The 8 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Toronto

Toronto is the 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 coastline of this destination and forms the border with the United States, you can see a different side of the city during a boat trip.

Among the best activities you can do in Toronto is opting for a cruise tour, and there are many options: you can choose between day or night tours, with lunch or dinner, shared or private experiences, and even canoe or sailboat tours. Here are the best alternatives you can find during your trip.

Sailing the waters of Lake Ontario on a sightseeing cruise of Toronto's harbor and islands is an experience that combines the majesty of the urban skyline with the serenity of nature. As the boat sets sail from the harbor, you can discover the silhouette of the CN Tower and the famous skyscrapers that mark the city's skyline from the deck before losing yourself on the lake.

The Ontario Islands offer a respite from the urban bustle, with extensive parks, soft sandy beaches, and winding paths. One of the highlights is Toronto Islands Park, a green oasis with vibrant gardens and picturesque spots to enjoy a picnic overlooking the water. These excursions usually include a stop so visitors can get to know this site better.

During the tour, you'll also see Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, which has guided sailors 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'll see the heart of Toronto Harbor from the comfort of the deck.

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

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €25 per person.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Advantages of these tours: you can discover Lake Ontario and the islands on a peaceful tour.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: it is a relatively short trip, so you won't have much free time to explore the sites on your own during the stops.

Embark on a Toronto cruise that includes a delicious lunch and combine the charm of the urban landscape with the richness of the local cuisine. As the boat glides across 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 tours typically 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 poutine, a creation that combines crispy French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. In addition, the cruise may offer more refined options that reflect Toronto's high-end dining scene, with dishes that incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients, which are often included in the city's best food tours.

The culinary experience is enhanced by the ever-changing scenery as the boat cruises through Toronto Harbour and the islands. Whether you're enjoying a juicy steak or savoring an exquisite vegan dish, the lunch cruise is an unforgettable way to explore the city while discovering the distinctive flavors of the region.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately $75 per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can combine the scenery of Lake Ontario with the rich local cuisine.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: lunch on board will take away opportunities to explore the islands during stops.

If you want to explore 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 itinerary, creating a completely personalized 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 city's hidden gems, sail along the horizon, 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 trip.

These experiences usually include a gastronomic offering accompanied by select wines. This allows you to combine a pleasant trip with local cuisine, whether you visit Toronto in summer or winter.

Details of interest

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

If you want to see one of the best views of Toronto 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 cocktails on board that will maximize your experience, while the warm, golden hues of the sky provide the perfect backdrop for some of the best photos 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 sky is often clear during the golden hour. In the sunset's palette of colors, you'll discover the illuminated skyscrapers contrasting with the night sky, creating an unforgettable visual spectacle.

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 car rides, once the sun has set.

Details of interest

• Price: from $65 per person, on yachts for up to 8 passengers.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can discover an alternative side of the city at one of the best times of day for this experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: there are generally no private options that also include dinner.

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

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

What's more, if you're planning to visit Toronto during Christmas, you can discover the Christmas lights from the deck, which usually transform the city into a huge Christmas tree in December, which you can admire from Lake Ontario.

Details of interest

• Price: from $57 per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you can combine a night tour of the Toronto coastline with a local culinary experience.
• Disadvantages of these tours: as it is closed, you will not be able to visit Toronto Island Park.

If you're the type of person who likes to choose the most alternative options when visiting a destination, then you can't miss these canoe trips, which are ideal during the fall. This activity will invite you to explore the nature of the Toronto Islands as you paddle through the calm waters of Lake Ontario to discover the warm and vibrant colors. Although it requires significant physical effort, 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 channels surrounded by trees with reddish and golden leaves creates a feeling of connection with nature that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. 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 autumnal beauty unfolding around you, and also pays homage to Native Americans, as you will be paddling in the same canoes that can be seen in some of Toronto's best museums.

These experiences will also allow you to explore the sites at your own pace, stopping at small beaches or picturesque nooks. 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 per person.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can enjoy an alternative experience in one of the city's most visited sites.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they require considerable physical effort.

If you plan to visit Toronto for three days or more, you can't miss a trip to Niagara Falls. Although they are located about 100 kilometers from the capital of Ontario, they are one of the most popular excursions in this destination due to their international fame.

Excursions to Niagara Falls from Toronto usually combine a bus ride to the border and a cruise that offers scenic views of the captivating landscape.

On the cruise through the falls, you can see the base of Niagara while listening to the roar of the tumultuous waters. The view from the deck of the boat allows you to see iconic sites such as Horseshoe Falls, where the curtain of water creates an incredible natural arch that will catch your attention and cannot be seen from any other perspective than that of a boat tour.

Details of interest

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

If you want to enjoy a traditional experience, you can choose to sail the waters of Lake Ontario aboard a three-masted schooner dating back to the 1930s. This elegant and relaxing cruise offers a unique alternative for those looking to explore the coast in an authentic and participatory way.

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

On the sailing trip, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Toronto skyline and the skyscrapers silhouetted on the horizon, while learning about sailing and the secrets of this type of vessel. In addition, if you plan to visit Toronto in February or during the winter months, you can take part in this trip at one of the best times of year due to the availability of winds.

Details of interest

• Price: from $31 per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can enjoy an interactive and immersive experience and learn about sailing on Lake Ontario.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: due to the physical effort involved, this experience is not recommended for people with physical limitations.

Toronto offers a wide range of options for visitors, from guided city tours to helicopter excursions over the capital of Ontario, but seeing this destination from the water is one of the best ways to experience it. From the cruise, you can admire the buildings that line the city skyline, its green spaces, and the tranquility of the surrounding islands.

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

The answer depends on the experience you want to have during your trip, but in general, cruises are available year-round. If you want to opt for traditional sightseeing tours, the best times of year are during spring and summer, when the weather is milder, although during fall you can enjoy the best sunsets.

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