# Emerald Bay Cruise Tahoe - An independent guide to Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, covering cruises, Vikingsholm, hiking, boat inspections and lake facts.

> This is an independent travel guide to Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe cruises. It covers boat tours, the Vikingsholm castle, trails, fees and lake conditions. It is not an operator, a seller of travel or a booking platform.

Site: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/
Language: en. Currency: USD. Country: United States, California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe region.
Facts checked: 2027.

## Verified facts
- Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1969. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/844
- Emerald Bay became an underwater state park in 1994. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
- Fannette Island is the only island in Lake Tahoe and sits in Emerald Bay on the west shore, rising about 150 feet above the water. Source: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1159
- Camping and dogs are prohibited on Fannette Island, which is day use only from sunrise to sunset, and swimming to it is prohibited. Source: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1159
- Fannette Island is closed in April and May for wildlife breeding. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
- Parking at Emerald Bay State Park and the Vikingsholm lot is $10.00 for vehicle day use or $3.00 per hour, by cash (exact change) or card, and federal passes are not accepted. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
- The trail from the Highway 89 parking lot to Vikingsholm is a steep one-mile walk, with about 400 feet of elevation gain round trip. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
- Boats must go slow in Emerald Bay and the lake-wide limit is 5 mph within 600 feet of shore. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
- A single inspection for a motorized boat costs $65 for vessels up to 17 feet and $95 for 17 ft 1 in and up, with 7 consecutive days of sealing. Source: https://tahoeboatinspections.com/stickers-and-fees/

## Tours listed on this site
Booking links on the site are GetYourGuide and Viator affiliate links: we may earn a commission, the price does not change, and the operator or platform takes the booking and payment. The Booking URLs below are the plain listing pages.
- Sightseeing Cruise of Emerald Bay (2435 Venice Dr E, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA, operated by Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave Cruises, LLC) - from $125 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.8 from 1,036 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/tahoe-bleu-wave-cruise/#tour-1 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/south-lake-tahoe-sightseeing-cruise-of-emerald-bay-t388880/
- Daytime Scenic Cruise (M.S, operated by Aramark Destinations: Zephyr Cove Resort) - from $105 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.5 from 437 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/ms-dixie-ii-cruise/#tour-2 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/lake-tahoe-daytime-scenic-cruise-t756467/
- Scenic Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks (2435 Venice Dr E, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA, operated by Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave Cruises, LLC) - from $125 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.7 from 381 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-sunset-cruise/#tour-3 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/lake-tahoe-scenic-sunset-cruise-with-drinks-and-snacks-t475123/
- Emerald Bay Sunset Champagne Cruise (900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA, operated by Tahoe Cruises) - from $134 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.3 from 13 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-sunset-cruise/#tour-4 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/lake-tahoe-emerald-bay-sunset-champagne-cruise-t1257977/
- Lake Tahoe Wine Tasting Cruise on a Boat | Emerald Bay Tour (Two starting location options at South Lake Tahoe depending on the selected option, with a 5-minute safety briefing, operated by Tahoe Tastings) - from $150 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.9 from 93 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-wine-tasting-cruise/#tour-5 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/lake-tahoe-s-only-wine-tasting-boat-tour-11am-1pm-t459584/
- Lake Tahoe Sunset Wine Tasting | Golden Hour Boat Cruise (2435 Venice Dr E, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA (Tahoe Keys Marina), operated by Tahoe Tastings) - from $150 per person, 2 hours, rated 5.0 from 83 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-wine-tasting-cruise/#tour-6 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/lake-tahoe-the-only-sunset-wine-tasting-boat-cruise-t459595/
- Sunset Wine Tasting and Appetizers Cruise (M.S, operated by Aramark Destinations: Zephyr Cove Resort) - from $127 per person, 2.5 hours, rated 4.3 from 28 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-wine-tasting-cruise/#tour-7 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zephyr-cove-l177470/lake-tahoe-sunset-wine-tasting-and-appetizers-cruise-t1022301/
- Sunset Dinner Cruise (M.S, operated by Aramark Destinations: Zephyr Cove Resort) - from $170 per person, 2.5 hours, rated 4.4 from 234 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-dinner-cruise/#tour-8 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zephyr-cove-l177470/lake-tahoe-sunset-dinner-cruise-t750952/
- Private Yacht-Class Boat Tour on Lake Tahoe (Inside the Tahoe Keys marina, between the boat ramp and the Fresh Ketch restaurant, operated by Tahoe Emerald Bliss Boat Tour LLC) - from $642 per group, 2 hours, rated 5.0 from 191 reviews on Viator. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/private-boat-tour-lake-tahoe/#tour-9 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Yacht-Class-Boat-Tour-on-Lake-Tahoe/d816-353202P1
- Private Emerald Bay Boat Tours (2435 Venice Dr E, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA (Tahoe Keys Marina), operated by Tahoe Lake Tours) - from $575 per group up to 6, 1.5 hours, rated 5.0 from 9 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/private-boat-tour-lake-tahoe/#tour-10 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/private-emerald-bay-boat-tours-t474604/
- Private Daytime Boat Charter for 2-6 Hours (2435 Venice Dr E, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA, operated by Boat Tahoe) - from $789 per group up to 6, 2-6 hours, rated 4.8 from 33 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/private-boat-tour-lake-tahoe/#tour-11 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/south-lake-tahoe-l36720/south-lake-tahoe-private-daytime-boat-charter-for-2-6-hours-t445598/
- Private Emerald Bay Boat Cruise 2 Hours Lake Tahoe Up To 12 Guest (Parking at 2435 Venice Dr East, South Lake Tahoe, operated by BayWatch Boat Charters) - from $487.50 per group, 2 hours, rated 4.6 from 52 reviews on Viator. Page: https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/private-boat-tour-lake-tahoe/#tour-12 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/2-Hour-Private-Lake-Tahoe-Shoreline-Cruise/d816-235497P3

