Toronto Harbour Tours, Inc.

Best boat tour in the city! Informative and fun. Would HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone.

I found a groupon deal and decided to do it. The tour was one hour. It was relaxing and the weather was in the 70’s. The view was great and the tour guide was very informative. He gave the history of random buildings.

Very relaxed and cool way to see Toronto and some of the small islands within in the city. I actually had no clue these islands existed and that you can even walk and bike ride around them. None the less, this is one of the reasons why the tour was awesome. Side note: It’s also extremely in expensive. I was able to get some excellent photos of downtown Toronto with the CN Tower in the middle.
The tour operators were awesome. So friendly and gave us a run through of every aspect of the city’s history, including the CN Tower, the skydome and other small facts that would be unknown to any tourist. They also made sure to stop the boat at different points so we could take photos and ask questions. The staff was honestly a big part of why the tour was so enjoyable.
For such a small amount of money, you get an hour tour and can even stay on of the islands and get picked up by a later return ferry. It’s a great way to see the city and explore the outer islands.

What a disappointing experience. This company seems to have sold way more Groupons that it can reasonably handle. Unfortunately, I went on my harbor cruise (well half of it), on a full priced ticket.
First, our boat was 20 minutes late arriving, ostensibly due to «traffic on the harbor.» The first officer who was narrating the tour, wasn’t bad, but the captain sailing the boat was incredibly rude to passengers.
The tour basically duplicates the routes that any public ferry will take to the island for a cheap price. Then it wends its way through the channel.
Here’s the problem: They let you off at the grandstands so that you can explore the islands. Unfortunately, they are utterly unprepared for return traffic. We waited an hour and did not succeed on getting on either of the two boats that came for the return. There was no organization, and no way to wait in an orderly line. The boats were so full, we were forced to return via the public ferry. I never got the second half of my tour, hence the one star rating.

This is my public service announcement. Do not make the same mistake I did and buy the $ 10 group on (or even worse pay full price). If you are looking to get to the islands you can take the city ferry which will be a lot more efficient than booking with these guys.
($ 7)
Just got back from my first trip to Toronto so thought this tour would be cool (like one ones in NYC or San Fran). Boy was I wrong. The boats are tiny, the views aren’t that great, the tour guide (some girl who was «captain in training» was quite boring and monotone like she was reading a script with cheesy jokes), and the 30 min ride is super long and really should be a 15 min ride. It get better. They give you NO warning that if you get off at one of the islands you may have ZERO chance as you scramble back in a panic along with 50+ other passengers to get back on the boat in the next hour or two because it gets THAT busy and they can only accommodate so many people on their boats, especially if no one gets off. You can take the ferry back they say for free (why did I pay for the stupid tour then???). We were waiting at the dock for over an hour with many stressed out and rude passengers (some girls actually had the audacity to push and yell at my mom because they thought she was going to take their spot – yeah it was NOT pleasant) and we had to BEG a driver on one of their other boats to take us back (which thank God he did). We would have been there for another hour at least.
If you like that awful feeling of having your time and money wasted, and not to mention panic if you have plans off the island, then 1) make sure you have plenty of time to do this excursion (I mean HOURS), and 2) avoid these people at all costs. There is a reason why they are selling so many Groupons.

Brought the parents on a 1 hour tour thanks to Groupon. $ 10 for a trip around the harbourfront-​how could you go wrong?
I have to say that one of the most striking things about the experience was how very pleasant everybody was. They were so friendly and full of beaming smiles! I don’t know how they stay so perky. Our tour was narrated by Captain Sarah while Captain Kevin drove. I don’t know how she copes with giving the same tour every day, but I enjoyed her jokes and learned a few new things about Toronto.
I was a bit disappointed that it was a shallow, covered boat… but I suppose that’s more practical. They stop at Centre Island half way through and you can choose to hop off and get a later boat back if you like. We were visiting on a weekday in June though, so they were only sailing hourly, with island pickups on the half hour.
The big test was what the parents thought of it and they were happy. Even my dad who can usually find something wrong and can never hear anything thought it was good!
Downside for me was the infrequency of sailing in June. I wish it counted as their summer because half hourly departures would have been great.

These tours can obviously vary on who is giving them, as it is character driven, but the great majority of them are great. A healthy blend of cheeky, informative, and funny. If you want a standup routine go to Yuk Yuks, these are family friendly tours.
The guides are great and friendly, if you read the other views they’ll mention it being ‘corny’ or having obstructed views of the harbour. Yes and no. All the tour boats on the harbour have covered windows and some have open decks, if it’s an open deck you want I suggest you search out the right company or boats. This company has a boat with an open deck, even still there are plent of ways and opportunities to snap photos.
As for corny, perhaps but it’s better than an hour straight of city related data that could be rather done via reading Lonely Planet, it’s meant to entertain. If its a complete straight faced fact tour, bring a book and ear plugs, if it’s a cheap ride straight to the islands, take a ferry. THT otherwise is really the best tour for the money, also the only one making regular stops on the islands (tour plus ferry!).
The windows aren’t a problem for photos, I took plenty that looked amazing and if it’s a crowding issue, well honestly, try a less busy day? Morning tour? Week day?
Complainers will be complainers, but this is totally worth your time.

We had planned a trip to Toronto Island for a while, so when Groupon had a deal for THT&C, we pulled the trigger.
Our experience was quite pleasant.
Our boat came on time and was guided by two young women narrating the short trip to Center Island.
Like Avitania B. mentioned, it was a bit corny, but I didn’t mind as I still learned some new things about Toronto. ;)
The best thing was the boat itself though.
It had a glass roof that allowed us to take some great pictures of the city skyline.
We left the boat on Center Island to spend a few hours at the beach and returned to the dock later in the afternoon around 5pm.
We had no issues getting on the boat to make the trip back, but it is advisable to get there early as it seems to get quite busy that late in the day.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE SCAMMERS!!!
I went on a cruise with my girlfriend in July 2011 for her birthday. I tried calling them and emailing them for information and never received a response. Niave, I still booked the cruise which was terrible.
The food portions were tiny, the drink prices were insane ($ 7 for a bottle of beer and $ 4 for a bottle of President’s Choice water).
Worst of all, they had just painted the ship and many people had their clothes and handbags ruined. Jamie, the organizer promised that we’d receive a call the next day to resolve but we never received calls or retribution. I’ve called many times since and no answer or return call.
THIS CHARTER IS MADE UP OF A BUNCH OF LIARS. STEER CLEAR!!!

Took the 2 hr Toronto city tour by this company. They are the small bright green buses. It was just ok. They are more like shuttle vans that are small and enclosed, not the double deckers. I found it hard to see outside. It was more expensive too. Also, their brochure said they run twice per hour, but then we got on and were told it was actually once per hour. They were 15 minutes late picking us up and the tour itself was kind of boring. Probably wouldn’t recommend.

I went on one of their one hour harborfront cruises and enjoyed it. For a total Toronto n00b like me, it was great to see the gorgeous views on a sunny day and learn a few fun facts about my new city. The tour guides are young and kinda corny, but not uncomfortably so. However, the best part was the stop on the Toronto Islands. They give you the opportunity to get off the boat and spend time in the park before taking a later boat back. Be sure to take one of the earlier tours so you can spend as much time as possible strolling around the gorgeous park!
Shutterbugs take note: the tour offers great views of the Toronto skyline, so schedule your cruise at a time when you can take advantage of good lighting! :) The evening return cruises off the island can get a little crowded, but if you can snag a good seat it’s totally worth it.