Niagara Falls guided tour: Boat cruise & behind-the-falls tunnels

Stand above the Whirlpool Rapids where the river twists before the Falls plunge

A guided small-group tour of Niagara Falls on the Canadian side combines four major attractions in one morning: the Whirlpool Observation Deck, Skylon Tower for aerial views, Journey Behind the Falls tunnels, and the Hornblower boat cruise to the base of the falls. Private transportation with an experienced guide in English or German is included. From December through early May, the boat cruise is replaced with the Niagara Power Station or Butterfly Conservatory. Infants can ride in a stroller, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the bus has no wheelchair ramp.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Skylon Tower30m · entry included
2. Journey Behind the Falls30m · entry included

Niagara Falls guided sightseeing tour

• View Niagara Whirlpool Rapids
• Drive through Niagara Glen
• Visit Skylon Tower for views
• Explore Journey Behind the Falls tunnels
• Take Hornblower Cruise to Falls base

The experience

The tour starts with a drive down Niagara Glen to the Whirlpool Observation Deck, where you watch the Niagara Whirlpool Rapids from above. The river's abrupt change of direction at the end of the rapids creates the phenomenon the deck is built to frame: water moving in ways that feel wrong until you see it happen. From there, you head up the Skylon Tower for panoramic aerial views of the falls themselves, the gorge and the surrounding landscape spread out below you.

Next, you descend into the tunnels of Journey Behind the Falls, where you walk below the cascading water. The tunnels are carved into the rock behind the falls, and you feel the force and mist of the water directly above you as you move through them. This is the closest most visitors get to the falls without being in the water.

The tour ends with the Hornblower boat cruise, which takes you to the base of the falls for a close-up view of the water's power and the mist it throws up. The entire experience runs about four hours and includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who speaks English or German and can recommend places to eat afterward if you want lunch or dinner.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• an experienced and licensed guide in English or German.
• entry to Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls, and the Whirlpool Observation Deck.
• and the Hornblower boat cruise (or Niagara Power Station or Butterfly Conservatory from December through early May).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by BG Tours Canada Inc.

Is this one for you?Four hours is enough to move through all four attractions without rushing, but it leaves the rest of your day open. Book this if you want the main sights covered in a morning and have other plans afterward.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Whirlpool Rapids and why does the tour stop there?

The Niagara Whirlpool is formed where the river's gorge abruptly turns counterclockwise, creating one of the world's most mesmerizing natural phenomena. The Whirlpool Observation Deck gives you a vantage point to watch the water move in this unusual way.

What happens to the boat cruise during winter?

From December through May 5th, the Hornblower boat cruise is closed and replaced with either the Niagara Power Station or the Butterfly Conservatory as part of the tour itinerary.

Is the bus accessible for wheelchairs?

The bus does not have a ramp for wheelchairs, so you should confirm accessibility with the operator before booking if you require wheelchair access.