Le Bateau-Mouche au Vieux-Port de Montréal

Le Bateau-Mouche sails from Jacques Cartier Quay in the Old Port, the quay at the foot of rue de la Commune Est, and offers one of the easiest ways to see Montreal from the St Lawrence. The boat has panoramic windows and an outdoor terrace whose roof opens when the weather allows, so you get open views in good weather and shelter when it is cool.

Daytime guided cruises last either 60 or 90 minutes and are commentated by a bilingual guide. From the water you see the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Olympic Stadium, Habitat 67 and the downtown skyline, an angle on the city that is hard to get any other way. The shorter cruise suits families with young children, while the 90-minute version gives more time on the river. A bar and snacks are available on board.

The evening dinner cruise lasts three hours. Boarding is at 6.30pm and the boat leaves at 7pm, and dinner is chosen from an à la carte menu of up to six courses, with a vegetarian menu available. Note that the meal is ordered and paid for separately from the ticket. The decor on dinner cruises is modern and elegant, which suits a special evening out.

The boat is completely non-smoking, and the open terrace is the best spot for photographs of the bridge and skyline.

The season is limited. In the 2026 programme, dinner cruises ran from 16 May to 12 October, the 90-minute cruise from late May to 16 October and the 60-minute cruise from 1 July to 16 October, with the busiest period in July and August. Visitors later in the autumn or in winter will need to wait for the next season, so check the dates on the website when planning. Book online through the company's booking system; gift cards are also sold, and groups of 20 or more deal with a sales representative.

It suits couples, families, older travellers and anyone who would rather sit than walk. Arrive a little early to find the quay, which is part of the Old Port promenade, and allow for boarding time before departure. For questions, call 514-849-9952 or email [email protected].