Relaxing in a luxurious hot tub is the best. But you know what’s even better? Experiencing the bubbles, jets, and relaxation of a hot tub while you cruise down the Potomac River. A hot tub boat in DC puts you in the tub and on the river at the same time. From the warm water, you’ll take in DC’s famous monuments and the gorgeous scenery along the riverbanks. Never been on one? Here’s what a hot tub boat in DC is, how it works, what it costs, and what you’ll see from the water.
What Is a Hot Tub Boat in DC?
A hot tub boat in DC is a private boat with two heated hot tubs on its deck, and a licensed captain and crew run the cruise while your group soaks. Each tub seats up to 10 people, so the full boat holds 20, and the deck has room to stand and mingle outside the tubs.
DC Hot Tub Boat runs the only private hot tub boat in Washington, and it’s an extraordinary and exhilarating way to see the sights of the Potomac. Each tub belongs to your party alone, so you never share the water with strangers. The boat also has Bluetooth speakers for your playlist, a full bathroom, a private changing room, and a custom marquee board for a celebration message.
Whether you want an afternoon soak or an evening on the water, see available cruises and pick a time.
How Does a Hot Tub Boat Cruise Work?
The cruise runs 90 minutes on the Potomac, and the crew handles everything from the dock to the return trip. Here’s how a booking comes together:
- Pick a package. Book a single tub for up to 10 guests or both tubs for up to 20.
- Hold the date. For bookings over $500, a 50% deposit holds the date, and the balance is due 72 hours before departure. You can add guests after you book.
- Bring your drinks. Guests 21 and older can bring their own drinks, and the crew supplies ice, coolers, and cups.
- Board at The Wharf. The boat leaves from 650 Wharf Street SW. Arrive 30 minutes before your cruise time for check-in, the waiver, and a safety briefing. Then change into your swimsuit in the onboard changing room.
- Soak and cruise. The captain steers past the monuments while your group stays in the tubs, then brings you back to The Wharf.
What Will You See From a Hot Tub Boat on the Potomac?
A hot tub boat on the Potomac passes several of Washington’s best-known landmarks in a single 90-minute cruise. Your route includes these stops, although the order can shift with conditions:
- The Wharf. The cruise starts and ends at DC’s waterfront district, with marinas and restaurants lining the piers.
- The Jefferson Memorial. The white dome and columns sit on the edge of the Tidal Basin, and you see them from the river side, away from the crowds on the steps.
- The Washington Monument. The 555-foot obelisk rises above the National Mall, and from the water it stands over the trees with the river in the foreground.
- The Kennedy Center. The long marble profile of the Kennedy Center stretches along the shoreline, with the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge beyond it.
If one landmark matters most to your group, the Washington Monument cruise and the Jefferson Memorial cruise each build the trip around a single view, and the Lincoln Memorial cruise does the same for the Lincoln. For the history behind the view, start with our Washington Monument guide, then read the Jefferson Memorial guide and the Kennedy Center guide.
How Hot Is the Water on a DC Hot Tub Boat?
The tubs hold a steady 102°F from the moment the boat leaves The Wharf until it docks again, and that temperature stays the same in every season. The tubs also have side seating, so anyone who gets warm can sit up out of the water and still enjoy the ride.
How Much Does a Hot Tub Boat in Washington, DC Cost?
A hot tub boat in Washington, DC starts at $395 for two guests, and the price depends on your group size and the day of the week. The packages break down as follows:
| Package | Starting Price | Capacity | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Tub | $395 for 2 guests | Up to 10 | 90 minutes |
| Both Tubs | $1,950 ($97.50 per person) | Up to 20 | 90 minutes |
| VIP Date Night | Starting at $395 for 2 guests | 2 | 90 minutes |
The more people you bring, the lower your cost per person. The full boat is yours even with fewer than 11 guests, so a group of 12 can book both tubs and keep the deck private. The VIP Date Night adds champagne and towels for two.
Ready to see the monuments from the water? See available cruises and lock in your date.
Can You Go on a Hot Tub Boat in Winter?
Yes, the boat runs in the cold months, and the heated tubs are what make a winter cruise comfortable. The water stays at 102°F even when the air turns cold, and the boat offers a winter hot tub boat cruise and a New Year’s Eve cruise.
Light or moderate rain doesn’t cancel a cruise either, since you’re already in the water. For heavy storms, lightning or extreme wind, the crew cancels and offers you a choice to reschedule or receive a full refund. You’ll hear from them at least 3 hours before departure if a cruise needs to be canceled.
