Holiday Inn Express 1000 Islands Gananoque
Holiday Inn Express
The most rewarding and refreshing way to experience the 1000 Islands! 1000 Islands Kayaking provides you with nationally certified guides for a multitude of kayaking programs: from day tours to camping to skills courses. Located in Gananoque, only minutes off Hwy 401 and smack in the middle of Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal – these kayak tours are ideal for a quick get-away.
A leisurely kayaking adventure is one of the best ways to experience this historically charming and ecologically rich area. Paddle among the islands and enjoy the wildlife while you reconnect with our living landscape, your partners and yourself.
The 1000 Islands region is an integral part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, a member of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. And, above all, it offers world class sea kayaking for all levels of paddlers.
We also offer kayak rentals, power boat services and kayaking skills courses. Visit our website to learn more.
"The 3-hour guided tour with Debby was amazing. She gave us the useful information about navigating rules and techniques. We crossed the busy part of Saint-Laurent river and paddled along several islands to the Half Moon Bay and back. The scenery was wonderful; we saw eagles, herons, geese. During the stops Debby told us about the history of the islands. After the tour I enjoyed swimming on the beach."
"Great experience renting full day tandem kayaks from 1000 island kayaking. Kayaks were in great condition and we also received dry bags for our phones which allowed us to click great photographs in the middle of the water. The 1000 islands kayaking crew was fantastic, especially Mike, who paid special attention to us as it was our first time kayaking. I would recommend going early at 9:30 AM to pick up the kayaks so that you can enjoy your trip without any hassle."
"Great experience. We took half day guided tour. Guides are very supportive and will help you in every manner. Half day guided tour basically covers 5-6 islands and 7-8 Kms. Kayaks are well maintained. No need to worry even if you don't have any prior experience. Truly amazed by the beauty of the islands. Highly recommended."
"1000 Islands Kayaking was amazing! We did a half day guided tour with Caleb and Kim. They did everything to accommodate us, including changing our reservation to make sure we had the best weather, even though we were 10 in our group. The tour was full of information and great locations, and even though we have our own kayaks and visit this area often, we plan to book this tour yearly. The safety instructions and care taken crossing boating channels made everyone in our party feel very safe. Thanks for the great experience."
All of our programs operate rain or shine. If it is raining on the day of your tour, we can supply lots of extra layers including rain jackets to keep you nice and warm on the water. If the weather were to be considered dangerous in nature by our staff (i.e., high winds and/or thunderstorms), then your program would be cancelled and you would be notified via phone. In the case of company cancellation due to weather, clients are offered the option to reschedule to another date that works for them, or a full refund.
Our guided kayaking tours and sightseeing boat tours are the programs available to those who do not have the ability to swim to ensure a safe experience on the water. All kayak rental clients must have the ability to swim and feel comfortable being in the water for short periods of time. Although clients are required to wear PFDs at all times, the ability to swim is mandatory for a safe rental experience. If a capsize were to occur during a self-guided kayak rental, the paddler must be able to confidently swim and remain calm in order to get back into their kayak.
If you are bringing your own kayak to use on a guided program, your kayak must meet the following requirements: is at least 12 feet long and has front and rear compartments sealed by bulkheads. As long as this is the case, clients are more than welcome to use personal kayaks during our programs. Please note that the use of personal kayaks must be cleared by our staff ahead of time to first, confirm all requirements are met, and second, adjust the booking to the appropriate kayak allocations.
Our staff complete a rental orientation prior to your launch where we review the safety equipment, teach the basic paddling strokes, provide a map with route suggestions, and also help you launch into the water. We prep you with all of the information you need to know before your rental, and can also answer any last minute questions!
All of our kayaks come equipped with passes to the National Park islands, so you are welcome to beach your kayak on these islands without having to worry about paying additional fees. All self-guided kayak rentals will receive a map to take with you on your journey, which will have the National Park islands clearly labelled. The National Park islands also have composting toilets on them for those needing a washroom break. There is nothing for purchase on the National Park islands, and therefore it is recommended that all visitors bring food and water with them. Any islands not designated as National Park islands are privately owned and you are therefore not permitted to land on them.
Yes – we ask that clients book online 48 hours in advance to guarantee availability, though the earlier the better (especially for larger groups and weekends). If you are looking for a last minute booking, please call our office at 613-463-9564.
We recommend closed-toe shoes that will stay on your feet such as water shoes or sturdy sandals. Light running shoes are also suitable. We do not recommend flip flops or Crocs.
Our minimum age is 6 years old for all kayaking programs. Children aged 6-11 must paddle in a tandem kayak with an adult 18 years or over. Those aged 12 and above are able to paddle a single kayak.
No – we just offer kayak rentals.
Dogs are not allowed on our guided kayaking tours to ensure the safety and comfort of other clients. Dogs under 50lbs are allowed on kayak rentals as long as the renter acknowledges that dogs pose an additional risk to capsizing and agree to pay for any potential damages to the kayak or any related gear caused by the dog. Should you wish to bring your dog on a kayak rental, you must mention this to us at the time of booking so we can allocate a kayak with a larger sized cockpit (dogs must go in a single kayak sitting in front of and are not to sit in the front of a tandem kayak).
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1000 Islands Tourism acknowledges that we are on traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-oh-show-nee) and Anishinabe (A-nish-in-‘a-bay) and First Peoples, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.