Hot Tub Boat Tour in London – London’s most unique tour

A hot tub, moving down the Thames.

This Skuna Boats tour pairs a floating hot-tub experience with sightseeing of West India Docks and Canary Wharf, with time to actually look at the city from the water. I like two things a lot: the warm water that turns sightseeing into a real break, and the small-group feel that keeps the ride calm and personal. Guides like Dom and Sarah help you notice buildings you would otherwise miss.

The main thing to consider is weather. It runs on the water, so if conditions are poor, you may be offered a different date or a refund.

Even with that one watch-out, it’s the kind of London activity that feels different fast, and it’s easy to see why people rate it so highly for pure fun and comfort.

Key points before you go

• A hot-tub boat ride with a total of about 75 minutes in the water
• Docklands focused route, including West India Docks and then Canary Wharf
• Small-group experience with a maximum of 6 travelers, so you are not packed in
• Mobile ticket and easy confirmation at booking
• Alcohol is optional, bought on site at arrival (2 per person limit)
• You handle your swim setup, since towels, swimwear, and robes are not included (you can bring or rent)

Hot Tub on the Thames: why this Docklands tour feels different

London has plenty of cruises. Most are about sitting, looking, and keeping your camera ready. This one flips the vibe by adding an actual soak as the main event.

You are not just riding past the Docklands, you are doing it from a hot tub boat, with time to take in the view without rushing. The route is built around two specific areas that make sense together: West India Docks for an older industrial feel, then Canary Wharf for the modern financial skyline. If you like seeing how London evolved, this pairing lands well.

And because it is small-group, the experience stays more like a private float than a sightseeing cattle car. That matters when your focus is comfort, not crowd management.

Price and what you really get for $62.39

At $62.39 per person for roughly 2 hours, this is not the cheapest thing in London. But you are paying for something rare: the combination of hot-tub access plus guided sightseeing time in a single ticket.

The included part is clear: you get the hot-tub boat tour for about 75 minutes. The rest of the overall timing usually goes to getting checked in, getting settled, and then switching gears between the dock views and the Canary Wharf segment. If you break it down, you are essentially buying a long, comfortable soak with a purpose, not just a quick novelty moment.

Where the value gets better is when you compare it to other premium London experiences that are either short, require more standing, or feel more like transportation than an activity. Here, you are actually doing the relaxing while the sights roll by.

Meeting at Skuna Boats: where you start and what to expect

You meet at Skuna – Sauna, BBQ, Hot Tub & Igloo Boats, at West India Quay, off Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not stuck with a complicated return plan.

A couple practical notes from how it runs:

• It is near public transportation, so you should have an easier time getting there than for some more remote river spots.
• You receive confirmation at booking, and you use a mobile ticket, which makes last-minute logistics simpler.

Once you arrive, plan your trip like this: get set up for the water first (swim gear, phone plan, any small personal items), then let the guide handle the flow. The staff focus on making the ride feel smooth rather than chaotic.

The 75-minute hot tub ride: how the timing works

The tour is about 2 hours total, but the key experience is the hot-tub portion, which is 75 minutes. Within that ride time, the route is designed around two stops.

• Stop 1: West India Docks, about 1 hour
• Stop 2: Canary Wharf, about 30 minutes

In real life, you should expect a blend of gentle cruising, time looking around, and small bits of commentary from the guide so you know what you are seeing. The hottest part of the experience is that you can relax while learning the story of the riverfront, instead of doing the classic London routine of walking, standing, and standing some more.

West India Docks stop: old Docklands scenery from the water

West India Docks is the first segment, and it is a strong start because it shifts you into a different London mood. The Docklands area has layers, and this stop leans into the historic industrial side of the water.

From the hot tub, you get a slower, more visual way to process the area. Instead of racing along the Thames path, you get to watch the riverfront structures settle into view. If you are the kind of person who likes to look up at warehouses, dock layouts, and river engineering details, this part is where you will start spotting the clues.

Practical consideration: because the stop is part of an experience that depends on staying in and around the water, you will want to wear what you are comfortable soaking in, and keep your phone plan simple from the start.

Canary Wharf stop: modern skyline, relaxed photos

Then you move into Canary Wharf, London’s financial center in full modern mode. This is the payoff if you want the contrast. One segment feels tied to the past industrial waterfront, and the next shows the clean lines and high-rise density that Canary Wharf is known for.

