Kingston Thousand Islands Cruise 2026: Prices & Essential Tips
Embark on an unforgettable Kingston Thousand Islands cruise in Ontario, Canada. Witness over 1,000 unique islands and the romantic Boldt Castle.
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Embark on an unforgettable Kingston Thousand Islands cruise in Ontario, Canada. Witness over 1,000 unique islands and the romantic Boldt Castle.
If you’re traveling to Toronto, Canada, it feels like a waste of a flight just to stick to the city! That’s why we decided to maximize our trip by adding an optional excursion to the Kingston Thousand Islands in Ontario, as part of our 3-day, 2-night Quebec tour.
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There are quite a few tour operators offering Thousand Islands cruises from Kingston, so the experience can vary depending on who you book with. If you plan to go independently, you might find yourself doing a bit of research to find the right one.
We opted for the Thousand Islands cruise, operated by City Cruises, as an add-on to our 3-day, 2-night Quebec tour. It was a fantastic experience! While we paid around ~$31 USD (approximately 41 CAD) per adult for this optional excursion, other reviews suggest prices are pretty consistent across different companies.
Booking through the Quebec tour made things super convenient. We arrived at the dock just in time for boarding, which was a breeze.
The Kingston Thousand Islands cruise typically lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you plan to spend most of that time on the open deck, I highly recommend bringing a light windbreaker or jacket. It can get quite breezy out on the water!
As the name suggests, the Kingston Thousand Islands cruise takes you through an archipelago of over 1,000 islands. Kingston, a charming small city, is located on the route between Toronto and Montreal, and it’s surprisingly close to the U.S. border.
One of the most famous sights is Heart Island, home to Boldt Castle. This grand castle was famously built by George C. Boldt as a gift for his beloved wife, Louise. Tragically, she passed away before its completion, leaving the castle unfinished as a testament to his enduring love.
Even though we boarded the cruise, we still had some time before departure, so we settled into a seat on the third deck and enjoyed the views. The cruise ship itself felt really modern and well-maintained—it made me wonder if it was recently built or perhaps recently renovated, because the facilities were incredibly clean and impressive.
As the Kingston Thousand Islands cruise set sail, I couldn't help but feel a sense of envy for the locals living in this area! Imagine having a small boat, going fishing, and living such a serene and relaxed life. It truly made me dream of a similar existence.
The weather that day wasn't perfectly sunny, but it wasn't too chilly either, making it ideal for cruising and sightseeing. Because of its proximity to the U.S., you'll notice both American and Canadian boats, much like at Niagara Falls. The boats from the U.S. proudly fly the American flag, while Canadian vessels display the Canadian flag.
Many travelers feel that taking the cruise from the Canadian side offers a better experience, and there certainly seemed to be a noticeable difference in the crowd sizes.
As you pass by, you’ll spot houses built on various islands. Interestingly, for an island to be officially recognized as part of the Thousand Islands, it must have at least one living tree, in addition to a structure!
Above, I mentioned Boldt Castle, situated on Heart Island. Compared to the other islands, this one is much larger and features four distinct structures, with a magnificent main castle at its center. It truly stands out.
It seems you need to pay an entrance fee to explore the castle and its beautifully maintained gardens. The sheer grandeur of it compared to the other islands was absolutely breathtaking.
American boats frequently stop here, allowing passengers to tour the castle. While I'm not sure if Canadian cruises can dock for visits, I'd love to go back and explore Boldt Castle more extensively someday.
Even on a less-than-perfectly-sunny day, the Kingston Thousand Islands cruise in Canada is definitely worth experiencing. Seeing each unique island and its character can truly spark your imagination and maybe even inspire a dream or two!
If you're planning a trip to Eastern Canada, consider a Quebec tour that lets you visit multiple cities like Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa all in one go.
Our Thousand Islands cruise during the 3-day, 2-night Quebec tour was truly an amazing and memorable experience.
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📍 Thousand Islands Dock
Leeds and the Thousand Islands, Ontario K0E 1V0, Canada
It costs approximately 41 CAD per adult. The cruise takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
We recommend bringing a light windbreaker. It can get quite windy while sightseeing on the outside deck of the cruise.
A man was building a grand castle as a wedding anniversary gift for his wife, but she passed away from an illness before it was completed. The castle is divided into four structures, and the island is notably larger than the others in the area.
To be officially considered one of the Thousand Islands, an island must have at least one large tree. Even when building a house on the island, this tree must remain for it to be recognized as an official island.
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