Sail Tahoe Blue Cruise: 2-Hour Sailboat Trip With Local Beer and Wine
Quick answer
The Sail Tahoe Blue cruise costs about $153 per person for 2 hours on a 40-foot sailboat from Ski Run Marina, with local beer, wine and soft drinks included.
GetYourGuide rates it 4.8/5 from 21 reviews; ages 5 and older only, the route depends on wind, and food, tips and hotel pickup are not included.
The Sail Tahoe Blue cruise is a two-hour public sailing trip on Lake Tahoe aboard "Blue", a 40-foot monohull that sails from the Ski Run Marina on the lake's south shore. It costs about $153 per person and includes local beer and wine.
The detail that changes the decision is the wind.
The listing says the route depends on the wind and changes daily, so there is no promised Emerald Bay visit. One reviewer's cruise was cancelled for a wind advisory and another sailed in no wind at all. Book this for the sailing, not for a fixed sightseeing route. See the Lake Tahoe boat tours hub or the Harbour Advisor home page for motor-boat options.
| Operator | Sail Tahoe Blue, founded in 2020, now in its seventh season (operator site) |
|---|---|
| Boat | "Blue", 40-foot Santa Cruz monohull; the listing says 18 passengers in one place and a 10-person small-group limit in another |
| Price | About $153 per person ($152.89 at the last check) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Departure times | Four day-parts are offered, from morning to sunset; exact times appear when you pick a date |
| Pier | Ski Run Marina, 900 Ski Run Blvd; check in at the Sail Tahoe Blue window by Riva Grill |
| Route | Wind-dependent and variable; the listing names no stops |
| Food and drinks | Local beer and wine plus non-alcoholic drinks; food not included |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before; reserve now, pay later |
| Rating | 4.8/5 from 21 reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Sail Tahoe Blue cruise and what do you see?
It is a public sailing trip under wind power, with a licensed captain and local beer, wine and soft drinks included, according to the inclusions list.
- Sailing - the boat is a retired racing yacht refitted for charters, per the operator's site.
- Drinks - local beer and wine plus non-alcoholic beverages.
- Crew - a US Coast Guard licensed captain and safety equipment.
- Views - shoreline and mountain scenery; the listing names no landmark.
I would book this for adults and older children who like sailing for its own sake. It suits a relaxed morning or golden-hour trip, not a checklist of landmarks.
Where does the Sail Tahoe Blue cruise leave from?
It leaves from the Ski Run Marina pin at 900 Ski Run Blvd.
The listing asks you to arrive 30 minutes before the sailing and find the Sail Tahoe Blue check-in window next to the Riva Grill restaurant. This marina is on the east side of South Lake Tahoe, away from the Tahoe Keys Marina where most other boats in this set depart.
- Arrive 30 minutes before the sailing.
- Check in at the Sail Tahoe Blue window beside Riva Grill.
- Board with the crew and receive a safety briefing.
What is the route, and will you reach Emerald Bay?
Probably not: the listing names no stops, says the route depends on wind, and Emerald Bay is 7.2 miles away in a straight line.
| Item | What the listing says |
|---|---|
| Stops | None named |
| Route | Depends on wind and varies |
| Scenery | Shoreline and surrounding mountains |
| Emerald Bay | Not mentioned |
| Map | Emerald Bay |
If you want Emerald Bay, Fannette Island and Vikingsholm guaranteed, choose a motor cruise such as the Bleu Wave Emerald Bay cruise or the Tahoe Tastings wine cruise. Ask Sail Tahoe Blue directly what a typical sailing covers on your date.
How long is the cruise and when does it sail?
The cruise lasts 2 hours and the listing offers four day-parts, from morning to sunset.
The listing gives no clock times and no operating months. Reviews from September 2026 and October 2025 show the boat sailing in autumn, so the season runs at least into the first weeks of October. Today is October 17, so check the live calendar before building a trip around it.
Sunset times matter for the evening option. The table below shows when the sun sets on the 15th of each month in 2026, so a golden-hour sailing is much earlier in the autumn than in summer.
| Month | Sunset |
|---|---|
| Apr | 7:38 PM |
| May | 8:07 PM |
| Jun | 8:28 PM |
| Jul | 8:26 PM |
| Aug | 7:56 PM |
| Sep | 7:09 PM |
| Oct | 6:22 PM |
| Nov | 4:47 PM |
What is on board and what is included?
The price covers the sail, the drinks and the captain; food, tips and transport are on you.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| 2-hour sailing cruise | Included |
| Local beer and wine | Included |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | Included |
| Licensed captain and safety equipment | Included |
| Food | Not included |
| Gratuities | Not included |
| Hotel pickup and drop-off | Not included |
Children must be at least 5 years old, infants are not allowed, and the listing bans dogs and smoking. The listing recommends bringing a camera and dressing for the forecast. It does not mention a toilet, so ask the operator before you board.
What should you ask the operator before booking?
Four questions are worth a message because the listing leaves them open.
- How many guests sail on my date? The listing says 18 in one place and 10 in another.
- Is there a toilet on board? The listing does not mention one.
- What happens in a wind advisory? A reviewer's cruise was cancelled; the refund rule is not stated.
- Are there dates left this season? The listing gives no months, so check the live calendar.
The operator's website gives a phone number for availability, and its booking engine is linked from the home page.
How does the Sail Tahoe Blue cruise compare with other Lake Tahoe boats?
