Looking for the tiki boat in Ottawa? If you’ve ever spotted a thatched roof floating near Parliament Hill with music drifting off the deck, that was probably us. Ottawa Palapa Tours has been sailing Hawaiian-style floating tiki bars on the Ottawa River since 2019, and “what exactly is that thing?” is still one of our favourite questions.
Here’s the short answer, plus everything you’d want to know before you climb aboard.
What is the tiki boat in Ottawa?
We run two twin boats, Moana and Lilo. Each one is a custom-built, Transport Canada-compliant pontoon, 5.99 metres long, with a thatched palapa roof for shade, a licensed bar, music and a composting toilet on board. Not a barrel, not a party barge: a real boat built for a small crowd.
Each boat carries up to 12 guests, plus your captain and first mate. The captain drives, the first mate tends bar, and every guest gets a lifejacket. Your only job is to relax.
Moana and Lilo are interchangeable, so you’ll sail on whichever one is free at your time. No need to pick favourites (though you’re welcome to have one).
What a tiki boat cruise is actually like
Every cruise lasts 90 minutes, and it’s one continuous trip, so nobody hops on or off along the way. You’ll head out from downtown and take in the river views: Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, the Château Laurier and the Gatineau shoreline. Exact sights depend on the route and the day.
What you won’t get is a tour guide on a microphone. We’re not a narrated sightseeing boat. The views are the backdrop and the good time is the point, so expect music, conversation and maybe a few new friends. English and French-speaking staff are on board too.
A few things people ask about:
- Drinks: our AGCO-licensed bar has a bartender on board, and payment is cashless tap. Drinks aren’t included in your ticket, alcohol is never required, and outside drinks aren’t permitted.
- Food: bring whatever you like, from snacks to a picnic to a birthday cake. We keep chips on board.
- Souvenir: every guest on a public cruise takes home a souvenir cup.
- Photos: shoot all you want. The crew is happy to grab a group shot.
Tiki boat prices, times and ages
We cruise from mid-May to mid-October, with departures at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM and 9 PM. Schedules vary by season, and live times show when you book. Your price depends on when you sail, and all prices are in CAD:
- 11 AM and 1 PM, Sunday to Thursday: $55 per person, or $550 for the whole boat. The best value of the week.
- 3 PM and 5 PM, Sunday to Thursday: $65 per person, or $650 for the whole boat.
- 7 PM and 9 PM, Sunday to Thursday: $70 per person, or $700 for the whole boat.
- Friday from 5 PM and all day Saturday: a flat $80 per person, or $800 for the whole boat.
- Fireworks evenings: $100 per person, or $1,000 for the whole boat, on Canada Day, Bastille Day and the Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy nights.
You have two ways to come aboard. Grab individual seats and mingle with other guests, or charter the whole boat for your crew at the price of 10 tickets, even though it holds 12. Charters work well for birthdays, bachelorettes, corporate outings and weddings (yes, we have a minister). Got more than 12? We can put up to 24 guests across both boats. Call 819-272-4977 and we’ll coordinate it.
Age rules change with the clock. Daytime sailings welcome all ages, the 7 PM sailing has no children under 12, and the 9 PM sailing is 19+ only. Infants count toward the 12 passengers.
Travelling with the kids late in the day, or with someone who uses a wheelchair? Take a look at our Kontiki Lounge, a hybrid vessel that welcomes all ages on every sailing and has step-free boarding. It has no bar and no washroom, so think scenic ride rather than floating party.
Before you board the tiki boat
- Pick your dock when you book: the Canal Locks (1 Canal Lane, our main dock, a short walk down from Wellington), the Canadian Museum of History or The Wharf. Our parking guide covers where to leave the car.
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Boats leave on time and can’t wait for late arrivals.
- Dress in layers. The river is always a little cooler than land, especially in the evening. Add sunscreen, sunglasses and non-slip shoes.
- Don’t sweat the rain. We cruise rain or shine under that covered roof. If the captain cancels for wind, chop or storms, you get a reschedule or a credit with no rebooking fee.
- Book small groups with care. Public sailings need at least 4 passengers. Bookings of 1 to 3 are welcome, but stay unconfirmed until more seats fill. Private charters always run.
- Bringing a pet? Pets are welcome with a life vest that fits. A private charter is the ideal way to bring yours.
Guests with limited mobility are welcome, and the crew will bring out a boarding step, though there’s no wheelchair ramp on Moana or Lilo. Smoking and vaping aren’t allowed on board. For everything else, our full FAQ has you covered.
Book your tiki boat cruise in Ottawa
Saturdays sell out, sometimes weeks ahead in peak summer, and fireworks nights go fast. Weekdays and Sundays usually have more room, but booking online is the only way to guarantee your seats. So round up your crew, pick your date and come see what that thatched roof is all about.
