Stepping out of a cedar sauna and directly into the Ottawa River will soon be an option at one of the capital’s busiest waterfront destinations.
Credit:Saunoa & lezumbalabere/Flickr
Saunoa is opening a floating sauna and cold-plunge experience at NCC River House in fall 2026, adding a decidedly colder dimension to a site best known for summer swimming.
Here is the concept: spend time in the heat, cool off in the river, rest and repeat.
NCC River House Location
Saunoa is an addition to the famous waterfront destination.
NCC River House reopened after rehabilitation in 2023, with an accessible public swimming dock, patio and food services. In 2025, River House, Kìwekì Point, Westboro Beach and the Dow’s Lake Recreational Dock collectively recorded more than one million visits between May 8 and October 13.
When announcing that milestone, the NCC specifically said it was looking to introduce waterfront saunas, beginning at River House with a cold plunge. Saunoa now gives that plan a concrete form.
Saunoa has already tested the floating-sauna concept in Toronto, where its operation has accumulated hundreds of customer reviews and a 4.8-star Google rating. The company is returning to Toronto in November 2026 at 275 Queen’s Quay West. The Ottawa River House location expands that concept to the capital, pairing the floating cedar sauna with an enclosed river plunge and open-water access.
What Can You Do:
Saunoa’s floating cedar sauna will be moored beside the century-old River House on the Ottawa River.
During a 90-minute session, visitors can move between the sauna and an enclosed river plunge. Open-water access will also be available for those who want to enter the river directly. Changerooms are onsite, and guests will have access to NCC River House.
Bring a swimsuit and two towels. No previous sauna experience is required, and Saunoa says the experience is intended for first-timers as well as couples, friends and groups.
How much will Saunoa cost?
A single 90-minute Saunoa session costs $39 per person, giving visitors access to the floating cedar sauna, cold plunge and onsite facilities.
For those planning to make sauna sessions a regular part of their routine, Saunoa also offers multi-visit options. A 5-session package costs $175, bringing the price down to $35 per visit, while a 10-session package costs $320, or $32 per visit.
There is also an unlimited monthly membership for $149, aimed at more frequent visitors. At the single-session rate, that membership starts to make financial sense at roughly four visits per month.
For two people, a one-time visit would therefore cost $78 before any applicable taxes or additional purchases, making this closer in price to a planned wellness outing than a casual stop while visiting River House.
What else to do:
River House is open year-round, so the sauna can form part of a longer winter outing rather than requiring a separate trip.
The Ottawa River Pathway reaches the property, and in winter visitors can walk, snowshoe, cycle or ski along the multi-use winter trail. Ski racks are available at the River House entrance and outdoor deck.
You can arrive along the waterfront trail, spend 90 minutes alternating between cedar heat and cold water, and continue your outing beside the Ottawa River.
What You Need to Know – Saunoa Floating Sauna & Cold Plunge
What: Floating cedar sauna, enclosed Ottawa River cold plunge and open-water access
Bring: Swimsuit and two towels
When: Opening Fall 2026. An exact opening date has not yet been announced on the official Saunoa website.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week
Session length: 90 minutes
How Much:
Single session: $39 per person
5-session package: $175, equivalent to $35 per session
10-session package: $320, equivalent to $32 per session
Unlimited monthly membership: $149
Where: NCC River House, 501 Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, Ottawa
Facilities: Changerooms onsite and access to NCC River House
Parking:
Parking immediately around River House is limited. P3 has roughly 15 to 20 spaces, including accessible parking, while P4 has approximately 40 spaces and requires a short walk along the Ottawa River Pathway. There is also an accessible drop-off lane.
NCC River House itself is universally accessible, with elevators, accessible washrooms and changerooms. The NCC’s 2026–2028 Accessibility Plan specifically states that the floating saunas are being designed to be universally accessible.