Unwind aboard the Paula D and watch fireworks light up the Ottawa River. Enjoy stunning views, great music, and the vibrant city lights on this unforgettable private boat tour.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; mainly a relaxing seated experience
Wildlife
History
The Ottawa River has been a vital transportation route for thousands of years, serving Indigenous peoples and later European settlers.
Conservation
Efforts in the Ottawa River region focus on protecting water quality and native wildlife while promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Ottawa Tours
Unwind aboard the Paula D and watch fireworks light up the Ottawa River. Enjoy stunning views, great music, and the vibrant city lights on this unforgettable private boat tour.
Ottawa Tours, based in Ottawa, Ontario, specializes in guided boat and bus sightseeing experiences across Canada’s capital. The company offers a diverse lineup of tours and combo packages, including the Tulip Festival Canal Cruise — a 45-minute boat tour from Dows Lake that explores the history of the Rideau Canal and the Tulip Festival — and the Ottawa River Tour, a scenic 1.5-hour cruise departing from multiple river docks.
Bus offerings include multilingual guided options such as the Round Trip Tour and hop-on, hop-off passes like the One Day Pass and Two Day Pass on double-decker buses. Combo packages pair river or canal cruises with Grayline city tours for one- or two-day sightseeing flexibility. The Rideau Canal cruises operate aboard North America’s largest electric vessel, and several experiences highlight bilingual or multilingual narration for English and French speakers.
The Amphibus tour delivers a unique land-and-water route showcasing over 75 historic sites with bilingual commentary. Combo offerings that include the Paula D river cruise provide upper-deck seating and scenic views along the Ottawa River. Departures and durations vary by product, from short 45-minute cruises to guided tours spanning multiple days.
Ottawa Tours cites clear schedules, multiple departure points, and documented tour formats — boat, bus, amphibious, and combo — that make planning straightforward. With bilingual narration, electric-vessel cruising, and established Grayline city tour integrations, Ottawa Tours provides verifiable sightseeing options for visitors seeking curated views of Ottawa and Gatineau. Booking details, schedules, and departure locations are available through official tour listings and ticket providers online.
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Tours operate across the capital
Tours Offered
10 experiences
Boat, bus and combo tours
Durations
45 min to 2 days
Short and multi-day options
Languages
English & French
Bilingual narration on many tours
Reserve seats on canal cruises, river tours, Amphibus rides, or hop-on, hop-off Grayline passes.
Arrive Early for Boarding
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure smooth boarding and seating arrangements.
Dress in Layers
Even summer evenings on the river can be cool; bring a light jacket or sweater to stay comfortable.
Bring a Camera or Smartphone
Capture the stunning fireworks and city views, but be sure to secure your device to avoid dropping it overboard.
Avoid Loud Noises
Respect other guests by keeping noise levels moderate during the cruise to fully enjoy the ambiance and music system.
Light Jacket
Provides warmth during cooler river breezes in summer evenings.
summer
Camera or Smartphone
Essential for capturing fireworks and cityscape photos.
Comfortable Shoes
Good for boarding and disembarking the boat safely.
Reusable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated while enjoying the cruise, especially on warm nights.
summer