Summer cruises on Canada’s countless waterways offer endless variety.
With millions of freshwater lakes, rivers and several canals, together with oceans on three sides, the country harbours an impressive abundance of exciting summer cruises. With water everywhere, there’s no shortage of choices among cruise destinations, itineraries and vessels. A remarkable variety of boat tours is offered on everything from large ships to smaller intimate ones, as well as vintage paddlewheelers, rigid inflatables, replica steamships, sailing yachts and everything in between; in fact, the “in between” includes exciting tours involving watercraft as simple as canoes and kayaks. In the end, it’s not the mode of transportation that ultimately counts, rather it’s the experience of exploring the wonders of Canada, both on the water and during onshore excursions. From the island of Newfoundland to British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, summer cruise options are vast and varied, with the following presented as a mere sampler – so, anchors aweigh!!
Newfoundland
Nicknamed “The Rock” for its ruggedly beautiful shoreline studded with dramatic rock cliffs, the country’s easternmost province bears a unique cultural identity shaped by distinctive dialects, traditions and music, specific to nowhere else in Canada. Also unmatched is its “down home” brand of Newfoundland hospitality, a feature that has earned the Atlantic province its reputation as the friendliest in the country. What awaits cruising visitors to this welcoming island is a treasure trove of unparalleled scenery and spellbinding activities. Several sail itineraries – including circumnavigation of the island’s 9,600-km coast – reveal the heart and soul of pure Newfoundland: quaint coves, deep fjords, provincial parks, ancient Viking sites, small fishing villages, remote lighthouses and the charming provincial capital of St. John’s. The Rock is renowned for whale-watching, iceberg viewing, deep-sea fishing and birdwatching trips to its famous Atlantic puffin colonies. Overall, those who “come from away” are exposed to the stuff of which memories are made – including the island tradition called a “Screech-in,” a welcoming ceremony that involves kissing a cod followed by knocking back a swig of rum. It’s a quirky, lighthearted custom that forever installs visitors who participate into “honorary Newfoundlanders.”
Prince Edward Island
The country’s smallest province is by no means diminished by its size. At slightly more than 200 km long, it’s a true gem in Canada’s crown filled to capacity with things to see and do. Cruise companies featuring P.E.I. in their Atlantic Canada itineraries typically include a port call at the historic island capital of Charlottetown, acknowledged as the Birthplace of Confederation for hosting the first meeting leading to the establishment of the nation. This postcard-pretty city is a hot spot for arts, culture, culinary experiences, historic walking tours and outdoor markets. Beyond the city, the island’s engaging landscape is punctuated by beaches, sand dunes, red sandstone cliffs and green rolling hills. This island that hums with Celtic music is known worldwide as the fictional home of Anne of Green Gables made famous in the book by P.E.I. author, L.M. Montgomery. The Green Gables Heritage Site is one of the island’s most-visited attractions among the plethora of others, such as historic wooden lighthouses, mussel farms, fishing villages and P.E.I. wineries. Island activities galore, including golf on premier courses, hiking and biking on Confederation Trail, deep-sea fishing and excursions hosted by local chefs, artisans, farmers and musicians who enjoy what they do and want to share it.
Hudson Bay
Summer cruising on this second-largest bay in the world provides a unique opportunity to explore a fascinating and remote region on the southern ridge of the Arctic Ocean. Once the bay’s winter ice is gone, boat tours are able to access isolated areas and Arctic islands that are otherwise inaccessible for several months of the year. Sheltered from storms that blow over the Arctic, this inland sea’s vast expanse of salt water and surrounding northern landscape are a paradise for wildlife – caribou, walruses, seals, moose and, last but not least, polar bears. In fact, the bay’s western shore town of Churchill, Manitoba is regularly referred to as the polar bear capital of the world where summer polar bear tours are an annual attraction. Also popular are tours to the bay’s Seal River Estuary where thousands of beluga whales gather to feed, calve and escape preying killer whales. The bay’s numerous shore excursions include visits to Inuit villages, tundra hikes and the chance to experience the traditional Arctic activity of dog mushing. With sections of the bay’s coast bordering on parts of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut, a variety of engaging tours are offered from various locations along the extended shoreline.
Rideau Canal
Stretching from Ottawa to Kingston, this Ontario waterway is a 202-km engineering masterpiece built and completed by the British in 1832. Employing gate-opening mechanisms in 45 historic locks, the canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that accommodates summer cruises ranging from a few hours to five days aboard a variety of vessels including specialized ships with complete live-aboard service. The trip is a scenic journey through eastern Ontario lakes and rivers with stops at charming villages such as picturesque Merrickville, dubbed “the Jewel of the Rideau.” Throughout the majority of cruises, professional guides provide commentary and historical context. With the Rideau Canal trips beginning in the country’s capital and ending in the historic “Limestone City” of Kingston – or travelled in reverse – sightseeing at both ends is a bonus. Among a plethora of Ottawa attractions are the Parliament Buildings, National Gallery and the Canadian War Museum. Kingston is the gateway to the Thousand Islands and one of the city’s major attractions is Old Fort Henry, an 18th-century military fortification designated a National Historic Site.
