About this trip.
Smiths Falls and the waterway north
The Rideau Canal runs for 202 kilometres through eastern Ontario, linking Ottawa to Kingston on Lake Ontario, and most Le Boat cruises start from the base at Smiths Falls. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, though that fact undersells what it actually feels like on the water — a string of lakes, short cut channels and winding river stretches rather than a single engineered ditch. The towns along it are small, Canadian small: a dinner spot or two, a hardware shop, a park kept tidy by people who use it. Smiths Falls itself is walkable from the Le Boat base, well signposted and unpretentious, with a Best Western a short stroll away for anyone wanting a night on dry land either side of the cruise.
Routes from Smiths Falls
Most first-timers pick a three- or four-day loop and don't push much further than Westport or Chaffey's Locks. Smiths Falls up to Chaffey's and back is a natural four-day route on a Horizon 3: four locks, a winding river, a few short narrow cuts, and stretches that open out into the Big Rideau and smaller lakes beyond. Those open crossings can pick up a wind, so it pays to set off early on breezier days. A five-day trip allows you to work up as far as Jones Lake, and a longer booking lets you reach further north towards Ottawa or south towards Kingston if you fancy more miles and more locks.
The locks are the character of this waterway. Many are still hand-cranked by Parks Canada staff, and reviewers mention them by name — part of why the Rideau has a reputation as a forgiving place to learn. Traffic thins out noticeably after Labour Day in early September, which is the window experienced cruisers tend to recommend: mooring is easier, the weather is still warm, and the locks are quieter.
The practical side
Boats are picked up at the Smiths Falls base, roughly an hour south-west of Ottawa. The fleet used here runs to the Horizon range, with bow and stern thrusters that make manoeuvring in locks and against a dock genuinely manageable for a first-time skipper — no licence required, and a handover briefing covers the essentials before you set off. Parks Canada operates the locks and mooring walls along the system; their fees are separate from the charter and worth checking when budgeting.
This suits couples or two couples sharing a boat, and works well for families with older children who will make use of the cycling and fishing along the way. It is a quieter, more rural proposition than Le Boat's European rivers — no medieval towns, no vineyards — but the scenery is strong, the staff at the base and on the locks are warmly praised in feedback, and the pace is unhurried. Le Boat publishes a regional PDF guide covering stops and moorings that is worth downloading before you finalise your route, and the UK sales line (020 3468 2247) can help match boat size and trip length to your dates.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for canal holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓The boat itself, booked by the night or week
- ✓Fuel for the engine at typical cruising pace
- ✓Handover briefing at the base — no licence needed
- ✓Mooring ropes, fenders, lifejackets and a basic starter pack
- ✓24/7 technical support line for the duration of the hire
Typically not included
- ×Travel to and from the base (train, flights, transfers)
- ×Travel insurance with cruise cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Bedding, towels, or end-of-hire cleaning on some fleets (a modest supplement if required)
- ×Food, drink, and groceries — stock up at towpath-side villages
- ×Lock and mooring fees on some European waterways
- ×Pet supplement (typically £20-30 per dog per week if allowed)
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
Other canal holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
