More about: Boat Tours and Cruises in Montreal
Montreal is a Canadian city of great urban and scenic beauty that you can't help but want to fully discover during your stay. Since this city is located on an island along the St. Lawrence River, you will have the opportunity to take several river tours.
In fact, among the best things to do in Montreal, there is a wide offer of cruises, which will allow you to live a different experience and get other perspectives of the city. For example, a boat trip combined with a walking or van tour of the city, a cruise with fishing activities or penguin watching, among other options that I will tell you about in a moment.
1. Join a Montreal cruise with walking tour and visit to the Big Wheel
During your stay of at least 1 to 3 days in Montreal, you can join one of the cruises on the St. Lawrence River. This experience will allow you to discover a different panoramic view of the city and enjoy a walking tour in the company of a local guide.
The adventure starts in downtown Montreal. There, you will meet your guide at a pre-arranged location and then walk with him to the Notre Dame Basilica. There, you will have free time to explore the interior and admire its stained glass windows and Gothic architectural details.
Next, you will visit the Big Wheel, located in Old Montreal. From a height of approximately 60 meters, you will have a privileged view of the city and its surroundings.
When you get off the Ferris wheel, your guide will escort you to a boat in the Old Port, located at the foot of the wheel, for a scenic ride on the St. Lawrence River. With this Montreal cruise ticket, you'll not only see the calm blue waters, the sky and the city in the distance, you'll also hear live historical commentary.
Details of interest
- Price: the price of the cruise starts at 135€ per person.
- Duration: the activity lasts about 3 hours.
- Means of transport: on foot and by boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will be able to discover Montreal by land and sea, thus obtaining a series of different panoramic views of this Canadian city.
- Disadvantages of this option: no food or drinks are usually included.
2. It is part of a sightseeing cruise on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal
Any time of the year is the best time to go to Montreal and enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the St. Lawrence River. You will have the opportunity to relax on the boat's deck as you breathe in the fresh air, take in breathtaking panoramic views and learn about the historical context of the city.
You will set sail from Montreal' s Old Port and enjoy live commentary as you cruise the entire length of the waterfront. A local and certified guide will tell you the history of the city and the places along the way.
Some of the destinations you will see on this tour, considered one of the best tours in Montreal, include the following:
- Downtown, with its modern buildings and Canada's largest Ferris wheel.
- The Jacques-Cartier Bridge, which stands out with its imposing steel structure and connects Montreal with the city of Longueuil.
- ** Bellerive Park**, with an extension of about two kilometers along the St. Lawrence River.
- The Boucherville Islands, a national park composed of a total of five islands.
Details of interest
- Price: the cost of the activity is approximately 50€.
- Duration: the tour of the St. Lawrence River usually lasts about 90 minutes.
- Means of transport: boat.
- Advantages of this option: you can do this tour at any time of the year, since the boats have a covered area that allows you to keep out of the rain.
- Disadvantages of this option: generally, the transfer to and from the hotel is not included.
3. Take a cruise on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal and taste some traditional dishes in the cabin
Taking a boat ride on the St. Lawrence River is another option to incorporate in your 2 days or longer itinerary in Montreal. You will get a privileged panoramic view of some of the city's iconic sites while sampling some of the local cuisine.
You will arrive on your own at Montreal' s Old Port and, there, you will connect with the host-guide. You will board the boat and enjoy a brunch prepared with fresh ingredients. For example, you can try a plate of toast, egg, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and bacon. All this, accompanied by coffee or natural juice.
After delighting your palate, you will set sail to tour part of the St. Lawrence River. On this river tour you will see the picturesque city of Montreal from a different perspective, while the sea breeze and the sun's rays brush against your skin. You will contemplate the calm waters, the Great Ferris Wheel, the Parc Olympique, the imposing Jacques Cartie Bridge and much more.
Once the cruise is over, you will have plenty of time to continue discovering the city: monuments, pedestrian streets, natural spaces and the best museums in Montreal, among other destinations.
Details of interest
- Price: the price of this cruise starts at approximately 70€ per person.
- Duration: the cruise has an average duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Means of transportation: boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a privileged view from the San Lorenzo river and taste some local dishes.
- Disadvantages of this option: if you travel with your pets, you should know that in this type of activities they are not usually allowed access.
4. Discover Montreal's Old Port on a private boat ride
If you want to spend a different time during your stay in the city, then you should take a boat ride in the Old Port of Montreal. On this private activity you will be able to bring the food and drinks of your choice, listen to your own selection of music and enjoy yourself at your own pace.
You will board the boat and immediately the captain will get underway, taking you along the St. Lawrence River. You will have the opportunity to sit back and relax, while looking out over the old town. You will get amazing panoramic views, thanks to the natural illumination of the sun, which during the summer in Montreal usually offers vibrant colors.
At the end of the cruise you can continue exploring the city. To do so, you have the option of the Montreal free shuttle bus, which happens to have a stop in the vicinity of the port.
Details of interest
- Price: the price of this activity is approximately 599€, for groups of 1 to 8 people.
- Duration: the cruise usually lasts a couple of hours.
- Means of transport: boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will sail on the St. Lawrence River and discover the coast of Montreal.
- Disadvantages of this option: this cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users.
