Thousand Islands tours at a glance
Thousand Islands tours are mostly boat trips on the St. Lawrence River, plus day trips on land to the river towns and across the border to Kingston. Watertown is a practical base for all of them. Boat departures are in Alexandria Bay and Clayton, and the land trips start from the city by car.
Pick the tour by season. Boat trips and castle visits belong to the warm months. Boldt Castle closed for 2026 on 12 October and has announced 8 May 2027 as its next opening, and Singer Castle visits ended on 18 October. Land trips such as Sackets Harbor or Tibbetts Point work in more of the year. Our Thousand Islands boat tours guide compares each cruise in detail.
Our picks: Thousand Islands tours
The Gananoque cruise is the one many travellers book, but it starts in Canada, so choose it only if you are happy to cross the border first. The 5-hour cruise from Clayton includes the castle ticket and leaves from the US shore, and the helicopter suits a short time budget.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and 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.
Scenic helicopter flights from Gananoque
- Window seat and headset
- Commentary in six languages
The 20-minute flight passes Boldt Castle and the 30-minute Two Castle flight adds Singer Castle. It departs in Canada and includes no castle admission.
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Boldt Castle and Rock Island cruise with picnic lunch
- Boldt Castle admission
- Rock Island Lighthouse admission
- Picnic lunch
The castle ticket is already in the price, and you walk on two of the islands. A naturalist guide is on board.
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Gananoque cruise with an optional Boldt Castle stop
- Boldt Castle entry, 5-hour option
- English and French audio commentary
The boat leaves from Canada, so you cross the border before boarding. Only the 5-hour option includes Boldt Castle admission, and it needs a passport or NEXUS card plus US border processing.
Check availability →Thousand Islands tours and day trips
Boat cruises, castle trips and day trips around the St. Lawrence River, with live prices and availability.
Day trips compared
Prices in 2026. Boat and castle prices are USD, Fort Henry is in Canadian dollars.
| Trip | Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Nation Tour | Alexandria Bay | Warm season | $32 adults, $22.50 children |
| Singer Castle tour | Alexandria Bay | Visits ran until 18 October 2026 | $50.75 adults, $34.25 children |
| Boldt Castle admission | Heart Island | 9 May to 12 October 2026, next opening 8 May 2027 | $14 adults, boat extra |
| Winery tasting | Alexandria Bay | Daily | 2 wines free, 4 wines $5, 6 wines $7 |
| Fort Henry | Kingston, Ontario | Main season 16 May to 7 September 2026 | CAD 20 adults, plus HST |
| Battlefield guided tour | Sackets Harbor | Grounds all year, buildings from 16 May 2026 | $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, children up to 12 free |
| Tibbetts Point grounds | Cape Vincent | All year | Free |
For most first-time visitors, a good first day is a boat tour from Alexandria Bay with the optional Heart Island stop while Boldt Castle is open. Add Sackets Harbor or Cape Vincent for a second day, and Kingston for a third day if you carry a valid passport.
The trips in detail
What each one involves.
Boat tours from Alexandria Bay
The Two Nation Tour takes 2¼ hours through American and Canadian waters. The Singer Castle tour takes 3½ hours and includes a 1 hour guided walk through the castle. A twilight cruise of 1½ hours runs on selected evenings from May to September and does not stop at Boldt Castle.
All boat tours →Boldt Castle and Singer Castle
Boldt Castle on Heart Island sells admission separately from the boat. The Singer Castle tour includes the castle admission. A Boldt stop at the end of the Singer tour is optional, with Boldt admission extra.
Boldt Castle → Singer Castle →Thousand Islands Winery
The tasting room is at 43298 Seaway Avenue, Suite 1, in Alexandria Bay. A guided winery tour with a tasting runs daily at 11 a.m. for $14.99 per person. The Spirited Tour runs at 12:30 p.m. for $24.99. Opening hours change with the season.
Wineries guide →Sackets Harbor and the battlefield
The battlefield site marks the War of 1812, with a first battle on 19 July 1812 and a second on 29 May 1813. The grounds are open all year and close at dark. The historic buildings opened on 16 May 2026, at first Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sackets Harbor →Cape Vincent and Tibbetts Point
The lighthouse marks where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River. The grounds are free and open around the clock all year. The tower is an active navigation light and not open to visitors.
Cape Vincent →Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is a trip of about an hour from Watertown, not counting the border. You need a valid passport. Fort Henry's main season runs from 16 May to 7 September 2026. Horne's Ferry is not running in 2026, so the bridge is the route.
Kingston day trip →Plan the rest of your trip
More to read before you book.
Thousand Islands tours: frequently asked questions
Which Thousand Islands tour should I choose?
For most first-time visitors, the Two Nation Tour from Alexandria Bay at 2¼ hours, with the optional stop on Heart Island while Boldt Castle is open. If you want a guided castle visit, the Singer Castle tour is the longer option.
How much do Thousand Islands tours cost?
The listed 2026 adult fares from Alexandria Bay run from $21 for the twilight cruise to $50.75 for the Singer Castle tour. Boldt Castle admission of $14 for adults is paid on the island.
Can I do Thousand Islands tours in winter?
The castles and boat tours are seasonal. Boldt Castle has announced 8 May 2027 as its next opening. Land trips such as Tibbetts Point, which is free and open all year, work in winter.
Do I need a passport?
For a trip to Kingston, yes. For tours from the American shore with no landing abroad, the Alexandria Bay operator says no passport or visa is needed. That does not cover a landing in Canada or entry into the US from abroad.
Where do the tours start?
Boat tours leave from Alexandria Bay and Clayton, and there are cruises on the Canadian side from Gananoque. Land trips start from Watertown by car.
Is this the official site of a tour company?
No. It is an independent guide, not connected to any tour operator, castle or public body. Check current times and prices with each operator before you travel.