Are 1000 Islands Cruises Open in Winter? November to March Guide

Departure point	Usual season	Winter advice
Kingston	Spring to early November; in 2026, April 18 to November 1	No sightseeing or dining cruises from December to March
Gananoque	Spring to the end of October; in 2026, to October 31	Check the last departures if you travel in late October
Ivy Lea	Spring to the first days of November; in 2026, to November 3	A few early-November departures, no winter service
Rockport	May to October; in 2026, May 1 to October 31	The 2026 season has closed; reopening in spring 2027

Can you take a 1000 Islands cruise in December, January or February?

No sightseeing cruise runs. You cannot book a one-hour island tour, a three-hour cruise, a Kingston dinner cruise or a Canadian departure with a Boldt Castle stopover in these months.

The cold is only part of the reason. Winter brings short days, strong wind chill on open water, shifting ice and a tourist timetable that stops, so the operators take their boats out of service and run no reduced winter schedule.

A calm, ice-free river on a mild day does not mean the cruise boats are running. A website with photos of a boat, or a booking listing full of reviews, does not mean there is a sailing on your date either. Select the date in the booking calendar before you book transport or a hotel around it.

What about March?

March feels like the start of spring planning, but it is too early for regular Thousand Islands cruises. Snow and ice are still common, and the tourist season restarts later in spring.

If the boat trip is the reason you are coming, aim for April or May. In 2026 the first Kingston cruises sailed on April 18, and May brought more choice as Rockport, Boldt Castle and the stopover cruises opened.

Our month-by-month guide to the best time for a 1000 Islands cruise compares spring, summer and fall.

When will 1000 Islands cruises reopen in 2027?

In spring 2027, with no single date for every port. Rockport Cruises has said it reopens in spring 2027. Kingston, Gananoque and Ivy Lea set their own schedules, and they may publish them at different times.

For comparison, Kingston’s regular cruises began on April 18 in 2026 and Rockport’s on May 1. Those are last season’s dates, not 2027 bookings.

When you want to travel	What to expect
Early April 2027	Some routes may not have reopened; check before you book the trip
Late April 2027	Possible early Kingston sailings and a few others, once schedules are published
May 2027	More operators and routes return; Boldt Castle opens on May 8
June to September 2027	The widest choice of sightseeing and dining cruises
October 2027	Fall-colour cruises, with fewer departures as the month goes on

Kingston and the ports farther east are different trips. Kingston suits visitors staying downtown, and its Kingston: Heart of the Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise (4.3★, 1,139 reviews, from $51) covers the historic waterfront and the Admiralty Islands. Gananoque, Ivy Lea and Rockport are closer to the central islands, Boldt Castle and Millionaire’s Row; the From Ivy Lea: 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Scenic Cruise (4.6★, 1,552 reviews, from $30) is the highest-rated of them. Read our Kingston vs Gananoque cruise comparison before you choose a departure town.

Is Boldt Castle open in winter?

No. Boldt Castle, on Heart Island in New York State, opens only in the warmer months. Its 2026 season ran from May 9 to October 12, and it reopens on May 8, 2027, so no winter cruise lands there and you cannot tour the grounds or the rooms in January or February.

There are two different products sold as a “Boldt Castle cruise”:

A sightseeing cruise that passes the castle, so you can photograph it from the water.
A stopover cruise that lands on Heart Island, so you can tour the castle while it is open.

Neither runs in winter. In season, landing at Boldt Castle from Canada means entering the United States, so you need border documents; seeing the castle from the boat without landing does not. Our Boldt Castle passport guide explains what to bring.

Check the Boldt Castle visitor information when you plan a spring or summer visit. The first cruise of spring and the castle’s opening day are not always the same date.

Is there any way to get on the water in Kingston during winter?

Take the Wolfe Island ferry, and know what it is

The Wolfe Island ferry is run by the Government of Ontario and runs year-round between Kingston and Wolfe Island. It carries island residents, visitors and vehicles; it does not sell tour tickets. The crossing takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.

Take it if you simply want time on the water and a view back toward Kingston. It does not replace a guided cruise through the central 1000 Islands: there is no Boldt Castle, no commentary and no loop past the island mansions.

