When you consider the sandy shores, crystal clear waters, Ponderosa-pine-lined vistas and rugged surrounding peaks, it’s no wonder Lake Tahoe’s beauty is 100% legendary. But until you’ve experienced North America’s largest alpine lake from aboard one of the famous Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe cruises, you simply cannot fully appreciate the beauty of the Big Blue.
That said, if you haven’t already, you’ll want to add at least one of the following Lake Tahoe cruises to your bucket list (and be sure to bring your best camera).
#1 – Rum Runner Cruise
Camp Rich’s Rum Runner Cruise has been a long-time favorite among locals and visitors.
A Tahoe favorite for years, the Rum Runner Cruise is named after The Beacon Bar & Grill’s signature Rum Runner Cocktail (which has been named Best of Tahoe™ Best Cocktail countless times over the years). This luxury yacht departs the Camp Rich Marina every day in the summer at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to head out on a one-and-one-half hour round-trip adventure to Emerald Bay. Take the 6 p.m. tour, and you’ll catch the sunset.
Families love this cruise because not only are Rum Runner Cocktails served the whole way, there are also plenty of drinks and snacks for the kiddos to enjoy. Plus, at 90 minutes, the cruise is a great duration for families with young kids. Book online!
#2 – Vikingsholm Castle Boat Tour
The Vikingsholm boat tour is a great way for families to get in some lake time and learn about the area’s rich history.
The Vikingsholm cruise is a special cruise that is also a family favorite, offering epic views and a Vikingsholm Castle tour so dang interesting, kids don’t even realize they’re learning stuff. Built in America’s Jazz Age, the historic home has 38 rooms and features what has been called “one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in America.”
With the cruise and tour combined, this excursion is three hours long, and it departs from the Camp Rich Marina every summer day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Book the cruise and tour package online. Find more interesting facts about the castle and Emerald Bay.
#3 – Tahoe Serenity Cruise
Last but not even remotely least is the aptly named Tahoe Serenity—Lake Tahoe’s newest luxury yacht. This yacht’s 2 1/2 hr. Emerald Bay cruise leaves from Round Hill Pines Resort Marina every day in summer at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. An ultra-relaxing one-hour happy hour cruise also departs every summer evening at 5:30 p.m. and includes one free drink for each passenger. (Bonus: plenty of the resort’s popular Pain Killer cocktails are also available on board.)
To learn more about cruising on Tahoe Serenity, visit the Tahoe Serenity page on Round Hill Pines Resort’s website.
Go With a Group
The Rum Runner and Serenity Lake Tahoe cruises also offer group charter packages for events, meetings and even weddings. But you’ll need to call one of the numbers below to get the process started.
Group Charter Numbers
Rum Runner (530) 542-6587
Tahoe Serenity (775) 588-3057
One More Thing – The Water Taxi
The Tahoe Water Taxi might not be a yacht cruise, so to speak, but it sure as heck offers up smooth sailing past the summertime Tahoe traffic (get local highway traffic info here). And bikes ride free. So, you can certainly see why this little gem deserves a spot on the list. The taxi leaves from four ports of call spanning from just past Zephyr Cove all the way to Camp Rich. You can get info and book Water Taxi rides here.
Now, go update that bucket list. Happy cruising, from your friends at Camp Rich!