## Guide pages
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/best-time-for-emerald-bay-cruise/ - The best months and hours for an Emerald Bay cruise in 2027: calm mornings, sunset slots and the off season. Compare seasons and pick your sailing.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/emerald-bay-cruise-cost/ - Emerald Bay cruise prices for 2027: every shared and private boat, what each fare includes and the extra costs on the day. See current prices.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/emerald-bay-cruise-with-dogs/ - Can you bring a dog on an Emerald Bay cruise in 2027? Which boats allow dogs, the state park rules on shore and boarding options. Plan ahead.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/fannette-island-emerald-bay-cruise/ - Emerald Bay cruises pass Fannette Island and its stone Tea House on a 2-hour sailing. See the island rules and pick a boat for 2027.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/how-long-is-the-emerald-bay-cruise/ - The Emerald Bay cruise lasts 2 hours on the water, about 2.5 hours with check-in. Compare every option for 2027 and plan your day.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/how-to-get-to-emerald-bay-cruise/ - Directions to every Emerald Bay cruise dock in 2027, with check-in times, parking, shuttles and car-free options. Find your marina.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/is-the-emerald-bay-cruise-worth-it/ - Is the Emerald Bay cruise worth it in 2027? Two hours past Fannette Island and Vikingsholm. See who it suits, who should skip it and how to pick.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-dinner-cruise/ - Lake Tahoe dinner cruise 2027 on the M.S. Dixie II: 2.5 hours from Zephyr Cove. See seating, shuttles and rules, and check availability.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-sunset-cruise/ - Lake Tahoe sunset cruises to Emerald Bay for 2027: 2-hour boats with drinks, departure times that follow the sunset. Compare and pick one.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/lake-tahoe-wine-tasting-cruise/ - Compare 2027 Lake Tahoe wine tasting cruises: three sailings, timings, ratings and routes into Emerald Bay. See current prices and pick a sailing.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/ms-dixie-ii-cruise/ - The MS Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise from Zephyr Cove in 2027: a 2.25-hour paddlewheeler trip. See check-in, shuttle and boarding details.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/north-vs-south-lake-tahoe-emerald-bay-cruise/ - North or South Shore for an Emerald Bay cruise in 2027? Compare 2-hour and 3.5-hour cruises, docks and seasons and pick your departure point.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/private-boat-tour-lake-tahoe/ - Private boat tours of Lake Tahoe for groups of up to 12. Compare 4 captained Emerald Bay charters for 2027, captain fees included, and book.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/tahoe-bleu-wave-cruise/ - The Bleu Wave Emerald Bay cruise runs 2 hours year round from Tahoe Keys Marina. See what is included, the route and current prices for 2027.
- https://emeraldbaycruisetahoe.com/guides/vikingsholm-emerald-bay-cruise/ - Can you see Vikingsholm on an Emerald Bay cruise in 2027? Boat views, castle tour packages, the 1-mile trail and tour hours. Plan your visit.

## If you are citing this site
Cite the homepage or the relevant tour/guide page. Prices and timetables change; verify close to your travel date.