Crystal blue waters, bluebird skies and summer conditions beckon many to the pristine shores of Lake Tahoe. With its many ramps, buoys, private lakes and other boat-friendly amenities, it’s easy to see why Lake Tahoe is a prime playground for boaters.
While play is definitely the order of the day, boating is a serious undertaking. Courtesy and safety are essential but, it’s also important to be aware of the regulations and best practices when it comes to boating on Lake Tahoe.
Here’s a complete guide on everything you need to know about rentals, docking, launching, cruising and having a great day boating Lake Tahoe.
Make sure your boat or watercraft has the essential items you’ll need for a day on the lake.
Boating Gear Checklist
Before you board your boat or watercraft to set sail on Lake Tahoe’s pristine waters, it’s important to make sure that you have all of the necessary gear. Here’s a checklist of essential items to bring with you on your Lake Tahoe boating excursion.
- Life Jackets: These are required gear for even the most seasoned swimmers. Make sure you have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on your watercraft. Life jackets are extremely important, especially with cold water conditions. Even in late summer and close to shore, the water in Lake Tahoe is cold and may result in Cold Shock Response, which can immediately incapacitate even the strongest and most experienced swimmers.
- Duct Tape: Having an ample supply of durable duct tape can minimize the inconvenience of a leak on board, and while you don’t want to rely on this to keep your ship afloat, it can serve as the perfect stop-gap measure as you make your way back to land should something happen.
- First-Aid Kit: It’s best to be prepared with a well-stocked first-aid kit, including waterproof bandages, antiseptic solution, medical tape, and antibiotic ointment.
- Bucket: There are lots of situations in which your boat or watercraft might take on some water. It’s best to bail it out and buckets do that best.
- Flashlight and Batteries: While we typically encourage people to do most of their boating in Lake Tahoe by day, some adventurers prefer to stay on the water later in the evening than others. In this case, it’s always a good idea to have a flashlight and plenty of batteries on hand, so you can safely navigate your boat in darker conditions.
- Whistle: A howling whistle is recognized as a universal “help me” signal and can usually be heard over roaring winds or lapping tides. It’s critical to have one of these onboard.
- Ropes: Perfect for tying your craft to the dock or pulling in people and objects that may have been thrown from the boat, ropes are a general safety must-have.
- Garbage Bags: Protect your sandwiches, keep other important items dry, and help keep Lake Tahoe clean by having garbage bags on hand to prevent any littering.
- Fire Extinguisher: Fires have broken out on boats in the past and, contrary to what we might assume, the preponderance of water surrounding your watercraft isn’t exactly helpful in these cases. A fire extinguisher, on the other hand, is very helpful.
- Plenty of (Drinking) Water, Snacks and Sunscreen: Boating can be hard when you’re tired or dehydrated and having food and water on board can help prevent fatigue. Especially under the hot summer sun, it’s important to keep your body fueled, hydrated and cool so you can keep the good times going on the lake. Additionally, keep your skin safe with ample amounts of sunscreen.
- Skier Down Flag: California and Nevada law requires the use of a skier down flag if you’re going to have water skiers, wake boarders or anyone behind the boat.
Keeping all this gear on hand will help you to maintain a safe environment on your watercraft, and more safety means more potential for fun without incident. That’s a perfect equation for an ideal day on the lake.
LAKE TAHOE MARINAS AND BOAT LAUNCH SITES (UPDATED 2025)
Here’s a list of many currently available marinas and boat launch sites in Lake Tahoe. Just please make sure to call ahead of arrival, as conditions and operating times may change:
- Homewood High & Dry Marina
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area
- Lake Forest Boat Ramp and Campground
- Meeks Bay Resort & Marina (reservations required)
- North Tahoe Marina
- Obexers Marina & Launch Ramp
- Sunnyside Marina
- Tahoe City Marina
Some boat launches are seasonal, closed during winter and open in warmer months. Be sure to pay special attention to the status of these sites:
It’s never been easier to dock a boat than in Lake Tahoe.
Renting a Boat in Lake Tahoe
If you don’t own a boat, don’t worry—there are plenty of rental options around the lake. From speedboats and pontoons to jet skis and kayaks, you can find the perfect vessel for your adventure.
Top Boat Rental Companies:
- Action Watersports (Incline Village) – Great for luxury boat rentals and guided tours.
- Sunnyside Marina (West Shore) – Ideal for ski boats and wakeboard rentals.
- North Lake Tahoe Boat Rental (Tahoe Vista) – Offers year-round access via Tahoe Boat Club
- Rent a Boat Tahoe – Hourly and long term rentals, plus group charters
- Tahoe Family Adventures (Truckee) – Get active with a floating waterpark rental (with waterslides and trampoline) or wake boarding boats
Most rental services require a valid driver’s license, and some may ask for a boating safety certificate. Many don’t include fuel in their prices, either. Be sure to book in advance, especially during peak summer months.
