Cruise the 1000 Islands with Boldt Castle, Rock Island Lighthouse, and a picnic lunch
5 Hours
Picnic lunch, Admissions
Explore the heart of the 1000 Islands on a 5-hour sightseeing cruise along the St. Lawrence River through Canadian and US waters. Stop to visit Boldt Castle on Heart Island and Rock Island Lighthouse State Park, with a picnic lunch from Kay's Kitchen.
Only service animals are allowed. Boats are smoke-free.
Please notify us at least 24 hours prior to departure to receive a full refund.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for parking and check-in at the ticket booth. Boarding passes are issued on the day of departure (including for online purchases). Be ready to board 15 minutes before departure; the operator may deny boarding if you are not checked in and on board at departure time.
Pick up your picnic lunch from Kay's Kitchen before you board.
You may bring your own food and beverages onboard, but no alcohol is allowed.
39611 Chateau Lane, Clayton, NY 13624
Reaching Rock Island Lighthouse State Park means boarding a boat and leaving the mainland behind, a deliberate act that keeps this small St. Lawrence River island refreshingly uncrowded. Tall grasses brush against the old stone keeper's dwelling, gulls wheel overhead, and the river stretches wide in every direction. Rock Island Lighthouse State Park rewards the effort with solitude, history, and a sense of genuine escape.
The boat tours here have earned a loyal following, and it's easy to see why. Guides like Liam and Michel bring genuine enthusiasm and deep local knowledge to each trip, sharing little-known stories about the islands, the properties along the river, and the area's history. The smaller boat size creates an intimate atmosphere that larger cruise operations simply can't replicate, and popular routes like the Boldt Castle and Rock Island Lighthouse tour consistently draw praise for their pacing and scenery. A handful of recent reviews do point to some inconsistency worth knowing about. Sound system issues on windier days made it difficult for some guests to hear the narration, and a few specialty cruises like the wine and sunset tours felt less structured than the standard guided options. If a narrated, educational experience is what you're after, the daytime island tours seem to be where this crew really shines. Overall, repeat visitors are common here, with many guests returning year after year and bringing family and friends along. The staff's warmth and the personalized feel of the tours are consistently the highlights. For anyone exploring the Thousand Islands region, this is a solid choice for getting out on the water with people who clearly love what they do.
The tour guide was very informative and the chosen route was very scenic. Very well done.
Hendrik Van Harn
May 18, 2026
The tour guide was very informative and the chosen route was very scenic. Very well done.
Hendrik Van Harn
May 18, 2026