Top Lake Tahoe Half-day Tours

Get to know Lake Tahoe while keeping your eyes on the road and the magnificent scenery with a self-guided audio tour designed for listening in your own car. Many of Tahoe's natural and historic treasures are tucked away, but this downloadable smartphone app will take you to must-see locations and hidden gems. Start and stop the tour whenever you like, and explore Tahoe at your own pace.

Tahoe photographic tours offer a unique way to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s natural wonders and receive photography tips as you are led by an experienced photo guide who provides tips and shares information about the area. Whether you’re looking to snap a poster-worthy shot of snow-covered mountains, towering trees, wild flowers or the glassy lake itself, you’ll learn how to shoot in the great outdoors and see some of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful natural sights, including Emerald Bay.

Paddle your way through California's flora and fauna on a 4.5-hour whitewater rafting tour down the Truckee River. Offered in both the morning and afternoon, it’s easy to fit the thrilling excursion into your busy schedule. With gentle to moderate rapids, this 7-mile route is perfect for first-time rafters or families with kids (minimum 7-years-old). On hot days, you can enjoy a swimming break in natural pools along the way.

Go back in time to the American Wild West on this private tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada. Follow part of the old Pony Express to reach the area of the Comstock Lode, founded in 1859 during the Gold Rush, and hear about the days when Mark Twain walked the dusty streets. In Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, you have free time to explore on your own before stopping in Carson City on the way back to South Lake Tahoe.

Experience the beauty of Lake Tahoe in a completely transparent kayak on this guided tour. Paddle through the crystal clear waters and explore depths of up to 75 feet (23 meters) below the surface. The tour also includes a boat cruise that offers views of the lake’s rocky cliffs and scenic sites.

Explore the scenic highlights of Yosemite National Park on a full-day, small-group guided trip from Lake Tahoe with a lunchtime picnic beside Cascade Falls. Capture unforgettable images of the park’s soaring rock walls and craggy peaks then enjoy an invigorating hike to Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Falls, where high-mountain rivers tumble from sheer granite cliffs. Spot rock climbers scaling the face of El Capitan, watch for deer in alpine meadows, and take in the timeless beauty of California’s High Sierra mountains.

Weight limits apply: Maximum per-passenger weight is 250lbs. Maximum weight of all passengers combined must not exceed 500lbs. Passenger weights must be accurately provided at time of booking. Groups reaching a combined weight of 500 lbs will be subject to a weight check upon arrival for their flight. Any individual weighing 300 lbs or more will not be permitted to fly per the limitations of the aircraft. Any cancellation of a planned flight due to weights exceeding the maximum allowable aircraft weight (individual or combined) will be charged at full price. Starting at South Tahoe Airport, this 30 minute tour first embarks to Emerald Bay, then south past Mount Tallac, and over the shoreline of Fallen Leaf lake. Head west over Glen Alpine Falls below, climbing towards Pyramid Peak. The area is scattered with myriad lakes and waterfalls. Fly over Lake Aloha and past Horsetail Falls, dropping nearly 500 feet.

Weight limits apply: Maximum per-passenger weight is 250lbs. Maximum weight of all passengers combined must not exceed 500lbs. Passenger weights must be accurately provided at time of booking. Groups reaching a combined weight of 500 lbs will be subject to a weight check upon arrival for their flight. Any individual weighing 300 lbs or more will not be permitted to fly per the limitations of the aircraft. Any cancellation of a planned flight due to weights exceeding the maximum allowable aircraft weight (individual or combined) will be charged at full price. Showcasing beautiful Fallen Leaf lake, Cascade Lake, Taylor Creek, and Pope Beach, this tour heads to breathtaking Emerald Bay. Surrounded by granite cathedrals and fed by Eagle falls, the lake's only true bay is named for its emerald green waters.

Travel all the way around scenic Lake Tahoe in a comfortable shuttle on this 7-hour tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll cover close to 70 miles (110km), making stops at the beautiful vistas of Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay. You’ll also visit a charming village at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, and explore Tahoe City on the lake’s north shore, stopping to purchase lunch. As you go, your guide will provide rich historical context for the beautiful landscape surrounding you.

Up the romance factor on your trip to Lake Tahoe with this private boat charter. Leave the crowds behind by setting sail on an elegant boat. Customize the itinerary to your own preferences and watch the sun go down as you cruise through Emerald Bay, stopping at places such as Sugar Pine State Park or Secret Harbor.

