Lake Tahoe marina guide
by Dana Turvey, tahoe.com
It’s often said that the best way to experience Lake Tahoe is from the lake – and each summer thousands of people prove this theory’s wisdom. Dotted around the lake’s 72 miles of shoreline are several marinas, with varying levels of service, aimed at making your lake time more enjoyable.
Boating expert, Scott Longoria, has operated the Lake Tahoe Water Ski School at Camp Richardson the past 19 years. With his experience in motoring and sailing into marinas all around the lake, he offers this advice:
“If you’re approaching a marina that you’ve never been to before from the water, don’t race in to the dock before you’ve figured it out. Every dock has a place to load and unload – just relax and look for it. And read the signs – rules and warnings are usually listed, but people don’t always read them. And don’t forget to tip the boat shuttle captain,” adds Longoria.
Tahoe City
Starting in Tahoe City, and moving clockwise around the lake, is the Tahoe City Marina, next to the Boatworks Mall. This is a full-service marina, with powerboat rentals, forklift and travelift launch, fishing charters and a Cope & McPhetres marine supply store adjacent. Jakes-on-the-Lake, inside the mall, serves a great lunch. Tahoe City Marina 700 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 530-583-1039 Fuel – slips – indoor winter storage – service www.tahoecitymarina.com
Carnelian Bay
In Carnelian Bay, the large, blue marina so visible from the water is Sierra Boat Company. This is home to classic wooden boat restoration and sales, forklift launch, engine repair, plus a camping and marine supply store. Garwood’s famous lakeside restaurant is next door. Sierra Boat Co. 5146 North Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay, CA 530-546-2551 Fuel - moorings – slips – storage www.sierraboat.com
Tahoe Vista
A few miles east, in Tahoe Vista, is the motor boat-oriented North Tahoe Marina. They offer new boat sales, engine and upholstery repair, fork launch and petrol. From the water, look for their green roof and Moon Dunes Beach to the east – from the road, it’s one mile west of Hwy 267. North Tahoe Marina 7360 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe Vista, CA 530-546-8248 Fuel – moorings – slips – service - storage – pump-out
Boating expert, Scott Longoria, has operated the Lake Tahoe Water Ski School at Camp Richardson the past 19 years. With his experience in motoring and sailing into marinas all around the lake, he offers this advice:
“If you’re approaching a marina that you’ve never been to before from the water, don’t race in to the dock before you’ve figured it out. Every dock has a place to load and unload – just relax and look for it. And read the signs – rules and warnings are usually listed, but people don’t always read them. And don’t forget to tip the boat shuttle captain,” adds Longoria.
Tahoe City
Starting in Tahoe City, and moving clockwise around the lake, is the Tahoe City Marina, next to the Boatworks Mall. This is a full-service marina, with powerboat rentals, forklift and travelift launch, fishing charters and a Cope & McPhetres marine supply store adjacent. Jakes-on-the-Lake, inside the mall, serves a great lunch. Tahoe City Marina 700 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 530-583-1039 Fuel – slips – indoor winter storage – service www.tahoecitymarina.com
Carnelian Bay
In Carnelian Bay, the large, blue marina so visible from the water is Sierra Boat Company. This is home to classic wooden boat restoration and sales, forklift launch, engine repair, plus a camping and marine supply store. Garwood’s famous lakeside restaurant is next door. Sierra Boat Co. 5146 North Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay, CA 530-546-2551 Fuel - moorings – slips – storage www.sierraboat.com
Tahoe Vista
A few miles east, in Tahoe Vista, is the motor boat-oriented North Tahoe Marina. They offer new boat sales, engine and upholstery repair, fork launch and petrol. From the water, look for their green roof and Moon Dunes Beach to the east – from the road, it’s one mile west of Hwy 267. North Tahoe Marina 7360 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe Vista, CA 530-546-8248 Fuel – moorings – slips – service - storage – pump-out
Sand Harbor
Three miles down the east shore from Incline Village is Sand Harbor. This is a lovely, but bare-bones site managed by the Nevada State Park system. Boasting primarily a launch ramp (but no fuel), note that parking gets filled early most summer weekends. Sand Harbor State Park Hwy 28, Incline Village, NV 775-831-0494 Visit the park's website here. Boat launch and park, $15 Launch and leave, $2
