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 delimits the border with the United States, you can get to know an alternative profile of the city during a boat tour.

Among the best activities you can do in Toronto is to opt for a cruise tour, and the options are many: it can be day or night, with lunch or dinner, in shared or private experiences and even by canoe or sailboat. Here I 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 harbor and islands is an experience that combines the majesty of the urban skyline with the serenity of nature. As the ship sets sail from the harbor, you will discover from the deck the silhouette of the CN Tower and the famous skyscrapers that mark the city skyline, 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 will also see the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, which has guided 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 trip, you will get to know the heart of Toronto harbor from the comfort of the deck.

Because of the tranquility of this tour, it is 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 is a relatively short tour, so you will not have too 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 ship 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 generally offer options ranging from classic Canadian dishes to international delicacies that capture the multicultural essence of the city. You can discover local flavors, such as the peameal bacon sandwich, a bacon sandwich with cornbread and a typical local sauce.

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 harbor and islands. Whether enjoying a juicy steak or savoring a delectable vegan dish, the included lunch cruise is an unforgettable way to explore the city while getting to know the distinctive flavors of the region.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 65 euros per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to combine the scenery of Lake Ontario with the rich local gastronomy.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: lunch on board will take away opportunities to tour 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 travelers the opportunity to design their own tour, creating a completely customized 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 will allow 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 during the voyage.

Typically, these experiences also include a gastronomic offering that is often accompanied by wine selections. This will allow you to combine the pleasurable tour with local food, whether you visit Toronto in summer or winter.

Details of interest

• Price: from 75 euros per person, on yachts with up to 8 crew members.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour and a half.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will have the opportunity to choose your own itinerary.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they usually do not include stops on the islands.

If you want to experience one of Toronto's best skyline from the water, then you should opt for sunset tours. These private cruise tours will not only allow you to enjoy the sunset from the deck, but also the cocktails on board that will maximize your experience, while the sky in warm and golden tones composes the perfect frame for you to take some of the best pictures of your trip.

This is an ideal alternative if you plan to visit Toronto in October or during the fall months, when the weather is usually mild and the skies are usually clear during golden hour. In the color palette of the sunset you will 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 will allow you to contemplate the horizon 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 nighttime activities, such as sunset drives.

Details of interest

• Price: from 65 euros per person, on yachts with up to 8 crew members.
• 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 alternatives to get to know Lake Ontario is to combine a tour of this site and the surrounding islands with a dinner, which will allow you to explore the rich local gastronomy. This way, in addition to contemplating the city through the lights of the skyscrapers that transform the skyline into a shimmering mosaic, you can also delight your palate with an exquisite dinner.

The illuminated buildings, the sparkling bridges and the reflection of the artificial lights in the waters of Lake Ontario will frame one of the best excursions in Toronto. This nighttime vision, which captures the modernity and elegance of this destination at its best, can be complemented with a gastronomic experience of the local cuisine, which combines English, French and American traditions.

In addition, if you plan to visit Toronto during Christmas, you will be able to discover from the deck the eve lights that usually turn the city into a huge Christmas tree that you will be able to contemplate from Lake Ontario.

Interesting details

• Price: from 57 euros per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a night tour of the Toronto waterfront with a local culinary experience.
• Disadvantages of these tours: due to being closed, you will not be able to visit the Toronto Islands Park.

If you are one of those who choose the most alternative options when visiting a destination, then you can't miss these canoe tours, ideal during the fall 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 colors. 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 canals surrounded by trees with leaves in shades of russet and gold creates a sense of connection to nature that is difficult to replicate in any other way. If you are a sports enthusiast, you can also combine this activity with a bike tour of the city.

The sporting activity will blend harmoniously with the contemplation of the autumn beauty unfolding around you, and it also pays homage to Native Americans, as you'll make the journey 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 fall season, especially if you plan to visit Toronto in September, when the weather is ideal at the beginning of the season.

Details of interest

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

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

Usually, the tours that will take you to visit Niagara Falls from Toronto combine a bus ride to the border and once there, a cruise tour that will give you a scenic perspective through captivating landscapes.

On the Niagara Falls cruise you will get to see the base of the Niagara Falls while listening to the roar of the tumultuous waters. The view from the deck of the boat will allow you to distinguish 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 will not be able to contemplate from other perspectives than those of a water tour.

Details of interest

• 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 the most famous natural wonders of Canada from the water.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are half-day experiences or longer, 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 that dates 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, as you embark on this adventure you will find yourself immersed in the atmosphere of the old sailing ships. A distinctive feature of this tour is the opportunity to participate in the raising of the flags, collaborating with the crew during the crossing.

On the sailboat ride you will enjoy panoramic views of the Toronto skyline and the skyscrapers looming on the horizon, while learning about sailing and the secrets of this type of vessel. Also, if you plan to visit Toronto in February or during the winter months, you will be able to participate in this tour at one of the best times due to the availability of the winds.

Details of interest

• Price: from 31 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to live an interactive and immersive experience and learn about sailing on Lake Ontario.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: due to the effort involved, it is not a recommended experience for people with physical limitations.

Toronto offers a great number of alternatives to visit it, from guided tours of the city to helicopter excursions over the capital of Ontario, but the profile of this destination from the water is one of the best that you will be able to distinguish during your tour. From the cruise ship rides you will be able to contemplate the buildings that mark the city's skyline, its green spaces and the tranquility of the surrounding islands.

Likewise, you will find interactive experiences such as canoe rides or sailing tours, which will allow you not only to enjoy the wide views but also to learn about sailing and practice sports during your visit to Toronto.

The answer will depend on the experience you want to have during 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 the year are during spring and summer, when the weather is more pleasant, although during autumn you will be able to see the best sunsets at sunset.

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