Explore many miles of Lake Tahoe's beautiful East Shore Trail without breaking a sweat on a self-guided e-bike tour. Set the bike's battery boost settings to your own personal preference, and set off on fully paved, traffic-free paths for a stress-free day of cycling. The bike is yours for the entire day, along with bike locks so you can pop off to enjoy beaches and forests along the way.

Group tours of any kind can either go too fast or too slow, making for a less than ideal experience. Explore Lake Tahoe at your own pace with this self-guided electric bike tour on East Shore Trail and make stops when you choose to. Your journey along the trail ends at Sand Harbor, a popular area for swimming and boating.

Sail Tahoe Blue is the premier sailing charter in South Lake Tahoe. We offer a unique sailing adventure and include complementary local beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic beverages on all of our daily cruises. Unlike other tour boats which take 50+ passengers, our sailing yacht, "Blue", limits our capacity to 18 passengers. If you care to enjoy the beauty of propulsion by Mother Nature without the sound and smell of an engine, come sail with us!

Cruise in style and see the best of Lake Tahoe with this private half-day luxury yacht charter on a Sea Ray. Enjoy views of South Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park, D.L. Bliss State Park, and the estates of Rubicon Estates, and go for a swim in the clear waters of Lake Tahoe at a hidden cove. A cooler with ice and water is provided.

Escape from the crowds and cruise around Lake Tahoe in style. This private boat charter is exclusively for your party and takes you onto the lake and to beautiful beaches on board an elegant boat. Along the way you'll visit landmarks including Vikingsholm Castle and D.L. Bliss State Park.

Set sail on the elegant vessel Grateful Red and leave the crowds of Tahoe behind. This private boat charter is exclusively for your party and takes you out onto Lake Tahoe and through Emerald Bay. You'll soak up idyllic views as you visit beautiful beaches and tour the grounds of Vikingsholm Castle.

Get out on the water and enjoy Lake Tahoe the way you want. Cruise around and visit Emerald Bay, Fannette Island, Vikingsholm, D.L. Bliss State Park, and more, or spend your time playing in the water while water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing. With a US Coast Guard licensed captain to navigate and customize your cruise, you can sit back and enjoy your day out on the lake.

For the ultimate Lake Tahoe cruise, charter the eye-catching “Grateful Red” custom speedboat for your family or group of friends. The boat is entirely yours for a half day, with a dedicated captain to whisk you around to the lake’s most enchanting places. Stop along the way to swim in Rubicon Bay, explore Vikingsholm and the Hellman-Erhman mansion, and hike along the forested trails of Emerald Bay, all on your own schedule.

Located on the beautiful shores of South Lake Tahoe, Boat Tahoe provides the ultimate boating experience on Lake Tahoe! With our private captained boat tours choose from a day of cruising the lake while visiting Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Fannette Island, D.L. Bliss State Park, Rubicon Bay, Meeks Bay, Sugar Pine Point State Park and more or enjoying a more action packed day of tubing, wakeboarding or water skiing. Our US Coast Guard licensed captains can cater your tour to your exact needs! Book your adventure today and enjoy an amazing day on Lake Tahoe! *All passengers (including children) count towards max capacity of booking.

​​*** We are now closed for the winter. We’ll be back next May. Check the schedule for next summer availability. *** Join us on a restored 1958 Century Coronado named Radiance, a classic American wooden boat. This is like riding in a classic car on the water. With its big powerful engine, this will take you back to the grand days on the water on the 50's. It's a truly unique experience. ​ Private charters with a maximum of 6 people. Perfect for a couples night-out, special occasion birthday, anniversary cruise or an intimate wedding. Radiance cruises are best appreciated during the early morning and evening alpenglow hours. Daytime lake conditions are less predictable, yet cruises are available and always a good time. Our staff at Alpenglow Boat Company are delighted to create special event cruises with clients, such as full moon stargazing and sunrise tours. Just ask!

During our tour you will get the chance to encounter Lake Tahoe from a whole new perspective. We will spend 2 hours on the lake exploring the beautiful sandy eastern shoreline and viewing some of the most photographed and iconic granite boulders on the lake. Our company knows how to go above and beyond to make our trips memorable.

Best way to drive around Lake Tahoe and stop at the most photographed areas in the world. All you need a drivers license (must be 21 to drive and 25 to rent). Its like driving your own Formula One Car with your partner next to you.