Experience the thrills of Ottawa and Gatineau from both land and water on an amphibious vehicle tour of Canada’s capital city. Board an “amphibus” to see Ottawa’s picturesque sites, including Parliament Hill (Colline du Parlement), the National Gallery of Canada (Musée des beaux-arts du Canada), ByWard Market (Marché By) and Sparks Street's National War Memorial Monument (Monument commémorative de guere du Canada). To get a comprehensive feel for the area on your one-hour tour, your bilingual guide will share humorous anecdotes as you cross the streets of Ottawa and Gatineau and float atop the waters of Ottawa River.
Meet on the banks of the Ottawa River at Parliament Hill to begin your guided adventure through Ottawa and Gatineau. Colloquially known as “The Hill,” Parliament Hill serves as the seat of Canada’s federal government and is one of the city’s most visited attractions. You’ll learn more of these informative and entertaining tidbits after you board the amphibus, where a bilingual guide in French and English offers a full hour of humorous narration about the picturesque sites that dot your tour route. You’ll ride past Mill Street Brewery and the Canadian War Museum before crossing the river on Pont du Portage bridge into Gatineau, home to the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Maurice Richard Statue—the last famous site you’ll hit before you drive right into the river!
The amphibus gently eases into Ottawa River, where you can admire the sites you passed on land from an entirely different perspective. As you are propelled in a loop around the water, catch a glimpse of three of Ottawa’s striking bridges and Major’s Hill Park, home to the National Gallery of Canada and its iconic glass and granite façade. After you complete your nautical adventure, it’s back on land and across one of those bridges to the heart of Ottawa. Ride past other top Ottawa sights such as the prime minister’s residence, the tin-covered steeples of Ottawa’s Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and the bustling streets of ByWard Market.
End the scenic journey across the Rideau Canal and back at Parliament Hill, where you bid adieu to your amphibus, newly armed with a greater appreciation for Ottawa’s streets and sights.
A really good quick overview of the city of Ottawa with an informative and amusing commentary by the guide in English and French. Well worth doing if this is your first visit to Ottawa.
Review by: S G S, September 2017
A really hot day and late starting, but a a good tour with an informative guide, and interesting views of the city from the water.
Review by: Kent S, September 2017
Loved this trip very well. Lot of interesting sites to see.
Review by: wench, September 2017
Ottawa is a great City, we watched the changing of the guard and walked around the Jacques Cartier Gardens which was absolutely beautiful after our City Tour by Land and Water which was very informative. We had a lovely day._br/_ Paula and Jocelyn
Review by: Tom T, September 2017
Very well done, courteous on time performance, good safety in place too.
Review by: William H, September 2017
In one hour you get the most fantastic views of central Ottawa. Do this tour if it is the only one you do.
Review by: Alireza D, September 2017
Funny, useful and enjoyable..._br/_ I got somr interesting and useful info about Canada history and Ottawa while we wrer enjoying the trip and having fun.
Review by: Vyara L, August 2017
It was fantastic!
Review by: Sonia P, August 2017
Interesting concept, land-water. Good guide. It's too short for the price.
Review by: Stephen C, August 2017
A quick 45 minute but interesting view of Ottawa. Ride is enclosed so weather not an issue except for photo opportunities. If looking for a comprehensive tour of the city use their sister company and hop on and off the Greyline bus.
Review by: Sandra S, July 2017
great ride, seen lots
Review by: Leo P, July 2017
Great way to see the sights of Ottawa. Tour guide was very informative about all the sights. Unique way of land/water tourism. Recommend it highly for all!
Review by: JANE S, July 2017
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE !!!!...This boat/bus was a wonderful experience...Even though it was raining for most of the tour...we still have a great time...The staff was fantastic...there was a few steps to get into the bus and they were so friendly and hepful...We saw some wonderful sights in both Ottawa and Gatineau...they guide pointed out what to see and an explanation and some history...The most exciting for my husband was....touring at street level and then all of a sudden we were right IN the Ottawa River....riding on it...what a thrill that was....and so unexpected....I would HIGHLY recommend this tour as well as any other tours offered by VIATOR...almost any city I have ever been in..the first thing I do is look up VIATOR TOURS...They are the best !!!!!
Review by: Lynne T, July 2017
It was a good, brief view of the area. The amphibus was a fun experience and offered views of the city from the river that were spectacular. Our guide was personable and we appreciated that we read the reviews in advance so we knew what to expect. My husband has mobility issues and the driver and guide were helpful as he exited the bus.
Review by: mendoza5345, July 2017
It was very nice tour. We got to see everything by land and water. Very informational and the guides were friendly
Review by: Kathleen M, July 2017
Good trip on land and water.....saw the Parliament Buildings from both sides. Only issue was the speed we passed by sites. Guide gave talk in English and French very quickly because we were past the site she was describing! Slower would have given everyone a chance to see theplaces being described.
