Ottawa Palapa Tours FAQ

Our Palapa cruises (Moana and Lilo) are 90 minutes. The Kontiki Lounge offers 25-minute scenic loops every day from 11 AM to 7 PM, and 90-minute evening cruises at 7 PM and 9 PM.

Each vessel carries a maximum of 12 passengers. If your group is larger, you can book across both boats — call us at 819-272-4977 and we’ll coordinate it.

When you book, you’ll choose your preferred departure point: the Canal Locks (1 Canal Lane — our main dock, walk down from Wellington toward the water and look for our signs), the Canadian Museum of History, or The Wharf. During Lac Leamy fireworks setup and show days, all departures move to The Wharf.

10-15 minutes before departure is best. Boats leave on time and we can’t hold the cruise for late arrivals.

Your ticket covers the 90-minute cruise — the boat, the music, the views, and the vibe. Alcohol is never required and never included: drinks are available for purchase from our licensed bar on board. You’re welcome to bring your own food.

You’re welcome to bring your own food — snacks, picnic, cake, whatever. Outside drinks are not permitted: we’re an AGCO-licensed floating bar, and our bartender will take care of you on board. Note: the Kontiki Lounge has no liquor licence — you’re welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks only.

Yes — our Palapa boats (Moana and Lilo) have a composting toilet on board. The Kontiki Lounge has no washroom; please use facilities before boarding.

Yes. Every passenger has a Type 1 PFD, and each vessel carries all Transport Canada-required safety equipment including a first aid kit.

Age rules depend on the sailing time. Daytime sailings: all ages welcome. 7 PM: no children under 12. 9 PM: 19+ only. 11 PM private sailing: 19+ only. Kontiki Lounge: all ages welcome on every sailing. Everyone aboard counts toward the 12-passenger capacity, including infants.

Guests with limited mobility are welcome — let the crew know and we’ll bring out the boarding step. Please note there’s no wheelchair ramp, so full wheelchair access isn’t possible. If you’re unsure, call us at 819-272-4977 before booking and we’ll give you an honest answer.

Refunds are available when you purchase Trip Protection — cancel or reschedule for any reason up to 48 hours before departure for a full refund of your ticket or charter amount (including HST), less the Trip Protection cost and booking fees. Each passenger needs their own Trip Protection. Without Trip Protection, bookings can be rescheduled to another date but not refunded.

We cruise rain or shine — the Palapa boats are covered. If the captain cancels due to conditions (wind, chop, storms), you’ll be offered a reschedule or a credit, with no rebooking fee. Weather calls are ours to make, for everyone’s safety.

Rescheduling more than 48 hours out is free. Inside 48 hours, a $20 per person (or $200 per charter) rebooking fee applies — last-minute changes mean we can’t refill your seats.

We need a minimum of 4 passengers to sail. Bookings of 1–3 are welcome but stay unconfirmed until more seats fill — if it’s a quiet day, we’ll contact you with an alternative sailing. This doesn’t apply to private full-boat charters, which always run.

We can’t guarantee space for walk-ups — you’re welcome to try your luck at the dock, but reservations are the way to go. Book online to lock in your seats.

Yes — charter the whole boat (12 guests) for birthdays, bachelorettes, corporate outings, and celebrations. A charter costs the same as 10 individual tickets, so the per-person price drops when you take the whole boat.

This isn’t a sightseeing cruise — it’s an experience. Pricing depends on the day and time you sail: Best value — 11 AM & 1 PM, Sunday–Thursday: $55/person ($550 charter). Standard — 3 PM & 5 PM, Sunday–Thursday: $65/person ($650 charter). Sunset & evening — 7 PM & 9 PM, Sunday–Thursday: $70/person ($700 charter). Friday after 5 PM & all day Saturday — flat $80/person ($800 charter). 11 PM Friday & Saturday — private charters only, call 819-272-4977 to book. Fireworks evenings (July 1, July 14 Bastille Day, and the Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy): $100/person ($1,000 charter). The boat holds 12 guests; every charter is priced at 10 tickets.

Yes — we regularly host team-building events and corporate groups across one or both boats (up to 24 guests). Call us at 819-272-4977 and we’ll coordinate it.

We cruise from mid-May to mid-October, 11 AM to 9 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays in the summer months, we add an 11 PM private sailing — call 819-272-4977 to book it.

Downtown parking can be tricky, so see our parking and directions section for nearby lots and transit for each departure point. Give yourself extra time — boats leave on schedule.

