Lake Tahoe Boat Rentals

Area Man's Boat

Renting a boat on Lake Tahoe can be an excellent way to explore the lake's deep, clear waters. There are companies on North, South and West Shores that offer rental and charter service for everything from human powered paddleboats to large catamarans and cruise ships that can accommodate large parties.

Boating in Lake Tahoe requires special cautions. If you plan to get behind the controls of a boat, take proper care and educate yourself of the lake's hazards and regulations. In many areas, it is not difficult to find yourself inside hazard zones where even in deep waters, rocks may lurk just below the surface. Each year, accidents occur when boaters hit rocks and other underwater hazards. The U.S. Coast Guard marks areas with underwater hazards with white buoys, but in some places, it is easy to be deceived as the buoys are quite far from the shoreline. Too often, visitors are motoring through areas where they are taking a gamble with their lives and the lives of their passengers; pay attention, and do not find yourself on the wrong side of these buoys. Some of the areas requiring caution are Emerald Bay, Crystal Bay Point, and East Shore.

Tahoe also can get rough quite quickly, and it is common for afternoon winds to turn placid waters into white-capped waves large enough to swamp small boats. Often, boaters set out into calm waters and find themselves far away from shore in dangerous waves. Wind usually blows from the southwest, and from north and east shores, a dark wind line can often be seen approaching from this direction a short time before waters get rough. A dark line of water approaching from any direction should warn you of approaching changes in conditions. On most days (but not all!), waters usually are more calm on south and west shores, where the wind has not built up large swells.

Although the lake's clear waters near beaches can be comfortable to swim in during summer, the water off shore is quite cold, especially during spring and winter. Falling in the water can be a shock that can cause some people to be unable to swim, and exposure for even a few minutes can cause hypothermia or other problems. A capsized boat can present serious problems in the forms of cramped muscles that can make it difficult to swim, numbness, and hypothermia. In addition to education and other proper equipment, floatation devices are a must have to avoid being another casualty. The Coast Guard and several other organizations offer boater education courses to help you be safe out on the lake.

Action Watersports
Rent jet skis and power boats by the hour, half-day and day. Also has a parasailing operation. Has a location on north shore across from the Hyatt, also in south shore across from Safeway.
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake / Across from the Hyatt, North Lake
775-831-4FUN
http://www.action-watersports.com

Lakeside Marina
South lake marina has offers boat rentals.
4041 Lakeshore Blvd, Stateline, NV
530-541-9800

Party Boat
Charter party boat accommodates up to 49 people for weddings, corporate parties, and other events.
Tahoe Keys Marina, South Shore
530-542-2111
http://www.tahoesports.com/lake_tahoe_party.htm

Ski Run Boat Co
Power boats, jet skis rentals, and parasailing.
South Shore
530-544-0200
http://www.tahoesports.com/power.htm

Sailing Ventures
Chartered sailboats and sailing lessons located in Tahoe Keys Marina.
2435 Venice Drive East, South Lake
775-691-8200
http://www.sailtahoe.com

Timber Cove Sailing
Sailboat rentals available.
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake, CA
530-541-7245

Lake Tahoe Cruises / Zephyr Cove Resort
Powerboat rentals, jet skis and more are available out of the Zephyr Cove Resort. Also, cruises including Tahoe M.S. Dixie, and the Tahoe Queen paddlewheeler boats are popular sunset activities for visitors. Cruises include a sunset cruise, dinner cruise and trips to Emerald Bay. These large boats are affordable ways to get out on the water.
Zephyr Cove, NV
800-23-TAHOE
http://www.tahoedixie2.com/

Tahoe City Marina
The marina on the north shore is home to several boat rental operations, as well as features including water ski and wakeboard rentals and instruction.
700 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City
530-581-5249
http://www.tahoecitymarina.com

North Tahoe Watersports / Lake Tahoe Parasailing
Lake Tahoe Parasailing is located at 700 N. Lake Blvd at the Tahoe City Marina and can be reached at 530-583-SAIL. In Kings Beach, North Tahoe Watersports is located right on the beach near the pier, offering jet ski rentals, parasailing, and other watercraft including paddle boats and kayaks.
Tahoe City / Kings Beach, North Shore, CA
530-546-WAKE
http://www.northtahoewatersportsinc.com

Tahoe Water Adventures
Powerboats, kayaks, and canoes...
Tahoe City, CA
530-583-3225

Tahoe Sailing Charters
A 50 foot Santa Cruz class called Tahoe Cruz and a smaller, 6 person sailboat called Avalanche are available for charter outings.
Tahoe City Marina
530-583-6200
http://www.tahoesail.com

High Sierra Water Ski School
Lessons, powerboat rentals, and water ski equipment with locations in Homewood on West Shore at the High and Dry Marina and in Sunnyside a few miles south of Tahoe City.
West Shore, CA
530-583-7417 / 530-525-1214
http://www.highsierrawaterskiing.com

Meeks Bay Resort Marina
About 10 miles south of Tahoe City, the marina at Meeks Bay is open May-Nov for ski boat rentals and boat tours.
Meeks Bay, West Shore
877-326-3357
http://www.meeksbayresort.com

Tahoe Gal
One of Tahoe's large cruise boats departing from North Shore. Enjoy meals onboard, with daily cruises that include happy hour, scenic shoreline, sunset dinner, and lunch in Emerald Bay. There are also special moonlight cruises, and the boat is available for weddings and other events.
Tahoe City, CA
800-218-2464
http://www.tahoegal.com

Camp Richardson Marina
In the marina at the Camp Richardson Resort near Emerald Bay on the southwest shore you can find boat rentals, parasailing, fishing charters, boat launching, kayaks, jet skis and more.
Camp Richardson, Southwest Shore, CA
530-542-6570
http://www.camprichardson.com

Sierra Cloud Catamaran
The Sierra Cloud is a 55 foot catamaran operated by the Hyatt. Daily charter sailing trips are available and it can be reserved for private parties. It's a relaxing experience, quietly sailing along, sunbathing over the waters of Tahoe. You can enjoy a cocktail on the large, soft trampoline that allows you to see through to the blue water.
Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV
775-886-6643
http://laketahoe.hyatt.com

Tahoe Star
Harrah's Tahoe Star is a yacht operated by the hotel that offers cruises daily, with afternoon trips to Emerald Bay and evening outings for adults only. They also offer the boat for weddings.
South Lake
1-800-HARRAHS
http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/tah/things_to_do/tahoe_star.html