California – Lake Tahoe Sunset Sail with Sail Tahoe Blue
“I feel boujee,” my sister admitted while sipping her sparkling wine and taking in the views of Lake Tahoe in the late evening, the wind silently pushing the sail on the boat. And she was right. Being out on the deep blue waters in the evening with a beverage in hand and someone else taking care of the sailing was relaxing and made me feel extremely fancy. What a treat it was to experience Lake Tahoe like this! Taking my mom and sister on a Lake Tahoe sunset sail with Sail Tahoe Blue was one of the best ideas I had for our 2022 family trip, and I’m joyful to share the sunset sail experience with you. Let’s get into it!
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Out on the Water: Lake Tahoe Sunset Sail
While I’ve seen sailboats on Lake Tahoe before, I didn’t realize until recently that you could go out on one until 2021! From the shore, they look ridiculously picturesque. So when I found Sail Tahoe Blue, I was stoked to be able to experience a sunset from the water on a small boat. Here’s what the experience was like from start to finish.
Check-in Process/Getting out to the Sailboat
You can check availability and book your spot with Sail Tahoe Blue directly on their website. In addition to the Lake Tahoe sunset sail, they offer a high noon cruise, afternoon cruise, or private charter. The private charter would be phenomenal if you have a large enough group. After booking, everyone in your party will need to sign an online waiver which only takes a few minutes. Sail Tahoe Blue will send a few emails before your scheduled sailing with information on where to go and where to meet a staff member.
The company asks that you arrive 30 mins before your sailing time to check-in. The traffic around Ski Run Boulevard can get hectic in the evening, so buffer additional time to get there. My very kind father offered to chauffeur the ladies this evening, so we could all partake in an alcoholic beverage and not have to pay for parking! See if you can get a ride or Uber if you plan to drink. Fair warning, Ubers can be busy and slow in the evenings.
At the Ski Run marina area, Sail Tahoe Blue had a purple tent set up with their logo right off the parking lot. We checked in with a staff member and waited for other group members to arrive. This would be an excellent time to use the public bathroom within the Ski Run Marina buildings.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars; It’s hard to beat a Lake Tahoe sunset sail.
- Intensity: Casual and comfortable clothes and shoes that stay secure on your feet.
- Location: Ski Run Marina, Lake Tahoe
- Cost: $95/per person — 2 out of 3 spots were given to me in exchange for this blog post, be sure to read my “Full Transparency” section for how I think that impacted my experience.
- Restrooms: There are bathrooms at the Ski Run Marina Shops and a small toilet on board.
- Timing: About 2 hours.
Highlights:
- Peaceful, lovely outdoor activity to enjoy Lake Tahoe in the evening.
- A well-run operation that felt seamless with knowledgeable and personable staff.
- Great photos!
- Beverages are provided – alcoholic and non-alcoholic. My group couldn’t resist the sparkling wine and enjoyed it tremendously. They had like 5 or 6 options for different beverages, which was surprising.
Lowlights:
- It can get chilly with the wind, so bring layers to stay warm.
- Since it is a sailboat, it tips with the wind as needed. If you are not in one of the formal seats, you might get a bit of an ab workout.
Boarding “Blue” and Seating Arrangements
Once everyone was present, we made our way down the long dock to a motorized inflatable raft. Due to the droughts, the sailboat cannot make it to the dock. Instead, the company shuttles you to and from the dock in a motorized boat. With about 12 or 15 people in our group, I was surprised we all fit on the motorboat. Staff members hold the boats steady at each step, making it much easier to get from dock to boat to sailboat. However, those who have difficulty balancing should take their time – it is a leisurely experience, after all!
On “Blue,” the sailboat, there are several seating options. My mother, sister, and I took seats at the back, with a backrest and the entire boat in front of us. It was also a superb spot to watch the staff members steer and sail. A large group of couples took the seating area in front of the steering wheel. Some of these seats have backrests and have the easiest access to the bathroom below the deck. And finally, others sat toward the front of the boat. There is no formal seating at the front, but wherever you could be comfortable. It would be amazing to sit up front to take in the uninterrupted scenery and have a titanic moment.