Yes — we’re an AGCO-licensed floating bar with a bartender on board, and outside drinks aren’t permitted. Please drink responsibly: our behavioural code of conduct applies to everyone, and the captain may remove anyone whose behaviour is unsafe or disruptive, without refund.

Gratuities aren’t included — but they’re appreciated. If the crew made your cruise, a tip goes a long way.

We’re biased, but here’s the case: Ottawa Palapa Tours isn’t a big sightseeing boat — it’s a 12-guest floating tiki bar with an AGCO-licensed bar, music, and 90 minutes on the Ottawa River. Hundreds of five-star reviews across Google and TripAdvisor. If you want a small-group party vibe on the water, this is it.

Ottawa’s best days mix the big sights with the river. Walk Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, visit the Canadian Museum of History — then get on the water. A Palapa cruise is the river part of the day: 90 minutes, 12 guests, music, and a licensed bar on board.

Depends on the vibe you want. If you want a big narrated sightseeing boat, that’s not us. Ottawa Palapa Tours is a 12-guest floating tiki bar — 90 minutes on the Ottawa River with music and an AGCO-licensed bar. Hundreds of five-star reviews across Google and TripAdvisor. If you want a small-group party feel on the water, this is it.

Charter the whole boat. A private Palapa charter takes 12 guests and costs the same as 10 individual tickets. Bring your own food and cake — our bartender handles the drinks from the licensed bar on board. 90 minutes on the river with your group and nobody else.

Get on a boat. Our 90-minute Palapa cruises run mid-May to mid-October from the Canal Locks, the Canadian Museum of History, and The Wharf. For quick crossings between Ottawa and Gatineau, AquaTaxi.Solar water taxis (a separate company) run between the same docks.

Here’s ours: a morning swim at the East Dock, an AquaTaxi.Solar ride across the river, the Canadian Museum of History, a Palapa sunset cruise at 7 PM, and dinner on the river after. The whole day stays on the water.

From the water. On fireworks evenings — Canada Day (July 1), Bastille Day (July 14), and the Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy — we run special $100/person cruises, and all departures move to The Wharf. Fireworks nights sell out, so book early.

Our sunset and evening cruises sail at 7 PM and 9 PM — 90 minutes on the river with music and the licensed bar on board. On summer Fridays and Saturdays we add an 11 PM private sailing for groups that want the boat to themselves.

See the fall colours from the water. We cruise into mid-October — 90 minutes on the Ottawa River surrounded by autumn colour. Early October is the sweet spot.

Put your team on a boat. We host corporate and team-building events across one or both Palapa boats — up to 24 guests — with a licensed bar and bartender on board. Call 819-272-4977 and we’ll coordinate it.

Yes — that’s us. Ottawa Palapa Tours is an AGCO-licensed floating bar: a bartender on board, drinks available for purchase, 90 minutes on the Ottawa River. Outside drinks aren’t permitted, and please drink responsibly — our behavioural code of conduct applies to everyone.

If your idea of fun involves music, a drink in hand, and the city from the river — that’s our whole pitch. A 90-minute Palapa cruise packs a floating tiki bar, a bartender, and 11 new friends into 12 seats on the Ottawa River.

Round up 11 friends and take the whole boat. A private charter costs the same as 10 individual tickets, you bring the food and the cake, and our bartender handles the drinks. 90 minutes, your group, nobody else.

The 7 PM sunset cruise. 90 minutes on the Ottawa River, music, the licensed bar on board, and a maximum of 12 guests — it stays intimate even on a public sailing. Book ahead; evenings sell out.

We cruise weekends from mid-May to mid-October, 11 AM to 9 PM. Saturdays are our busiest day and they sell out — book online to lock in your seats, or try a Sunday for the same cruise with more elbow room.

Walk down to the water. Our main dock is at the Canal Locks, 1 Canal Lane — right below Parliament Hill, a short walk down from Wellington. A 90-minute Palapa cruise is the easiest way to see the city from the river without leaving downtown.

We live here and we’re biased — but yes. Between Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the museums, and the river, a weekend is the sweet spot. Put a Palapa sunset cruise in the middle of it and you’ll see why people come back.

Yes — pets are welcome, and a private charter is the ideal way to bring yours. On public sailings, if another passenger is scared of animals, they get priority. Either way, your pet needs a life vest — bring one that fits.

We don’t offer senior or student discounts — the deals are already built into our pricing. The 11 AM and 1 PM sailings, Sunday through Thursday, are priced at $55/person as an early-bird special. The best value is simply sailing earlier in the day.

