Thousand Islands Ontario Boldt and Singer Castle Cruises

Why visit the Thousand Islands

This stretch of river was a military choke point in the colonial era and later a summer retreat for wealthy families, who built the mansions and castles that cruise boats still glide past.

Today the region is cottage country with real variety. You can take a short boat ride to a castle, kayak between islands, cycle along the shoreline parkway or spend a quiet afternoon in a river town.

River towns on the Ontario side

Gananoque

This small town on the Gananoque River is the busiest departure point for tour boats on the Canadian side. Cruises head out among the islands, and bicycles and kayaks can be rented in town.

Rockport

Rockport is a tiny shoreline community east of Gananoque where shorter boat tours depart, including some one-hour trips and sailings to Singer Castle. It is a good choice if you prefer a short outing to a full day on the water.

Brockville

Known as the City of the 1000 Islands, Brockville is one of Ontario's oldest communities and has its own river cruises from the harbour, as well as the start of the 1000 Islands Parkway for anyone driving west.

Parks and the Parkway

Mallorytown Landing and Thousand Islands National Park

One of Canada's smallest national parks, established in 1904, protects a scattering of islands plus a few mainland sites. Most islands are reachable only by small boat, with docks, picnic areas and trails, and a few have primitive campsites.

The Parkway along the river

This scenic road follows the river westward from Brockville, running closer to the water than Highway 401 and passing small coves, trails and picnic spots. It is slower than the highway but far more rewarding, and it suits cyclists as well as drivers.

Castles and bridges

Boldt Castle

George Boldt, proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, started this six-story castle on Heart Island in 1900 as a gift for his wife Louise. Work stopped abruptly after her death in 1904, and the unfinished shell stood for decades before restoration began.

Singer Castle

Built for Frederick Bourne, head of the Singer sewing machine company, this castle on Dark Island has 28 rooms and a network of secret passages inside its walls.

Thousand Islands Bridge and the 1000 Islands Tower

The Thousand Islands International Bridge links Ontario and New York across Hill Island and Wellesley Island, and was officially opened in 1938. Between its two spans, an observation tower on Hill Island gives a high view of the channels and islands.

Islands and river heritage

Wolfe Island

The largest of the Thousand Islands is about thirty kilometres long and reached by a ferry from downtown Kingston that runs year-round. It is mostly farmland, popular with cyclists, with wind turbines on the skyline and the village of Marysville as its centre.

Antique Boat Museum in Clayton

Across the border in Clayton, New York, this museum celebrates the wooden boats that shaped river life, and visitors can row a St. Lawrence skiff. It makes a good stop if you are crossing the bridge anyway.

Food and local flavors

The region gave its name to Thousand Island dressing, the creamy sauce said to have started in Alexandria Bay or Clayton before reaching the Waldorf-Astoria kitchens, so it is worth ordering on a salad or burger. Butter tarts, the Canadian pastry filled with butter, sugar and egg, show up in village bakeries, and Ontario maple syrup is on sale at farm stands. Wolfe Island farms grow strawberries that ripen in late June, and you can find island jams in shops across the area.

Where to stay

Gananoque is the practical first choice, with the most visitor services, tour departures and bike rentals, and it suits travellers without a car. Brockville, at the eastern end, has a larger-town feel and train access, so it fits those who plan to explore along the Parkway. Rockport is smaller and quieter, with cottage and resort stays close to short boat tours, which suits anyone who wants to be on the river early.

Best time to visit

Late May to early October is the best window, since tour boats, Boldt Castle, Singer Castle and the national park sites operate seasonally, and many island ferries run only part of the year. July and August are the busiest, with cottagers and holiday crowds, so book cruises and rooms early.

Getting there and getting around

Highway 401 runs along the north shore, and Gananoque and Brockville are close to it. For a prettier drive, take the 1000 Islands Parkway westward from Brockville or the old Highway 2 from Kingston. VIA Rail stops at Kingston and Brockville, and the nearest major airports are Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, each a few hours away. From New York, Interstate 81 meets the river and the Thousand Islands Bridge crosses to Canada.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Settle in at Gananoque, rent a bicycle or kayak, and take an afternoon cruise among the islands.

Second day

Drive the 1000 Islands Parkway toward Mallorytown Landing for the national park visitor centre, then continue to Brockville for a harbour walk and a river cruise.

Third day

Visit Boldt Castle or Singer Castle on a boat tour with your passport ready, or head to Kingston and take the ferry to Wolfe Island for a bike ride.

Practical tips

• Carry a passport even for short boat tours, since the castles and some cruise stops are in the United States.
• Not every cruise lands at Boldt Castle, so confirm the stop when you book.
• Many sites run only from spring to early autumn, so check dates before planning around them.
• The St. Lawrence is a busy shipping channel with strong currents, so rental boaters should respect charts and weather.
• Operators of motorised boats need proof of competency, and fishing requires a licence.