The Lake Minnewanka Cruise (formerly Banff Lake Cruise) is a unique sightseeing tour exploring Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. Your voyage will be an approximate one hour interpretive cruise with an experienced captain and entertaining guide who will introduce you to the rugged paradise, Indigenous history and geology of the area.
For up-to-date Lake Minnewanka Cruise daily operating hours please visit the Location & Hours page.
You must arrive with your ticket at the ticket office no later than 15 minutes before your departure time for check in. The ticket office is located on the boarding docks, approximately a 10-minute stroll from the parking lots.
We recommend budgeting additional time to find parking during peak season and busy days.
The Lake Minnewanka Classic Cruise and Junior Explorer Cruise is approximately 1 hour long including the safety briefing and loading. The Premium Cruise and Beer Voyage Cruise are approximately 1.5 hours long including the safety briefing and loading.
We have multiple tours running daily. For more details, please visit our Location & Hours page.
There are two options to get to Lake Minnewanka:
By Public Transportation: Lake Minnewanka is one of Banff’s most popular destinations and the parking lot fills quickly. For the best experience, consider taking the bus. Hop on Roam Transit's Route 6 service and show your cruise ticket to the bus driver to get a FREE RIDE.
Board a bus from downtown Banff no later than an hour prior to your cruise time to ensure you arrive on time. Review Roam's bus schedule to find the most appropriate timing*.
*Free Roam Public Transit ride with tour ticket returning May 16, 2025..
By car: Please arrive at least two hours prior to your cruise time to ensure you find a parking spot and have time to explore the area from the shore.
Most Lake Minnewanka Cruise boats are now wheelchair accessible. If you've booked online, contact our ticket office at 403.762.4425 to make necessary arrangements. Mobility aids, including wheelchairs up to 32 inches wide, can be accommodated. For any other inquiries related to accessibility, please contact our team.
The allowance of pets are up to the discretion of the boat captain and other cruise passengers, so there is no guarantee. For the safety of your pet and the comfort of our passengers, we recommend keeping your pets on leash.
Although wildlife such as bald eagles, big horn sheep, wolves and grizzly bears frequent the Lake Minnewanka area, they can be difficult to find and we cannot guarantee that you will see them.
Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we are unable to accommodate strollers on the boats. They can be left at the boat docks.
Our boat capacity in normal times ranges from 38 to 60 passengers, depending on which boat you're on.
Generally, no. Our cruise boats are covered, but there may be a bit of water spray if the windows are open when the boat picks up speed.
Weather can be unpredictable. The lake tends to be cooler than the temperature in the town of Banff so a light jacket is recommended.
The Black Anchor Snack shop is available for a variety of snacks and to-go food and drink items right off the lakeshore. Washroom facilities are available at the parking lot and there are also plentiful picnic and recreational areas around Lake Minnewanka.
No. Parks Canada requires all adult visitors to Canada’s national parks to buy a permit for the duration of their stay to support visitor services and facilities. Day Passes or a yearly Discovery Pass are available to buy in-person at Parks Canada's park gates and information centres in Banff and Jasper. Admission for youth 17 and under is free.
Lake Minnewanka is one of the most popular recreational areas in Banff National Park. There are plenty of great trails for hiking and biking in addition to picnic areas. In addition to these, you can also rent kayaks, fishing boats or visit the Lake Minnewanka Cruise for an interpretive voyage across the lake.
The tour includes a scenic boat ride across Lake Minnewanka, an engaging interpretive tour led by a knowledgeable guide, and a selection of local craft beer to enjoy as you cruise. Each pair of guests will receive 4 different beers to sample. It’s a great way to relax, learn, and socialize while taking in the stunning views.
You may swim in Lake Minnewanka at your own risk. We caution visitors against swimming here because Lake Minnewanka's waters are extremely cold, even in the hot summer months.
Yes. Lake Minnewanka is known as a "fisherman's paradise" and ranks in the top ten lake trout fisheries in Canada. Our guides have years of experience and know all the secret spots to help you locate that prized Lake Trout.
You will require a national park fishing license which can be purchased onsite at the boathouse. For the cost of a daily or annual fishing permit visit the Parks Canada website.
Yes, to book a chartered fishing trip. The Lake Minnewanka Cruise boathouse has a limited number of boats and guides available. Reservations are required to ensure availability.
There is no need for reservation if you already have a license and have your own boat.
Yes. We will provide fishing rods, reels, tackle and modern electronic and sonar equipment on all our guided trips. Each person is allowed to keep two fish, and our guides will gut, clean and prep them for you.
No permits are necessary if you are operating a boat under 10 horsepower. Credit card deposits will be required upon your rental.
Please note that we have limited equipment available on-site at the Lake Minnewanka boathouse on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The boats are tin boats, 16 feet long and can seat 4 or 5 people.
Safety briefings and instructions are provided prior to your departure. Staff will also provide you with emergency phone numbers. You will be instructed to stay within a certain area so that your boat can remain visible to the lake staff. Our boats are designed to avoid flipping and lifejackets will be provided as a safety precaution.
