
Rental of Self drive river boat in Canada on the Rideau Canal
Crisboat - Expert in river boat rental for over 20 years

River cruise in Canada
In the heart of the Canadian forests, close to nature, experience a licence-free boat navigation. You will cross many lakes, with islands where wild mooring is allowed. To navigate the Rideau Canal, you'll start your river cruise at Smiths Falls. You can navigate between Ottawa and Kingston, this itinerary will give you a total change of scenery.

- Cruise through many lakes
- Some locks are manual - a unique experience
- Ideal for families
- Passage of manual locks
- Cruise through many lakes
- Ideal for families
Cruise in Canada
Rent your houseboat to navigate the Rideau Canal
A river cruise on the Rideau Canal is perfect for families! On your licence-free boat trip, you'll navigate through charming, unspoiled villages like Merrickville and bustling cities like Ottawa, with their warm Canadian welcome! The highlight of this houseboat cruise is the crossing of its many lakes!
The locks are manual and maneuvered by lock keepers. They are open from 9h to 19h, from Friday to Sunday and public holidays. The rest of the week, they are open from 9h to 18h (from 10h to 16 before June 21 and after September 5).
The season opens from May 17th to October 14th. Navigation is easy and the course of the regular channel
Additional mandatory fees will be added to your reservation to cover overnight moorings at Parks Canada, Portland Harbor, Seeleys Bay, Perth and Westport. For other moorings, the supplement will be paid locally.
All about licence-free boating in Canada
The Rideau Canal is 202 km long and links Ottawa and Kingston. The most beautiful part of the Rideau Canal to do by licence-free boat is from Merrickville to Jones Falls. You will navigate through the most beautiful village in Canada, you will discover the most beautiful lock station at Jones Falls and you will cross many lakes and forests. Ideal to discover Canada, its history and its typical villages.
During your cruise on the Rideau Canal, you will pass through many typical towns and villages such as Ottawa, Manotick Merrickville, voted the most beautiful village in Canada, Smiths Falls, Portland, Seeley's Bay and Kingston. Navigating the Rideau Canal by licence-free boat, you will discover the Canadian nature.
For an unforgettable experience on the Rideau Canal, you can take a river cruise from mid-May to mid-October. If you want to enjoy the Canadian sunshine, we recommend leaving during July. But beware, this is a very busy time on the canals. You may have to wait your turn at the locks and mooring may be a little more difficult in some villages. In June, August and September, you will enjoy milder navigation and the canals are less crowded. May and October are the ideal departure months to escape the crowds and enjoy the beautiful seasonal colours!
Travelling with CrisBoat
Crisboat has more than 90% of the French fleet of self drive river boats. Entrust us with your desires and your availabilities and we will shape your holidays on the water. Located in the heart of the Vienne, Crisboat is the leader in self driver river boat rental in France. Discover our team, made up of 6 experts ready to take up the challenge to design the cruise that will meet your expectations.
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5

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