Frequently Asked Questions

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, native folklore and geology of the area.

The Lake Minnewanka Cruise tour is approximately one hour long including the safety briefing and loading.
We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your cruise departure.

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.

The Lake Minnewanka Cruise is located on Lake Minnewanka Loop — a short 10 minute drive from the town of Banff.

If you prefer not to drive, Bow Valley Roam Transit offers regular service from the townsite to the lake.

Yes. We are accessible to most standard wheelchairs. We recommend you contact the boathouse prior to your arrival.

Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we are unable to accommodate for a stroller on the boats. They can be left at the boat docks.

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.

We have four different cruise boats:

The Daughter of the Peaks II has a capacity of 60 passengers.
The Alberta Explorer has a capacity of 60 passengers.
The Minnewanka II has a capacity of 40 passengers.
The Sandra Lynne has a capacity of 38 passengers.

It's always a good idea to dress in layers with a waterproof jacket as weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. It is always a little colder at the lake, however all our cruise boats are heated and covered. We recommend bringing sunglasses, a hat, closed-toe shoes and sunscreen.

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.