How to Get to Boldt Castle

There is no bridge or causeway to Heart Island. Every visit to Boldt Castle involves a boat, and the only real decision is which shore you start from.

From the American side

Alexandria Bay, New York is the closest departure and much the cheapest. The Uncle Sam Boat Tours shuttle leaves from 45 James Street, takes about ten minutes, and runs roughly every half hour from 10:30 am. Fares were last published at about $10.00 adult and $6.50 child, boat only.

The catch is that shuttle tickets cannot be bought online or in advance — they are sold at the booth from 9:00 am on the day. On a July weekend that means arriving early.

Clayton, New York is about twenty minutes further downriver by road and also runs island cruises, though Alexandria Bay is the standard jumping-off point for the castle specifically.

From the Canadian side

From Ontario the crossing is a cruise rather than a shuttle, and it is an international entry into the United States — see the passport question before booking.

• Gananoque — the busiest Canadian departure. The 1000 Islands cruise with optional Boldt Castle entry is rated 4.5/5 by 4,621 travellers, from about $30. Around an hour on the water each way on the stopover version.
• Ivy Lea / Lansdowne — closest Canadian point to the castle. The Boldt Castle scenic cruise runs from here, 4.6/5 from 1,434; there is also a two-castle version taking in Singer Castle.
• Rockport — small village departure, short crossing.
• Kingston — the furthest, and the longest day: a riverboat cruise rather than a quick hop.

By air

You cannot land on Heart Island, but you can see it properly from above: scenic helicopter flights of 10 to 60 minutes run over the island cluster, rated 4.9/5 from 462. Covered in more depth at 1000islandshelicoptertour.com.

By your own boat

Heart Island has docking, and arriving under your own power is common in season. If you come from Canadian waters the same port-of-entry rules apply — you are entering the United States and must report.

Which to choose

If you are already in New York State, take the Alexandria Bay shuttle: it is a tenth of the price of a cruise and the castle is the point. If you are in Ontario, take a cruise — the crossing is the hard part and the sightseeing is genuinely the draw. Either way, remember the admission is a separate ticket.