The cold weather is approaching and our tours are coming to an end for the 2018 season. I want to...
What better way to see the leaves changing colour than by sitting on a boat! Sit back and relax on one of our hour long narrated cruises while you watch the amazing fall colours pass by. Our guides will tell you all about Toronto, the Toronto Islands, and some history of the area as you cruise in and around the harbour and the islands.Check out some of the photos in the link below!Autumn on the Toronto Islands ~ A Photo Essay
Ps. Did you know the act of traveling to an area to view and photograph the changing colour of leaves is called leaf peeping! Who knew!
If you were thinking about taking the tour but couldn’t quite make up you mind, check out these glowing reviews of our tour!Was absolutely amazing I already want to go back. Perfect views of the Toronto Skyline. Will be going again. ~ September 3, 2018The Captains were lovely the tour was nice and I learned things about Toronto Waterfront that I didn’t know about. I would recommend it to everybody and I’m not pleased easily. ~ September 1, 2018It was a birthday present for my husband, we both grew up in Toronto. There were things we didn’t even know. We would definitely do it again. The tour guide, and captain were very informative. ~ August 23, 2018It’s my 2nd time on this tour. Clearly I really enjoy it. ~ August 21, 2018We arrived shortly before departure with a stroller and 9 year old in tow. We were allowed to take the stroller on the boat with us and set it aside during the tour. The tour guide and captain did a great job. They kept us entertained with stories and jokes, you can tell that they love their job. Will definitely do this again! ~ August 9, 2018The tour was amazing. Both captains did a great job entertaining and making it a memorable experience. An unbelievable view in a great boat. ~ July 19, 2018It was better than the dinner cruise. We went places the dinner cruise did not. We loved hearing the history of the Centre island families and lifestyle there. We also loved seeing the Parks nearby that area and getting all the facts about the waterfront business’s and the buildings. Would definitely go again in the future. ~ July 8, 2018Excellent trip and amazing view of Toronto’s Skyline. A MUST DO when visiting downtown T.O. ~ July 7, 2018Perfect activity for a date night/evening. Staff was knowledgeable and patient. Scenery is mind blowing and we loved the slow pace of the vessel. We’ll definitely come back! ~ November 6, 2017Great day with my out of town guests – tour guide was amazing and the captain was obviously very skilled. ~ September 28, 2017An amazing tour you must go to believe it. Enjoy! ~ August 31, 2017Staff is so friendly and it was so much fun!! ~August 20, 2017I can’t believe I’ve lived in T’O for 20 years without taking a harbour tour. Outrageous! For our anniversary and the visit of my sister in law from Calgary, we took the 11 am 1-hr tour and enjoyed it immensely. The captain and his able co-captain were friendly and professional. I learned a great deal about T’O and the islands. What views! From now on, all my guests will go on this tour! ~June 22, 2017It ended up being my FAVORITE thing that I did on my trip to Toronto. ~ May 10, 2017
It seems crazy that it is already September and the summer has come and gone. I just wanted to extend a congratulations to all of our 2018 Captains who made it through their first summer here with us at Toronto Harbour Tours. It was a lot of training this year, but you did it! And the amount of positive reviews that came in this summer (and there were a lot) highlight just what a great job you guys did. Thank you for your hard work this year.
Even though the kids are now back at school and you might think that things are slowing down here at Toronto Harbour Tours, that is not the case. We will still be running daily (weather permitting) throughout the months of September and October.September tours depart on the hour from 11am until 5pm.October tours depart on the hour from 11am until 4pm.
The ice has melted and it is slowly getting warmer. We are currently hiring new captains (they are going to be great!), working on the boats, and getting excited for a great year!
Things are less busy, the kids are back to school, the temperatures are cooling… it’s the perfect time to come take a Toronto Harbour Tour. Indeed it’s my favourite time.
Time for Electric Island! Can’t wait to get there…? Avoid the long ferry lines and all the crowds! Take our shuttle directly to Hanlan’s Point. Save time and get the party started!
Ward’s Island is one of my favourite places to go on the Toronto Islands. There is a lovely beach, two amazing restaurants, and an interesting residential community. If you are taking our shuttle over to Centre Island be sure to wander over to Wards Island afterward to explore a bit before heading home.Wards Island did not always look the way it does today. Back in the 1830’s it was a fishing community. Fast forward to the 1880’s and you would have found a settlement of tents. It was here that you would find working class families escaping life in the city and the heat of summer. It offered an affordable escape. I think they were onto something! You could rent a campsite for the entire season for just $10. In 1899, there were just 8 such tents set up on the island. By 1913, there were so many people renting spots that the city standardized the tents and laid out grid streets. It was quite the happening spot, and a very tight knit community. People returning summer after summer. Slowly people began bringing wood burning stoves, dressers, beds, tables, and all sorts of furniture. A wooden structure for cooking built behind the tent became common. Wooden floors and walls went up beneath the tent canvas. Porches were erected. Rigid roofs replaced the canvas ones. Gradually the tent community began to resemble a cottage community instead. This was furthered, when in 1931, the city gave the legal go-ahead, formally allowing the tents to be turned into cottages. With the housing crisis hitting Toronto following World War II, island tenants were encouraged to winterize their homes and live in them year round. Hence the island community of today. If you go for a walk on Wards today, many of the small houses that you see are the original houses constructed during this time.
If you are interested in experiencing life on the Toronto Islands try staying for a night or two at one of the island bed and breakfasts. I have stayed at two of them and loved them both!Check out the b&b options below…Toronto Island B&B’s
No summer is complete without a trip to the Toronto Islands! So come on down. Starting tomorrow we will be running our island shuttle service to Centre Island daily.