Rock Island Lighthouse on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Rock Island Lighthouse and Nature Tour in Clayton, NY

Embark on a fascinating adventure aboard the Night Heron, our distinctive glass-bottomed boat, and delve into the vibrant aquatic life and wildlife that thrive within the river’s ecosystem. As you peer through the glass floor, marvel at the intricate topography of the river bottom, home to one of the region’s largest underwater shoals and relic dock cribs from the Gilded Age. Your journey includes an hour-long exploration of Rock Island State Park, where you can ascend the historic 1847 lighthouse for an unparalleled panoramic view of the majestic St. Lawrence River. This immersive two-hour and 45-minute tour weaves through the breathtaking islands, highlighting the unique ecological features of the river and discussing ways to preserve its beauty for future generations. Situated in the Thousand Islands, Rock Island Lighthouse, nestled near Clayton, New York, stands as a testament to maritime history. Originally commissioned in 1847 and meticulously preserved, the lighthouse guides visitors today, offering a glimpse into the past within its storied walls and the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage Museum and Gift Shop.

2025 Schedule 

Highlights

• Double-Crested Cormorant Nesting Colony
• Picton Island, a jewel of preservation
• The water birds that remarry every year
• Counting Loons
• Where Native Americans Fished for Eels
• What Americans fish for today
• Frontenac Arch, Some of the world’s oldest exposed rock
• Topography of the River Bottom
• Wellesley Island Nature Center
• The fugitive who saved the river
• What an underwater shoal really looks like
• The invasive Zebra Mussel
• 19th Century shipwreck of General Hancock
• Stopover at Rock Island State Park & Lighthouse
• Common Tern Nesting Colony
• Site of the “Slick of ’76″oil spill
• Prohibition Bootlegging
• Underwater Dock Cribs from the Gilded Age
• St. Lawrence River’s Only Dolphin

Meeting Location

• Boarding takes place 15 minutes prior to departure.
• Meeting Address: 39611 Chateau Lane, Clayton, NY 13624
• FREE parking, buses, and RVs welcome