5. Take a night cruise in Montreal and live a different experience
Among the selection of the top 10 things to do in Montreal at night you will find night cruises on the St. Lawrence River. This is a river cruise that incorporates alcoholic beverages, live DJs and a breathtaking view of the city.
The activity usually starts after sunset at the Grad Quay in Montreal's Old Port. There, you will board a boat and sail for a few hours, discovering different perspectives of the city and its surroundings, which gradually light up in front of you.
During the tour you will see the famous Ferris wheel of the city and the Montreal Olympic Stadium. You will pass under the imposing Jacques Cartier Bridge and through the Parc des Iles de Boucherville. All this, while enjoying a celebratory atmosphere.
At the end of the cruise you can continue exploring the nightlife in the bars and restaurants surrounding the Old Port. Or, in case it's your last day in the city, you could return to the hotel to connect with the shuttle service to the Montreal airport.
Details of interest
- Price: the night experience costs around 55€ per person.
- Duration: the cruise usually lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Means of transportation: boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a live show by a professional DJ.
- Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not usually include transfer to and from the hotel.
6. Take a river cruise on the St. Lawrence River with the option of a bus tour of Montreal
Montreal is a city that invites you to explore it completely, so a combined bus and boat tour is a good idea. You will have the opportunity to discover the highlights of the city and then get amazing views from the calm waters of the St. Lawrence River.
Once you meet your guide at the door of your hotel or at a pre-arranged location in downtown Montreal, you will board a van and head to the Mont-Royal. There, you will stop and, from the top, you will get a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
Next, you will visit old Montreal where you will find some places of historical and cultural interest. Such is the case of the Oratory of St. Joseph and the Basilica of Notre Dame. In the latter, you will be able to enter to observe its Gothic architecture and discover its hidden gems.
Afterwards, your guide will take you to the Old Port to embark on a cruise on the St. Lawrence River. You will be amazed by the view of the city and the tranquility of these crystal clear waters. You will relax, breathe fresh air and take amazing pictures.
Details of interest
- Price: the average price of the cruise and excursion is about 147€ per person.
- Duration: the approximate duration of this activity is 5 hours.
- Means of transportation: van and boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a combined adventure in a van and boat, which will allow you to explore different parts of the city.
- Disadvantages of this option: door-to-door pick-up is usually incorporated only when the hotel is located in the center of the city.
7. Join a guided fishing cruise in Montreal
If you are a fishing enthusiast, you should take advantage of your time in Montreal and join a cruise that incorporates this activity. You will sail down the St. Lawrence River to the foot of the Lachine rapids, considered a suitable area for fishing at any time of the year.
You will depart from the Montreal Marina in the company of an experienced guide, who will teach you the basics to start fishing. In addition, he will tell you the history of the city and some interesting anecdotes.
Although you can do this activity any time of the year, you should know that if you visit Montreal in September and until mid-December, you will enjoy a greater number of fish, cooler breeze and a picturesque landscape due to the autumn.
Details of interest
- Price: the price of the activity starts at 500€, for groups of 1 to 4 people.
- Duration: the activity can last from 4 to 7 hours, depending on the option you choose (half day or full day).
- Means of transportation: boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a day of guided fishing in a natural environment with privileged views.
- Disadvantages of this option: the experience does not include food and beverages, so you will have to bring some provisions with you.
8. Take a penguin watching cruise in the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago in Montreal
You may plan to spend 2 to 5 days in Montreal, or even more. Therefore, you might have enough time in your itinerary to join a full-day cruise to the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago to observe penguin behavior in their habitat.
This is one of the best day trips from Montreal, combining a van ride with a driver-guide to the town of Quebec, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away. Specifically, to the Berthier-sur-Mer Marina.
There, you'll board a boat and sail down the St. Lawrence River. From the deck you will enjoy the fresh breeze and the different panoramic views. You will be able to sit back and relax while enjoying a drink. When you arrive at the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago, you will see the white-winged penguin species, better known as Alca Torda Razorbills.
Details of interest
- Price: the experience has an approximate cost of 63€ per person.
- Duration: the estimated duration of this activity is one day.
- Means of transportation: boat.
- Advantages of this option: you will not have to worry about arriving in Quebec from Montreal and connecting with the cruise to observe an important penguin species, since with this activity the whole tour is organized.
- Disadvantages of this option: the cruise does not make any kind of stop on the island as a measure to protect the fauna of the place, so the observation will be done from the boat.
Tips for a cruise in Montreal
When embarking on one of the cruises to discover Montreal and its surroundings, you will find it convenient to put into practice some tips to make the most of the experience.
For example:
- Don't forget your identification documents, as without them you will not be able to board the cruises.
- If the experience does not include food and beverages, remember to bring a bottle of water and snacks for the road.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap, especially during the hot season.
- Bring cash, so you won't be inconvenienced with tips.
Why is it advisable to take a cruise in Montreal?
During your visit to Montreal it is recommended to take one of the cruises through the St. Lawrence River, to contemplate the scenic beauty of this magical place and its surroundings.
You can get away from the bustle of downtown Montreal, discover different panoramic views that will surprise you, breathe fresh air, see penguins, guided fishing activities, taste local cuisine. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy combined experiences such as a guided walking tour or a bus + cruise.