St. Lawrence River glass-bottom boat tour: Rock Island Lighthouse

You see the river from below the surface, not just above it.

A glass-bottom boat tour departing from Clayton travels the St. Lawrence River among the 1000 Islands, with a naturalist guide narrating wildlife sightings and local history before docking at Rock Island for a one-hour stop. Climb the lighthouse stairs to the lantern room, tour the keeper's cottage museum, and walk the island. The boat includes restroom facilities and admission to the lighthouse is part of the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore 1000 Islands and Rock Island Lighthouse

• Board glass-bottom boat Night Heron
• View underwater life in St. Lawrence River
• Spot wildlife with naturalist narrators
• Hear history and legends of islands
• Travel among many 1000 Islands
• Dock at Rock Island for one hour
• Climb Rock Island Lighthouse stairs
• Tour lighthouse keeper’s museum and gift shop
• Walk the island and see whale oil building

The experience

The Night Heron leaves from Clayton with a live naturalist guide who spots ospreys, eagles, blue herons, deer, muskrats, minks and loons as the boat moves through the islands. The glass bottom lets you watch the river itself: the water clarity, the riverbed, the underwater world most boat tours skip. Along the way, the guide shares the history and legends of the islands you pass and the shipwrecks you pass over, so the 1000 Islands stop being just scenery and become a place with stories.

After roughly two hours on the water, you dock at Rock Island for an hour on land. The lighthouse stairs lead to the lantern room at the top, where you get a bird's-eye view of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the islands spreading out around you. The keeper's cottage is now a museum where you can learn how the lighthouse operated and who kept it running. There's also a gift shop. You can walk the island and see the building that once stored whale oil for the lighthouse lamp.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure to get your boarding pass at the blue ticket booth. The boat has a restroom on board. Picnic lunches are available if you order ahead ($12 for adults, $8 for children).

What’s included

• Sightseeing cruise aboard the glass-bottom boat Night Heron with a live naturalist guide.
• admission to Rock Island and the lighthouse.
• access to the keeper's cottage museum.
• restroom facilities on board.

Information

Lasts 2h 45m, from US$ 34 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 22 May 2027

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

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.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Clayton Island Tours, LLC

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see underwater life through the glass bottom: the river itself, not just the islands from above.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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.

What wildlife can you actually see on the St. Lawrence River?

The naturalist guide spots ospreys, eagles, blue herons, deer, muskrats, minks and loons that live among the 1000 Islands. What you see depends on the season and time of day, but the guide knows where to look and will point them out as the boat moves through the water.

How long do you spend at Rock Island Lighthouse?

You dock for one hour, which gives you time to climb the lighthouse stairs to the lantern room, tour the keeper's cottage museum, browse the gift shop and walk around the island.

What does the glass bottom of the boat actually show you?

The glass bottom lets you see into the St. Lawrence River itself: the riverbed, the water clarity and the underwater environment as the boat travels. It's the main thing that sets this tour apart from a standard sightseeing cruise.

Do you need to arrive early?

Yes, arrive 30 minutes before departure so you have time to get your boarding pass from the blue ticket booth and board the Night Heron.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, the Night Heron has a restroom on board for the duration of the tour.

Can you bring food, or is lunch included?

Picnic lunches are available for $12 per adult or $8 per child, but you need to call ahead to pre-order. Otherwise, you're welcome to bring your own food.