When Is the Best Time to Book a Hot Tub Boat in DC?
The best time depends on what you want to see. Cherry blossom season brings the biggest crowds of the year, with peak bloom typically falling in late March or early April, and cherry blossom cruises sell out weeks in advance. A sunset cruise catches the monuments as the light drops behind the Virginia shore, and the July 4th cruise puts you on the water for the holiday.
Winter is the quiet season, and it’s when the heated tubs make the most sense. Weekday rates also differ from weekend rates, so a midweek cruise can lower your cost per person.
What Should You Wear and Bring?
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack light, because the crew supplies the essentials. Bring the following items:
- A swimsuit. You can change in the private changing room on board.
- Towels, if you want them. Towels are available for rent, and you’re welcome to bring your own.
- Your drinks, if you’re 21 or older.
- Your playlist, ready for the Bluetooth speakers.
Can You Drink Alcohol on a Hot Tub Boat in DC?
Yes, the cruise is BYOB for guests 21 and older. You can bring beer, wine, and seltzers, and the crew supplies the ice and coolers. Leave glass bottles and red wine at home, since red wine stains the tubs. Hard liquor isn’t allowed on board.
Is a Hot Tub Boat Safe?
A licensed captain and crew operate every cruise, and the boat is Coast Guard certified. The crew monitors the weather closely and won’t take the boat out in unsafe conditions. Kids ages 10 to 17 can come on board with an adult, and they’re welcome in the tubs too. Life jackets are provided in line with the District of Columbia’s minimum rules, which require at least one wearable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for every person on board (source 1, source 2).
Where Does the DC Hot Tub Boat Depart From?
The boat departs from The Wharf at 650 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. The Wharf sits a short walk from two Metro stations, and a free Wharf Shuttle runs between The Wharf, L’Enfant Plaza Metro, and the National Mall. From The Wharf, the National Mall is a 10-minute walk, and the Jefferson Memorial is 15 minutes away on foot.
Coming from Georgetown? The water taxi from The Wharf’s Transit Pier connects to Georgetown, so you can arrive by water before you board. Driving works too, but parking at The Wharf is limited and event traffic can slow you down.
Who Books a Hot Tub Boat in DC?
Most groups book around an occasion, and each one has its own cruise page with details for that event:
- Couples: romantic date nights and anniversary cruises.
- Celebrations: birthday parties and bachelor and bachelorette parties.
- Milestones: graduation and prom parties and sweet 16 cruises.
- Families: family outings on the Potomac.
- Teams: corporate team building for groups of up to 20.
Whatever the occasion, note it in the comments when you book, and the crew can put your message on the onboard marquee board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Hot Tub Boat Near Me in DC?
If you’re searching for a hot tub boat near me in the Washington area, DC Hot Tub Boat departs from The Wharf in Southwest DC. It’s a short walk from two Metro stations and a free shuttle ride from the National Mall.
How Long Is a Hot Tub Boat Cruise in DC?
Each hot tub boat cruise in DC lasts 90 minutes on the Potomac, from boarding at The Wharf to the return. Plan a little extra time before departure to check in and change.
How Many People Fit on a Hot Tub Boat?
Each tub fits up to 10 people comfortably, and booking both tubs gives a group of up to 20 the whole boat. Even a group of fewer than 11 can rent the full boat to keep it private.
Does the Hot Tub Boat Go to Georgetown?
The cruise passes the Kennedy Center, which sits just downriver from Georgetown. If you’re looking for a hot tub boat near Georgetown, the water taxi takes you to The Wharf to board.
What Is a Hot Tub Boat on the Potomac Like?
A cruise on the Potomac feels like a private party in warm water, with the monuments passing by along the riverbank. Your group controls the music and the drinks, and the crew handles the boat.
Can You Propose on a Hot Tub Boat in DC?
Yes. The boat has hosted dozens of proposals, and the team can arrange champagne, photographer coordination, and decorations. See the engagement party cruise for details.
What Can Groups Do in DC Besides a Hot Tub Boat?
Our list of group activities for adults in Washington, DC covers more ideas for birthdays, bachelorette parties, and team outings.
See Available Cruises
A hot tub boat in DC puts your group in warm water on the Potomac with the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Kennedy Center passing by. See available cruises and book a private tub for your next celebration.