Jet Skis and Non-Motorized Watercraft Options
If you’re looking for a different kind of adventure on Lake Tahoe, consider renting a jet ski or trying non-motorized options like kayaking and paddleboarding. These activities allow you to explore the lake at your own pace and access areas that larger boats may not reach.
Best Places to Rent Jet Skis and Non-Motorized Boats:
- North Tahoe Water Sports – Offers every type of watercraft you can imagine, including jet-skis.
- Tahoe Aquatic Center – Perfect for adrenaline seeking jet skiers.
- Waterman’s Landing (Carnelian Bay) – Great for renting kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Jet skis provide an exhilarating way to experience the lake.
Non-motorized options offer a peaceful and eco-friendly way to take in the scenery. For a one-of-a-kind way to experience explore The Lake Tahoe Water Trail. Join up anywhere along this scenic 72-mile water route along the shoreline with public launch and landing sites, and wayfinding signage.
Boat Maintenance, Storage & Repairs in Lake Tahoe
Keeping your boat in top shape is essential for a smooth and safe experience. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or winterization services, these trusted boat repair shops have you covered.
- Sierra Boat Company (Carnelian Bay) – Specializes in repairs, restoration, and winterization services.
- Obexer’s Boat Company (Homewood) – Offers full-service maintenance and fuel dock services.
- Sunnyside Marina (Incline Village) – Provides boat repair, detailing, and restoration services.
Most repair facilities, these included, also offer storage services for your boat.
It’s always a good idea to schedule maintenance in advance, especially during peak boating season.
Boating Safety & Sustainability: Keeping Tahoe Blue
As you spend time on boating on Lake Tahoe’s gorgeous waters, having fun isn’t the only thing to keep in mind. There’s also the the well-being of you, your passengers, other boaters, and the environment to think about.
Lake Tahoe’s beauty is in part the result of a delicate, complex ecosystem that sees all of nature coming together to make our paradise so beautiful, clean, and serene.
We encourage all boaters to do their part to help preserve the ecosystem, and practice sustainability.
This includes:
- Performing proper inspections
- Following Tahoe-recommended safety practices
Watercraft Inspections in Lake Tahoe
When it comes to hitting the lake on a watercraft – whether it be motorized or non-motorized that means complying with local regulations about aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspections.
If bringing your own boat to Lake Tahoe, make sure its clean, appropriately drained of any non-Lake Tahoe water, dry and ready to hit the lake free of any carry-on critters from other lakes that might threaten the region’s aquatic ecosystem.
This also goes for non-motorized boats like paddleboards, canoes and kayaks.
Here’s a video on how to perform a proper inspection of your boat, watercraft, and gear.
To ensure your boat meets local Lake Tahoe aquatic regulations visit one of Lake Tahoe’s official boat inspection locations.
Once you’ve undergone inspection and been approved, you’ll receive the Tahoe Wire Inspection Seal, which is required for launch. This will allow you to boat or operate your watercraft freely in any watercraft-friendly area throughout Lake Tahoe.
You can learn more about this process at the Tahoe Boat Inspections homepage.
Let’s preserve Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty by keeping Lake Tahoe blue!
Boating Safety Best Practices
We all can play our part in keeping Lake Tahoe a safe and enjoyable place for boating and exploring the lake’s vast, blue expanse.
Here are some boating safety tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t overload your watercraft: stay within the passenger limit of whatever kind of boating vehicle you’re operating, so as to prevent weight imbalances, crowding or other potential perils.
- Check the water: Lake Tahoe is home to ideal weather most of the year, but when rain, thunder, lightning, and high winds are in the forecast it’s usually best to save your lake-faring adventures for another day.
- Keep the glass at home: Accidentally shattered glass bottles and containers can be a problematic mix both for both what’s happening on your boat and in the water around it.
- Don’t drink and boat: Lots of people like to enjoy alcoholic beverages when they’re on the water, but driving under the influence is just as bad an idea on the water as it is on shore.
- Join an on-water safety course to gain experience: There are many options for novice to experienced boaters.
- Make a float plan: Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board.
- Use an engine cut-off device: An engine cut-off device, or engine cut-off switch, is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.
- Travel at safe speeds: Be familiar with the area and local boating speed zones.
And don’t forget!
Before you set out, make sure you’re familiar with Lake Tahoe’s boating rules:
- Life jackets are required for all passengers, and children under 13 must wear them at all times.
- No-wake zones exist within 600 feet of the shore, marinas, and swim areas.
- Boating under the influence (BUI) is strictly enforced—just like DUI laws on land.
One of the best ways to stay up-to-date and safe while boating around Lake Tahoe is by downloading the Tahoe Boating App.
Are you ready to begin your Tahoe boating adventure? If so, why not book your stay today, and hit the high seas (err.. the gorgeous lake) tomorrow?
Ships ahoy!
