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Water & beach · Ottawa

Top 6 water & beach things to do in Ottawa

Boats, beaches, and the parts of Ottawa you only see from the water. Ferry rides, sunset cruises, snorkel runs, and the occasional sailing day for travellers who measure good cities by their coastline.

  1. Kayaking tour of Grandmaître Ecological Reserve in Ottawa, Ottawa1

    1. Kayaking tour of Grandmaître Ecological Reserve in Ottawa

    5.0· 16 reviews· 2 hours

    Two-hour kayak tour through the tranquil Grandmaître Ecological Reserve, with opportunities to spot turtles and other wildlife.

    We had a fantastic morning on the Ottawa River. Despite the cloudy weather, the water was calm and we spotted more turtles than fellow kayakers.Scott_F
  2. Night driving tour of Ottawa with river cruise, Ottawa2

    2. Night driving tour of Ottawa with river cruise

    4.3· 27 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Three hours in a comfortable van — enjoy a river cruise followed by a narrated driving tour of Ottawa's illuminated landmarks.

    The tour offered the same views as the boat ride and did not include a light show. We requested the guide return us to the hotel. Another family left just before us. It felt like a waste of time and money.Donna_C
  3. Ottawa River boat cruise with live commentary, Ottawa3

    3. Ottawa River boat cruise with live commentary

    4.3· 925 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Ninety-minute tour on the Ottawa River — enjoy comprehensive views with live bilingual commentary from Hull Marina or Ottawa Dock.

    The cruise along the Ottawa River was delightful. Our guide, Lily, provided insightful commentary and had an engaging style. However, it was occasionally difficult to hear her because of the loud conversations from other passengers and some issues with the sound system.shannonbZ5726WM
  1. Ottawa city tour with Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal cruise, Ottawa4

    4. Ottawa city tour with Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal cruise

    4.3· 163 reviews· 4 hours

    Three hours in a guided vehicle — key sights like Parliament Hill, Notre-Dame Basilica, plus a scenic Rideau Canal cruise.

    Even though it was rainy, our guide Raissa was friendly and informative during the tour. A sunny day would make the canal cruise even more enjoyable.Eva_D
  2. Rideau Canal 90-minute boat cruise in Ottawa, Ottawa5

    5. Rideau Canal 90-minute boat cruise in Ottawa

    4.3· 1147 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Ninety-minute electric boat cruise on the Rideau Canal offers views of downtown Ottawa and live bilingual commentary.

    Maddy, our guide, was highly knowledgeable and provided an excellent historical narrative about the landmarks during the cruise. The views were stunning. The boat was quiet and glided smoothly. Thanks to the Captain and crew for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.justinwD5502VP
  3. Ottawa small group tour with Rideau Canal cruise, Ottawa6

    6. Ottawa small group tour with Rideau Canal cruise

    3.5· 22 reviews· 3.5 hours

    Three hours of walking, then a scenic Rideau Canal cruise — explore ByWard Market, the Royal Canadian Mint, and Parliament Hill with a guide before cruising the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    The boat cruise segment of the tour was excellent, and the guide was quite knowledgeable. However, the walking tour left something to be desired; although the guide was friendly, they lacked expertise.Sunshine823731

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