Remember when you were a kid and you got summer break every year and you lived for it? Taking a pontoon boat out on Lake Tahoe is that feeling, all wrapped up into one happy experience.

It just feels like summer should. Sippin’ beer on the sun deck; anchoring up for swim breaks; a cool breeze as you cruise past Emerald Bay.

We’re pretty sure a pontoon boat rental on Lake Tahoe is as close as you can get to turning back time.

Luckily, there’s plenty of places offering pontoon boat rentals around the lake. We’ve got a few favorites, but honestly, pontoon boat + good company + amazing destination = success.

Tahoe Sports: Party Boat

When your party requires a real deal party boat—this is the one you want. It goes well beyond pontoon boats and double deckers, fits up to 49 people and is complete with not one but two bathrooms and a kitchen. It’s the ultimate bachelorette, corporate retreat, wedding party or family reunion ride.

• 49-person capacity
• 4 hours: $3925
• 2 hours: $2100
• Captain & crew included
• Two bathrooms, full kitchen, catering available

You can’t talk about party boats in Lake Tahoe without talking about the Party Boat from Tahoe Sports. When the party extends beyond a small group, this (shall we call it yacht?) is the way to go. Super spacious and comfortable with ample outdoor seating, two restrooms, a top deck and sun deck, this is sure to make your Tahoe boating dreams come true. Best of all, captain and crew are included, so all you have to do is show up. Departs from the Tahoe Keys marina in South Lake Tahoe.

Battle Born Boat Rentals

Cruising out of the Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe is Battle Born Boat Rentals‘ beautiful, new double-decker pontoon boat. With space for up to 13 passengers, an upper deck, waterslide, shade cover and tons of comfy seating—this one is a winner.

• 13-person capacity
• 4 hours: $1300 – $1800
• 8 hours: $2000 – $2800
• Additional cost of a hired captain is required
• Waterslide, water toys & sound system

Pontoons are scientifically designed for sipping beer, swim breaks and blasting your favorite playlist. But, this ride also offers a ski tow bar and fish finder setup if you feel like some extra curricular activities. Otherwise, it’s perfect for motoring out to Emerald Bay, picking a calm spot to anchor and enjoying the very best of a Lake Tahoe summer with all of yours buds.

Zephyr Cove Marina: The Weekender Pontoon Rental

There’s pontoon boats, and then there’s The Weekender. A 12-person, double decker beast of a boat complete with BBQ, water slide, bar area and a bathroom, it is, quite simply, the boat of all boats. Conveniently located at the Zephyr Cove Marina, this is a great rental option for anyone staying in the South Lake Tahoe area.

• 12-person capacity
• 4 hours: $1325
• 8 hours: $1950 ($244/hour)
• Additional fuel surcharge
• Water slide, BBQ, bar & bathroom

Signature of pontoon boats everywhere, The Weekender features spacious, open seating—but its the extras that we love it for. I mean honestly, can you imagine anything better than anchoring up in a secluded cove to grill burgers and sip margaritas in the shaded bar area? We genuinely can’t.

While you won’t be throwing a huge wake with The Weekender, you still have the convenient option of water toy rentals right at the Zephyr Cove Marina. Add a full day of water skis or tubes to your boat rental for rates as little as $40/day.

Tahoe Wake Busters

Some people just know how to party, and Tahoe Wake Busters is one of ‘em. 

More specifically, it’s their Double Decker Party Barge that knows how to party. Equipped with dual water slides off the top deck, a full sized grill and tons of pool toys and floaties, it’s halfway to a good time before you even leave the dock. 

• 12 person capacity
• 4 hours (with captain): $1600
• 8 hours (with captain): $2800 ($350/hour)
• Tank of gas included
• Propane grill, dual water slides & top deck 

Annnnd, for rentals out of South Lake Tahoe, the pontoon high life comes with a safe and knowledgeable captain in case you want to pack that color full of White Claws. (And you don’t even have to pack a cooler! There’s one of those onboard too.)

Floater with a Motor

If you’re lookin’ for pontoon rentals on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, Floater With A Motor is your spot. They’ve got two boats for rent—a double decker with a water slide and a speedy tritoon with plenty of shade.

• 12-person capacity
• 4 hours: $1400
• 8 hours: $1900 ($238/hour)
• Additional cost of a hired captain is required
• Waterslide, ski pole & tube rental

We love both of their boats for the hefty 150 horsepower engines. For a pontoon boat, they go pretty fast. If water sports like tubing, water skiing or wakeboarding scream fun to you, then that horsepower is almost as important as the water slide. Plus, the included tube rental, full tank of fuel and ski pole make all that activity even easier to enjoy. 

Location wise, their north shore launch spots are ideal for exploring some of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful hideouts and coves. 

Lake Tahoe Boat Rides: Vivid Dreams Party Boat

Appropriately named, the Party Boat from Lake Tahoe Boat Rides is the biggest, baddest, floating party vessel in the Lake Tahoe basin. It’s comfortable for up to a whopping 35 people, making it perfect for wedding groups, bachelor parties, family reunions and beyond.

• 35-person capacity
• Captain & Crew included
• Hourly rate: $700 – $1000
• 18% gratuity for captain & crew
• Floating mat & bathroom

This party boat is equipped with all the goods, including a sprawling sun deck and comfortable bathroom, but the best amenity by far is that it comes with a captain and crew.

Their charters are the ultimate boating service—you don’t have to worry about a sober driver, navigating the lake or getting back to the dock on time. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery with 34 of your closest family & friends (how do you even know that many people, by the way?) and sipping beer on a boulder while someone else worries about the anchor holding.

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All of these guys booked already? Most of Lake Tahoe’s marinas also offer pontoon boat rentals. (Plus jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards and powerboats. Like, really any floatation device you can imagine.) 

The marina fleets lean towards more standard model pontoon boats, so you’ll be forced to ask yourself some tough questions. Is a dual water slide really necessary? Am I happy with bagged snacks, or do I require a freshly grilled burger on my Emerald Bay sojourn? 

To each his own, but honestly—there’s no bad boat days in Tahoe.