Toronto Harbour Cruise

Tickets & Visitor Guide to Cruising Toronto's Waterfront

⏱ 1-2.5 hours👤 All ages$$

Toronto sits on the shore of Lake Ontario, and seeing the city from the water gives a perspective the streets can't match. Sightseeing cruises depart from the downtown Harbourfront and head out into the inner harbor and around the channels of the Toronto Islands, with the downtown skyline — dominated by the soaring CN Tower — providing a spectacular backdrop.

There's a cruise for every mood. Narrated sightseeing cruises (typically around an hour) point out the landmarks and offer the classic skyline views and a close pass by the islands. Lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises turn the outing into a meal with a moving panorama, and sunset and evening cruises catch the city lights coming on — among the most scenic and romantic ways to spend a warm evening. Some operators run smaller boats or sailing vessels for a more intimate experience.

It's a seasonal pleasure, running primarily from spring through fall when the lake is open and the weather cooperates, and a lovely complement to a waterfront stroll along the Harbourfront. The vantage point — looking back at the skyline and the CN Tower from the lake — makes for the best skyline photos of a Toronto visit. Boats depart from the central waterfront, near the CN Tower, the aquarium, and the island ferry docks, so it's easy to combine with those. Dress for a lake breeze (it's cooler on the water), and book dinner and peak-season sunset cruises ahead.