There are few experiences as invigorating and memorable as being on Lake Tahoe. The cool fragrant air, warm sunshine and stunning views are truly inspirational. Lazy days in the sun spent with friends and family and gazing into the crystal clear depths are great for the spirit.

The lake offers endless boating opportunities and convenient access to remote locations. There’s nothing quite like a simple picnic on a quiet sparkling sand beach or gliding peacefully among the giant granite boulders in a kayak or canoe. Swimming, sunbathing, exploring, diving and sailing are also Tahoe activities that should not be missed. For excitement, how about ripping up the early morning glass on your slalom ski, busting big air on a wakeboard or towing the kids on a tube or sled.

To truly see and experience Lake Tahoe, you must go on the water. There are many options available to visitors to consider when getting out on the lake. Below find information on bringing your own boat, launch facilities, boat rentals, kayak and canoe rentals, jet ski rentals and paddlewheel cruises.

BRINGING YOUR OWN BOAT Many of our guests choose to bring their own boats. The following are some important considerations when planning your trip. It is important to either choose a property that allows boat parking or find suitable parking in the local area. Generally, condominium complexes do not allow recreational vehicle parking. Some of our homes have adequate space in the driveway or on the street to park your boat or have the use of buoys and/or piers. Please call for availability. Buoys and slips may be available through private parties for an entire season although you may want to search well in advance, as availability is limited. Below find information on local launch facilities.

Sand Harbor State Park
3 miles south of Incline Village on Highway 28 
775.831.0494
Hours of Operation - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, off season
                                 8:00 am - 9:00 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day
Dates of Operation - year round
Fees - $8.00 per carload day use
             $10.00 to launch during off-season
             $15.00 to launch during summer season
Description - This is the best place in the North Tahoe area to launch your boat. Sand Harbor is a very nice facility consisting of beautiful sand beaches, harbor, breakwater and spacious double ramps with floating piers. The breakwater makes launching and retrieving your boat safer when the lake gets choppy in the afternoon.
Driving time - 10 minutes. Driving distance - 3 miles.

Ski Beach
Next to Incline Beach on Lakeshore Blvd.
775.832.1156
Hours of operation - Gates are open 24 hours per day.
Dates of operation - Year round.
Fees - $15.00 to launch boat.
Description – This is a less desirable place to launch your boat due to the fact that there is no breakwater, pier or harbor. It is difficult to launch and retrieve your boat when it is choppy in the afternoon. This ramp is unprotected and receives heavy surf when the wind picks up. Parking is also less convenient. After you launch, you must park in the lot across the street and walk back while your crew keeps the boat offshore and vice-versa to retrieve. Parking in the lot is only allowed during the day.
Driving time and distance - Local

BOAT RENTALS

There are several powerboat rental agencies in North Lake Tahoe. The agencies operate during the summer season. You will need a major credit card to secure the rental. Always obtain a current weather forecast and if you are new to boating, only venture out on calm days with stable forecasts. Handling a boat in choppy conditions can be stressful. Be aware that the conditions on Lake Tahoe can and often do change rapidly, so it’s wise to be prepared for all conditions. Below find listings for boat rentals.

Action Watersports of Tahoe
Ski Beach (Across from the Hyatt Regency)
Incline Village, Nevada
775.831.4386
Fees:
Four Winns 18 ft., 220 Hp. Boat (up to 8 people) $120.00 per hour (3 hour minimum). Four Winns 22 ft, 260 Hp. Boat (up to 10 people) $140.00 per hour (3 hour minimum). Pontoon Boats 24 ft. (up to 13 people) $120.00 per hour. Sierra Cloud Trimaran (2 hour daytime cruise) $40.00 per adult. $20.00 per child 12 and under. Also available for two hour private charter. $1500.00 for two hours (up to 49 passengers).
Special instructions: Major credit card required for all reservations. No experience required to rent boats. Staff will give brief orientation on how to operate the boat and safety instructions.
Driving distance - Local

North Tahoe Marina
7360 North Lake Blvd
Tahoe Vista, California
530.546.4889
Driving distance – 10 miles. Driving time – 20 minutes.
Description – will not open till end of June.

Tahoe Water Adventures
120 Grove Street
Tahoe City, California (behind Lake-House Pizza)
530.583.3225
Description – Open in mid May weather permitting. They rent boats from 19 to 26 feet in length. 19-footers rent for $100.00 per hour with a one-hour minimum. Larger boats are more expensive. A major credit card is required for all rentals. The credit card will be authorized for a $1,000.00 damage deposit. No experience is required to rent a boat. The staff will give a brief orientation on how to operate the boat and basic safety instructions. Driving time – 30 minutes. Driving distance – 20 miles.

KAYAKS AND CANOES Gliding silently across the crystal clear water of Lake Tahoe is an experience few will ever forget. There are many great places on the lake to kayak and canoe. One of the favorite local spots is Sand Harbor and the east shore just south of Incline Village. Some other neat places to explore are Crystal Bay, Meeks Bay, D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay.

It is best to get an early start in the morning before the wind picks up and the lake becomes choppy. Kayaks tend to be more stable in the water than a canoe and less prone to tipping over. Check with the local rental agencies for additional places to explore, specific directions and local access. Rental agencies are only open during summer months. Remember to wear a life vest at all times. Below find listings for kayak and canoe rentals.

