Boat Tours and Cruises in Toronto

Toronto is a perfect place to discover by land on a guided tour, by air in a helicopter and also by sea. From Lake Ontario, which marks the shores of this destination and marks the border with the United States, you can get an alternative view of the city on a boat tour.

One of the best things to do in Toronto is to opt for a cruise tour, and there are many options: it can be by day or night, with lunch or dinner, in shared or private experiences and even by canoe or sailboat. Here I will tell you about the best alternatives you can find during your trip.

Sailing the waters of Lake Ontario on a sightseeing cruise around Toronto's harbour and islands is an experience that combines the majesty of the city skyline with the serenity of nature. As the boat sets sail from the harbour, you'll be able to take in the silhouette of the CN Tower and the famous skyscrapers that mark the city's skyline from the deck, before getting lost in the lake.

Ontario's islands offer a respite from the urban bustle, with expansive parks, soft sandy beaches and meandering paths. One of the highlights is Toronto Islands Park, a green oasis with vibrant gardens and scenic spots to enjoy a picnic overlooking the water. These tours usually include a stop for visitors to learn more about the site.

During the tour, you'll also see the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, which has been guiding navigators since the 19th century. In addition, Fort York, with its ancient stone walls, tells the military history of the region, and on the last leg of the tour, you'll get to see the heart of Toronto Harbour from the comfort of the deck.

The tranquillity of this tour makes it an ideal activity to do with children in the city.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 25 euros per person.
• Duration: about 1 hour.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know Lake Ontario and the islands in a quiet tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it's a relatively short tour, so you won't have much free time to discover the sites on your own during the stops.

Embarking on a Toronto sightseeing cruise that includes a delicious lunch will allow you to combine the charm of the cityscape with the richness of the local cuisine. As the boat glides along the waters of Lake Ontario, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a meal that reflects the city's cultural diversity.

Toronto's cuisine is known for its eclecticism, and lunch on board is no exception. These excursions typically offer options ranging from classic Canadian dishes to international delicacies that capture the multicultural essence of the city. Discover local flavours such as the peameal bacon sandwich, a bacon sandwich with cornbread and local gravy.

Another must-try dish is the poutine, a creation that combines crispy fries, chunky cheese and gravy. In addition, the cruise may offer more refined options that reflect Toronto's upscale dining scene, with dishes incorporating fresh, seasonal ingredients that are often included in the city's best food tours.

The culinary experience is enhanced by the ever-changing scenery as the ship sails around Toronto's harbour and islands. Whether enjoying a juicy steak or savouring a delectable vegan dish, the lunch cruise is an unforgettable way to explore the city while getting to know the distinctive flavours of the region.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 65 euros per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Pros of these tours: You will be able to combine the scenery of Lake Ontario with the rich local cuisine.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Lunch on board will take away opportunities to explore the islands during the stops.

If you want to experience Lake Ontario but also want to immerse yourself in the luxury and exclusivity of the city, you can opt for a private sightseeing cruise. This option offers travellers the opportunity to design their own tour, creating a completely personalised experience. From the moment you step onto the deck of your private yacht, you will enjoy the elegance and comfort of these alternatives.

Unlike conventional cruises, this tour allows you to chart your own itinerary. You can explore the hidden gems of the city, cruise the skyline or head to the Toronto Islands for a more intimate getaway. The professional crew, in charge of these excursions, will be at your disposal throughout the voyage.

Typically, these experiences also include a gastronomic offering, often accompanied by selected wines. This will allow you to combine the pleasure of the tour with the local food, whether you are visiting Toronto in summer or winter.

Interesting details

• Price: from 75 euros per person, on yachts with up to 8 crew.
• Duration: approximately 1.5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will have the opportunity to choose your own itinerary.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they do not usually include stops on the islands.

If you want to see one of Toronto's best skyline from the water, then you should opt for a sunset tour. These private cruise tours not only allow you to enjoy the sunset from the deck, but also the cocktails on board that will maximise your experience, while the warm golden sky provides the perfect backdrop for some of the best photographs of your trip.

This is an ideal alternative if you plan to visit Toronto in October or during the autumn months, when the weather is usually mild and the skies are usually clear during golden hour. In the colour palette of the sunset, you'll discover the illuminated skyscrapers that contrast with the night sky, creating a visual spectacle not to be missed.

In addition, the exclusivity of the private cruise allows you to contemplate the skyline without distractions, creating an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere. This tour offers not only an alternative view of Toronto, but also the opportunity to experience the city in an elegant and relaxed way, which you can then combine with some of the city's best night-time activities, such as sunset drives.

Interesting details

• Price: from 65 euros per person, on yachts with up to 8 crew.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know an alternative profile of the city at one of the best times of the day for this experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: there are usually no private options that also include dinner.

