ON THE RIVER · CANADA RIVER CRUISES

The 11 Best Canada River Cruises

11 river trips  ·  from $36 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 11 canada river cruises worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you book.

Québec City: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise - Starting at Chouinard Pier near Petit-Champlain
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Québec City: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise

1.Québec City: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,000 reviews · 90 - 210 minutes · from $47Our pick

Set out from Chouinard Pier for a 90-minute guided cruise along the St. Lawrence River. A bilingual guide, presented as Louis Jolliet, points out Château Frontenac, Île d’Orléans, Montmorency Falls, and more. You can sit outdoors, use the enclosed viewing areas, or order drinks and light food onboard.

“We enjoyed this cruise. The guide was very informative with what we were seeing along the river and up to Montmorency Falls. Great photos of Quebec City with the Chateau Frontenac towering in the background.”

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Montréal: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise - Old Montréal and the Old Port from the water
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Montréal: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise

2.Montréal: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,889 reviews · 90 - 210 minutes · from $36Best value

Cruise from Montréal’s Grand Quay through the Old Port and past the Jacques Cartier Bridge, Olympic Stadium, Biosphere, La Ronde, and Îles de Boucherville. A bilingual guide explains the city in English and French, with an eight-language audioguide, outdoor decks, and an onboard bar and bistro. Standard cruises last about 90 minutes.

“Excellent views of Montreal. We took many photos and videos. Nice cafe to visit after your ride.”

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Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise - Boarding the Paula D from Ottawa or Gatineau
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise

3.Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,585 reviews · 1h 30m · from $39

Board the Paula D in Ottawa or Gatineau for a 90-minute cruise with live English and French commentary. Guides such as Andy and Elodie explain Parliament, the Rideau Canal Locks, Rideau Falls, embassies, and river history. Choose the open upper deck for views or the lower deck for shelter, drinks, and snacks.

“Guide could have included more historic details about the sights we saw, but guide was enthusiastic and answered all questions. Some sites were missed/ not mentioned although we could see them from the river. The boat was clean and had safety gear in place. The choice of music over the PA system was not to my taste, could have been an opportunity to showcase Canadian musicians. A bit expensive for what we did but overall a worthwhile experience.”

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Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise - Boarding behind the National Arts Centre
Canada River Cruises, Canal Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise

4.Ottawa: Rideau Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,303 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Board Ottawa’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel behind the National Arts Centre for a 90-minute Rideau Canal cruise. A live English and French guide points out Château Laurier, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Dow’s Lake, Lansdowne Park, and more. Guides such as Melody, Caleb, Ellen, and Lilly are known for warm, funny presentations.

“I liked the tour guide. He was very friendly and told some good jokes as well.”

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Niagara Falls, ON: Jet Boat Tour on Niagara River - What happens before the boat leaves
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Niagara Falls, ON: Jet Boat Tour on Niagara River

5.Niagara Falls, ON: Jet Boat Tour on Niagara River

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,128 reviews · 45 min · from $69

You’ll ride from Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours on Niagara’s lower river, where guides such as Chris, Nick, and Charlie combine river history with fast turns through Devil’s Hole. Choose the Wet Jet for a full soaking or the Jet Dome to stay dry. The 45-minute trip costs $69 and includes safety gear, narration, and a professional crew.

“It was an amazing activity for the whole family. Lots of fun, loads of thrills and none stop action. Highly recommend”

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Ottawa Boat Cruise - Rideau Canal Cruise - Starting at the National Arts Centre
Canada River Cruises, Canal Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Ottawa Boat Cruise – Rideau Canal Cruise

6.Ottawa Boat Cruise – Rideau Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,127 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Set out from the National Arts Centre on a 90-minute Rideau Canal cruise aboard a certified 100% electric passenger boat. Guides such as Lily, Wendy, Ellen, and Theo have led engaging departures covering about 30 Ottawa landmarks, from Dow’s Lake and Lansdowne Park to the Ottawa Locks and Château Laurier. Expect a gentle ride, onboard snacks, a washroom, and commentary in English, with some departures also using French.

