The 9 Best Boat Tours in Ottawa

1.Sightseeing River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,585 reviews · 1h 30m · from $39Our pick

Spend 90 minutes aboard the Paula D on the Ottawa River, with bilingual English and French commentary from guides such as Andy, Elodie, and Pascale. You’ll see Parliament, the Rideau Canal Locks, Rideau Falls, embassies, and Ottawa from angles you cannot get on land. Choose a Gatineau or Ottawa departure dock.

“The Ottawa Riverboat tour was a great and affordable tour! Elodie, the tour guide was an engaging and energetic host who spoke English and French seamlessly. The views were very nice!”

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2.Rideau Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,303 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Cruise from behind the National Arts Centre to Dow’s Lake aboard North America’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel. A live English and French guide points out about 30 sites, including Château Laurier, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Lansdowne Park, and the Dominion Arboretum. Expect a smooth 90-minute ride, light humor, and no food or drinks included.

“It was a great day to be on the canal, and we learned many interesting facts about Ottawa! Our guide was very informative, and added a nice touch of humour as well. She spent time to get to know her riders on a personal level as well by sitting and chatting with each of the groups on the boat.”

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3.Ottawa Boat Cruise – Rideau Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,127 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Spend about 90 minutes on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal aboard a certified 100% electric passenger boat. A guide such as Lily, Wendy, Ellen, or Theo may lead you past Dow’s Lake, Château Laurier, Lansdowne Park, the Ottawa Locks, and the Canadian Museum of Nature, with commentary in English and sometimes French.

“Confirmation from Viator had important details deep in the confirmation. Read all the fine print. Viator also changed the cruise time 5 min after the confirmation was received. Change sent via email & moved tour to 30 min earlier.”

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4.Ottawa Boat Cruise – Paul’s Boat Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 918 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Spend about 90 minutes aboard the Paula D, viewing Ottawa and Gatineau from the river. A bilingual guide such as Wendy, Andi, Andy, or Elodie explains the sights in French and English. You can sit on the upper deck, buy drinks and snacks, and enjoy clear views of Parliament Hill, museums, embassies, and Rideau Falls.

“Good experience all around. Great information on the tour and friendly and fun. Beautiful scenery!!!”

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5.Floating Tiki Bar Cruise on the Ottawa River

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 164 reviews · 1h 30m · from $62

Join Ottawa Palapa Tours at the dock below the Ottawa Locks for a 90-minute floating tiki bar cruise. A certified captain guides the boat along the Ottawa River while you enjoy Parliament Hill views, fresh air, Bluetooth music, karaoke, and drinks from the licensed bar. Food and beverages cost extra, and children under 12 are welcome with life jackets.

“It was a fun experience. The guides were warm,fun and informative. We had a nice conversation with a couple from out of town. The only thing wrong was it was a cloudy day but no one's fault for that. I would recommend it to my friends.”

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6.Ottawa Premium Small Group Tour with Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 134 reviews · 4 hours · from $116

You’ll tour Ottawa in a comfortable small group of up to six, with downtown hotel pickup, a local English-speaking guide, Rockcliffe Park, Parliament Hill, Supreme Court photo stops, and a seasonal Rideau Canal cruise. Guides such as Catherine, Gabriel, Denis, and Andrew add history, humor, and flexible pacing.

“Both guided tour and river cruise were insightful, informative and fun. Highly recommended.”

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7.Small Group Night Tour With River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 54 reviews · 2h 30m · from $80

Spend 150 minutes seeing Ottawa by river and road with an English-speaking guide and a group of about six. The evening includes a sunset cruise, narrated drive, photo stops at Rockcliffe Park, Major’s Hill Park, and Nepean Point, downtown hotel pickup, and dessert. Guides such as Andrew, Carly, and Carwyn have earned praise for attentive service.

“Carwyn was a pationate tour guide! He was reliable and cared for his passengers. I would recommend this service to everyone.”

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8.Downtown Yacht Cruise – Wed-Sun @ 6PM – 75 Minutes

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · from $90

Spend 75 minutes on a sleek Ottawa Yacht Tours boat, leaving Pirate Marina at 6 PM from Wednesday through Sunday. With up to 12 people aboard, you’ll pass Parliament, the Rideau Locks, and Alexandra Bridge while music fills the yacht. There is no narration, so this suits you if you want sunset views, drinks, and an easy social evening rather than a traditional sightseeing tour.

“It was a great time. Well priced overall. We were lucky as we had perfect weather and only six of us on the bow. The crew was very attentive and just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves. Definitely recommend at least once.”

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9.Small-Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 5 reviews · 3h 30m · from $72

See Ottawa on foot with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at 10. Meet at Louise Bourgeois’s Maman outside the National Gallery, walk past Notre Dame Basilica, the Royal Mint, ByWard Market, and Fairmont Chateau Laurier, then board a seasonal Rideau Canal cruise. Off-season visits replace the boat with National Gallery admission.

“The guide Chelsea was excellent providing great information and adjusting the tour just for us. We were very fortunate to be the only two who had booked the tour.”

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