USA Island Hopping Tours: 15 to Book

1.1000 Islands Cruise & Optional Boldt Castle Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,453 reviews · 1 - 5 hours · from $30Our pick

Sail from Gananoque through the 1000 Islands on a one, three, or five-hour cruise with English and French audio commentary. See Millionaire’s Row, Zavikon Islands, the Seaway, and the 1000 Islands Bridge. The five-hour option includes a stop at Heart Island and admission to Boldt Castle, but you need a passport or Nexus card.

“Absolutely fabulous time, my friends and I will likely do another cruise next year”

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2.From Ivy Lea: 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,297 reviews · 1 hour · from $30

From Ivy Lea, cruise the St. Lawrence past Boldt Castle, Millionaires Row, Zavikon Islands, and the Statue of St. Lawrence. Choose a one-hour sightseeing trip or the two-hour Two Castle Cruise, which also visits Singer Castle. Expect English and French commentary, open views, onboard drinks, and free parking.

“The scenery was lovely and the boat very comfortable. I just had a little trouble hearing the guide but that was probably more because of the people around me.”

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3.The Ultimate Heart of 1000 Islands Sightseeing Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 534 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $82Top rated

Spend about five hours on a small sightseeing boat from Clayton, circling Wellesley Island, cruising Millionaires Row, and stopping at Boldt Castle and Rock Island Lighthouse. Local guides such as Chris, Brad, Liam, and Captain Chuck share river lore along the way. Lunch, admissions, and onboard restrooms are included.

“Amazing tour, tour guide, and boat captain. 10/10 would recommend. Boldt Castle and gardens was beautiful and the rock island lighthouse view was unbeatable.”

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4.1000 Islands: 10, 20, 30, or 60-Min Scenic Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 412 reviews · 10 minutes - 1 hour · from $93

Fly from Gananoque Heliport over the 1000 Islands with a guaranteed window seat, headset, and pilot commentary. Pick a 10, 20, 30, or longer option, depending on availability. The longer flights reach Boldt and Singer Castles, Ivy Lea Bridge, shipwrecks, and islands on both sides of the Canada-US border.

“It was awesome experience, our pilot Quinn is very nice and polite, we were amazed with his skills, flying and guiding (explaining everything thoroughly by pointing) intelligently, other Staff members are also nice, we highly recommend this un forgetful activity.”

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5.From NYC: Niagara Falls & 1000 Islands 3-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 214 reviews · 3 days · from $565

Leave New York City early for Watkins Glen, Niagara Falls, Toronto, and the 1000 Islands. You’ll hike to Finger Lakes waterfalls, see both sides of Niagara, ride the Maid of the Mist after dark, cruise the St. Lawrence River, and shop at an outlet mall. Guides may speak English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and other listed languages.

“A beautiful place to visit and the tour guides had plenty of informative information.”

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6.Central Maui: Two-Island Scenic Helicopter Flight to Molokai

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 165 reviews · 55 min · from $369

Take a 55-minute Maverick Helicopters flight from Kahului over Maui and Molokai. See Honokohau and Kahiwa Falls, Molokai’s sea cliffs, Halawa Valley, Elephant Rock, Iao Valley, and possibly the Wall of Tears. Flights carry up to six people, with English commentary from the pilot.

“This was a beautiful way to see hidden gems of Maui and Molokia”

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7.Half Day Shelling Dolphin Eco Tour in 10 000 Island and Marco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $137

Set out from Goodland with a small group of up to 12, watching dolphins, mangroves, and coastal birds before reaching Kice Island. Captains such as Jamie, Paul, Jeff, and Megan help you identify shells and explain the area. Expect about three hours on the water, bottled water, and a provided shell bag, but no onboard restroom.

“Very nice, relaxing. They gave you ample time for shelling. Guides were very nice. Shells were great!”

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8.From Ivy Lea: 2-Hour Two Castle 1000 Islands Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Board at renovated Ivy Lea Port for a relaxed two-hour cruise through the 1000 Islands. You will pass Boldt Castle, Singer Castle, the Statue of St. Lawrence, and countless small islands while listening to English or French audio commentary. The boat does not stop at the castles, but the main deck is accessible and a cash bar sells drinks and snacks.

“la beauté de ces îles malgré le temps couvert”

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9.Niagara Falls, Toronto and 1000 Islands, 3 Day Tour from NYC

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $580

Travel from New York City through the Finger Lakes to Niagara Falls, Toronto, and the 1000 Islands on a three-day guided trip. Expect Maid of the Mist in season, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto highlights, two hotel nights, breakfasts, and a long return day with outlet shopping. Guides may operate in several languages.

“It was great! Saw lots in three days everything was beautiful.”

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10.Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise Wrightsville Beach’s calm waterways with a captain and crew, stopping at Money Island and Masonboro Island when conditions and time allow. Walk soft beaches, search for shells, swim, climb a sand dune, and watch for dolphins. The small group, friendly crew, onboard drinks, music, and easy pace suit couples and families.

“It was a great experience for little kids. Nice boat ride to go climb sand dunes and look for shells!”

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11.1.5 Hour (20 miles) Waverunner Tour. See Mangrove Tunnels, 20 Islands & SandBar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $259

Ride a Yamaha WaveRunner for about 90 minutes across Islamorada’s open water, mangrove tunnels, islands, reefs, and the famous sandbar. The small tour allows up to seven people, with guides such as Sharkey, Janette, and Josh praised for patient instruction and local insight. Lockers, showers, and life vests are provided.

“It was a great trip as advertised. Got to speed around in open water, cruise through a mangrove, and walk around a “party” sand bar with with a bunch of locals. (You will have to do a boater safety course online before you go so make sure you get there early.)”

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12.1000 Islands Sunset Cruise from Clayton, NY

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $25Best value

Cruise for about two hours from Clayton, NY, winding among the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River. You may pass Wellesley Island, Rock Island Lighthouse, TI Park, and the US span of the Thousand Islands Bridge. Captain CT, Captain Scott, Dennis, and Dan have all shared local stories on some departures, but narration is not guaranteed.

“It was very good planning, we enjoyed listening to the singer. Everyone was nice and that sunset was amazing. We would differently do it again.”

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13.Half Day Private Shelling Dolphin EcoTour in 10 000 Island Marco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Set out from Goodland with a private skipper for about three hours in the Ten Thousand Islands. Cruise past mangroves while watching for dolphins and birds, then spend about 1 hour 40 minutes shelling around Kice Island. Your group of up to six has the boat to itself.

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14.Miami: 4-Hour Island Hopping Boat Trip with Water Toys

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 47 reviews · from $140

Join Captain Alex, Mauricio, or another experienced English- or Spanish-speaking captain for a four-hour cruise from the Fontainebleau marina. Ride a 23-foot Formula Thunderbird around Bay Harbor, stop at Haulover Sandbar and nearby islands, swim, snorkel, use the floating mat, and request a waterfront restaurant stop or Miami landmark tour.

“Captain Mauricio was knowledgeable, friendly and very attentive. Sandbar and island were beautiful. Was overall the best day we had in Miami Beach and would definitely book with them again.”

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15.Island Hop Sandbar Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews

Take a private Key West boat trip for up to six people, stopping at sandbars and small islands for swimming and snorkeling. Gear and bottled water are included. Four-hour options focus on sandbars and island hopping, while the 8-hour charter adds reef snorkeling. Captains such as Zack and Jojo adapt the route to weather and your group.

“Zack was great. Expertly navigated weather issues and brought us to areas that we could snorkel. Worked great with kids of multiple ages. Really had a great time. Very flexible and accommodating.”

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