Thousand Islands boat tours at a glance
Most Thousand Islands boat tours leave from the river towns, with Alexandria Bay as the main departure point. The classic trip is the Two Nation Tour, which crosses American and Canadian waters. Other options add Singer Castle, an evening ride or a dinner on board. Boat tours are seasonal, so check the dates for the month you plan to travel.
One rule saves confusion: the boat fare and a castle ticket are separate. A tour with a Heart Island stop does not include Boldt Castle admission, which you pay on the island. Read the Boldt part of our Boldt Castle guide before you choose a tour.
Our picks: Thousand Islands boat tours
All three leave from Clayton on the US shore. The longer cruise is the all-round choice, the sunset cruise suits an evening, and the shorter trip is the one the listing describes as needing no passport. None of them lists Boldt Castle admission.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Clayton cruise with a Boldt Castle option
- Sightseeing boat cruise
- Local naturalist guide
The boat leaves from the US shore with a naturalist guide on board. Boldt Castle admission is bought separately and is not listed among the inclusions.
Check availability →
Sunset cruise from Clayton
- River sightseeing cruise
- Cash bar on board
An evening ride on the river from the US shore. The bar takes cash, and Boldt Castle admission is not listed.
Check availability →
Two-hour river cruise from Clayton, no passport needed
- Professional guide
- Restroom on board
Departs from the US shore, and the listing says no passport is required. A boat ride with a guide, without a castle stop.
Check availability →Thousand Islands boat tours and cruises
Castle cruises, sightseeing trips and evening boats on the St. Lawrence River, with live prices and availability.
Boat tours compared
Listed base fares for adults and children in 2026. Check the final price at checkout.
| Tour | From | Length | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Nation Tour | Alexandria Bay | 2¼ hours | $32 | $22.50 |
| Twilight cruise | Alexandria Bay | 1½ hours | $21 | $14.50 |
| Singer Castle tour | Alexandria Bay | 3½ hours | $50.75 | $34.25 |
| Dinner cruise | Alexandria Bay | – | $67.50 to $89 | – |
| Boldt Castle and Two Nation Tour (2027 season) | Clayton | 3½ hours | $31 | $19 |
| Cruises of 1 and 3 hours, plus a 5-hour Boldt Castle stopover cruise | Gananoque, Canada | 1 to 5 hours | – | – |
Children on the Alexandria Bay price list are ages 5 to 12, adults start at 13, and children up to 4 ride free. The Clayton trip runs in an 8 May to 11 October 2027 season and a reduced fare of $27. Those are 2027 values and not 2026 prices. For Gananoque, check the current timetable and fares before you go.
For most visitors, the Two Nation Tour is the first boat trip to pick: it is the classic outing and covers both American and Canadian waters in 2¼ hours. Choose the Singer Castle tour if a guided castle visit is the goal, and the twilight cruise if you want an evening ride.
The tour types in detail
What each trip involves.
Two Nation Tour
The cruise lasts 2¼ hours and covers American and Canadian waters. At the end there is an optional stop on Heart Island, but only when Boldt Castle is open. Castle admission is extra. The ride back is part of the tour, with no further boat fare.
Boldt Castle guide →Twilight cruise
The 1½ hour evening cruise runs on selected dates from May to September. It does not stop at Boldt Castle. Tickets are tied to a date and time.
Singer Castle tour
The 3½ hour trip includes a 1 hour guided walk through the castle on Dark Island, and Singer Castle admission is included in the fare. An optional Boldt Castle stop at the end depends on the season, and Boldt admission is extra.
Singer Castle guide →Dinner cruise
Dinner cruises must be reserved in advance, as must special and lunch cruises. Adult fares run from $67.50 to $89, depending on the cruise.
Tours from Clayton
A Clayton operator runs a 3½ hour Boldt Castle and Two Nation Tour. Its product page already shows the 2027 season. Pair it with a visit to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.
Cruises from Gananoque
On the Canadian side, a local operator runs trips of 1 and 3 hours, a 5-hour Boldt Castle stopover cruise and a separate one-hour departure from Ivy Lea. You need the right entry papers for Heart Island if you start in Canada.
Booking, parking and papers
Practical points before you go.
Book ahead
The Alexandria Bay operator recommends booking sightseeing tours in advance. Special, lunch and dinner cruises require a reservation.
Boarding and parking
Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. The operator's parking lot at 45 James Street in Alexandria Bay is free for guests.
Passports
The Alexandria Bay operator says its own tours from the American shore, with no landing abroad, need no passport or visa. That statement covers those tours only. It does not cover landing in Canada or entering the US from abroad.
Season
Boldt Castle closed for 2026 on 12 October and Singer Castle visits ended on 18 October. The next Boldt season is announced from 8 May 2027. Tours that include a castle depend on those dates.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the boat fits.
Thousand Islands boat tours: frequently asked questions
How much does a Thousand Islands boat tour cost?
The listed 2026 adult fares from Alexandria Bay run from $21 for the twilight cruise to $50.75 for the Singer Castle tour, and dinner cruises cost $67.50 to $89. Children are cheaper. Check the final price at checkout.
Is Boldt Castle admission included in the boat fare?
No. The Two Nation Tour offers an optional stop on Heart Island, and the castle ticket is paid there. The Singer Castle tour includes Singer Castle admission but not Boldt admission.
Do I need a passport for a Thousand Islands boat tour?
The Alexandria Bay operator says its own tours from the American shore, with no landing abroad, need no passport or visa. If you land in Canada or arrive from there, normal entry rules apply.
When do boat tours run?
Tours are seasonal. The twilight cruise runs on selected dates from May to September, and tours with a castle stop depend on the castle's season. Boldt Castle has announced 8 May 2027 as the next opening.
Do I have to book boat tours in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for sightseeing tours, and special, lunch and dinner cruises must be reserved. Boarding opens 15 minutes before departure.
Is this the official site of a boat company?
No. It is an independent guide, not connected to any boat operator, castle or public body. The operators set their own prices and times.