Yes — our booking system offers two kinds: a monetary gift card that can be used toward tickets, with any leftover balance spendable at the bar on board, or a gift card for a specific cruise on a specific date.

On a private charter, yes — swimming is allowed when the schedule permits. On a 90-minute public cruise there’s no time for a swim stop, so plan on staying on board.

Yes — we’ve hosted many proposals and even weddings on board. A private charter is the way to do it: 12 guests, 90 minutes, and the whole boat to yourselves. Call 819-272-4977 and we’ll help you plan it.

Yes — decorations are welcome on charters, but in most cases you’ll have about 15 minutes of setup time before departure. Solid decorations work best; we don’t recommend balloons, because the breeze from the moving boat blows them around.

Foldable strollers are fine — we can fit them on board as needed, or you’re welcome to leave yours with us on the dock during the cruise.

No — smoking and vaping are not allowed on the boat.

No — you meet us at the docks on the water. When you book, you’ll choose your departure point: the Canal Locks (1 Canal Lane), the Canadian Museum of History, or The Wharf.

We keep chips on board, and you’re welcome to bring your own food — snacks, picnic, cake, whatever.

Both. We have English and French-speaking staff on board — just let the crew know your preference when you check in.

Sometimes — on a private charter, when the timing works with the schedule, we can keep the boat out longer. Call 819-272-4977 and we’ll see what we can do.

Dress for the weather — layers are your friend, because the river is always a little cooler than on land, especially in the evening. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and non-slip shoes (the deck can get slick). There’s no dress code: shorts and a t-shirt are perfect, and plenty of people dress up a little for the sunset and evening cruises.

No — and that’s the point. We’re not a sightseeing boat with a tour guide on a microphone. This is a floating tiki bar: music, drinks from the licensed bar, and 90 minutes on the Ottawa River with your people. You’ll still see Parliament Hill, the canal locks, and the shoreline — you just get to enjoy them with a drink in hand instead of a lecture.

As soon as you know your date. Saturdays sell out — sometimes days or even weeks ahead in peak summer — and fireworks nights go fast too. Weekdays and Sundays usually have more room, but booking online is the only way to guarantee your seats.

Custom-built floating tiki bars — pontoon-based, 5.99 metres, Transport Canada-compliant, with a covered palapa-style roof, a licensed bar, a composting toilet, and music on board. Not barrels, not a party barge — real boats built for 12 guests.

Yes — everyone books and pays for their own ticket online through our booking page, so nobody has to front the money or chase people down. For private charters, one person can also book the whole boat (priced at 10 tickets) and sort it out with the group later.

Every cruise. Music is half the vibe — it’s a floating tiki bar, after all. The crew keeps the playlist rolling; on private charters, talk to us ahead of time about the mood you want and we’ll do our best. Call 819-272-4977.

Absolutely — sunset on the river is made for it. Bring your phone or camera and shoot all you want. The crew is happy to grab a group shot for you too.

We cruise the Ottawa River from downtown — expect Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, the Château Laurier, and the Gatineau shoreline, all from the water. Fair warning: this isn’t a narrated sightseeing tour, so the exact sights depend on the route and the day. The views are the backdrop; the party is the point.

No — Palapa cruises are one continuous 90-minute trip; nobody gets on or off mid-cruise. If you want to hop between docks, that’s what AquaTaxi.Solar water taxis (a separate company) are for — they run a hop-on hop-off loop between the Ottawa Locks, the Museum of History, and Richmond Landing.

No — your booking confirmation on your phone is all you need. Just show up at your departure dock 10–15 minutes early and check in with the crew.

Two to three days covers the highlights: one day for Parliament Hill and the museums, one for the ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal, and the river. We’d put a 90-minute Palapa cruise in the middle of day two — sunset sailing if you can get it.

Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the museums, and — if you ask us — the best sunsets on the Ottawa River. It’s Canada’s capital, but the river is its best-kept secret.

Yes — the tours just look different right now. The Centre Block is closed for a major renovation (expected until at least 2030), but free guided tours still run: the House of Commons in the West Block, the Senate in the grand old train station building, the historic East Block, and a 360° immersive Centre Block exhibit. Book ahead on the Parliament of Canada website — tours sell out. After your tour, walk down to the water: our main dock is at the Canal Locks, 1 Canal Lane, right below Parliament Hill.

