TourTruth score 8.8 out of 10
Photo 1 / 6
Emerald Bay Private Boat Tour 2 hr
GoodTop 29% in Lake Tahoe
11 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Lake Tahoe
- 2 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Cruise Emerald Bay on a private Lake Tahoe boat tour, with views of Vikingsholm, Fannette Island, and the Sierra Nevada.
About this tour
Glide across the clear waters of Lake Tahoe on a private Emerald Bay boat tour, where striking shoreline landmarks and mountain scenery unfold from the water. Over two hours, cruise through Emerald Bay and admire Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired mansion tucked along the shore. Continue to Fannette Island, known for its picturesque stone tea house, then round the bay toward Rubicon Point for sweeping views of Sierra Nevada peaks, lakeside cliffs, and blue water. This Emerald Bay private boat tour includes a USCG-certified captain, gas, bottled water, and watersports equipment. Groups of six or fewer have all costs included at booking; groups of seven or more pay an additional captain fee directly upon arrival. Meet at the boat 20 minutes before departure and follow the dock to the blue flag. Set out on an Emerald Bay boat tour for a fresh perspective on Lake Tahoe’s celebrated scenery.
Highlights
- Cruise the crystal-clear waters of Emerald Bay
- Admire Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired mansion
- See Fannette Island and its stone tea house
- Take in Sierra Nevada views from Rubicon Point
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Watersports equipment
- USCG-certified captain
- Gas
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Snacks
- Pets
- For groups of 7 or more, captain fee of $100 per hour, payable upon arrival
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on Viator
Viator
5.00 / 5 · 11 reviews
Important information
- Groups of 7 or more must pay the captain $100 per hour upon arrival by cash, Venmo, or Zelle; groups of 6 or fewer have all costs included at booking
- Arrive at the boat 20 minutes before your scheduled departure
- Meet at the boat near the flagpole and boat ramp; follow the dock to the blue flag
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long is the boat tour?
The private Emerald Bay boat tour lasts 120 minutes.
Is the tour private?
Yes, this is a private boat tour.
What is the captain fee for groups of 7 or more?
Groups of 7 or more pay the captain $100 per hour upon arrival by cash, Venmo, or Zelle. Groups of 6 or fewer have all costs included at booking.
Where do I meet the captain?
Meet at the boat near the flagpole and boat ramp, then follow the dock to the blue flag. Arrive 20 minutes before departure.
What sights will I see?
The route features Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Fannette Island, its stone tea house, and views from Rubicon Point.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 5.00 from 11 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Lake Tahoe
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.7. Top 29% in Lake Tahoe means it ranks in the top 29% of tours in Lake Tahoe by this score.
Provider rating distribution in Lake Tahoe
How many tours in Lake Tahoe have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
More Sightseeing Tours & Cruises in Lake Tahoe
from $679
on Viator










