Water fun in Montréal
Outdoor Summer Tours and cruises
Looking for fun activities on or near the water? From cruises in Montréal’s Old Port to the beaches and aquatic activities at Parc Jean-Drapeau, the city is overflowing with opportunities to splash around this summer. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors explore Montréal from the water, enjoying a mix of relaxation, urban adventures, and thrilling rides along the St. Lawrence River and the Lachine Canal.
River cruises and excursions
See the city from the water
Go on a boat cruise
Croisières AML
Bateau-Mouche
Hop aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim, travelling from the Old Port to the Boucherville Islands, and you’ll discover Montréal from a new perspective. Your certified guide will regale you with interesting anecdotes about the city, while you lounge on the deck and soak up the stunning views. For the full cruise experience, you can also add a scrumptious brunch or a 3- or 5-course meal.
For a more intimate outing, the Bateau-Mouche offers a cozier excursion, with gourmet delights, picnics or tapas parties. In summer, you may also get a front-row seat to the L'International des Feux Loto-Québec fireworks show.
Private cruises and immersive experiences
Looking to book a private cruise or a special event? Contact the Navark team. They manage a fleet of some 15 boats, featuring cocktail evenings, wine and cheese events, fireworks viewings or heritage cruises. For more family-friendly events, Bateau Fantôme offers immersive cruises with an interactive treasure hunt that combines mysteries, puzzles and lore about the St. Lawrence River. For children 3-10 years old, free for kids under 3.
Water access and mobility
Located next to the La Ronde amusement park, the La Ronde Marina features a private boat launch and 240 boat slips. It provides easy access to the water, as well as many attractions and special events, including Montréal’s:
From mid-May to mid-October, you can take the Navettes Maritimes du Saint-Laurent river shuttle service to Parc Jean-Drapeau or Longueuil, with views of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the Olympic Basin and the Jardin des Floralies trail along the way.
Relaxing in the Old Port
The Old Port also offers more slow-paced activities to enjoy by the St. Lawrence River.
Écorécréo
Le Petit Navire
Urban leisure
Visit the Clock Tower Beach to catch some rays on chic beach chairs with a view of the water. In summer, there are mist stations to keep you cool when the temperature goes up (sadly, there’s no swimming allowed in the River).
Leisurely water activities
Explore the Old Port by pedal boat with Écorécréo or aboard the Le Petit Navire, an eco-friendly electric boat.
Water sports and thrill rides
Surfing and adventuring
KSF
Oasis Surf
Yes, you can go surfing on the St. Lawrence River. The team at KSF is truly passionate about the outdoors, water sports and adventure in general, offering unforgettable and environmentally responsible experiences. You can book:
- River surfing courses
- Kayaking and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) for slower-paced or more energetic outings
Then head out to discover Pôle des Rapides and Parc des Rapides to take in many beautiful sights, including the spectacular Lachine Rapids that mesmerized Jacques Cartier in 1535.
Cold feet? Check out the artificial waves at Oasis Surf in Brossard.
Saute-Moutons
Rafting Montréal
Get wet and wild
To get your adrenaline pumping, you can book:
- Jet ski rides with WET SET MTL
- Jet-boating on the Lachine Rapids with Saute Moutons
- Rafting and jet boating with Rafting Montréal on the Lachine waves
These activities harness the River’s powerful currents to offer experiences found nowhere else in Canada. Get ready for some thrills on the water.
Relaxation and wellness with a view
Yoga and leisure
Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau
Strøm Nordic Spa
Where to try SUP on the island of Montréal, you ask? If you love the thought of floating on a surfboard, waves gently lapping at your feet as you glide forward, Pop Spirit waterside studios is a perfect introduction to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
Wellness by the water
If terra firma is more your thing, but with a view of the water, try Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau in the Old Port. This full-service spa experience features a magnificent garden and even an option to take a dip in the St. Lawrence. On Nun’s Island, there’s also the Strøm Nordic Spa, where you can enjoy wellness and nature in equal measure on the banks of Lac des Battures.
Lac aux Castors
Go boating on the mountain
When visiting Montréal’s iconic Mont Royal Park, you can rent a rowboat or remote-controlled sailboat to navigate around Beaver Lake. Discover what’s tucked under the mountain’s leafy treetops.
Outings and city beaches
Canal summer vibes
H2O Adventures
Take out a kayak or pleasure boat and glide gently down the Lachine Canal. With H2O Aventures, choose tours to discover the canal’s history or rent watercraft:
- electric boats
- Rabaska canoes
- solo and tandem kayaks
- two-seat or four-seat pedal boats
Come June, once the weather turns fine, the banks of the Lachine Canal come alive with unique events, such La Ginguette de Sud-Ouest and Festival on the Canal, that really show off Montréal’s waterfront vibe.
Beaches and aquatic activities
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Once the warm summer sun starts to appear, Parc Jean-Drapeau turns into a sunny seaside resort. And it’s only five minutes away from downtown! Don’t miss:
- Jean-Doré Beach features a pretty sand beach, where you can catch some rays, enjoy splashing around or play volleyball.
- The Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex with its big blue outdoor pools.
- Aquazilla is an obstacle course on the water to delight your little ones.
Don’t forget your towel when you go for a refreshing dip at Verdun Beach,
which you can easily get to by bike, metro or car.
Water fun in every season
While you're in the neighbourhood, check out NAVI, an urban nautical centre in Verdun and Nun’s Island offering a unique way to experience Montréal from the St. Lawrence River (even in winter). Rent your equipment or sign up for an array of guided activities and excursions in kayaks, on SUPs, fatbikes, wakesurf and more. Tours offered all year round, day and night.
At the western tip of the island
The Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal offers an ideal location and a pretty marina from which you can watch the boats crossing the canal while enjoying a bite to eat.
Hope you have a splash this summer!
Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Adriana Palanca.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.