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Unwind at a tranquil Nordic spa minutes from downtown with thermal baths, saunas, and relaxation areas.
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1 hr 20 min
Experience Montreal's wildest water ride with three thrilling options on the St. Lawrence River
Reserve
13 hr
Discover waterfalls, historic streets, and UNESCO heritage on a full-day guided excursion.
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The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
Experience the historic charm of the converted ferryboat, featuring quiet zones and traditional saunas.
A new immersive space at the floating spa montreal featuring an indoor pool and panoramic city views.
A four-season urban oasis with a large outdoor pool and greenery located right on the river.
Enjoy stunning views of the Lachine Canal waterfall from the top deck of the spa.
Participate in traditional Aufguss sessions held in the saunas on board the floating spa montreal.
They complement each other; visitors seeking a nautical, urban escape prefer the unique atmosphere of a floating spa montreal, while those desiring a secluded retreat favor the riverside tranquility of Strøm.
| Feature | Top pick Bota Bota | Strøm Nordic Spa |
|---|---|---|
Setting |
Converted ferry on water | Riverside sanctuary |
Primary Vibe |
Urban nautical energy | Secluded nature retreat |
Location |
Old Port of Montreal | Nuns Island |
Accessibility |
Walking distance to Metro | Shuttle or car required |
Water Source |
City treated river water | Geothermal and mineral pools |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Secure your floating spa montreal tickets if you prioritize skyline views and maritime charm, or choose the rival for a nature-immersed hydrothermal therapy experience.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Guests are required to wear a bathing suit and sandals on board Bota Bota. Bathrobes and towels are provided as part of the floating spa montreal water circuit package.
Large bags, luggage, and backpacks are not permitted on board the floating spa montreal. Personal items should be stored in the provided lockers.
Photography is strictly prohibited on board the floating spa montreal during regular hours to maintain a quiet atmosphere. Use of cameras and cell phones is permitted exclusively on Reconnection Thursdays.
The Bota Bota floating spa montreal facility has evolved with the new Pavillon to offer improved accessibility. Guests should consult the facility regarding specific mobility requirements before their visit.
Cell phones must be left in lockers while enjoying the floating spa montreal water circuit. Usage is only allowed during the designated Reconnection Thursdays.
Bota Bota is a quiet, adult-oriented environment. Access to the floating spa montreal is strictly reserved for individuals aged 18 and over.
The La Traversée restaurant is located on-site, providing dining options for guests. Outside food and beverages are not permitted in the floating spa montreal circuit areas.
Animals are not permitted on board the floating spa montreal, with the exception of certified service animals.
The floating spa montreal experience includes access to saunas, steam baths, and cold plunges. Guests are encouraged to arrive within the recommended morning window for a tranquil visit.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
You may modify or cancel a reservation without charge no later than 24 hours before your scheduled visit. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment will result in a fee equal to the total value of the service.
Bota Bota opened in 2010 aboard a 1951 cargo ferry moored permanently at Montreal's Old Port. The vessel spent four decades ferrying goods across the St. Lawrence before architect Sid Lee Studios gutted its cargo holds and installed a five-level thermal circuit. Steel gangways now connect cedar saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor whirlpools where iron bulkheads once stored freight. The rooftop deck preserves the original pilothouse as a meditation lounge. The floating spa Montreal concept emerged from Quebec's tradition of riverside bathhouses, though Bota Bota's nautical architecture sets it apart from landlocked competitors. Water treatment mimics Nordic hydrotherapy cycles: guests alternate between 104°F thermal baths and cold plunge pools fed by filtered river water. The ship's steel hull transmits low-frequency river vibrations into the lower-deck relaxation rooms, a byproduct of the structure's original marine engineering. Seven treatment cabins occupy the mid-deck, built into former crew quarters with porthole windows facing the current. Bota Bota operates year-round, including winter months when outdoor hot tubs steam against sub-zero air temperatures. The ship's proximity to Place Jacques-Cartier and the Bonsecours Market makes it accessible from Old Montreal on foot. Thermal circuit access requires swimwear and includes unlimited sauna rotations, though massage services and body treatments carry separate fees. The upper sun deck remains open until 22:00 daily, offering unobstructed views of the Jacques Cartier Bridge's 1930s cantilever spans. The spa's design preserves much of the ferry's original layout. Portholes in the steam rooms frame passing cargo ships and tour boats. The aft deck retains bollards and mooring cleats now repurposed as towel hooks. In 2018, Bota Bota added a restaurant occupying the former engine room, where guests can book spa-and-dining packages. The thermal circuit follows a counter-clockwise path through the vessel's five levels, ending at a riverside terrace where wooden loungers face Habitat 67's brutalist cubes across the water.
"Steel gangways now connect cedar saunas and outdoor whirlpools where iron bulkheads once stored freight."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You board via a steel gangway at 535 rue de la Commune Ouest, passing the pilothouse on your way to the lower-deck changing rooms. After stowing your belongings in a locker, you begin the thermal circuit on Level 2, where a Finnish sauna built into the former cargo hold reaches 185°F. Ten minutes later, you step onto the open-air deck and lower yourself into a cold plunge pool fed by river water held at 55°F. You climb to the rooftop sun deck, where three whirlpools face the St. Lawrence. The eastern pool sits directly above the old captain's cabin. Steam rises as you soak, the Jacques Cartier Bridge visible beyond the bow. You descend to the eucalyptus steam room on Level 3, then rest in a darkened relaxation lounge lined with chaise longues. Silence rooms prohibit conversation. After two hours of alternating hot and cold cycles, you return to the upper deck for a final soak. River traffic passes within twenty meters—container ships headed for the Seaway locks, tour boats bound for Île Sainte-Hélène. You dry off on a wooden lounger as the sun sets behind the Old Port grain silos, the city's evening lights reflecting off the current.
Bota Bota is open daily from 09:00–22:00.
No, the floating spa montreal is reserved for guests aged 18 and over.
Photography is prohibited on board the floating spa montreal except on Reconnection Thursdays.
Reservations are strongly recommended for the floating spa montreal to guarantee access, especially on Saturdays.
Access to the floating spa montreal water circuit starts at 65 CAD for a 2-hour session.
Large bags are prohibited on board the floating spa montreal and should be stored in lockers.
We recommend arriving at the floating spa montreal between 09:00–18:00 to avoid peak afternoon and evening crowds.
Yes, guests must wear a bathing suit and sandals at the floating spa montreal.
The floating spa montreal is located at 535 rue de la Commune Ouest, accessible via the Old Port promenade by foot or public transit.
You can cancel or modify your floating spa montreal reservation up to 24 hours before your visit without penalty.