There are plenty of ways to experience Milwaukee’s waterways, but none are quite as unique as cruising down the river in a floating hot tub. Enter: a luxury hot tub boat rental, provided by Skyline Boat Company.
Skyline Boat Company offers one of the city’s newest experiences: luxury hot tub boat rentals that allow guests to relax, soak, and take in Milwaukee from an entirely different perspective.
It is so, so fun.
This year, we experienced the Skyline hot tub boat in an attempt to celebrate Chad’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind, totally-Milwaukee experience. It delivered! We have truly never done anything like it. Thank you to Skyline for hosting us!
This was one of the most memorable ways I’ve explored Milwaukee. Here’s how it went.
About Skyline Boat Company
Skyline Boat Company is a family owned and operated business that specializes in self-guided luxury hot tub boat rentals on the Milwaukee River. Owners Ryan Strycker and Laura Kirklewski opened Skyline in fall 2025, and have been serving MKE ever since.
Each circular boat functions exactly as it sounds: a heated (jet-free) hot tub that floats and cruises through downtown Milwaukee.
The boats accommodate up to five people and are typically kept between 102 and 104 degrees, creating a spa-like experience while enjoying views of the city skyline. For warmer months, the temperature can be set even lower—a pool-like temp while floating in the summertime. Because of this, the boats are a near-year-round amenity (as long as the river isn’t frozen over!).
Skyline offers something completely different from traditional boat rentals; whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a fun weekend activity, hot tub boat rentals combines relaxation, sightseeing, and Wisco boat life in a way that’s unique to the cream city.
How it works
The process to rent a hot tub boat to cruise on the Milwaukee River is extremly simple.
After booking your reservation online, Skyline will forward a link to a boating course. The driver of the hot tub boat is required to have a boating license; the course takes about 1.5 hours to complete online and costs $10.
Upon arrival to the boat launch ramp, Skyline greets guests with a check in and and a changing area. Guests are able to keep their valuables (wallet, keys, clothes, shoes) in these locked rooms for the duration of their rental. It’s safe, secure, and the rooms are themed to all the places owners Ryan and Laura have traveled with their family! It’s a lovely touch.
After changing, there’s a quick safety orientation, where guests learn how to operate and drive the boat. It’s a little complicated: it’s till steering, meaning there is a lever rather than a wheel. While it might feel a little complicated up front, it gets easier with practice and is fairly straightforward to learn.
Each reservation includes approximately 90 minutes on the water, plus time before and after your cruise to check-in and change.
The company performs a complete water change between every rental, so each group enjoys fresh, clean water.
How it went for us
First and foremost: we had a blast.
A hot tub boat rental was absolutely the move to celebrate Chad’s birthday in style. Not only was this a huge conversation piece amongst fellow boaters and kayakers on the water, it was also so fun to soak and float all at once.
The boat was pretty spacious, very clean, and had everything we needed (they provided us with a wet bag for anything we wanted to bring along, which was a nice touch). I was able to relax with a drink, and we brought a speaker along to listen to music. It was an absolute vibe.
I will say: as non-boaters, learning to drive took a little bit of time to get acclimated and adjusted, especially because the Milwaukee River is one of very few rivers where the current switches directions every half hour or so. I would expect there to be a bit of a learning curve as you figure out how the boat works!
Overall, we had an incredible time and we enjoyed cruising down the river toward Lakefront and back to the dock, where there was less boat traffic. The sights are gorgeous and the pool temperature was absolutely perfect.
I can’t imagine a better way to see and appreciate Milwaukee skyline!
Perfect for every season
While hot tubs might sound like a winter-only activity, Skyline Boat Company operates well beyond the colder months.
During the summer, guests can request cooler water temperatures, transforming the boats into more of a floating pool experience. We had the pool set to 90 degrees, which was perfect! The boat also has a canopy for shade, which was a great touch.
As long as the water is flowing (if you know, you know—the Milwaukee River does have a period where it freezes over), the hot tub boats are in session.
An incredible Milwaukee experience
Milwaukee has no shortage of fun things to do, but these hot tub boat rentals really add to the city’s catalogue.
Between the skyline views, the novelty of the experience, and the chance to slow down and simply enjoy the moment, it’s easy to recommend Skyline Boating Company to anyone looking to enjoy the Milwaukee River with a twist.
I couldn’t recommend enough!
Quick details
Website: www.skylineboatcompany.com
Location: 206 W. Highland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Pricing: Boats range from approximately $200-$250 depending on the day
Rental length: About two hours total, including check-in and changing time, with approximately 90 minutes on the water
Capacity: 2-5 guests per boat
Age requirement: Primary renters must be 21 years or older. Guests ages 13+ may accompany adults with signed waivers
Parking: Street parking and nearby public lots are available in downtown Milwaukee
Bring: Swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, drinks (no glass), and a cooler
Good to know: No food, pets, smoking, or swimming are permitted during the cruise, and a boating license is required for the driver
Ready to float?
Reserve your hot tub boat rental with Skyline Boat Company your next Milwaukee adventure.
When you go, be sure to tell them Sunshine with Savannah sent you!
Established in 2018, Sunshine with Savannah is a catch-all blog with an emphasis on weekend travel, millennial-style marriage and fun, reflection-based musings, outdoor adventure, home design, and all things lifestyle.
Though the content is diverse and varied, the heart of this space stays true to a single, guiding principle: a simple pursuit to find sunshine, wherever I go.
A floating hot tub cruising down the river is honestly next-level, such a perfect mix of relaxing and sightseeing. The skyline views, music and chill vibe sounds like an unforgettable birthday celebration!