Review by: Yumino S, June 2017
Thank you to our excellent guide, Bruno!! He was very good! It was very informative and educational. The VIEW was gorgeous!
Review by: Ruth S, June 2017
Great experience on the Lady Dive, commentator Bruno was easy to understand and very friendly. A unique way to see the city from the river and on land, allowing great photo opportunities otherwise not possible just from a city road tour.
Review by: Kathryn O, September 2016
This was a great overview of Ottawa's historical and cultural sites. My husband and I took this tour the first day we were in Ottawa and it gave us a good orientation as to where the museums, etc. were, especially the National Gallery of Canada since that was the reason we were in Ottawa anyway. And the boat tour was a fun experience as we had never been on a transitional vehicle before. And the views from the river were gorgeous!
Review by: mothertrucker10, September 2016
We really enjoyed our experience, would do it again in a heartbeat, very interesting.
Review by: David F, August 2016
I had car trouble and wasn't able to make the appointed time.
Review by: MD Mahmudur R, August 2016
The tour was excellent.
Review by: Kelly F, August 2016
Very helpful booking agent. The tour was great, awesome guide and driver. The only downside, was the seat placement person, was very cranky with a group of tourists that just wanted to sit together. It was all good after everyone got settled. Would go again.
Review by: Ramon C, July 2016
Great! We enjoyed.
Review by: Dulani M, July 2016
Great tour but if you sit at the front its very noisy so you cant hear what the tour guide is saying as the engine is really noisy. Otherwise very friendly crew and unique experience.
Review by: Ines, July 2016
It was AWEWSOME!
Review by: Shahriar M, July 2016
The tour never took place on 1 July despite taking my online booking!!!!
Review by: Clive C, July 2016
Unusual but nice
Review by: Anne-Marie S, June 2016
What a fabulous experience!! Great way to get to know the city by land and see before exploring the bits you want to see on foot. Great service great commentary...a must for first time visitors
Review by: Merrill F, June 2016
Hard to hear what the guide is saying when the speakers are in poor quality. The bus could have stopped at each location a bit longer and provide more information. We could have drive our own car without joining the tour. Water part is unique and the view is nice.
Review by: Evgenii A, June 2016
highly recommended!
Review by: Wendy H, May 2016
It was fun, I can see many little kids' happy faces, they love it. However, the day we were there, it was raining, unable to take many good photos.
Review by: Ravindra J, May 2016
A most excellent tour and well worth every cent. Bruno, the tour guide, explained all the sights with perfect timing, seamlessly switching from English to French and also interspersing his commentary with some humorous asides. The amphi-bus itself was very comfortable, with no extraneous engine noise and very stable in the water, with no uncomfortable roll. The 'Wow' moment, no doubt, was when the bus entered the water. Fortunately, the weather turned out to be perfect, resulting in crisp photos. Strongly recommended for all those who don't have the time to spare and wish to see the major sights in Ottawa in just over an hour.
Review by: Osmany B, November 2015
WAS AWESOME!!!.
Review by: James J, October 2015
I hadn't realised Ottawa had so many interesting and historical buildings and to view the Parliament building from the river is impressive
Review by: Adam G, September 2015
i enjoyed the commentary from the tour guide...i would have like to have seen more of gatineau and the prime minister's residence in Ottawa.
Review by: Maximohdez, September 2015
Very friendly people, but very short tour.
Review by: Kenneth H, September 2015
great tour of the city and river, our tourguide Suzy, did an outstanding job with her_br/_
dissertation in both English and French . Very clear and knowledgeable !
Review by: Theresa B, September 2015
This tour was out of this world. The only problem was that there was so much noise one could not hear what the tour guide was saying. Maybe the front view windows need to be closed so that the noise from the engine would be less. I personally had no idea what the places were that were mentioned. Will surely do it again
Review by: Shawna H, September 2015
Very informative and interesting with bus going in the water. I would recommend if you don't have much time to spend.
Review by: Diane M, September 2015
This was great, such a novel idea to go into the water
Review by: ALLAN T, August 2015
fun trip around town. water portion of the tour was most exciting - seeing the city from the river
Review by: Edward G, August 2015
Well presented and interesting tour
Review by: ben, August 2015
my tour was awesome
Review by: AUDREY U, August 2015
Way too short!!! Could have been more time on water it was susposed to be at least 1 hr. only 40 min. Unless they revamp tour do not recommend it.
Review by: Elizabeth G, June 2015
With the combination of land and water, you are able to appreciate Ottawa to it's fullest
RSS Feed