Georgian Bay
When Samuel de Champlain discovered the bay in 1615, he called it La Mer Douc (the sweet/calm/fresh sea). Famous for its more than 30,000 islands, rugged vistas and historic past, Georgian Bay is a northeastern arm of Lake Huron, one of the five Great Lakes of North America that make up the largest freshwater system on Earth. In the early days, the bay named for King George IV was a significant hub for fur trading and logging. Today, it’s a paradise for cruising – a destination so distinctively beautiful that it inspired renowned Canadian Group of Seven artists such as Tom Thomson and A.J. Casson to render paintings of its windswept white pines and granite-sculpted shorelines. Several companies offer various cruises that range from a few hours to a week, with many of them incorporating onshore excursions to one or more of the bay’s many islands. Such excursions include exploring iconic caves, visiting historic lighthouses, nature walks, hiking trails and Indigenous cultural attractions.
Lake Superior
One of the world’s largest freshwater bodies and the largest of the Great Lakes, its picturesque north shore features deep bays flanked by high cliffs, a rocky shoreline and thick forests. With a deep history in maritime shipping and fur trading, the lake today enjoys a reputation for memorable summer cruising. Boat excursions are offered aboard a mix of vessels from cruise ships to sailboats, catamarans, small boats and inflatables. Trip durations range from a few hours to multi-day tours. This lake of many islands features historic lighthouses, national parks, cultural heritage experiences, fishing and unique birdwatching. Among Superior’s must-see sites is the famous Sleeping Giant in the port town of Thunder Bay. This natural wonder is a land formation resembling a giant man laying in slumber who, according to Ojibwe legend, is identified as the spirit of deep water.
Northwest Territories
The waterways of Canada’s Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) have always been a part of northern life and exploring the region by boat is a tradition, as well as a memorable experience. Legendary lakes and renowned rivers frame a remote landscape of forests, mountains and Arctic tundra, together with the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The N.W.T. are a part of the country embodying a wonderland of surprises unlike anywhere else in Canada. A host of cruise options include departing from Inuvik on a tour through the Mackenzie River Delta into the Arctic Ocean. Other tours include sailing on Great Slave Lake and various cultural journeys to authentic Indigenous villages. The intrepid traveller can opt for a multi-day Nahanni River expedition that includes navigating some of the country’s deepest river canyons and huge waterfalls in a terrain with geological features so unique that the river and surrounding area have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout the NWT, hunting and fishing excursions abound, together with iconic wildlife viewing of bison, muskox, Arctic fox, caribou, grizzly bears and more. Overall, there are scores of summer boat tour options launched from large waterfront centres such as Yellowknife and Fort Smith, as well as an abundance of operators in smaller communities across the region. Depending on the type of tour, watercraft range in size from canoes to inflatables, sailboats and small ships.
Haida Gwaii
Formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida Gwaii is an isolated archipelago of more than 200 islands lying off of British Columbia’s northwest coast. This ancestral territory of the Haida nation is known as the Canadian Galapagos for its unique and diverse ecosystems and wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. The islands embody a breathtaking landscape that is rugged, rocky and forested. Numerous summer tours to various islands employ a variety of watercraft ranging from small boats to sailing vessels. Such tours run the gamut from wildlife viewing to whale-watching, as well as Haida cultural village visits and bathing in hot springs on Hotspring Island. There is everything from short sightseeing trips to multi-day expeditions involving land and sea. Among the many options are tours designed to explore island rainforests and ancient villages, and the chance to connect with Haida knowledge-keepers. Overall, a summer tour to Haida Gwaii is a holistic journey that combines cultural learning with the exploration of natural wonders and an appreciation for Haida’s rich heritage and way of life.
British Columbia
The majority of summer cruises along the coast of Canada’s westernmost province depart from Vancouver and sail north. A variety of trip itineraries explore the immense beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Heading north through the sheltered waters of the heavily travelled Inside Passage between the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island, the route weaves through picturesque islands, fjords and bays. From there, it continues north to the Alaska panhandle and, depending on cruise itineraries, port stops often include the U.S. cities of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan where there are abundant opportunities for onshore excursions: glacier tours, dogsledding, gold panning, wilderness zip-lining and ice-field helicopter tours. Overall, the trip is renowned for stunning scenery including glaciers, mountains and wildlife. There is also a handful of small-ship expeditions that exclusively explore the Inside Passage only. More intimate and more flexible than the big-ship cruises, their itineraries focus primarily on whale-watching, wildlife viewing and exploring glaciers and rainforests. A bonus of many B.C. West Coast cruises is the convenience of them beginning and ending in Vancouver.
Cruise Planning
Canada’s summer sailing season typically runs from late May to early autumn, but dates vary according to climate differences across the country. For example, the season for boat tours in Newfoundland will naturally be different from those in the middle of the country.
Those booking a cruise early often enjoy discounted pricing and the selection of preferred accommodations. Also, the pre-cruise booking of onshore excursions eliminates the disappointment of finding the most popular options already filled. The same early booking of onboard “specialty” restaurants applies.
Among several simple, but important matters to consider before departure is travel insurance and making sure that any prescription medications are current. Equally important is understanding what’s required in terms of travel documents. Many cruises, particularly those offered by the big ships, traditionally require a valid passport or other forms of identification and proof of citizenship. If the cruise itinerary includes foreign destinations, it’s important to determine if visas might be necessary. On any cruise, large or small, it’s wise to carry emergency contact information.