Before you go:

Check which dock the ferry is using. In winter the island landing usually moves from Marysville to Dawson Point, a few kilometres east, when ice affects the summer route.
Read the schedule and any service notices on Ontario’s ferry page or Ontario 511, or call the Wolfe Island ferry office at 613-548-7227.
Leave time for the return crossing, because daylight is short.
Dress for a cold wind on the open waterfront, and do not count on a scenic trip in poor weather.

Without a car, the Kingston waterfront is the easiest base. Check where the ferry is docking before you plan anything on Wolfe Island, especially if you want to go beyond the landing.

What can you do in the 1000 Islands instead of a winter cruise?

A winter trip works if you treat it as a Kingston or St. Lawrence River break and leave the cruise out.

1. Walk Kingston’s historic waterfront

Start at Confederation Park, Kingston City Hall and the waterfront by Crawford Wharf. The cruise boats are laid up, but you still get the harbour, the limestone buildings and the view across the water. Carry on along whichever parts of the Waterfront Pathway are open and safe.

This is the easiest plan if you are staying downtown without a car. Break up the time outside with warm cafés or museums. In icy weather, keep to cleared city streets; not every waterfront path is maintained in winter.

2. Skate at Springer Market Square when the rink is open

The outdoor rink beside City Hall is one of Kingston’s best-known winter activities. The city offers free skating there daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. when the rink is in season, but sun, warm weather and rain can close it for a few hours, or for a few days if the ice cracks. There are no changing rooms; washrooms are in the lower Market Wing of City Hall.

Check the City of Kingston’s skating page and its outdoor rink status map before you go, and bring your own skates unless you have confirmed a rental.

3. Drive the 1000 Islands Parkway for river views

With a car and good road conditions, the 1000 Islands Parkway east of Gananoque follows the St. Lawrence without the need for a boat. You can stop in Rockport and around Ivy Lea, wherever public viewpoints and parking are safely open.

Treat it as a scenic drive: seasonal lookouts, attractions and washrooms may be closed. Park only in proper parking areas, never on a narrow shoulder for a photo, and check the weather and road reports before you leave Kingston.

Do not plan around the 1000 Islands Tower. It has closed for the season and, according to its website, reopens in mid-May 2027. The Parkway drive works without it.

4. Hike or snowshoe at Jones Creek in Thousand Islands National Park

Parks Canada keeps the Jones Creek trails, at 1270 1000 Islands Parkway, open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing and wildlife watching. The linked routes range from an easy 20-minute walk to a moderate two-hour hike.

It is one of the best ways to see the region’s landscape in winter without a boat. Open year-round does not mean cleared of snow, though, and facilities or single trails may close. There is a composting toilet about five minutes’ walk from the parking lot.

Check Parks Canada’s page and any active advisories before you set out. Wear proper winter footwear, do not count on summer services, and leave enough daylight to get back.

5. Make it a winter city break in Kingston

For a weekend, Kingston has more food, places to stay and indoor things to do than you would find trying to fill two winter days with island sightseeing. Combine a waterfront walk, skating when the rink is open, cafés, museums with confirmed winter hours and a night downtown.

For events, winter markets and seasonal activities, see Visit Kingston’s winter experiences. Festivals and holiday programs change every year, so do not rely on last year’s calendar.

Is Kingston, Gananoque or Rockport better in winter?

Kingston is the practical winter base for most people. You can arrive without a car, walk between restaurants and the main sights, and take the Wolfe Island ferry. Gananoque is a quieter small town, while Rockport and Ivy Lea depend on the cruise season and a car.

Place	Reason to visit in winter	Main drawback
Kingston	Historic waterfront, restaurants, winter activities, year-round ferry	No sightseeing cruises in winter
Gananoque	A quiet town break and river views by road	The cruise dock and many visitor services are seasonal
Ivy Lea	Parkway scenery and stops on a drive	No winter cruises
Rockport	A pretty village on a scenic drive	The cruise operator is closed until spring 2027

If the trip is all about seeing Boldt Castle from a boat, wait for the cruise and castle season. Do not book a winter hotel in the hope that a cruise will run.