Sailing with Sparkling Wine
There are several stow-away pockets, which the staff helped store our things safely. With skinny railing, it seemed easy to lose something overboard, so I was happy to have my purse stowed away for sailing. Sail Tahoe Blue staff unhooked from the buoys, let loose the sails, and we were moving in no time. Shortly after, one of the staff came around to take our drink orders. They had a surprising amount of options, including local beer, wine, sparkling wine, water, sparkling water, and soda(?). I cannot fully remember the non-alcoholic options because as soon as I heard sparkling wine, I knew what I was having! Hah!
We were in the sunshine and headed west at the start of our sail when our sparkling wine was brought out. My mother, sister, and I clinked our cups of sparkling wine as we took in the insanely gorgeous scenery. After running around the last few days doing hikes, swims, paddles, and boating, the sunset sail was like a deep breath. We could relax our shoulders and simply look around at where we were. The clouds moved around to highlight different features around the lake. Depending on the depth, the water changed color from lighter shades to a clear deep blue. It was nice to slow down and appreciate Lake Tahoe.
Staff members would come to chat with our little group at the back and refill our sparkling wine. It was an atmosphere where people could partake or not in the alcohol and still be comfortable. Not a party boat, this felt more like a space for quiet conversation. Primarily using the sail to move, it was tranquil, and we didn’t have to yell over the motor.
Sights to See
My parents have been coming to Lake Tahoe for decades (before it was a summer destination). Since 2011, we’ve begun taking summer family trips and exploring Tahoe as a summer destination. While I don’t know every peak and sight, it was fun to try to spot the following items:
- Cave Rock
- Castle Rock
- The Heavenly Gondola
- Mt. Tallac
- The Casinos (watch them get tiny as you sail away)
- The entrance to Emerald Bay
- Camp Richardson (my family loves the Rum Runners at the Beacon)
As we got to the southeast corner of the lake, a handful of sailboats were out. Wind typically picks up in the afternoon, and it’s the best time to take sailboats on the water. I loved getting photos of the other sailboats, thinking, “hey, we probably look like that (with more people on board).”
Photos While Sailing
I wanted to capture the Lake Tahoe sunset sail experience for this blog post and as a way to remember this moment time with my mother and sister. Here are my tips and recommendations for taking photos while on the sunset sail:
- To sail, you must have wind, so expect hair to be flying! But you can also use this to your advantage by wearing flowy clothing items for movement.
- Do some test shots to see which direction is best. We had some clouds moving around, so the first 20 mins of sailing ended up being the sunniest with bits of blue skies.
- Luckily nearly every background on Lake Tahoe is gorgeous, but there will be times when one side of the lake is closer, which could provide a different type of shot.
- Capture the boat, sail above, and steering wheel for ambiance photos.
- You can also use your drink as a prop!
Turning East and Returning to the Marina
There is no set route for the sunset sail, and your specific journey will be determined by the wind. When the captain and staff turned the boat around to head east, the wind died down dramatically. It was silent out on the lake, beyond the chatter from the fellow boat guests. We eventually slowed down so much that we had to use the quiet motor to propel us forward. By this time, the sparkling wine was setting in, my bladder was getting full, and I was getting chilled with the sun behind the clouds. The two-hour timeframe was perfect as I was about ready to get some dinner and warm up.
We returned to the motorized raft at the buoy, and each guest made their way onto the smaller watercraft. Before long, we were zooming back to the dock and walking on dry land. Most of our group made a bee-line for the public bathrooms at Ski Run Marina.
I recommend making a dinner plan and potentially dinner reservations because we were hungry and ready to eat after the sunset sail. Not sure I would recommend Riva grill, which is right there at Ski Run – it was very average food with steep prices. Sadly, I don’t have recommendations for you — do you know of a place near Ski Run Marina? Let me know in the comments at the bottom of this blog post.
