Blissed Out at Bota Bota
Bota Bota, a floating spa moored at Montreal’s Old Port, offers a phenomenal water circuit of saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs, with incredible views, such as Habitat 67, on the far bank, above.
I’ve never felt so relaxed in my life. After three hours doing the water circuit at Bota Bota—a floating spa on the St. Lawrence River—moving from cold plunge to hot soak to sauna and steam room and back and forth, however the spirit moved me—for THREE long, glorious hours—I was in an altered state. Completely relaxed, feeling cleansed, mind cleared. Bliss.
Bota Bota’s full name, Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau, means Bota Bota spa on the water. And, oh, what an inspired creation it is. Built on a barge that’s moored at Montreal’s Old Port, everything about this place is special: the unique setting, the river views, the modern, minimalist design—the “no phones” and “no talking” rules.
Bota Bota boasts four cold plunge pools, five hot tubs, four saunas, two steam rooms and at least five relaxation areas (I lost count) spread across three decks and an adjacent “water garden” on land beside the boat. There’s also a deck dedicated to massage and facial treatments.
My wife and I visited on a mild sunny blue sky February day, with just the right tinge of chill in the air. I kicked off my visit with an ice cold dip in the small metal plunge tank on the third deck, then hit the sauna, a few yards away. Each sauna on the boat has a wall with windows that face the river. I had never been in a sauna with a view. It’s fantastic.
Sauna, Sweat, Steam, Soak, Repeat
After a good sweat, I shocked my system with another cold plunge, then sunk into a hot tub for a long soak. There were just five of us in there. No one spoke. Steam rose and blew in the breeze. I breathed in the fresh air, sun on my skin, as I gazed across the river at Habitat 67. Absolutely serene.
On to the next deck, same routine—with a sauna view of Old Montreal. Eventually we walked down a gangway to the water garden, a large extension of Bota Bota’s facilities. Although on land, this area is seamlessly integrated with the boat.
The water garden features the largest cold bath at Bota Bota, a huge thermal pool with a waterfall, a sauna, and a steam room. The steam was intense—crazy-hot—but I loved it and lingered and sweat tons of toxins out of my system. From there, I hung in a hammock in a relaxation room, feeling so good.
The water garden is the only area where talking is permitted. The great thing is, most people were quiet and those who did speak did so in respectful, hushed tones. That said, I preferred the intimacy, uniqueness, and silence of the boat. After enjoying the garden, I was happy to get back on board.
Cold plunges are a vital part of the water circuit. In late February, the coldest plunge of all is right into the St. Lawrence River!
Into the River! A Plunge to Remember
I took my final cold plunge in the icy St. Lawrence. Right into the river, which was actually frozen over in areas around the boat.
This plunge spot is sort of hidden—on the first deck, just past the restaurant. At the edge of the boat there’s a metal ladder that descends into the river, into a small “caged” area—just big enough to fit your body.
When I did my dip, the frigid water took my breath away as the swift current raced past me. It was a thrill. The plunge pools on board had nothing on this one. Especially in late February, after months of winter… This is the dip for diehards!
I did three river plunges, head submerged, each one a little longer. After each icy dip, I raced to the sauna to warm up.
And so it went. My visit ranged from sweltering heat in the steam room to numbing cold in the river—with countless soaks, sweats and steams at temps in between—across three unhurried hours.
By the end of it all, I was relaxed, refreshed, rejuvenated—and ready to return to Bota Bota ASAP.
The gangway to reach Bota Bota, which is designed with a brilliant nautical/industrial aesthetic.(I don’t have photos of the water circuit onboard because: No phones or cameras allowed! You have to go and see it for yourself.)
Bota Bota Tips and Tidbits
Book in advance. Along with the water circuit, massage, facial and other treatments are offered.
The 3-hour water circuit ranges from $70-$90 Canadian per person (a real bargain), depending on day, time, and season.
Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to register. Don’t waste your allotted time waiting in line.
Bring a swimsuit and sandals. Sandals are required. If you forget these items, Bota Bota sells them. Also bring a plastic bag for wet gear, a plastic water bottle, and a book, if you’d like.
Mass transit is your best bet to reach Bota Bota. The Square Victoria metro stop is ten minutes away. If you drive, park at the Grand Quai lot—also a ten minute walk to Bota Bota. Our parking cost: $25 for over four hours.
L’Amour du Pain is a nice spot to grab a coffee and pastry on your way to the spa. It’s just a few blocks away, in Old Montreal.
Some saunas and steam rooms are filled with the soothing scents of aromatherapy. Fir, pine, lavender, eucalyptus… Check the chalkboard outside each room.
Look for the small wall-mounted hourglass by the door in each sauna. Flip it for 15 minutes.
The third deck sauna plays a guided meditation on the hour—in French and English.
There’s a restaurant on board, La Traversée, that serves healthy, seasonal dishes. Keep in mind that time spent at the restaurant counts toward your allotted time in the water circuit. It makes sense to dine there after or before.
I loved Bota Bota in winter. The chilly air was an awesome touch. Next time, I want falling snow. I hear sunset visits are magical, too. I plan to experience different seasons, different times of day… Whenever I’m in Montreal, Bota Bota will beckon.
