Ottawa · Gatineau · On the Ottawa River
Ottawa Boat Rides
Two ways to get out on the water downtown: a floating tiki bar cruise with your crew, or a hop-on electric water taxi between Ottawa and Gatineau. Pick your ride.
Ottawa Palapa Tours
A floating tiki bar with music, great vibes and a private-group feel, cruising past Parliament Hill.
- Up to 12 guests per boat, so every sail feels personal
- Book individual tickets or the whole tiki boat
- Birthdays, bachelorettes, date nights, team outings
- Departs from the Ottawa Locks and the Museum of History docks
- Bikes, strollers and pets welcome
From $55 per person · whole boat from $550
Aqua Taxi
An electric water taxi linking the Ottawa and Gatineau shores, with views of Parliament Hill along the way.
- Regular: one-way or round trip across the river
- Hop On Hop Off: explore the docks and attractions all day
- Loop Tour: a scenic circuit of downtown Ottawa and Gatineau
- Wheelchair accessible · bikes, strollers and pets welcome
Stops: Ottawa Locks · Museum of History · Richmond Landing
Compare
Which ride is right for me?
Both leave from downtown docks. The difference is what kind of time you want on the water.
| Palapa tiki cruise | Aqua Taxi | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Celebrations, groups and nights out | Getting around, sightseeing and families |
| The ride | A relaxed cruise on a floating tiki bar with music | A quick electric shuttle or a scenic loop |
| Group size | Up to 12 guests per boat, or book the whole boat | Individual tickets |
| Bikes, strollers, pets | Welcome on board | Welcome on board |
| Price | From $55 per person | See fares on the booking page |
| Book | Book a Palapa | Book Aqua Taxi |
Where we leave from
Three downtown docks
Both rides share docks on each side of the river, so it is easy to find us.
Ottawa Locks
At the bottom of the Rideau Canal locks, beside the Bytown Museum, below Parliament Hill. 1 Canal Lane, Ottawa.
Open in Google Maps →Canadian Museum of History
On the Gatineau shore, at the museum docks facing Parliament Hill. 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau.
Open in Google Maps →Richmond Landing
Near the Canadian War Museum, on the Ottawa shore west of downtown.
Open in Google Maps →Gift cards
Give a day on the water
A Palapa gift card is the easy gift for birthdays, holidays and thank-yous. They can be used on any Ottawa Palapa cruise, for individual tickets or a whole-boat charter.
FAQ
Ottawa boat ride questions
What boat rides are there in downtown Ottawa?
Two local options leave from downtown docks: Ottawa Palapa Tours, a floating tiki bar cruise for up to 12 guests, and Aqua Taxi, an electric water taxi between the Ottawa and Gatineau shores with regular, hop-on hop-off and loop tour tickets.
Which ride is best for a birthday, bachelorette or group outing?
Palapa. You can buy individual tickets or book the whole tiki boat for your group of up to 12, with music and a party atmosphere. Aqua Taxi is better for getting around or a scenic loop.
Where do the boats leave from?
Both rides use the Ottawa Locks (1 Canal Lane, beside the Bytown Museum) and the Canadian Museum of History docks in Gatineau. Aqua Taxi also stops at Richmond Landing near the Canadian War Museum.
Can I bring my bike, stroller or dog?
Yes, on both rides. Bikes, strollers and pets are welcome on Palapa and on Aqua Taxi, and Aqua Taxi is also wheelchair accessible.
When is the boating season?
Both run from spring to early fall, usually from mid-May to mid-October. You can book next season’s rides and buy gift cards now.
How much does a boat ride cost?
Palapa starts at $55 per person, and a whole-boat charter starts at $550. Aqua Taxi fares are listed on its booking page.
Do I need to book ahead?
For Palapa, yes: with only 12 seats per boat, sails often sell out, especially on weekends. For Aqua Taxi, booking online ahead of time is the easiest way to make sure you have a seat.