Montreal: St Lawrence River Boat Tour & Fall Apéro Hour

Montreal’s cityscape & river islands glow at golden hour

You’ll float along Montreal’s St Lawrence River during peak fall color, sipping your own drinks while passing landmarks like Habitat 67 and the Biosphere. A local guide shares stories as you snack, laugh, and catch golden hour views from the water. It’s relaxed, friendly, sometimes funny, with just enough space for quiet moments you’ll remember later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Montreal boat tour highlights

• Board the exclusive boat
• Pass under illuminated bridge
• Tour Old Port Montreal
• View Habitat 67 building
• Visit Montreal Clock Tower
• See the Biosphere at Parc Jean-Drapeau
• Navigate under Victoria Bridge
• View La Ronde amusement park
• Navigate between St-Helene and Notre-Dame islands
• Enjoy apéro with drinks and snacks

The experience

I’ll be honest. I almost missed the boat because I got lost in the Old Port (Google Maps, why?). But our guide, Luc, spotted me speed-walking and just waved me over with a big grin. No stress at all. The boat was smaller than I pictured, not fancy but super comfortable, and everyone was already chatting and pulling out their snacks. Someone had brought olives and cheese. I only managed chips. The air smelled like wet leaves and river water, which somehow felt perfect for an autumn apéro cruise in Montreal.

We drifted out onto the St Lawrence River right as the sun started doing that thing where it makes the city look almost gold. Luc pointed out Habitat 67, he called it “Montreal’s Lego masterpiece”, and honestly, it did look like something a kid would dream up. Passing under Jacques-Cartier Bridge, you could hear distant laughter from La Ronde across the water (I swear someone screamed on a rollercoaster). The Biosphere looked surreal in that light: kind of futuristic but also weirdly at home next to all those trees turning red and orange.

I tried to say “apéro” with my best French accent and got a few polite laughs from the locals. People poured wine into plastic cups and passed around crackers while Luc told us about Notre-Dame Island being built from metro dirt (which sounds made up but apparently isn’t). There was a moment when everything went quiet except for the soft slap of water against the hull. That’s when Montreal really got under my skin. Just this mix of city buzz and river calm that I didn’t expect to feel so much.

What’s included

Your hour on the river includes live commentary from a local guide (sometimes in more than one language), all necessary safety gear, insurance coverage for peace of mind, plus a friendly captain steering through Montreal’s cityscape. You’re free to bring your favorite drinks and snacks for apéro time as you cruise past downtown landmarks before returning to shore together.

Options for this experience

2 options

Morning Edition, 45 minutesGuide in English or French · 11:30Old Port tour: Begin your day unhurried with a 45-minute morning cruise past Montreal's Old Port. Lasts 45 minutes. Old Port Montreal: See Montreal's Old Port from a fresh vantage point on the river. Bayliner Element XR7

Ultimate Montreal Boat Tour, 1 hourGuide in English or French · 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30Lasts 1 hour, aboard a Bayliner Element XR7

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and SundayDepartures at 11:30, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30Last departure this season: 18 Oct

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Aventures Wet Set Mtl

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Montreal boat tour?

The Montreal boat tour lasts approximately one hour on the St Lawrence River.

Can I bring my own drinks or snacks on board?

Yes, you can bring your own beverages and snacks for the apéro hour on board.

What landmarks do we see on this Montreal boat tour?

You’ll see Habitat 67, Old Port of Montreal, Concorde Bridge, Victoria Bridge, Notre-Dame & St-Helene Islands, Biosphere, La Ronde amusement park, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, and Quai de l’Horloge.

Is there a live guide during the cruise?

Yes, a professional guide provides live commentary throughout the tour.

Where does the Montreal boat tour depart from?

The tour departs from Montreal’s Old Port area.

Are safety equipment and insurance included?

Yes, safety equipment and insurance are included for all guests.

Will there be hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is provided. Guests meet at the departure point in Old Port.