A one-day winter plan from Kingston

You do not need a full day outside in the cold to enjoy the area. A simple winter day:

Time	Plan	Notes
Morning	Walk around downtown Kingston, City Hall and Confederation Park	Keep to cleared, safe waterfront sections
Late morning	An indoor attraction or a coffee stop	Check winter opening hours first
Lunch	Eat in downtown Kingston	More reliable than seasonal waterfront snack bars
Afternoon	Skate at Springer Market Square or take the Wolfe Island ferry there and back	Check the rink status, the ferry timetable and the return crossing
Evening	Dinner downtown or a winter event	Pick from the current local events calendar

With a car: swap the afternoon for a Parkway drive on a clear day, or a Jones Creek walk if the trails are safe. Do not try to fit a long winter hike, a scenic drive and the island ferry into one short day.

Is a Thousand Islands winter trip worth it?

Yes, if you want a quiet winter break by the St. Lawrence River. No, if the main goal is a classic 1000 Islands sightseeing cruise; those are two different trips.

Winter suits visitors who enjoy a quiet waterfront city, snowy trails, photography and short scenic drives. It does not suit anyone expecting a narrated island cruise, dinner on the water or a visit inside Boldt Castle.

If you have seen summer photos of the cottages, island mansions and Boldt Castle and want that trip, come between May and September. June and early September give a good choice of cruises with milder weather than July and August. Use our 1000 Islands cruise prices and tickets guide to plan the budget, then check the 2027 departures before you book non-refundable transport. If you are buying the trip as a present, our 1000 Islands cruise gift certificates guide compares the operators’ certificates.

Frequently asked questions

Are 1000 Islands cruises open in December?

No. No sightseeing cruises run from Kingston, Gananoque, Ivy Lea or Rockport in December. The public Wolfe Island ferry from Kingston runs year-round, but it is a ferry and carries no sightseeing commentary.

Can I take a 1000 Islands cruise in January or February?

No narrated sightseeing or dinner cruises run in January or February. Plan around Kingston's winter activities, a walk by the river or the year-round Wolfe Island ferry instead.

Are any cruises running in November?

Only in the first days of the month. In 2026 the last Kingston cruise sailed on November 1 and the last Ivy Lea departure on November 3. Check the live calendar for your date; there are no cruises from mid-November.

Do boats run to Boldt Castle in winter?

No. No Canadian sightseeing or castle-stopover cruises run in winter, and Boldt Castle itself is closed. Its 2026 season ended on October 12, and it reopens on May 8, 2027.

When do Thousand Islands cruises start in spring 2027?

Each operator reopens on its own date. Rockport has announced it reopens in spring 2027, and Boldt Castle opens on May 8, 2027. In 2026 the first Kingston cruises sailed on April 18 and Rockport started on May 1, but those are last year's dates, so check each booking calendar for 2027.

Can I take the Wolfe Island ferry in winter?

Yes. The Kingston–Wolfe Island ferry runs year-round, subject to weather and service disruptions. In winter it usually docks at Dawson Point on the island instead of Marysville, so check Ontario's ferry page or call 613-548-7227 before you travel. It does not follow the 1000 Islands cruise routes.

Can I see Boldt Castle from the shore in Canada during winter?

Not reliably. There are river viewpoints in the region, but no accessible Canadian roadside stop gives a clear close-up of the castle, and the boats that normally take visitors past Heart Island do not run in winter.

Are winter cruises cheaper than summer cruises?

There are no winter cruises to compare. If you see a very low price online, check the departure date, route and operator before you assume it is a winter discount.

Is the 1000 Islands Parkway open in winter?

Yes, it is a public road, but safe driving depends on snow, ice, ploughing and visibility. Check road conditions before you go, and expect many seasonal attractions and facilities along it to be closed, including the 1000 Islands Tower until mid-May 2027.

In short

From December to March, plan a winter visit to Kingston and leave the cruise for spring. In early November you may still catch the last sailings of the season. For the classic trip past island cottages, wooded channels and castles, book a sailing between May and early October 2027.

Before you travel, check the operators’ schedules and our guide to the best time for a 1000 Islands cruise. If you are coming this winter, the Wolfe Island ferry, Kingston’s historic waterfront and the Jones Creek trails still make the trip worthwhile.

Checked on November 2, 2026. The 2026 dates are last season’s; check 2027 departures, hours and availability with each operator. Weather closures and ferry changes can happen at short notice.

Are 1000 Islands Cruises Open in Winter?

Are any 1000 Islands cruises running in November 2026?

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