8 Best Cruises in Montreal

Montreal is a Canadian city with great urban and scenic beauty that you won't be able to resist exploring during your stay. As it is located on an island along the St. Lawrence River, you will have the opportunity to take several river tours.

In fact, one of the best things to do in Montreal is to take one of the many cruises on offer, which will allow you to enjoy a different experience and see the city from a different perspective. For example, a boat trip combined with a walking or van tour of the city, a cruise with fishing or penguin watching, among other options that I will tell you about in a moment.

Any time of year is the best time to visit Montreal and enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the Saint Lawrence River. You'll have the opportunity to relax on the boat's terrace while breathing in the fresh air, taking in amazing views and learning about the city's history.

You'll set sail from Montreal's Old Port and enjoy live commentary throughout the tour along the coast. A local, certified guide will tell you about the history of the city and the places you pass by.

Among the destinations you will see on this tour, considered one of the best in Montreal, the following are some of the highlights:

• The city centre, with its modern buildings and the largest Ferris wheel in Canada.
• The Jacques-Cartier Bridge, which stands out with its imposing steel structure and connects Montreal with the city of Longueuil.
• ** Bellerive Park**, which stretches for about two kilometres along the St. Lawrence River.
• The Boucherville Islands, a national park made up of a total of five islands.

Interesting details

• 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.

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 view of the city and enjoy a walking tour in the company of a local guide.

The adventure begins in downtown Montreal. There, you will meet your guide at a pre-arranged location and walk with them to Notre Dame Basilica. Once there, you will have free time to explore the interior and admire the stained glass windows and Gothic architectural details.

Next, you will visit the Ferris wheel, located in Old Montreal. From a height of approximately 60 metres, you will get a privileged view of the city and its surroundings.

When you get off the Ferris wheel, the guide will accompany you to a boat in the Old Port, located at the foot of the wheel, for a panoramic cruise on the St. Lawrence River. With this ticket for Montreal cruises, you will not only see the calm blue waters, the sky and the city in the distance, but you will also hear live historical commentary.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of the cruise starts at £135 per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot and by boat.

Take a boat trip on the St. Lawrence River, another option to add to your 2-day itinerary in Montreal or longer. You'll get a privileged view of some of the city's iconic landmarks while sampling local cuisine.

You'll need to make your own way to Old Port of Montreal, where you'll meet your host guide. You'll board the boat and enjoy a brunch prepared with fresh ingredients. For example, you can try a dish consisting of toast, eggs, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and bacon. All this is accompanied by coffee or fresh juice.

After delighting your palate, you will set sail to explore part of the St. Lawrence River. On this river cruise, you will see the picturesque city of Montreal from a different perspective, while the sea breeze and sunshine caress your skin. You will contemplate the calm waters, the Big Wheel, the Olympic Park, the imposing Jacques Cartier Bridge and much more.

Once the cruise is over, you will have enough 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 £60 per person.
• Duration: the cruise lasts an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: boat.

If you want to spend some time doing something different during your stay in the city, then you should take a boat trip around Old Montreal. On this private tour, you can bring your own food and drink, listen to your own music and enjoy the trip at your own pace.

You will board the boat and the captain will set sail immediately, taking you along the St. Lawrence River. You'll have the opportunity to sit back and relax while you take in the sights of the old city. You'll enjoy breathtaking views thanks to the natural light of the sun, which tends to produce vibrant colours during the Montreal summer.

At the end of the cruise, you can continue exploring the city. To do so, you have the option of taking the Montreal hop-on hop-off bus, which conveniently stops near 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.

Among the selection of 10 things to do in Montreal at night, you'll find night cruises on the St. Lawrence River. This is a river cruise that includes alcoholic beverages, a live DJ and a breathtaking view of the city.

The activity usually starts after sunset at the Grad Quay dock 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 as they gradually light up before you.

During the tour, you will see the city's famous Ferris wheel and the Montreal Olympic Stadium. You will pass under the imposing Jacques Cartier Bridge and through the Parc des Îles de Boucherville. All this while enjoying a festive atmosphere.

At the end of the cruise, you can continue exploring the nightlife in the bars and restaurants surrounding the Old Port. Or, if it's your last day in the city, you can return to your hotel to connect with the Montreal airport shuttle service.

Details of interest

• Price: the night-time experience costs around £55 per person.
• Duration: the cruise usually lasts around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: boat.

Montreal is a city that invites you to explore it thoroughly, so a combined bus and boat tour is a great idea. You'll have the opportunity to discover the city's highlights and then enjoy breathtaking views from the tranquil waters of the Saint Lawrence River.

Once you meet your guide at your hotel or at a pre-arranged meeting point in downtown Montreal, you'll board a minibus and head to 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 St. Joseph's Oratory and Notre Dame Basilica. You can go inside the latter to admire its Gothic architecture and discover its hidden treasures.

Afterwards, the guide will take you to the Old Port to board a cruise on the Saint Lawrence River. You will be amazed by the view of the city and the tranquillity of these crystal-clear waters. You will relax, breathe in the fresh air and take some amazing photographs.

Details of interest

• Price: the average price of the cruise and tour is around £120 per person.
• Duration: the approximate duration of this activity is 5 hours.
• Means of transport: van and boat.

If you're a fishing enthusiast, you should take advantage of your time in Montreal and join a cruise that includes this activity. You'll sail along the St. Lawrence River to the foot of the Lachine Rapids, considered a great place to fish at any time of year.

You'll depart from the Montreal Marina in the company of an experienced guide who will teach you the basics of fishing. They will also tell you about the history of the city and share some interesting anecdotes.

Although you can enjoy this activity any time of year, if you visit Montreal between September and mid-December, you will find more fish, cooler breezes and picturesque autumn scenery.

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 transport: boat.

Perhaps you plan to spend 2 to 5 days in Montreal, or even longer. If so, you may have enough time in your itinerary to join a full-day cruise to the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago to observe penguins in their natural 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 will board a boat and sail along the St. Lawrence River. From the deck , you'll enjoy the cool breeze and the different views. You can sit back and relax while enjoying a drink. When you reach the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago, you'll spot the white-winged penguin species, better known as Razorbills.

Interesting details

• Price: the experience costs approximately £55 per person.
• Duration: the estimated duration of this activity is one day.
• Means of transport: boat.

When setting off on one of the cruises to discover Montreal and its surroundings, you will find it useful to follow a few tips to make the most of the experience.

For example:

• Don't forget your identification documents, as you will not be allowed to board the cruise ships without them.
• If the experience does not include meals or drinks, remember to bring a bottle of water and snacks for the journey.
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap or hat, especially during the warmer months.
• Bring cash so you don't have any problems with tips.

During your visit to Montreal , we recommend taking one of the cruises along the St. Lawrence River to admire the beautiful scenery of this magical place and its surroundings.

You can get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Montreal, discover different panoramic views that will surprise you, breathe fresh air, see penguins, go on guided fishing trips, and sample local cuisine. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy combined experiences such as a guided walking or bus tour + cruise.