With so many beautiful bodies of water hiding in plain sight, New Yorkers are lucky enough to have some of the most incredible boat tours offered around the state. You may remember us previously discussing Cooperstown’s Glimmerglass Queen Boat Tours that allow you to see the stunning Otsego Lake and even bring you past a little-known castle! But there’s also another unforgettable tour out on the water that you’ll want to add to your bucket list as well. Giving you a unique peak at what’s down below, this glass-bottomed boat tour is one that’s guaranteed to bring out your adventurous side.
Pack what you need and hit the road, this adventure is taking you up north along the St. Lawrence River!
Google Maps One of the most breathtaking regions to explore in New York, the 1000 Islands are more beautiful than you could’ve ever imagined.
Bringing you to the small town of Clayton in Jefferson County, visitors will hop on board the Night Heron for an extraordinary boat tour.
Clayton Island Tours/TripAdvisor
Clayton Island Tours offers a variety of options, but our favorite tour to take is the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour to the Rock Island Lighthouse.
1111/TripAdvisor
Roughly 4-miles north of Clayton, the boat ride to Rock Island will bring you past waterfront homes on our gorgeous islands…
1111/TripAdvisor
Also giving you views of castles and Great Lakes Freighters.
btobey/TripAdvisor
And while we love the sights of all the man-made wonders in this region, there’s nothing quite like seeing the unique variety of wildlife that call the St. Lawrence River home.
1111/TripAdvisor
1111/TripAdvisor A familiar sight to see once you’re out in this region, Cormorants can be found out amongst the islands. Wondering what other fascinating animals you’ll see besides these aquatic birds? Visitors riding on the Night Heron should keep their eyes peeled for animals like muskrats, eagles and other creatures that you normally aren’t use to seeing up close in your hometown.
There may be plenty to look at out on the water, but you’ll want to take advantage of this boat’s main feature to take a look at what’s happening underneath this beautiful surface.
kathys426/TripAdvisor
Robin J./Yelp If you’ve never taken a trip out to the Thousand Islands then you’ll be excited to learn that the water that makes up the St. Lawrence River is astonishing. Clean, clear and blue as can be, the glass-bottom boat allows you to view the river’s underwater life all from the comfort of this charming boat on the surface.
Making daily trips to Rock Island, guests on the Night Heron will be able to get out and explore one of our quaint Thousand Islands.
btobey/TripAdvisor On this particular trip you can find plenty of great picnic spots and a delightful museum and gift shop that you’ll love exploring.
The jaw-dropping sights continue as you climb the steps of this historic lighthouse to reach panoramic views of the river and surrounding islands at the top.
Denise C./Yelp
MeemaJED/TripAdvisor Originally built back in the 1800’s as one of six lighthouses along the St. Lawrence River used to guide the waterway’s traffic, the lighthouse and island are now maintained by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
The perfect place for you to spend your day in the sun, the tours are generally just under three hours long.
1111/TripAdvisor Giving you several ways to enjoy views of the river, this unique boat tour is an unbelievable way to spend a day outside photographing all there is to see in this underrated region of New York.
And would it really be a trip to the 1000 Islands if you didn’t see a shipwreck or two?
Denise C/TripAdvisor
1111/TripAdvisor The clear water of the St. Lawrence River holds a fascinating history. Scattered all throughout the river you can find shipwrecks that now serve as popular places for explorers to literally go diving into history. Once you get closer to Rock Island you’ll be able to see ruins, with informative tour guides telling you more about the area and shipwrecks like A.E. Vickery that sank back in 1889. To find out more information and to buy your tickets online, click here.
Prices: Adults - $24, Military & Seniors - $22 and Kids 6 to 12 - $16
How to get here: 39621 Chateau Lane Clayton, NY 13624
Did you realize you could take this kind of unique boat tour right here in New York? For more exciting getaways that you won’t want to miss out on, take a look at these 10 Unforgettable Tours In The Empire State That Everyone Should Take At Least Once!
Google Maps
One of the most breathtaking regions to explore in New York, the 1000 Islands are more beautiful than you could’ve ever imagined.
Clayton Island Tours/TripAdvisor
1111/TripAdvisor
btobey/TripAdvisor
A familiar sight to see once you’re out in this region, Cormorants can be found out amongst the islands. Wondering what other fascinating animals you’ll see besides these aquatic birds? Visitors riding on the Night Heron should keep their eyes peeled for animals like muskrats, eagles and other creatures that you normally aren’t use to seeing up close in your hometown.
kathys426/TripAdvisor
Robin J./Yelp
If you’ve never taken a trip out to the Thousand Islands then you’ll be excited to learn that the water that makes up the St. Lawrence River is astonishing. Clean, clear and blue as can be, the glass-bottom boat allows you to view the river’s underwater life all from the comfort of this charming boat on the surface.
On this particular trip you can find plenty of great picnic spots and a delightful museum and gift shop that you’ll love exploring.
Denise C./Yelp
MeemaJED/TripAdvisor
Originally built back in the 1800’s as one of six lighthouses along the St. Lawrence River used to guide the waterway’s traffic, the lighthouse and island are now maintained by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
Giving you several ways to enjoy views of the river, this unique boat tour is an unbelievable way to spend a day outside photographing all there is to see in this underrated region of New York.
Denise C/TripAdvisor
The clear water of the St. Lawrence River holds a fascinating history. Scattered all throughout the river you can find shipwrecks that now serve as popular places for explorers to literally go diving into history. Once you get closer to Rock Island you’ll be able to see ruins, with informative tour guides telling you more about the area and shipwrecks like A.E. Vickery that sank back in 1889. To find out more information and to buy your tickets online, click here.
Prices: Adults - $24, Military & Seniors - $22 and Kids 6 to 12 - $16
How to get here: 39621 Chateau Lane Clayton, NY 13624
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