The stop is about 30 minutes, which is enough time to get your bearings, take photos, and enjoy the skyline without turning it into a long, tiring walk. In reviews, people often highlight that they end up watching the scenery while other crowds move around onshore, and you get a different angle just by being on the water.

If you want a simple photo strategy: have your phone ready when you arrive near the key viewpoints, not 10 minutes into the stop. The ride is relaxing, but it is still best to capture the moment while the boat is positioned well.

What you bring vs what you rent: gear checklist that saves time

This is where planning makes the difference between a smooth soak and a minor scramble.

Not included:

• Towels, swimwear, and robes
• Private changing rooms
• Toilets
• Storage lockers

Also, alcoholic drinks are not included.

So what should you do?

• Bring swimwear that dries fast enough for you. You will be in and out of the water environment.
• If you do not want to bring a towel or robe, you should plan to rent or purchase what you need on site, since it is not included in the ticket.
• Keep your personal items minimal. The whole concept works best when you are not juggling bags.

One comfort detail that many riders appreciate is how staff handle safety and convenience around phones, with water-safe phone storage mentioned in feedback. Still, I recommend bringing a small waterproof pouch or zip bag for peace of mind.

Alcohol, drinks, and the 2 per person limit

Alcohol is available on site, but it is not part of the tour price. The bar is on arrival, and there is a 2 per person limit.

If you like the idea of a cocktail with the soak, great, but budget it like a separate purchase. A lot of the enjoyment here comes from pairing relaxation with the scenery, and drinks can help, as long as you stay within the limit.

Also, remember you are on a moving boat. Keep it light, keep it fun, and save the heavy drinking for a different plan.

The small-group factor: guides and onboard care

This tour is genuinely built for a small crowd. It is capped at a maximum of 6 travelers, and that small number changes the experience in a few ways.

First, it helps the guide keep things interactive. When you are not fighting for space, you hear tips and explanations about what you are passing and where to look for pictures.

Second, staff attention feels more personal. Multiple people call out that the team is kind and helpful, and that check-in and settling in are well managed. Names that show up in feedback include Dom (skipper) and guides like Sarah and Emily.

Third, small-group also helps the vibe. A hot tub experience works better when you are not squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder. You can actually relax.

Weather and motion: the real-world limits

This tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, it can be canceled, and you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

So before you book or finalize your plans, I suggest treating this like an outdoor experience. Keep an eye on the forecast as your date approaches.

On motion comfort, I was glad to see that multiple riders said they did not get motion sick. That lines up with what you would hope for on a calm stretch of river, but your body is your own. If you know you get sick easily on boats, pack your usual motion remedy anyway.

Who should book this hot tub boat tour

I think this is best for:

• Couples and friends who want a fun, romantic-feeling activity without the need to dress up much
• People who want to see Docklands and Canary Wharf but hate “tour fatigue”
• Anyone who loves unique experiences that mix comfort with sightseeing
• Travelers who prefer a small group over a big bus or crowded boat

It may be less ideal if:

• You want a longer, deep-dive historical walking tour
• You are planning around unpredictable weather and cannot reschedule
• You are expecting toilets and storage lockers to be guaranteed based on the ticket terms (they are listed as not included)

Should you book this hot tub boat tour?

Yes, if you want a rare London experience that mixes relaxation and views at the same time. This is not the kind of sightseeing where you spend half your time rushing. It is built around the idea that you can take in the Docklands from a hot tub, with time at West India Docks and then Canary Wharf.

One last check before you commit: make sure you are comfortable with a water-based activity and that you can handle a weather-related change. If you are flexible, this is a high-payoff, high-comfort way to see a part of London most people only glance at while moving through.

If you are on the fence between a standard cruise and something more unusual, this one usually wins on the first warm-soak moment.

FAQ

What is included in the Hot Tub Boat Tour?

The ticket includes a 75-minute hot tub boat tour. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 2 hours total.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Skuna – Sauna, BBQ, Hot Tub & Igloo Boats at West India Quay, off Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL, UK. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?

Towels, swimwear, and robes are not included. You can rent them or bring your own.

Is alcohol part of the price?

No. You can buy alcohol from the on-site bar on arrival, with a limit of 2 per person.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour is a maximum of 6 travelers.