Discover Ottawa’s Tulip Festival from the water with a 45-minute cruise along the historic Rideau Canal. Enjoy vibrant blooms and rich stories on this serene boat tour.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
45 minutes
Fitness Level
Accessible to all ages and fitness levels; minimal physical exertion required.
Wildlife
History
The Rideau Canal was built between 1826 and 1832 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pivotal to Ottawa's identity.
Conservation
Operators follow strict guidelines to protect canal water quality and minimize disruption to wildlife habitats.
Ottawa Tours
Discover Ottawa’s Tulip Festival from the water with a 45-minute cruise along the historic Rideau Canal. Enjoy vibrant blooms and rich stories on this serene 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.
Book Early for Festival Weekends
Reserve your tickets well in advance during peak tulip bloom weekends to secure a spot on popular cruises.
Dress in Layers
Spring weather can shift quickly, so bring layers to stay comfortable during open-air cruising.
Bring a Camera
Capture the stunning tulip displays and canal views, especially on clear days around mid-morning.
Arrive 15 Minutes Early
Give yourself time to find parking and check in at Dows Lake before departure to avoid missing the boat.
Water-resistant jacket
Protect yourself from spring breezes and occasional light rain during the cruise.
spring
Sunglasses
Reduce glare off the water and make viewing the tulips and scenery more comfortable.
spring
Camera or smartphone
Essential for capturing the vibrant festival colors and canal vistas.
Comfortable shoes
Wear stable footwear for boarding and walking around the dock areas.