Gananoque Boat Lines

AMAZING
stopped in Kingston & Gananoque to visit the 1000 Islands.

In particular, we wanted to go on the 2.5 Hour boat tour and loved the beauty, history and the locals enjoying the water too!

The second portion was visiting the Famous Heart Island where George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island.  The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

The structures on the island were amazing! I personally LOVE architecture and history so this was a fantastic experience!

Had it been Pre-Covid times, we would have been able to disembark from the boat and explored the island, as the Americans were doing. But because it is technically on the American side of the St Lawrence River, and because of the pandemic, we could only admire it from afar.

We can't wait for warmer weather so we can go back and visit!

I don't know how you could not like one of their pleasure cruises. I guess if you're easily sea sick, but it's not the sea, so.....You get to see countless islands, some with castles and it's one of the most relaxing and pleasant experiences you could have in this region.

Gananoque Boat Line may operate with an impressive fleet of five triple-decker vessels, but the BEAUTY OF THE ISLANDS CRUISE did not deliver what was promised. The company states on their website of the following: "Join us on a 1-hour cruise taking you closer than any other cruise available in the 1000 Islands."

Roughly six years ago my mother and I had the opportunity to visit the 1000 Islands through a traveling agency. I cannot recall the company we had used to sail the 1000 Islands, but I' am carefully assuming it was Rockport Cruises. I may be completely wrong.

This summer my mother and I were excited to bring the rest of my family to explore the 1000 Islands. The rest of my family members have never been to the islands. My mother and I were completely unsatisfied with the tour and how Gananoque Boat Lines website descriptions were misleading.

Rockport cruises took us closer than Gananoque Boat Lines to the 1000 Islands. Gananoque Boat Lines 1 hour cruise only goes around, and not into the heart of the 1000 Islands.

I would strongly advise travelers to avoid the BEAUTY OF THE ISLANDS CRUISE. Such a shame.

We were looking to do a boat tour of the Thousand Islands Seaway, and settled on Gananoque Boat Lines to take us around. The people at the counter were very nice and informative, and we were able to get tickets for a boat that departed half hour later. Our tour was an hour long, with a very informative pre-recorded speaker that described the history and the geography of the Thousand Islands, with interesting tidbits scattered here and there. Not a lot of people were on our boat so we had a lot of options in terms of boat seating. I'm sad that our tour didn't include a chance to see the island castle in the middle, and/or step off and tour it, but the tour we did get was good and the weather was perfect.

First time visiting Thousand Island area. We booked the 2 1/2 tour and it was a truly delightful experience. Comprehensive history with insight into the creation of the Canadian/American community. Went twice around Boldts castle. Overall amazing value for the money would recommend

Lovely cruise trip to Boldt Castle with this agency. Ports are easy to find. Lots of seating on the ship. Really well organized and efficient.

Totally recommend.

Gananoque Boat Line never cease to impress me! This year I brought my mother and my little sister along my husband. We decided to go for the 2.5hour boat tour. We used a coupon to save 2$ our tickets, the cashiers were extremely courteous and helpful, we asked a couple of questions about the tour (we were not 100% if we should go for the 2.5h tour or the 5h). The tour departed on schedule at 12:30pm and others amazing. The tour is fully guided and everything was explained, the windows are big and you can open them up and appreciate the view. The boat goes around Boldt castle twice so people get the chance to snap pictures. The weather was fine and the boat wasn't too full, we enjoyed ourselves very much. Next year, we'll visit Boldt castle

Took the one hour cruise around the 1000 Islands (turns out there are over 1800 Islands). The boat is three stories with plenty of seating areas. You can sit inside and outside, depending on the weather and all that. The tour guide is somewhat monotone, but the information is pretty interesting (presented in both English and French), plus you get to see the random homes on all the different islands.

Not super exciting, but a very relaxing hour.

(I hope that I'm reviewing the right place!)

It is what it is. Boat Tour of the 1000 Islands.

Purchasing tickets is pretty straight forward. You can do it online - although you'd hafta ensure that you're there by a specific time OR in-person for the next available tour. Check the dock times. There are 1hr, 2.5hr, & 5hr tours, although I'm not sure why anyone would want to be stuck on a boat, seeing the same scenery over and over again, for more than 1hr!!! 1hr is plenty.

Easy to find, lotsa free parking near ticket booth. 1hr tour is just over $20, so somewhat affordable if you're taking the fam/group.

You absolutely CANNOT hear the recording during the tour. So you literally pay to be on a boat. Boat is 3 levels with the top level completely open. You can sit inside OR on the dock and move around the boat freely during the tour.

Sorta boring, but like another reviewer mentioned it is somewhat relaxing, enjoying the breeze off the lake! Just make sure you're not near the tailpipe area. ;)

I spent a weekend in the Thousand Islands region recently. We were based in Gananoque and I was pleased to find cruise departures from the little dock within walking distance of our weekend rental. Despite this, we ended up taking the shorter cruise that departs from nearby Ivylea because it was shorter and I wasn't sure my year old baby was up for more than an hour of cruising. It was nice to be out on the water and cruising around the lovely islands. "Captain Jack", the automated tour guide in multiple languages, was a bit cheesy, but it was a nice hour.