Enjoy a Day on the Lake! Book Online

Thank you for booking your Lake Tahoe Boat Charter with Tahoe By Design, on the Grateful Red. Below is some helpful information to prepare for your tour.

What to Bring:

• Sunscreen
• Bathing Suit and Towel (if you want to swim)
• Hat
• Light Jacket

Optional: You are welcome to bring your choice of beverages & snacks. (You are welcome to bring adult beverages, however no red wine, because of the light interior of the boat.)

Where to Meet:

We launch from our boat dock at the Tahoe Keys Marina, located at 2435 Venice Drive, E. South Lake Tahoe CA 96150.  At the Tahoe Keys Marina, you will find free parking as well as restrooms, deli and the Fresh Ketch restaurant.  After parking, text Captain Bryan at 801-703-6139.

On board provisions:

We provide refreshments including sodas, water and a variety of light snacks for your enjoyment. We have all the life jackets and safety gear, snorkeling equipment and an extended swim deck with ladder for enjoying the lake. We also have a built-in cooler on board for provisions.

What to Expect:

Lake Tahoe is 22 miles by 11 miles and the distance around the lake is 75 miles. It is one of the largest Alpine Lakes and at the deepest point, is 1600 feet (imagine the Empire State Building – plus another 200 feet.) The water is clear and ranges in shades of cobalt blue, to sapphire and Bahama green. Conditions on the lake can change quickly, so we recommend bringing a jacket in case it gets windy. 

During the tour, you will learn about some of the facts about the lake as well as interesting history on some of the famous landmarks. We appreciate the opportunity to share our love of beautiful Lake Tahoe and the beauty of the lake and nature never gets old!

Will I get seasick?

If you tend to get seasick, we recommend you take your choice of over the counter options to prevent seasickness. We like the Dramamine daytime, less drowsy formula. We rarely have a guest get seasick because we are moving on the water at a smooth pace and the shoreline is always visible. 

Conditions:

The ideal boating excursion means little to no wind. If the forecast is for winds over 12-14 knots, we will advise the guests and alter the schedule to avoid the windy conditions. If winds are over 14 knots, we will offer the chance to reschedule or we provide a full refund. Weather is unpredictable but our experience in boating will ensure we select the best possible conditions. The Grateful Red charter is best suited for adventurous guests! 

Can I customize where I want to go on Lake Tahoe?

Yes, if you have a preference on where you would like to visit, we will do our best to accommodate this if the time/distance is within the allocated time for your charter.

While On-Board:

If you have a favorite music genre, please let us know. We cruise the lake and stop at designated stops for exploring, swimming and restroom breaks. We do have a small portable restroom on board as well. The lake is cold, approximately 57 degrees and warming as the summer progresses. We also have a Bimini, a sunshade which we put up if needed.

Safety is our Top Priority:

Captain Bryan Steele, (Bones) is a US Coast Guard  OUPV/Six-pack Captain's License Merchant Mariner Credential and we are a part of the Maritime Consortium and a certified drug-free vessel. In addition to holding his Captains License, he is certified in First Aid & CPR and we keep first aid supplies on board as well as a maritime radio.

About the Grateful Red

She is our beautiful Mariah Z250 Limited Shabah. She is one of only two boats with this design and styling by Mariah. She has every upgrade, bell and whistle for a smooth ride. The engine is powerful with a 7.4 liter, 454 Merc cruiser and 336hp and max speed of 40 mph. She is a beautiful, elegant boat and a head turner!

Itinerary:

Below is a general itinerary for your tour and the various landmarks we visit. We may alter this based on weather conditions and guest accessibility. 

4 Hour Charter

- Pope Beach, Baldwin Beach, Ski Beach

- Camp Richardson

- Emerald Bay – we typically dock at Emerald Bay so guests can visit the iconic Scandinavian mansion, Vikings Holm. Restrooms available at this stop.

- DL Bliss

- Rubicon – Our favorite place to swim in Emerald waters. We anchor here for swimming off the boat.

- Sugar Pine State Park – we typically stop at the beach here for exploration and swimming. Restrooms available at this stop.

2 Hour Charter

- Emerald Bay – we typically dock at Emerald Bay so guests can visit the iconic Scandinavian mansion, Vikings Holm. Restrooms available at this stop.

- DL Bliss

- Rubicon – Our favorite place to swim in Emerald waters. We anchor here for swimming off the boat.

Contact Info:

On the day of your charter, please contact us via text if needed. Cell service is limited on the lake so we will respond asap.

Captain Bryan Steele: 801-703-6139

Karen Steele: 925-389-4560