Glenbrook
Continuing down Highway 50, just south of the Cave Rock tunnels, is another ramp managed by the State Park. There’s a small slice of beach and picnic tables. Cave Rock State Park Hwy 50, Glenbrook, NV 775-831-0494 Visit the park's website here. Boat launch and park $12 Launch and leave $2
Zephyr
Zephyr Cove Marina, at the only east shore stop light, is one of the larger recreational facilities on Lake Tahoe. Offering paddleboat tours, boat rentals, jet skiing, live music, volleyball and a beach-side bar and restaurant, Zephyr Cove is one of the lake’s summertime hot spots. (no boat ramp) Zephyr Cove Marina 760 US Hwy 50 East, Zephyr Cove, NV 775-589-4908 www.zephyrcove.com Fuel – moorings
Two miles further down is Round Hill Pines Beach, a sort of calmer sister to the Zephyr scene. Here, too, are jet skis, paddleboats, kayak rentals, fishing charters, bar and restaurant and live music. Add to this a heated swimming pool, a tennis court and boat tours, but no boat launch or fuel. Round Hill Pines Beach US Hwy 50, Roundhill, NV 775-588-3055 www.rhpbeach.com Moorings
South Lake Tahoe
From the water, Lakeside Marina is adjacent to Harvey’s casino, in the highly visible casino corridor of south shore. Mainly a nice flat beach with a restaurant and live music – it’s spectacular for watching sunsets. There are also jet ski and power boat rentals. Lakeside Marina 4041 Lakeshore Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-541-9800 fuel – ramp - moorings – slips Launch $20 each way
Smack-dab in the middle of South Lake Tahoe is Timber Cove Marina. Here, directly on the pier, is the Blue Water Bistro for an easy lunch or dinner stop. Also offering fishing charters, kayak, jet ski and power boat rentals, parasailing and sail boat cruises. The marina is part of a Best Western lakefront lodging property. Timber Cove Marina 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-544-2942 www.timbercoveresort.com fuel – moorings
The Tahoe Keys Marina is the only ‘inland’ marina on Lake Tahoe. Boaters need to take a (well marked) channel through residential keys, before landing on this full-service marina. Boasting a full-supply chandlery store, engine repair, boat rentals, water ski school and launch ramp, this is also home to the popular Fresh Ketch restaurant. Tahoe Keys Marina 2435 Venice Drive East, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-541-2155 www.tahoemarina.com Fuel – ramp - slips – storage – service Boat launch $30 roundtrip, Jet skis $20
Camp Richardson
Two and-a-half miles up Highway 89 on the west shore is Camp Richardson’s Resort, also a full marina facility. Here, they offer lodging (you’ll need reservations), launch ramp, deli and store, water ski school, sunset cruises, boat rentals, live music and the Beacon lakeside restaurant.
Camp Richardson 1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-542-6570 www.camprichardson.com
Fuel – ramp - moorings – service Water taxi runs 8am – 8pm in summer
Meek's Bay
Further up West Shore is Meek’s Bay Resort and Marina, next door to a general store and campground. They also have boat launching and pump-out facilities, but no fuel. Meeks’ Bay Resort 7941 Emerald Bay Road, Meek’s Bay, CA 530-525-5588
www.meeksbayresort.com Launch – slips
Homewood
Homewood is all about boats, with two marinas in this 350 person town. The Homewood Marina is more basic, but with a forklift launch and nearby mini-market. Homewood Marina 5190 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA 530-525-5966 fuel - moorings – storage
Obexer’s Boat Company is west shore’s full-service marina and a history going back to 1911. They have a full repair shop, forklift launch, boat ramp and winter storage. Obexer’s Boat Co. 5355 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA 530-525-7962 www.obexersboat.com fuel – ramp - moorings – slips – service – storage
Ramp fee: $12 in or out or $20 same day roundtrip
Sunnyside
Last marina around the lake is Sunnyside Resort & Marina, located two miles south of Tahoe City. Known as one of the more posh spots for a waterfront lunch, the resort has lodging, waterski school and a nearby market. Sunnyside Resort 1850 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 530-583-7201 fuel – moorings – slips - storage Fork launch $35
