’ll cruise among island mansions from May to October, see Niagara by boat, and stay within walking distance of the falls. Winter swaps in Niagara Takes Flight and the SkyWheel. Guides speak English and French.

“Merci à jean pierre d avoir conduit et d avoir assuré le timing 🫶🏼 Merci à Shaw ( oups pour l écriture ) de son implication dans les récits et dans l organisation. C est dur de faire autant de bus en peu de temps mais comment voir le plus possible de choses en peu de temps. Les 1000 îles: c est vraiment à faire mieux que le tout! Il faudrait revoir le temps du repas du dimanche midi sur un lieu plus accessible pour eux qui ne souhaite pas y participer.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea with views of Boldt Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31

Board City Cruises Gananoque at Ivy Lea for a one-hour ride through the 1000 Islands. You’ll see McDonald Island, Howe Island, cottage-dotted islets, and Boldt Castle from the water. Commentary is provided in English and French, with some departures offering additional language support. The boat returns to Ivy Lea.

“The view of Boldt Castle was great and so far the journey was good because the weather was cooperative”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31

From City Cruises at 280 Main Street in Gananoque, you’ll spend about an hour on the St. Lawrence River, passing McDonald Island, Howe Island, Half Moon Bay, Leek Island, and more. Audio commentary in English and French, with other language options available, explains the islands, homes, cables, and local history. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and the boat returns to the same dock.

“It was such a relaxing time. Very informative as well. We just loved it! Thank you for the beautiful experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Heart of the 1000 Islands Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 80 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50

Cruise from Kingston through the Admiralty group of the 1000 Islands for about three hours. You’ll pass Napoleon’s Hat, Wanderer’s Channel, Bateau Channel, Mandalay Mansion, and historic Kingston while hearing live English commentary. Bring a camera, arrive early for a preferred seat, and budget extra for food and drinks onboard.

“A great day on the water! Hard to hear the commentary about the features to look for because too many people were moving around and talking instead of paying attention. Can't do anything about that though and it didn't ruin our good time on the water. We grew up on the shores of Lake Erie and wanted to see some other waterways.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.1000 Islands 90-minute Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 80 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Brockville on a 90-minute sightseeing cruise through the Thousand Islands. A bilingual captain explains Millionaire’s Row, passing ships, Brockville’s industrial past, and Canada’s First Railway Tunnel. The boat has restrooms, a licensed snack bar, several daily departures, and space for up to 100 people.

“We spent a very good time ....can't wait to do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.3 Day and 2 Night Tour: Toronto, 1000 Islands, and Niagara Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $300Top rated

Travel from Montreal to the 1000 Islands, Toronto, and Niagara Falls in three days by air-conditioned coach. You’ll visit City Hall, Ripley’s Aquarium, the CN Tower, Skylon Tower, and the falls, with guide support for the Niagara boat ride. Luke and driver Mathew are named in recent trip details, though staff may change.

“Luke the tour guide was great. He worked hard to keep his group together and safe. He was well informed and very polite and helpful. Mathew the bus driver was excellent, one of the best drivers I have ever travelled with. Skilled and friendly and helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Toronto Harbour and Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $21Best value

Cruise Toronto’s inner harbour and Toronto Islands for about 45 minutes aboard Harbour Star. Your guide points out the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, island lagoons, wildlife, and city history, with time for photos. Departures are offered during the day, and the boat returns to 235 Queens Quay W.

“A lovely trip! Boat trips go on the hour every hour between 12 and 5, which we didn’t find out until we got there, as no reply to messaging beforehand unfortunately. Like others have said you’ll need to have your barcode converted to a QR code beforehand so allow time to do that. All that said, the trip itself was really fun and informative, with a fun and knowledgeable guide. Would recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.2-Hour Two Castle 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Set out from Ivy Lea at 4:00 pm for a 2-hour-15-minute cruise through the 1000 Islands. You’ll see Boldt Castle, Singer Castle, Zavikon Island, the Thousand Islands Bridge, and the St. Lawrence statue, with English and French audio commentary, outdoor viewing decks, drinks, and snacks for sale.

“The whole tour was great, the facilities are good. If there was a food service, our participation on the tour could be even better.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Broken Group Islands Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $359

Start in Ucluelet at 8 am for a 45-minute water-taxi ride to the Broken Group Islands. Guides such as Vince, Nolan, Kat, and Joanne lead several hours of kayaking among islands, beaches, old-growth forest, and First Nations sites. Lunch is served on a sandy beach, with wildlife sightings possible along the way.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private Boat Charter Explore Southern Gulf Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $560

Captain Dieter takes your private group from Sidney through the southern Gulf Islands aboard a comfortable boat with indoor and outdoor seating. The 4 to 4.5-hour cruise includes Salt Spring Island and Poets Cove on Pender Island, with chances to see marine wildlife, enjoy island food, and explore at an easy pace.

Check availability →Read our full review