Depends on your crew. History buffs: the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau — the Grand Hall’s totem poles and the Parliament view across the river. Art lovers: the National Gallery (the giant Maman spider outside is free to see, no ticket needed). Families: the Museum of Nature (dinosaurs and butterflies) or the hands-on Science and Technology Museum. Budget tip: several museums run free Thursday evenings — check their websites before you go. A museum day pairs perfectly with our 7 PM sunset cruise — and the Museum of History is one of our departure docks.

Plenty. Walk the Parliament Hill grounds, watch boats lock through at the Ottawa Locks (locks 1–8, free to visit), stroll the Rideau Canal pathways, see the giant Maman spider outside the National Gallery, and browse the ByWard Market. In winter, skating the 7.8 km Rideau Canal Skateway is free too. Then, when you’re ready to spend a little, the best seat in the city is on the water — our 90-minute cruise.

Ottawa does winter properly. Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway — 7.8 km, the world’s largest skating rink, free to skate (weather permitting, usually January to March). Winterlude in February brings ice sculptures and the Snowflake Kingdom across the river in Gatineau. The museums are warm, uncrowded, and excellent in winter. Honest note: our boats are put away from mid-October to mid-May, so plan your cruise for the warmer months.

Gatineau Park, across the river in Quebec — about 20–30 minutes from downtown. Champlain Lookout and Pink Lake are the classic spots, and peak colour usually lands in early to mid-October (Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest — check NCC updates before going). Do the park in the morning and see the colours from the water in the afternoon — we cruise into mid-October, 90 minutes on the Ottawa River surrounded by autumn colour.

Parliament Hill hosts the big daytime ceremony and concerts (free), and the evening fireworks are the main event. Best seat in the city: on the water. We run special $100/person Canada Day fireworks cruises, and all departures move to The Wharf. Fireworks nights sell out — book early.

There’s always something on. Winterlude in February (ice sculptures, canal skating), the Canadian Tulip Festival in May (300,000+ tulips at Dow’s Lake), Bluesfest in July (one of Canada’s biggest music festivals at LeBreton Flats), Canada Day on July 1, the Grands Feux fireworks competition over several summer nights, and CityFolk in September. Our cruise season — mid-May to mid-October — overlaps festival season nicely, so a festival day plus an evening cruise is a solid plan.

Yes — it’s one of the oldest public markets in Canada (1826), and it’s equal parts farmers’ stalls, food shops, and patios. Guided food tours run through the market (a great way to taste BeaverTails, poutine, and maple everything in one go), or just wander and graze. It’s a short walk from our Canal Locks dock — do the market by day and the sunset cruise at 7 PM.

If you like spas, yes — it’s the largest Scandinavian-style thermal spa in North America, about 15–20 minutes from downtown in Chelsea, Quebec. You cycle hot baths, cold plunges, and rest areas; it’s quiet, adults-oriented, and excellent in winter. Make it a couples’ day: the spa by afternoon, our 7 PM sunset cruise after.

A 75-minute evening ghost walk through downtown, led by a cloaked storyteller with a lantern — local hauntings, the Château Laurier, no jump scares. It starts on Sparks Street, near Parliament Hill. Spooky season is the obvious time, and it pairs well with a night on the river — do the Haunted Walk one evening and our 9 PM cruise another.

The museums are the easy win: the Children’s Museum inside the Museum of History, dinosaurs and butterflies at the Museum of Nature, and the hands-on Science and Technology Museum. In winter, skating the canal; in summer, watching the locks and Dow’s Lake. Our daytime sailings and the Kontiki Lounge welcome all ages; under-12s aren’t allowed on Palapa cruises from 7 PM.

Yes — kayak, canoe, and SUP rentals run in summer from spots like Dow’s Lake and downtown outfitters, with guided sunset paddles if you want them. If you’d rather be handed a drink than a paddle, that’s our whole pitch: 90 minutes on the river, bartender on board, zero paddling required.

Yes — Interzip Rogers, the world’s first interprovincial zipline: you launch from a tower on the Ottawa side and fly 366 metres across the river to Gatineau, with Parliament Hill in view. It runs roughly June to October. Make it a river day — zipline in the afternoon, sunset cruise at 7 PM.

If it’s pouring, make it a museum day — Ottawa is known for its museums, and a rainy afternoon is a great excuse to explore one. A little drizzle? You can still get out on the water. Palapa’s boats are covered, and we sail in light rain, so you can enjoy the views without needing a perfectly sunny forecast. Heavy rain is a different story: if it’s coming down in buckets, save the sailing for better weather and head indoors.