One of the best ways to explore Lake Ontario is to combine a tour of the lake and surrounding islands with dinner, allowing you to explore the rich local cuisine. This way, in addition to seeing the city through the lights of the skyscrapers that transform the skyline into a glowing mosaic, you can also delight your palate with an exquisite dinner.

The illuminated buildings, the sparkling bridges and the reflection of the artificial lights on the waters of Lake Ontario will frame one of Toronto's best excursions. Capturing the modernity and elegance of this destination at its best, this nighttime view is complemented by a dining experience of the local cuisine, which combines English, French and American traditions.

And if you plan to visit Toronto at Christmas time, you'll be able to discover from the deck the eve lights that usually turn the city into a huge Christmas tree in December, which you can view from Lake Ontario.

Interesting details

• Price: from 57 euros per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Pros of these tours: You can combine an evening tour of Toronto's waterfront with a local culinary experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: as it is closed, you will not be able to visit the Toronto Islands Park.

If you are one of those people who choose the most alternative options when visiting a destination, then you can't miss these canoe tours, ideal during the autumn season. This activity will invite you to explore the nature of the Toronto Islands as you paddle through the serene waters of Lake Ontario to discover the warm and vibrant colours. Although it requires significant physical exertion, the reward is a unique sporting experience in the middle of an urban oasis.

The canoe tour provides a unique perspective of the Toronto Islands. Paddling through the canals surrounded by trees with leaves in shades of red and gold creates a sense of connection to nature that is difficult to replicate in any other way. If you're a sports enthusiast, you can also combine this activity with a bike tour of the city.

The sporting activity will combine harmoniously with taking in the autumnal beauty that unfolds around you, and also pays homage to the Native Americans, as you'll tour in the same canoe that you'll see in some of Toronto's best museums.

These experiences also allow you to tour the sites at your own pace, stopping at small beaches or scenic nooks and crannies. The canoe is not only a means of transportation, but also a tool that allows you to fully enjoy the autumn season, especially if you plan to visit Toronto in September, when the weather is ideal at the beginning of the season.

Interesting details

• Price: from 48 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Benefits of these tours: you will be able to participate in an alternative experience at one of the most visited sites in the city.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: requires great physical effort.

If you plan to visit Toronto for 3 days or more, you can't miss a trip to Niagara Falls on your itinerary. Although they are located about 100 kilometres from the capital of Ontario, they are one of the typical excursions of this destination, due to its international fame.

Typically, tours from Toronto to Niagara Falls combine a bus ride to the border and then a cruise tour that will give you a scenic perspective through captivating landscapes.

On the Niagara Falls cruise you'll get to see the base of Niagara, while listening to the roar of the tumultuous waters. The view from the deck of the boat will allow you to see iconic sites such as the Horseshoe Falls, where the curtain of water creates an incredible natural arch that will catch your attention and that you won't be able to see from any other perspective than from a water tour.

Interesting details

• Price: from 68 euros per person.
• Duration: between 5 and 6 hours including transfer from Toronto.
• Advantages of these tours: you will see one of Canada's most famous natural wonders from the water.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are half-day or longer experiences, so they may not be compatible with a short stay in Toronto.

For a traditional experience, you can choose to cruise the waters of Lake Ontario aboard a three-masted schooner dating back to the 1930s. This elegant and relaxing ride offers a unique alternative for those looking to explore the shoreline in an authentic and engaging way.

Since the sailboat is not only a means of transportation, but a link to the rich maritime history that has shaped Toronto's waters, you'll find yourself immersed in the atmosphere of the old sailing ships as you embark on this adventure. A distinctive feature of this tour is the opportunity to participate in the raising of the flags, working with the crew during the voyage.

On the sailboat tour you can enjoy panoramic views of the Toronto skyline and the skyscrapers on the horizon, while learning about sailing and the secrets of sailing. Plus, if you're planning to visit Toronto in February or during the winter months, you'll be able to take part in this tour at one of the best times of year for the availability of winds.

Interesting details

• Price: from 31 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Benefits of these tours: You will have an interactive and immersive experience and learn about sailing on Lake Ontario.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Due to the effort involved, this is not a suitable experience for people with physical limitations.

From guided tours of the city to helicopter tours of Ontario's capital, Toronto offers a number of options for sightseeing, but the skyline from the water is one of the best you'll see during your tour. From cruise ship rides, you'll be able to take in the city's skyline, green spaces and the tranquillity of the surrounding islands.

You' ll also find interactive experiences such as canoe rides and sailing tours, allowing you to not only enjoy the wide-open views but also learn about sailing and sports during your visit to Toronto.

The answer will depend on the experience you want to have on your tour, but generally speaking, cruise tours are available all year round. If you want to opt for the traditional sightseeing tours, the best times of year are during spring and summer when the weather is at its most pleasant, although autumn will offer the best sunsets at sunset.

If, on the other hand, you plan to take part in sailing experiences, then you'll want to visit Toronto in January or during the winter months, when the weather is more hostile than the rest of the year, but the wind conditions are ideal for sailing.