Water activity

Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise

Activity provider: Ottawa Boat Cruise
Water activity

Ottawa: Sightseeing River Cruise

Activity provider: Ottawa Boat Cruise

From US$ 32.54 per person

See Ottawa's famous landmarks and enjoy entertaining commentary in both English and French on a must-do sightseeing river cruise. Learn fun facts from your bilingual and knowledgable guide, and choose whether to begin your cruise in Ottawa or Gatineau.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, French
Wheelchair accessible

Experience

Highlights
  • Admire unforgettable views as you learn about Ottawa's rich history
  • Benefit from the entertaining and informative insights of your guide
  • See some of Canada's most majestic icons that are only visible from the water
Full description
Discover the natural beauty of the region that captured the imagination of the first European explorer Samuel de Champlain. Climb aboard the 'Paula D' for a 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on the Ottawa River. This must-do experience offers an entertaining glimpse of the region's rich history and leaves you with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your stay. For your convenience, there are two departure docks, one located in Gatineau and another in Ottawa. Once boarded, sit back and relax as you cruise down the river. Enjoy spectacular views of the city and learn about the river's past life as a watery highway for transporting resources with your guide's engaging and informative commentary in both English and French. During your cruise, you'll have the opportunity to see the Parliament Buildings, the Rideau Canal Locks, and the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau from the river. You'll also be able to spot some sights that are only visible from the water or from Gatineau. While you're taking in the sights, savor a nice cold beverage (at your own expense) on the large open-air upper deck. Alternatively, escape the elements and visit the closed-in lower deck to take advantage of the on-board canteen with a bar.
Includes
  • Sightseeing cruise
  • Guide
  • Live bilingual commentary
  • Food or drinks
  • Tips

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Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

Know before you go

  • A downloadable tour app offers information in 9 other languages
  • The Ottawa departure times are 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM
  • From July to September, there is also an additional 7:30 PM departure
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 616 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.5/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.1/5

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Star rating:

the guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. Although the narration was sometimes hard to hear if you ventured out on the deck, the guide circulated easily and talked to the passengers. The Captain was professional and quite adept at getting us close to the falls! A most enjoyable experience and one that I will continue to bring visitors to.

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March 26, 2023

We really enjoyed seeing our City from the Ottawa River. It was our first time seeing the Rideau Falls and the different residences of foreign Ambassadors and The Prime Minister’s Residence from the River view. The view of the Chateau Laurier and Rideau Canal Locks at sunset and nightfall were beautiful. We also really liked the how the dome of the Art Gallery was lit up at night. Spectacular! Highly Recommend this tour. The young lady who did the guided tour spoke well and with a lovely sense of humour! Thanks to ALL the staff! Martin and Nancy Gorman Sandy Hill Ottawa

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March 26, 2023

This was a nice way to relax and see parts of the city that you cannot see from walking or driving. The only negative was that our tour guide spoke too quickly to catch everything and that, coupled with speaking back and forth between French and English didn’t help. (Kudos to her though for being able to flip languages mid-sentence!) Overall, this was a well-organized, relaxing tour.

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March 26, 2023

Product ID: 333766