The 7 Best Canadian Boat Tours

Perhaps the most famous cruise in Canada, visitors can’t go to Niagara Falls without doing a Hornblower Niagara Cruise. This cruise is the only one people can take from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, which takes you as close to the falls as possible. Cruise goers are each given a poncho, as the power and mist from the falls will soak every inch of you. But the dampness is definitely worth getting up close and personal to the natural wonder. Expect up-close views of Niagara Falls, followed by an expert guided walking tour featuring Rainbow Bridge, Table Rock, American Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. This tour is certainly one to remember.

A registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal runs through Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. It extends 202 kilometers (126 miles) from Ottawa to Kingston. The Ottawa section has many locks and bridges, so a cruise along the waterway is a great way to admire sweeping views over top attractions including the Canadian Museum of Nature, Château Laurier, Dow’s Lake, and the National Arts Centre. Along the way, listen as your guide sheds light on centuries of colorful Canadian history.

Tadoussac is said to be one of the best places for whale watching in the world. Over 200,000 people visit the Quebec town between May and October to see a variety of different whale species. Blue whales, humpbacks, minke whales, belugas and fin whales can all be spotted in St. Lawrence’s salty waters. They swim up the river to the mouth of Saguenay Fjord to feed. Hop aboard the vessel designed just for whale watching, and head into Quebec waters known as one of the best places on the planet for spotting whales. As you glide over the chop, try and spot 13 different species of aquatic creatures—including six different types of whales—with a guide there to offer explanations as you go.

See Banff National Park from a different perspective and cruise around Lake Minnewanka. The national park’s largest lake, it’s perfectly surrounded by the towering and majestic Rocky Mountains. As well as admiring the scenery and turquoise lake surface, this tour you’ll also head over to Devil’s Gap during this boat tour. Soak up the the lakeshore as you admire the natural wildlife, from big-horned sheep and deer to bald eagles and even the occasional bear. Along the way, learn about the indigenous people who used to call the surrounding area their home. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and families alike.

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the best places in the world to see icebergs. They arrive in the area from the Arctic in early spring, but the best time to view them is usually early May to late June when they aren’t trapped in sea ice. This award-winning boat tour is the perfect way to enjoy the Iceberg Alley as you sail from the vibrant Outport community of Twillingate. Marvel at 12,000-year-old icebergs, observe majestic humpback whales and watch elegant seabirds frolic along our coastlines.

Discover the sights and sounds around Vancouver, British Columbia, on this scenic, 90-minute boat tour. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, travel along the coastline of English Bay, west of the downtown peninsula, to popular Lighthouse Park, the Seal Colony and centrally located False Creek, which separates downtown Vancouver from the rest of the city. Along the way, see a plethora of attractions, like Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, the Lions Gate Bridge, plus offshore freighters, the beautiful homes of West Vancouver and much more.

On this unique Harbour Hopper tour, you’ll travel on both land and water aboard a nifty, renovated amphibious Vietnam War vehicle. Whilst on this unconventional and historic method of transportation, you will be guided through an overview of some of Halifax’s key landmarks. Beginning with a drive by St Paul’s Cathedral, Citadel Hill and Halifax Public Gardens before you splash into Halifax Harbour for panoramic views of the waterfront. The Harbour Hopper amphibious sightseeing tour in Halifax will give you the opportunity to drive through Halifax’s historic district to see its main attractions, enjoy the fresh splash of the water as you explore the harbour and learn about the city’s origins and its important naval role during the British Empire.