“We had a wonderful time on the river cruise. Lily, our guide, did a great job. She was informative and personable. It was a picture perfect day!”

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Kingston: Heart of the Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise - Boarding at Crawford Wharf
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Kingston: Heart of the Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise

7.Kingston: Heart of the Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise

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

Spend three hours aboard Kingston’s triple-deck Island Queen, a Mississippi River style paddlewheeler, cruising the Admiralty group of the Thousand Islands. Hear English commentary on island history and folklore, enjoy live music, and see Napoleon’s Hat, Wanderer’s Channel, Bateau Channel, Mandalay Mansion, and Kingston’s waterfront.

“The tour guide was very nice. The staff were all very polite and friendly to I loved the music. It is very educational but not so children friendly. If things could be added to make the 3 hour cruise more fun for kids.”

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From Montréal: Québec City, River Cruise & Montmorency Falls - The early start and three-hour ride
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

From Montréal: Québec City, River Cruise & Montmorency Falls

8.From Montréal: Québec City, River Cruise & Montmorency Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 262 reviews · 1 day · from $98

Travel from Montréal to Québec City by air-conditioned coach with a trilingual guide, stopping at 276-foot Montmorency Falls before a guided Old Québec walk and 1.5-hour St. Lawrence River cruise. You’ll see Petit Champlain, Place Royale, Château Frontenac, and the Old Port in one tightly planned day.

“Cruise was excellent, drive back and forth very scenic.”

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Montreal: Small Group Tour with River Cruise and Notre Dame - St Joseph’s Oratory and Montreal’s upper slopes
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Montreal: Small Group Tour with River Cruise and Notre Dame

9.Montreal: Small Group Tour with River Cruise and Notre Dame

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 6 hours · from $160

You’ll tour Montreal in a van with no more than six people, visiting Mont Royal, St Joseph’s Oratory, Old Montreal, and Notre Dame Basilica before an AML cruise on the St. Lawrence River. Guides such as Bill, Mustafa, and Moustapha add local stories and can sometimes tailor a stop to your interests.

“Bill was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting. Our small group size was perfect. The boat cruise topped it off with more to see and learn. Montreal is so beautiful and rich in history this tour allowed us learn about Montreal and get a lay of the land for our remaining vacation days. It was a sound value for what you get. We highly recommend it!”

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Campbell River: 6-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour - The first three hours: Discovery Passage and the island channels
Canada River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching

Campbell River: 6-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

10.Campbell River: 6-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 6 hours · from $245Top rated

Travel from Campbell River through Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait on a 12-passenger Zodiac or covered boat. Guides such as Jack, Martin, Alex, and Steve lead wildlife searches, with onboard hydrophones when whales vocalize. Expect scenic island passages, homemade snacks, an onshore lunch, and time on the water in changing weather.

“We had a fantastic day. We saw multiple humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, and even orca whales! Alex, as a biologist, taught all of us so much about whales! We were grateful we had him as a guide! The company provided wonderful homemade snacks and a delicious lunch! We will always use this company in the future. We hope to make a trip in the fall in the future to see bears.”

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Campbell River: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch - What the six-hour route feels like
Canada River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Campbell River: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

11.Campbell River: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 6 hours · from $230

Set out from Discovery Harbour Marina with Discovery West Adventures for six hours on a covered, heated 30-foot boat. Your English-speaking captain, including guide Josh on some departures, searches for humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, seals, and seasonal bears. Lunch, snacks, hot drinks, and a bathroom are included.

“This was a great day out. Josh was very knowledgeable and engaging about what we were looking for and was full of interesting facts about the local wildlife. The weather stayed fine for us and we saw hump back whales, a family of Orcas, a small seal colony but the icing on the cake at the end of the day, was a hump back whale breaching and having some playtime in the water. Josh was happy to stay out longer than planned so we could all enjoy the show that was being staged for us. A once in a lifetime experience 😍”

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Other lists on this water

Canal Cruises191Dinner Cruises116Nile Cruises85Sunset River Cruises39Luxury River Cruises53River Sightseeing Cruises52
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