Three miles down the east shore from Incline Village is Sand Harbor. This is a lovely, but bare-bones site managed by the Nevada State Park system. Boasting primarily a launch ramp (but no fuel), note that parking gets filled early most summer weekends. Sand Harbor State Park Hwy 28, Incline Village, NV 775-831-0494 Visit the park's website here. Boat launch and park, $15 Launch and leave, $2
Glenbrook
Continuing down Highway 50, just south of the Cave Rock tunnels, is another ramp managed by the State Park. There’s a small slice of beach and picnic tables. Cave Rock State Park Hwy 50, Glenbrook, NV 775-831-0494 Visit the park's website here. Boat launch and park $12 Launch and leave $2
Zephyr
Zephyr Cove Marina, at the only east shore stop light, is one of the larger recreational facilities on Lake Tahoe. Offering paddleboat tours, boat rentals, jet skiing, live music, volleyball and a beach-side bar and restaurant, Zephyr Cove is one of the lake’s summertime hot spots. (no boat ramp) Zephyr Cove Marina 760 US Hwy 50 East, Zephyr Cove, NV 775-589-4908 www.zephyrcove.com Fuel – moorings
Two miles further down is Round Hill Pines Beach, a sort of calmer sister to the Zephyr scene. Here, too, are jet skis, paddleboats, kayak rentals, fishing charters, bar and restaurant and live music. Add to this a heated swimming pool, a tennis court and boat tours, but no boat launch or fuel. Round Hill Pines Beach US Hwy 50, Roundhill, NV 775-588-3055 www.rhpbeach.com Moorings
South Lake Tahoe
From the water, Lakeside Marina is adjacent to Harvey’s casino, in the highly visible casino corridor of south shore. Mainly a nice flat beach with a restaurant and live music – it’s spectacular for watching sunsets. There are also jet ski and power boat rentals. Lakeside Marina 4041 Lakeshore Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-541-9800 fuel – ramp - moorings – slips Launch $20 each way
Smack-dab in the middle of South Lake Tahoe is Timber Cove Marina. Here, directly on the pier, is the Blue Water Bistro for an easy lunch or dinner stop. Also offering fishing charters, kayak, jet ski and power boat rentals, parasailing and sail boat cruises. The marina is part of a Best Western lakefront lodging property. Timber Cove Marina 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-544-2942 www.timbercoveresort.com fuel – moorings
The Tahoe Keys Marina is the only ‘inland’ marina on Lake Tahoe. Boaters need to take a (well marked) channel through residential keys, before landing on this full-service marina. Boasting a full-supply chandlery store, engine repair, boat rentals, water ski school and launch ramp, this is also home to the popular Fresh Ketch restaurant. Tahoe Keys Marina 2435 Venice Drive East, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-541-2155 www.tahoemarina.com Fuel – ramp - slips – storage – service Boat launch $30 roundtrip, Jet skis $20
Camp Richardson
Two and-a-half miles up Highway 89 on the west shore is Camp Richardson’s Resort, also a full marina facility. Here, they offer lodging (you’ll need reservations), launch ramp, deli and store, water ski school, sunset cruises, boat rentals, live music and the Beacon lakeside restaurant.
Camp Richardson 1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530-542-6570 www.camprichardson.com
Fuel – ramp - moorings – service Water taxi runs 8am – 8pm in summer
Meek's Bay
Further up West Shore is Meek’s Bay Resort and Marina, next door to a general store and campground. They also have boat launching and pump-out facilities, but no fuel. Meeks’ Bay Resort 7941 Emerald Bay Road, Meek’s Bay, CA 530-525-5588
www.meeksbayresort.com Launch – slips
Homewood
Homewood is all about boats, with two marinas in this 350 person town. The Homewood Marina is more basic, but with a forklift launch and nearby mini-market. Homewood Marina 5190 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA 530-525-5966 fuel - moorings – storage
Obexer’s Boat Company is west shore’s full-service marina and a history going back to 1911. They have a full repair shop, forklift launch, boat ramp and winter storage. Obexer’s Boat Co. 5355 West Lake Blvd., Homewood, CA 530-525-7962 www.obexersboat.com fuel – ramp - moorings – slips – service – storage
Ramp fee: $12 in or out or $20 same day roundtrip
Sunnyside
Last marina around the lake is Sunnyside Resort & Marina, located two miles south of Tahoe City. Known as one of the more posh spots for a waterfront lunch, the resort has lodging, waterski school and a nearby market. Sunnyside Resort 1850 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 530-583-7201 fuel – moorings – slips - storage Fork launch $35
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