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Glide past fairytale castles and tiny international bridges on a private day trip from Toronto to the Thousand Islands. This tour pairs a skip-the-line Ivy Lea cruise with stops in Kingston and local highlights like the Big Apple bakery.
Glide past fairytale castles and tiny international bridges on a private day trip from Toronto to the Thousand Islands. This tour pairs a skip-the-line Ivy Lea cruise with stops in Kingston and local highlights like the Big Apple bakery.
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle onto a wind-swept dock and the St. Lawrence River immediately asserts itself — current tugging at the boat and gulls arguing overhead. The one-hour castle cruise from Ivy Lea threads between rocky islets, past lighthouses and the ivy-covered masonry of mansion islands; water dares you to slow down and look closer.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Zoom Tours Inc · Kingston, Ontario
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle onto a wind-swept dock and the St. Lawrence River immediately asserts itself — current tugging at the boat and gulls arguing overhead. The one-hour castle cruise from Ivy Lea threads between rocky islets, past lighthouses and the ivy-covered masonry of mansion islands; water dares you to slow down and look closer.
The Thousand Islands are more than pretty facades. The region is a fragment of ancient Precambrian bedrock smoothed by glacial ice, then sculpted by the river after the last Ice Age. Boldt Castle on Heart Island, built in the early 1900s as a grand gesture of Gilded Age romance, shares the water with tiny private cottages and the quirky Zavikon Islands bridge that toes an international line.
Culture here is maritime and small-town — fishermen, boatbuilders, and bakers who’ve served travelers for generations. Kingston’s limestone buildings and military forts tell the colonial chapter; on the river, interpretation comes from guides and the boat’s commentary.
Practical side: the trip runs 9–10 hours from Toronto with private pickup, a one-hour cruise, and time in Kingston for a waterfront stroll and coffee. Expect open decks, some wind, and up-close views of shorelines and lighthouses; accessibility is generally good but bring a light jacket for spray and cooler temperatures on the water. Snacks and bottled water are usually included, but carry layers, sun protection, and charged cameras. Plan for moderate walking in Kingston and brief stair access on and off the boat. Timing your travel in late morning improves light for photos and gives you a calmer cruise as the river picks up steam later in the day.
The included sightseeing cruise is approximately one hour, with narrated commentary in English and French.
Yes — private transportation from Toronto to the Ivy Lea cruise terminal and back is included in the tour.
The tour notes wheelchair and stroller accessibility at many points, but boarding stairs can vary by vessel; notify the operator in advance for arrangements.
Bottled water is provided; a licensed bar may operate on the cruise and there are cafes and bakeries during the Kingston stop.
Zoom Tours Inc operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle onto a wind-swept dock and the St. Lawrence River immediately asserts itself — current tugging at the boat and gulls arguing overhead. The one-hour castle cruise from Ivy Lea threads between rocky islets, past lighthouses and the ivy-covered masonry of mansion islands; water dares you to slow down and look closer.
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle onto a wind-swept dock and the St. Lawrence River immediately asserts itself — current tugging at the boat and gulls arguing overhead. The one-hour castle cruise from Ivy Lea threads between rocky islets, past lighthouses and the ivy-covered masonry of mansion islands; water dares you to slow down and look closer.
The Thousand Islands are more than pretty facades. The region is a fragment of ancient Precambrian bedrock smoothed by glacial ice, then sculpted by the river after the last Ice Age. Boldt Castle on Heart Island, built in the early 1900s as a grand gesture of Gilded Age romance, shares the water with tiny private cottages and the quirky Zavikon Islands bridge that toes an international line.
Culture here is maritime and small-town — fishermen, boatbuilders, and bakers who’ve served travelers for generations. Kingston’s limestone buildings and military forts tell the colonial chapter; on the river, interpretation comes from guides and the boat’s commentary.
Practical side: the trip runs 9–10 hours from Toronto with private pickup, a one-hour cruise, and time in Kingston for a waterfront stroll and coffee. Expect open decks, some wind, and up-close views of shorelines and lighthouses; accessibility is generally good but bring a light jacket for spray and cooler temperatures on the water. Snacks and bottled water are usually included, but carry layers, sun protection, and charged cameras. Plan for moderate walking in Kingston and brief stair access on and off the boat. Timing your travel in late morning improves light for photos and gives you a calmer cruise as the river picks up steam later in the day.