What To Bring With You – Sunset Sail
My mother, sister, and I were accidentally matching, but I promise that wearing a white flowy top is not required when embarking on a Lake Tahoe sunset sail! While I viewed it as a time to dress up slightly, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I would suggest bringing a jacket that has some wind-resistant qualities. You need wind to sail, so expect it to be breezy!
- My light blue sweater: the light blue full zip hoody I’m wearing is from Patagonia, like this one, but it might be better to have a bit of a windbreaker instead.
- My brown pants: these are from Old Navy! I got them in early summer and wore them all the time. I hope they continue to make extra-high-waisted wide-leg pants in future seasons!
- My cropped flowy top: I got this second-hand, and the brand is Bird & Kite. I had a Marilyn moment with my top and the wind, which I loved for the photos. I found similar tops, including this long sleeve blouse from Free People; this lace blouse from Anthropologie would be beautiful, or even something like this one on Amazon.
- My sandals: from American Eagle! I couldn’t find my exact pair (they are second-hand).
- My sunglasses: prescription sunnies from Eyebuydirect!
- iPhone wrist strap: If you plan to keep your phone out on the water (very risky), I recommend having a way to attach it to you, like a wrist strap of some sort. Otherwise, you could keep it in your purse in a secure location or be extra careful with a zip pocket.
Other Things to do at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a loved and familiar destination for my family and me. Here are other activities that I’ve done and written about in the area over the years:
- East Shore Bike Path – Bike and Swim in Lake Tahoe
- Maggie’s Peak Hike – Tough Hike with Incredible Views
- Rubicon Trail – Connecting Emerald Bay and DL Bliss State Park
- Cave Rock – Short Hike on the Southeast Shore
- My Favorite Lake Tahoe Beaches – Kick back or take a swim
- Monkey Rock Hike – 2.5 Miles to Uninterrupted Views of Lake Tahoe
- How to Cozy Cabin Experience – We stayed in Truckee in the fall with snow!
- Full details of a Full Boat Rental with Action Watersports of Tahoe
- Eagle Lake Hike – 2-Mile Hike through Alpine Scenery
- Rifle Peak Hike – Insanely strenuous hike… but worthwhile? Still deciding
- Clear Kayak Stargazing Tour with Clearly Tahoe
Full Transparency
Two spots (I purchased the third spot) on the sunset sail were given to me in exchange for writing this blog post, and I wanted to speak about how that might have impacted my experience. I discovered Sail Tahoe Blue and immediately loved the idea of doing a sunset activity on the water. The company focuses on sustainability with little impact on the environment. With all this in mind, I reached out for a partnership and eventually decided that making it a girls’ experience with my sister and mom would be fun. With an extra person, I paid for the third person out of pocket instead of asking for a third spot as that felt most appropriate.
In terms of the experience, I believe you would have a nearly identical experience as I did when booking with Sail Tahoe Blue. There was no special treatment to any single person, with the staff engaging each group in conversation, and the boat would have done the same things had we not been there. It’s truly up to the winds, sun, and clouds to determine what weather you experience. Lake Tahoe is always gorgeous, so you can count on that!
(If you end up booking with Sail Tahoe Blue due to this blog post, please let them know that I recommended them. Both them and I would deeply appreciate it.)
Overall Thoughts: Sunset Sail with Sail Tahoe Blue
What’s not to love about a sunset sail? Flattering evening light and sparkling wine while you sit back and enjoy the views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Like my sister said, it felt boujee and totally relaxing. Mid-way through our family vacation week, the sunset sail was a lovely way to slow down, stop rushing from one activity to the next, and deeply appreciate Lake Tahoe. A bit of physical ability is needed to maneuver across each boat; otherwise, I would recommend a sunset sail with Sail Tahoe Blue to anyone. Take anyone you think needs a treat, and maybe that’s you! I’m so glad I got to treat my mother and sister to the experience.
I’m always looking for more things to do around Lake Tahoe. Do you recommend any other activities or hikes for me to check out? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
