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.
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.
With space for up to 35 of your crew, a day on the “Vivid Dreams” party boat from Tahoe Boat Rides is the ultimate Lake Tahoe experience! Captain, Crew & on-board bathroom all included!
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.
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.
Departing from South Lake Tahoe, with room for up to 13 of your homiest crew, this half-day double decker pontoon boat Battle Born Boat Rentals is nothing but a good time. Private captain with all rentals!
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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.
