Lake Tahoe Pontoon Cruise: Emerald Bay & Rubicon Trail

Two hours to pick your Tahoe: sightseeing, fishing, swimming or all three

A 2-hour private pontoon cruise for up to 12 people on Lake Tahoe, customized to your group's choice of sightseeing, fishing, swimming or party cruising. The boat includes Bluetooth sound, a large Bimini top, swim ladder and water lights. Fishing gear includes a Garmin fish finder, pole holders and two downriggers. You bring food, drinks and alcohol (no red wine). Fuel and life jackets are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Tahoe sightseeing and water activities

• Stop at Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay
• Tour Vikingsholm and visit gift shop
• Swim and cliff jump at Fannette Island
• Anchor and play football or volleyball
• Travel alongside Rubicon Trail
• See historic lighthouse and rope swings
• Stop for lunch by turquoise water
• Enjoy watersports like tubing and wakeboarding

The experience

Two hours on a pontoon built for what you want to do. The boat carries up to 12 people and runs with a live English-speaking guide who knows the lake's best stops. Bluetooth sound and a large Bimini top mean you can play music and stay shaded while the water lights turn the evening into something else. If fishing is the plan, the Garmin fish finder and two downriggers are already rigged. If swimming and cliff jumping are, Fannette Island in Emerald Bay is where people do it. The Rubicon Trail side of the lake runs turquoise and holds rope swings, rock jumping and a historic lighthouse if you want to cruise and look.

Emerald Bay stops let you anchor near Vikingsholm, a mansion with tours and hiking trails, or wade into knee-deep water with a football or volleyball while the boat stays put. The Rubicon Trail stretch is built for watersports: tubing, knee boarding, wake boarding and wake surfing all work there, and the water color alone is worth the stop. Bring whatever food and drinks you want (alcohol is fine, just not red wine). Fuel is already paid for, and life jackets for kids and adults come with the boat.

What’s included

• Fuel.
• life jackets for kids and adults.
• safety equipment.
• Bluetooth sound system.
• large Bimini top.
• swim ladder and water lights.
• fishing gear including Garmin fish finder, pole holders and two downriggers.
• live English-speaking guide for the 2-hour cruise.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:30

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Discover Tahoe Chartered Cruises

Is this one for you?The pontoon launches from a fixed point on Lake Tahoe, so if you don't have a car or are staying elsewhere on the shore, confirm the departure location with the operator before booking. It settles the logistics for the day and lets you plan your arrival time.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What can we actually do on a 2-hour Lake Tahoe pontoon cruise?

The cruise is custom to your group, so sightseeing, fishing, swimming, cliff jumping, watersports like tubing and wake boarding, or a mix of all of it works. Emerald Bay has Vikingsholm to tour and Fannette Island for swimming and cliff jumping. The Rubicon Trail side has rope swings, rock jumping and a historic lighthouse, plus turquoise water for tubing and boarding.

Is fishing equipment included on the pontoon?

Yes. The boat carries a Garmin fish finder, pole holders and two downriggers, so you can fish right away without bringing your own gear.

What's included in the price of the cruise?

Fuel, life jackets for kids and adults, safety equipment, Bluetooth sound, the Bimini top and swim ladder all come with the booking. You bring your own food and drinks (alcohol is allowed except red wine).

How many people can fit on the pontoon?

The boat holds up to 12 people, so it works for a family, a friend group or a small gathering.