Great Canal Journeys

Tim and Pru began their cruise in Seeley's Bay - located on the beautiful southern part of the Rideau Canal, surrounded by expansive lakes and charming small towns that make this region unforgettable. Seely's Bay is home to Le Boat's NEW base in Canada. A 'must visit' in Seeley's Bay is its fabulous Ridgeway Confections Shop - a delightful chocolate shop selling handmade creations.

Smiths Falls is home to Le Boat's first ever Canadian base and is the ideal starting or finishing point for exploring whichever part of the canal takes your fancy. Our base is located in a historic, forified, former lockmaster's house, and we are particularly proud that our base is able to contribute in the conservation of just a small part of the Rideau Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chaffey's Lockstation stands on a beautiful isthmus of land lying between Indian and Opinicon Lakes. Here you'll find the Lockmaster's House Museum with displays of early life at the Lockstation. A stop here is the perfect opportunity to take in some of Ontario's spell-binding nature as you wander along the Catarqui Trail - an all-season trail that passes through Chaffey's Lockstation following an old railway line.

Jones Falls must be one of the prettiest lockstations along the Rideau Canal, set in tranquil parkland with a collection of historic buildings to explore. Take a trip to the lockmaster's house, designed to be defendable from attack and lovingly restored in a 19th century style - complete with costumed re-enactors who will provide historical details on the site. Then, head to the lockstation's very own blacksmith's shop, located on the banks of Jones Falls lockstation turning basin, to witness live blacksmithing demonstrations!

Kingston is where small-town charm meets big city offerings - most within walking distance of the historic downtown core. Kingston is a place where you'll discover culinary and cultural delights. Experience world-class festivals and events, a vibrant culinary scene, a passionate local maker movement and plenty more.

Newboro is a fisherman's paradise and a shopper's heaven. Newboro is a popular stop for boaters due to its location adjacent to the Newboro Lockstation on the Rideau Canal. It's a great place to restock supplies or have a quiet lunch or dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Westport is a charming village with a warm welcome. It's the perfect stop for delving into the charismatic world of friendly small-town Canada. Westport offers a plethora of activities and is packed with shops and services oozing with hospitality. Delve into boutique shops, a fantastic little bakery, cute cafes and ice cream parlours as well as two golf-courses and swimming beaches. Nature lovers will be able to enjoy a hike up Foley Mountain complete with one of the best views on the Rideau at Spy Rock.

Merrickville is dubbed the 'Jewel of the Rideau' and one of Canada's most beautiful villages. Merrickville is a vibrant, artisanal community lined with Victorian-era stone houses, and quirky shops, artist studios and characterful cafes - all of which make this delightful town so unique. For those interested in boutique shopping, Mrs McGarrigle's Fine Food SHop has a wide selection of hand-crafted specialty mustars and the Wick Witch Candle Co. is a particular crat highlight.

Ottawa, Canada's capital, is a dynamic city. A place where you'll hear English and French spoken in the streets. A place where you'll experience proud Canadian heritage at impressive national sites. And, a place where you'll lose yourself in world-class museums and galleries displaying stunning national collections.

We have produced a handy guide for this region to give you a detailed overview of all the stops, activities, attractions and information you will need to ensure you get the most of out of your cruise along the Rideau Canal.