It is the only wind-powered option among the shared boats and the one with the smallest group, at roughly 10 to 18 guests against 50 or more on larger tour boats, according to the listing.
| Cruise | Price | Length | Rating | Boat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sail Tahoe Blue cruise (this page) | $153 | 2 h | 4.8 (21) | 40-ft sailboat |
| Bleu Wave Emerald Bay cruise | $125 | 2 h | 4.8 (1,000+) | Motor cruiser |
| Tahoe Tastings wine cruise | $150 | 2 h | 4.8 (90+) | 1953 wooden yacht |
| Zephyr Cove daytime scenic cruise | $105 | 2.25 h | 4.5 (426) | M.S. Dixie II |
For a private sail-free alternative, the Boat Tahoe private charter costs more but sets its own route.
Is the Sail Tahoe Blue cruise worth it versus the other boats?
It is worth it if you want to sail, with the engine quiet and the group small; it is not worth a $28 premium over the motor cruises if you want a guaranteed Emerald Bay view.
At $77 per hour it sits above the $65 median. The extra pays for sail power and a small group, with a captain and deckhand in the reviews. Reviewers praise the captain's local knowledge and the calm, though one wanted more wind.
2020 is the year Sail Tahoe Blue was founded, and the operator says it is now heading into its seventh season.
When is the best time to book it?
July and August give the warmest deck, with 2025 average highs of 79 to 80°F, but wind for sailing is a separate question the table cannot answer.
| Month | Avg daily high | Days with 1 mm+ rain or snow | Sunset on the 15th | What to wear on deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40°F | 2 | 5:03 PM | Winter gear; cabin seating matters |
| Feb | 42°F | 11 | 5:38 PM | Winter gear; cabin seating matters |
| Mar | 43°F | 10 | 7:08 PM | Winter gear; cabin seating matters |
| Apr | 53°F | 7 | 7:38 PM | Coat, hat and gloves on deck |
| May | 64°F | 6 | 8:07 PM | Fleece or windbreaker for the lake breeze |
| Jun | 76°F | 1 | 8:28 PM | T-shirt weather; sunscreen and a hat |
| Jul | 80°F | 7 | 8:26 PM | T-shirt weather; sunscreen and a hat |
| Aug | 79°F | 7 | 7:56 PM | T-shirt weather; sunscreen and a hat |
| Sep | 70°F | 7 | 7:09 PM | Fleece or windbreaker for the lake breeze |
| Oct | 57°F | 5 | 6:22 PM | Coat, hat and gloves on deck |
| Nov | 51°F | 9 | 4:47 PM | Coat, hat and gloves on deck |
| Dec | 46°F | 10 | 4:40 PM | Coat, hat and gloves on deck |
The table shows one year of reanalysis data, not a normal, and it does not include wind. Reviewers reported both a day with no wind and a cancellation for a wind advisory, so check the National Weather Service Reno forecast for wind the day before. Dress for the lake, which is cooler than the shore.
What do passengers say?
Of 14 sampled reviews, 13 give 5 stars and one gives 3 for a wind-advisory cancellation, so the sample leans very positive.
- Captain and crew - most praise friendly, knowledgeable hosts who share lake tips.
- Calm - several call it relaxing or "zen".
- Small group - one reviewer picked out the small-group feel.
- Wind - one trip had no wind, with the drinks "making up for it", and one was cancelled for a wind advisory.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you have children under 5, want a guaranteed Emerald Bay route, or need a meal.
- Families with toddlers - infants are not allowed and the minimum age is 5.
- Landmark chasers - the route varies, so use a motor cruise.
- Diners - there is no food; see the Zephyr Cove sunset dinner cruise.
- Dog owners - dogs are not allowed on public sailings.
How do you book the Sail Tahoe Blue cruise?
The cruise costs about $153 per person for 2 hours with local beer and wine, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Choose morning, noon, afternoon or sunset when you pick the date. You can reserve now and pay later.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Sail Tahoe Blue cruise?
It is about $153 per person on GetYourGuide for a 2-hour sailing cruise. Local beer, wine and soft drinks are included.
Where does the sailing cruise depart?
It departs from Ski Run Marina, 900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe. Check in at the Sail Tahoe Blue window by Riva Grill, 30 minutes early.
How many people are on the boat?
The listing says up to 18 passengers in one place and a small group limited to 10 in another. Ask the operator for the cap on your date.
Do I sail to Emerald Bay?
Not necessarily. The route depends on wind, and the listing names no stops.
Can children join the sailing cruise?
Yes, from age 5. Infants are not allowed.
Are drinks included?
Yes. The price includes local beer and wine plus non-alcoholic drinks. Food is not included.
What if there is no wind?
One reviewer sailed with no wind and still enjoyed the trip. The listing states no refund rule for calm days.
What if the wind is too strong?
A wind advisory can cancel the cruise, as one reviewer found. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
When does the Sail Tahoe Blue season end?
The listing gives no months. Reviews from September 2026 and October 2025 show autumn sailings, so check the live calendar.
Can I bring my dog?
No. The listing says dogs are not allowed on public charters.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 931259 (price, inclusions, reviews, checked 2026-10-17); Sail Tahoe Blue, About and home page (boat, history, address); sunrise-sunset.org API; Open-Meteo; Nager.Date; National Weather Service Reno; California State Parks, Emerald Bay.
