Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

Exploring the nation’s capital has never been more dynamic. Ottawa’s renowned City Tour by Land and Water promises an immersive adventure that showcases the city’s iconic landmarks from both the road and the river. Travelers embark on an amphibious ‘amphibus’ for a unique vantage point, delving into the rich history and stunning scenery that define this capital city. With a bilingual guide providing insightful commentary, this comprehensive tour offers a seamless and personalized experience. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, the Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water is sure to captivate and leave you eager to discover more.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Tours In Ottawa.

Key Points

• This tour offers a unique dual-mode experience, allowing visitors to explore Ottawa’s top attractions by both land and water aboard an amphibious ‘amphibus’ vehicle.
• The tour showcases iconic landmarks like Parliament Hill, Notre Dame Basilica, and the National War Memorial, providing a rundown of the city’s history and culture.
• The amphibus seamlessly transitions from the streets to the Ottawa River, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s stunning architecture and natural surroundings.
• The tour duration typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, with a driving portion followed by a river tour, ensuring an immersive and memorable experience for visitors.
• The tour is led by a bilingual guide and accommodates up to 24 travelers, providing an intimate and personalized exploration of Canada’s capital.

Tour Overview

The Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water offers a dynamic two-in-one experience, combining a driving portion and a river tour to showcase the city’s top attractions.

Aboard an amphibious vehicle, known as an amphibus, visitors can discover Ottawa’s iconic landmarks, including Parliament Hill, Notre Dame Basilica, and the National War Memorial Monument.

Offering a new vantage point, the tour not only explores the city by land but also plunges into the Ottawa River, providing a unique perspective of the capital from the water.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this comprehensive tour promises to immerse you in the rich history and stunning scenery of Ottawa.

Experience Highlights

Aboard the amphibious vehicle, known as an ‘amphibus’, visitors enjoy a unique dual-mode adventure that combines land and water exploration.

Plunging into the Ottawa River, the tour offers a distinctive perspective of the capital city’s iconic landmarks, including Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial Monument.

The city is viewed from a new vantage point, giving travelers a fresh look at the stunning architecture and natural surroundings.

The river portion of the tour provides an opportunity to see the city from a different angle, offering a unique and memorable experience.

With a bilingual guide to provide commentary, the Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water immerses participants in the sights and sounds of this remarkable destination.

Transportation Mode

Travelers embark on an amphibious vehicle, known as an ‘amphibus‘, to explore Ottawa’s top sights by both land and water.

This unique mode of transportation allows them to discover the city from a new vantage point.

As they depart, the amphibus seamlessly transitions from the streets of downtown Ottawa to plunging into the Ottawa River, providing a different angle to view the landmarks.

Equipped with both wheels and a propeller, the amphibus enables a dynamic tour experience, combining the driving portion and the river tour.

This two-in-one approach offers travelers a comprehensive way to enjoy the sights and scenery of the nation’s capital.

Sightseeing Locations

During the Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water, travelers can explore some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.

Parliament Hill, the stunning Gothic Revival-style parliament buildings, stands as the political heart of the country.

The tour then takes them to the ornate Notre Dame Basilica, a renowned Roman Catholic church known for its breathtaking architecture and vibrant stained glass windows.

Along the way, they also pass by the solemn National War Memorial Monument, honoring those who’ve served in Canada’s armed forces.

These top sights provide a rundown of Ottawa’s rich history and cultural significance, allowing visitors to gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s enduring legacy.

Tour Duration and Schedule

The Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water typically lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours, providing ample time for participants to explore the city’s top sights from both land and water.

The tour starts with a driving portion, where a bilingual guide shares insights and commentary as the amphibious vehicle navigates the streets of downtown Ottawa.

Passengers then get to experience a new vantage point as the vehicle plunges into the Ottawa River, allowing for a unique perspective of the city’s landmarks from the water.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, ensuring an engaging and informative experience for visitors regardless of the day’s climate.

With a maximum of 24 travelers, the tour offers an intimate and personalized exploration of Canada’s capital.

Meeting Point and Accessibility

Visitors can conveniently meet for the Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water at the Lady Dive Tours kiosk located at 44 Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Point	Accessibility
Lady Dive Tours kiosk, 44 Sparks St.	Not wheelchair accessible
Downtown Ottawa	–
–	–

The tour operates in all weather conditions, making it a versatile option for exploring the city. While the tour may not be suitable for all travelers, it offers a unique and immersive experience for those able to participate, with bilingual guides and included gratuities.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water includes:

• A bilingual guide
• All gratuities are covered as part of the experience, so travelers don’t have to worry about tipping the guide

The tour also:

• Has no additional fees or hidden costs
• Allows visitors to focus on enjoying the sights of Ottawa from both land and water

The only thing not included is transportation to the meeting point, but the tour’s central downtown location makes it easy to access via public transit or on foot.

Booking and Cancellation

Booking the Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water is straightforward, as confirmation is received at the time of booking. Travelers can cancel their reservation up to 24 hours before the experience without incurring any fees, providing flexibility in their plans.

The tour is operated by Lady Dive Tours and departs from their kiosk at 44 Sparks St. in Ottawa. With a maximum of 24 travelers per tour, the experience is well-suited for small groups.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, making it a convenient option for visitors. However, it’s important to note that the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, so those with mobility issues should plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

According to the tour details, passengers are generally not allowed to bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour includes the cost of any necessary refreshments during the experience.

Is There an Option to Purchase Photos or Videos of the Tour?

Yes, the tour operator offers an option to purchase photos and videos of the tour experience. Customers can purchase souvenir multimedia packages to commemorate their sightseeing adventure around Ottawa.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for Children?

There are no age restrictions for this tour, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Infants and young children may participate, but the experience may not be suitable for very young children due to the nature of the amphibus vehicle.

Do I Need to Wear Any Specific Clothing or Footwear for the Tour?

There aren’t any specific clothing or footwear requirements, but visitors should dress comfortably for the weather and wear shoes suitable for walking. The tour operates in all conditions, so dressing for the day’s forecast is recommended.

Can I Get a Refund if the Weather Is Poor on the Day of the Tour?

Yes, you can get a full refund if the weather is poor on the day of the tour. The tour operates in all weather conditions, but you’re entitled to a refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience.

Recap

The Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water provides a unique and immersive experience, showcasing the city’s top attractions through a combination of driving and river tour.

Travelers embark on an amphibious ‘amphibus’ to explore landmarks from both land and water, gaining a distinctive perspective and insight into the rich history and stunning scenery of Canada’s capital.

With a bilingual guide, the intimate and personalized tour offers a dynamic way to discover Ottawa.