Private tours · Alexandria Bay, NY
Private Boldt Castle & Thousand Islands boat tours.
Laurentian Tours runs private boat tours of the Thousand Islands from Alexandria Bay, New York. Captain Richard Drake spent ten years running tour boats on this river for Uncle Sam Boat Tours. Now he takes just your group past Boldt Castle, Millionaires' Row, and the islands, at your pace.
- Just your group
- Up to 6 people
- Boldt Castle & Heart Island
- Custom length
- $TBA per tour
How a private tour works.
You pick what you want to see. Richard plans the route.
- Tell Richard what you want to see
Send a request or text him. Castles, cottages, a sunset run, or a little of everything. No deposit.
- Climb aboard
Richard confirms where to meet when he books your tour. Life jackets are on board in all sizes.
- Castles, cottages & channels
Cruise past Boldt Castle on Heart Island, the summer “cottages” of Millionaires' Row, and the narrow channels between the islands, with stories along the way.
- Slow down anywhere
Want a photo, a closer look, or another lap around the castle? Just ask. It's your boat for the trip.
Ten years on the tour boats.
Before he started Laurentian Tours, Richard spent ten straight years as a captain for Uncle Sam Boat Tours, running sightseeing trips through these same islands. He's been running boats on the St. Lawrence since he was 18, and he's a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain.
The big tour boats are a great way to see the river. A private tour is different: it's just your group, you set the pace, and you can ask Richard to swing past a cottage you spotted or wait for the light on the castle. Families, couples, and small groups who want a quieter way to see the islands love it.
Trips & pricing.
Private sightseeing tour
Your group, your route, your pace. Boldt Castle, Millionaires' Row, and the islands.
Request a tourHalf day + shore dinner
Fish the morning, then eat your catch on an island. A favorite way to see the river.
About shore dinnersTours are priced per boat (up to 6 people), not per person. Final tour pricing is coming soon. Call or text Richard for a quote.
What's included.
We provide
- Private boat & USCG captain
- Life jackets (all sizes)
- Route planned around you
- Stories & local history
- Photo stops
You bring
- A light jacket (it's cooler on the water)
- Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- A camera
- Drinks & snacks
- Photo ID (a passport if your plans include Canada)
What you'll see
Boldt Castle on Heart Island, the Boldt Yacht House, the Gilded Age summer homes along Millionaires' Row, tiny one-cottage islands, and the river's busy shipping channel, where freighters pass close by. Richard also knows the river legends, like Zavikon Island and its little footbridge, often called the shortest international bridge in the world. (It's a fun story, even if it doesn't quite hold up.)
Boldt Castle, in short
Hotel owner George Boldt started building the castle in 1900 as a gift for his wife, Louise. When she died suddenly in 1904, he stopped all work and never came back. The castle sat empty for more than 70 years until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took it over in the late 1970s and began restoring it. Heart Island is on the U.S. side of the river.
Good questions, straight answers.
Still wondering about something? Richard is happy to talk it over. Call or text anytime.
315-836-5798How much does a private Thousand Islands boat tour cost?
Do I need a passport to visit Boldt Castle?
Can we get off the boat and tour Boldt Castle?
How long is a private boat tour?
When is the best time for a Thousand Islands boat tour?
How is a private tour different from the big tour boats?
Are boat tours good for kids?
Can we combine a tour with fishing or a shore dinner?
Ready when you are.
No deposit. Richard will call or text to confirm the details.