Lake Tahoe is one of the highest alpine lakes in the country. It straddles Nevada and California within the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is the second deepest lake in the United States. Lake Tahoe is home to numerous beaches and is known for its crystal clear blue water. In some places, the water is so clear, you can see up to 90 feet below the surface.
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Lake Tahoe is unique because it’s truly a year-round lake. The water consistently stays pretty chilly but never freezes over because of its extreme depth. The most popular time for water activities at Lake Tahoe area in the summer months, when the water temperature can get up to 60 degrees at shallower parts.
About GetMyBoat
GetMyBoat works like renting a house while on vacation. Boat owners rent out their boats to visitors so they can enjoy the water. Renting from GetMyBoat is easy. You can search by location, number of people the boat holds, type of boat, available dates, and price. You can also look for a specific type of boat based on what type of outing you’d like to have, whether it be a relaxing day on the lake or an adventure-filled few hours.
Once you decide which boat works for your group and outing, you can rent and pay for it directly on the website. It’s an easy tool that will get you out on the water quickly.
1. Exploring The Lake
Lake Tahoe is jammed packed with natural beauty and history. Start with Emerald Bay and the historic Vikingsholm mansion. This Nordic-style house from the 1920s was built as a summer home but is now owned by the state of California. Or swing by the west shore to take a look at Fleur du Lac, which was used as a backdrop for Godfather II.
With more than two dozen beaches around the lake, you could easily spend a day just beach hopping. Kings Beach on the northern shore is one of the largest and most popular. You can swim here or enjoy a picnic along the shore. There are also a few shops nearby if you need to refresh your supplies. Kiva Beach may be less crowded because it can get a bit rocky for swimming, but it’s one of only a handful of Tahoe beaches that allows dogs.
For an enjoyable day exploring Lake Tahoe, consider renting a pontoon boat like this one. It holds up to 10 people and offers discounts for multi-day rentals. Pontoon boats are easier to drive, so you can focus on the beautiful surroundings. Some may even come with a captain for an extra charge if you really don’t want any responsibility!
2. Water Sports
If you’re looking for a little bit more adventure on the lake, try your hand at some water sports. At more than 190 square miles, there’s plenty of room for adventure, whether you’re seeking some adrenaline or relaxation. For a thrill, try experiencing Lake Tahoe by paddleboarding, jet skiing, tubing, or water skiing. Several boats come equipped with these water toys, so you can try them out when you’re ready. You can even rent jet skis for the day or try your hand at tubing with this boat or wakeboarding with this one.
Prefer a more laid-back approach? Get a kayak delivered directly to you or try out paddleboard yoga. Keep in mind that the water in Lake Tahoe is quite cold (even in the summer), so you may want to pack a wetsuit or, at the very least, some extra towels or a sweatshirt to warm you up when you get out of the water!
3. Sailing
Dirth the motor and rely on the wind with sailing adventures on Lake Tahoe. While other boats may struggle in the high winds, sailboats thrive in them. This boat will teach you the basics of sailing if you want to give it a try, or just sit and enjoy the scenery while the pros handle the sails. This sailboat also has a kayak if you want to jump in and explore the water on a more personal level.
Sailboats are typically smaller than motorboats, so consider that if you have a larger group. Also, some sailboats are anchored away from the shore, so you have to take a small dinghy from the shore to the boat. This can be difficult to get in and out of, so be sure to ask about how to get on the sailboat before renting it if you think you will have any difficulty.
4. Fishing
Lake Tahoe is home to about a dozen different species of fish. The most common are Kokanee salmon and trout including rainbow, silver, and mackinaw. Visitors can fish year-round in Lake Tahoe, but the best bites come in spring and summer. The different species of fish prefer different parts of the lake based on depth, water temperature, and other factors, so you may find yourself going to several places throughout the day in order to maximize your haul. For this reason, consider renting a faster boat, like this one, that can quickly get you from place to place.
Two things to note about fishing at Lake Tahoe. First, each person is responsible for obtaining their own fishing license. You must have this on you at all times. The other is that there are limits to how many fish each person can catch. The limit is typically five trout (with no more than two being mackinaw) and five salmon, but be sure to check the latest rules before you head out onto the lake.
5. A Full Day Of Fun
Once you’ve taken in all the scenery and history, you may be ready to cut loose and have some fun on the water. Lake Tahoe’s pristine blue water is perfect for swimming and enjoying. Just note: Lake Tahoe sits at more than 6,000 feet in elevation, so the water is a bit chilly!
For a true party on the water, the Jungle Float is the boat to rent. Equipped with a trampoline, water slide, and diving board, you can flip, slide, and bounce into Tahoe’s water. There’s even a barbecue to fuel up after hours of fun.
What better way to celebrate a family reunion or life event than a fun-filled day on Lake Tahoe? This boat can accommodate up to 35 guests, so it’s perfect for that larger group. It has a floating water mat, and you can bring on your own food and drinks. It also comes with a captain who can customize your trip, so you can sit back and enjoy the day.
6. Sunset Cruise
The beauty of Lake Tahoe changes at twilight. The sun reflecting on the crystal blue waters is something that everyone should experience. You can rent any boat to take out on your own to enjoy a quiet, more intimate time watching the sun go down. Or you can take a charter cruise.
There are several charters available for sunset cruises. The benefit of these charter cruises is that they come with a crew that can discuss the lake’s history and point out some unique spots. This boat comes with a complimentary champagne toast and a captain to take you to the best place to see the sights. Add dinner into the mix on board this boat, where you can grill up some food to enjoy while watching the beautiful sunset.
7. Lake Tahoe From The Air
File this under the “don’t miss this” section of any trip to Lake Tahoe. Marvel at the blue water from the air, with an excursion on board the Tahoe Flyer. It’s the only certified balloon launch and recovery boat in the world, so you literally can’t get this experience anywhere else. The boat launches early in the morning to take you to the middle of the lake as the sun is rising. You’ll climb into the hot air balloon basket before being launched off the back of the boat. The ride above Lake Tahoe is spectacular and will leave you breathless. One of the biggest thrills is when the hot air balloon lands back on the boat in the middle of the lake! This experience is pricey but worth it for the scenery and memories.
Pro Tip: Spring and summer are very popular times for water activities at Lake Tahoe. Your best bet is to book early to ensure you get the boat or charter you want. Some of the boats even offer a slight discount for booking farther in advance.