Tahoe Paddle and Oar North
Tahoe Beach Center
Kings Beach, California
530.581.3029
Description – Tahoe paddle and Oar has one of the largest selections of self-powered rental boats on Lake Tahoe. They offer guided Kayak tours of Sand Harbor for $90.00 per person with a two-person minimum. They also offer guided Kayak tours of Crystal Bay for $70.00 per person with a two-person minimum. Guided tours last approximately 90 minutes.
Fees – Canoes are $ 20.00 per hour or $80.00 per day.
Single seat Kayaks are $15.00 per hour or $70.00 per day.
Double seat Kayaks are $25.00 per hour or $100.00 per day.
Single cockpit with rudder Kayaks are $20.00 per hour or $80.00 per day.
Double cockpit Kayaks with rudder are $30.00 per hour or $120.00 per day.
Driving time – 15 minutes. Driving distance – 10 miles.

Action Water Sports
Across from the Hyatt Regency
Lakeshore Blvd
Incline Village, Nevada
Hours of operation – 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
775.831.4386
Fees: Ocean Kayaks – 1 person - $20.00 per hour. 2 persons - $30.00 per hour
Canoes - $20.00 per hour.
Pedal boats - $20.00 per hour.
Aqua cycles - $30.00 per hour.
Driving time - Local

JET-SKIS

Jet skiing is becoming increasingly popular and can be an exciting way to experience the lake. If you are bringing you own jet ski there are a few things to keep in mind. Most condominiums do not allow parking of jet skis so renting a house may be a better option. Also the local governing agency has recently banned the use of all jet skis with two stroke engines on Lake Tahoe due to pollution. Locally there are plenty of agencies that rent jet skis. The average price is $75.00 to $100.00 per hour. Wet suits, life preservers and gloves are usually included in the price of the rental. Stay alert to your surroundings when jet skiing as accidents are common and can be serious. Agencies are open during summer months. Below find listings for jet ski rentals.

Action Water Sports
Incline Beach (across from the Hyatt Regency Hotel)
Lakeshore Blvd
Incline Village, Nevada
775.831.4386
Fees: Sea-Doo GTX for 1 to 3 people - $100.00 per hour. $70.00 per half hour.
Driving time and distance - Local

Tahoe Water Adventures
120 Grove Street
Tahoe City, California (behind Lake-House Pizza)
530.583.3225
Driving time - 30 minutes. Driving distance - 20 miles.

PADDLEWHEEL CRUISES

A cruise on board one of the local padlewheelers is an enjoyable, convenient and relatively inexpensive way to experience Lake Tahoe. Most tours are narrated and will challenge your imagination with interesting facts and history about the area. There are three large multi-deck paddle wheelers that cruise the lake. They all have restaurants, bars, restrooms and souvenir shops. Tours depart from 3 separate locations around the lake, several times during the day.
A typical cruise lasts for around 2 hours and travels to Emerald Bay, along Lake Tahoe’s west shore, and returns. Emerald Bay is possibly Lake Tahoe’s most scenic destination. The water is beautiful shades of blue and vistas of the surrounding mountains are quite spectacular. While navigating Emerald Bay, tours pass by the magnificent Vikingsholm Castle and the old teahouse on Fannette Island. In addition to the Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise, most tour providers offer a Champagne Brunch Cruise, Historic Glenbrook Cruise and Sunset Dinner Dance Cruise. Reservations are recommended especially in the summer. Cruises are conducted year round. Below find listings for paddlewheel cruises.

Tahoe Gal North Tahoe Cruises
Highway 28 (behind Safeway)
Tahoe City, California
530.583.0141
Fees- $26-$32 per adult depending on type of cruise. Call for details. 
Description – The Tahoe Gal is the smallest of the tour boats. It is, however, fully equipped with a restaurant and bar.
Driving time – 30 minutes. Driving distance – 20 miles.

M.S. Dixie II
Located 4 miles north of Stateline on Highway 50
Zephyr Cove, Nevada
775.588.3508
Fees - $33-61 per adult. depending on the type of cruise. Call for details.
Description – The M.S. Dixie is the largest paddlewheel boat operating on Lake Tahoe and has won the “Best Boat Cruise” in a poll of Lake Tahoe visitors and residents six years in a row. There are two bars and a full service restaurant aboard. In addition there is a glass bottom to look into the depths of Lake Tahoe. The vessel is also available for charters and weddings. Boarding begins ½ hour prior to cruise departure. Smoking is not allowed on enclosed decks. It is allowed on open decks.
Driving time – 40 minutes. Driving distance – 30 miles.

Tahoe Queen
Highway 50 and Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, California
530.541.3364
Fees - $33-$61 per adult, depending on the type of cruise. Call for details.        Description – The Tahoe Queen is the second largest tour boat on the lake. It has two enclosed decks and an open-air top deck. It has a full service restaurant, two bars and souvenir shop aboard. The boat is also available for charters and weddings. Boarding begins ½ hour prior to departure. Smoking is not allowed in enclosed decks. It is allowed on open decks.
Driving time - 50 minutes. Driving distance - 40 miles.