The best way to see Boldt Castle and Singer Castle without the crowds is to book a private boat charter out of Cape Vincent or Clayton, NY, which grants you customizable routes and a flexible schedule that commercial tour boats cannot match. While massive public tour boats stick to rigid routes and drop off hundreds of tourists at once, a captained private charter bypasses the bottlenecks entirely.

To maximize your tranquility and view these historic St. Lawrence River icons in peace, consider these local strategies:

• Private charter boats can get you where the big tour boats can’t for unobstructed photos without hundreds of other people in your frame.

• Look for a private charter service that prioritizes Communication (planning your day with you, not for you), Convenience (refreshments already onboard and all-weather reliability), and Customization (making your time in the 1000 Islands truly unique).

• Time the Islands Perfectly: Ask your private captain to schedule an early morning departure or an evening sunset cruise when the big tour operators are winding down their daily runs.

Unlike other companies that charge per passenger or for add-ons, Three Beagles LLC offers flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing for parties up to six people on customizable sunset cruises, half- or full-day excursions.

• Sunset cruises are three hours long, cost $720 and include wine, a grazing tray, bottled water, ice and plenty of room for your own snacks and drinks. Sunset cruises are for passengers 21 years of age and older.

• Half-day excursions are family friendly, four-hour outings that cost $675. Snacks, soft drinks and bottled water are included in your booking. Half-day excursions depart at either 8:00am or 1:00pm.

• Full-day excursions are family friendly, eight-hour excursions that cost $1,200 that include boxed lunches, bottled water and soft drinks. Full-day excursions depart at 8:30am.

While fishing is very popular in the 1000 Islands, it isn’t the only thing our beautiful region offers. The waters off Alexandria Bay, Clayton and Cape Vincent are also home to:

• Stunning Gilded Age Architecture, including Boldt Castle and many other gorgeous mansions

• Wildlife, from great blue herons to snapping turtles

• Hiking trails on Wellesley Island and Grindstone Island

• Shipwrecks, some more than 200 years old!

• Swimming spots like Potter’s Beach and Bathtub Bay

• Sunsets, sunsets, sunsets!

The Coast Guard requires the following to issue your first Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV/”six-pack”) credential:

• Form CG-719B, “Application for Merchant Mariner Credential“

• Form CG-719C, “Disclosure Statement for Narcotics, DWI/DUI, and/or Other Convictions“

• Transportation Workers’ Identification Card (TWIC)

• Form CG-719K, “Application for Medical Certificate“

• Form CG-719P, “DOT/USCG Periodic Drug Testing Form“

• Form CG-719S, “Small Vessel Sea Service Form” showing 360 days underway on a motorized vessel, 90 of which must have been served in the past 7 years and must have been on the body of water for which you are applying (Great Lakes/Near Coastal)

• Mariner Fees paid through pay.gov

• First Aid & CPR Certification

• Testing at a Regional Exam Center or USCG-Approved Coursework in lieu of exam

  Getting your captain’s license from the United States Coast Guard can be a daunting process, but we’re here to help you through it.

Three Beagles LLC provides professional, step-by-step assistance for USCG credentials and vessel documentation to ensure fast, stress-free submissions. The fee for processing a Merchant Mariner Credential application is $200 and the fee for processing a Certificate of Documentation application is $250.

The best place to take hands-on boat handling and docking lessons on the St. Lawrence River is through the specialized Boating Basics Classes offered by Three Beagles LLC. Designed specifically for local boat owners and aspiring captains who want to build real-world confidence, these practical sessions focus entirely on mastering the unique variables of local waterways rather than just sitting in a classroom. Classes are capped at 3 students and cost $250 per session.