Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Specialty Boat Rentals

    5.0 (122 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Specialty Boat Rentals Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Specialty Boat Rentals

    Recommended Reviews - Specialty Boat Rentals

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    A beautiful day on the pontoon on Lake Tahoe!
    Katie B.

    Shan was an absolute lifesaver!!! Despite a bear breaking into his house the morning of our charter (!!!) he showed up right on time. Communication was amazing and consistent, and the boat was comfortable and clean. Shan piloted us through serious boat traffic safely and we had a great time. I'd highly recommend!

    Jeannie P.

    I worked with Mike on booking a pontoon boat with a tube, and he was responsive and easy to work with. He gave us clear instructions, was timely, and he also provided some nice tips on areas to explore with the kids. The boat was clean and in great condition, and we enjoyed a gorgeous day on the lake. We would rent a boat from him again, and he'd be the first person we would call!

    Naoko O.

    I can't recommend Specialty Boat Rentals highly enough. Shan was amazing- communicative, timely, and super helpful. The boat itself was really nice and we had a fantastic time at Emerald Bay. If you're looking for a boat to rent for your next South Lake Tahoe outing, look no further!

    We brought our own rope and inflatable.
    Kiki K.

    A must do! We had a blast renting the pontoon boat from Shan. We loved it so much that we booked a second reservation during our same vacation! Some people from my group were running late and he adjusted our start time so we still got the full four hours on the water, no questions asked. For an extra $100 we could add another hour, which we did. It was great working with Shan, everything was handled over text and Venmo, which was super easy. He even helped carry our cooler and all our random stuff on the boat. Once we settled in, he gave a quick demo of how to drive the boat, which ended up being really easy/straightforward. We were able to navigate it on our own just fine. We took his suggestions on where to go and we were off! You have a ton of freedom and can basically go anywhere you want. We opted for Emerald Bay and on our second trip we went to D. L. Bliss. Both places were stunning! We had so much fun that we accidentally left our GoPro onboard and Shan was so awesome that he met us the next day to bring it to us. I doubt you'll find better customer service or prices from other companies in Tahoe! Tip: definitely bring a cooler full of bevies, trash bag, towels, and a hoodie (if you'll be out past 5pm) Thanks Shan, we can't wait to come back and rent from you again!!

    Everyone was comfortable, and the built-in stereo added some great music.
    Aaron S.

    Where to begin... how about our first phone call to Shan? So professional, reassuring, knowledgeable, and I stopped looking for a rental after talking to him. This was Cassandra's 21st birthday, and she planned the whole thing herself! We met the crew at the launch location and when they saw that we had a family member who used a walker, they jumped right in and helped us get her and our things on to the boat. Friendly, funny, professional... great crew. The pontoon boat we were on looked almost new and was impeccably maintained. The boat performed so well that Kaylie (12) could drive it with no worries (she loved it, too). If you have ever thought of doing this... then do it, because you will not regret it. We'll probably be out again in a couple of months. Thanks Shan, and the rest of the crew - all awesome!

    Alyssa P.

    We had a great time on our pontoon! Shan was great in helping us book & schedule the boat. He was very flexible and great. Day of, Pete helped us find a great spot to dock the pontoon and go swimming. He gave us awesome instructions and pinned dots on our phone map to navigate to our area. We had a blast!!

    Pontoon Boat
    Mark P.

    Stan and his crew were great. They deliver the boat to Elv Dorado Beach in South Lake gassed up and ready to go. If you're new to boats they are perfect for you. One of their team will bring it into the beach, then take it out to deep water. Same on the return - they meet you off the beach, and bring the boat in. Aside from that go explore the lake!

    Happy girl on her way back from a great boating day!
    Liz A.

    Exceptional service you can only get from a local small business who truly care and know their stuff. First of all, I like to support locals doing their thing anyway, trying to be a niche in the community and these guys got it down. I read past reviews and didn't hesitate to call them right away. They did not disappoint. I've been to Tahoe for many years and usually roll into the big biz guys to rent a boat, but have had an eye opening lately of the importance in supporting your local small businesses, especially, after the tough last year. The boat was roomy and clean, the instructions were clear and informative, price was fair, and the pick up and drop off were pretty rad. Overall excellent experience. Highly recommend. Shan answered my calls and texts and was just wonderful, nice, and professional. My go to boat rental forever! Thank you!

    Ramil R.

    We had the best time renting a pontoon from Shane! He offered the best deal for 4 hours out on the water. The boat was perfect for our family of 8 to cruise around, check out Emerald Bay, and do some fishing. Fishing poles were provided and he gave us some tips on where to cruise around. We couldn't be happier with the service, friendliness, and overall boating experience. We will definitely hit up Shane next time we are back in Tahoe!

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Utter perfection. Shan is so easygoing, the boat ran smoothly, and wow, there is no more beautiful place in the world than Emerald Bay!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Mike was so great. Quick to respond to messages and made to process super easy! Would definitely rent from them again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark P.
    58
    69
    29

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Reina C.
    679
    21
    11

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jody M.
    32
    120
    111

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tony L.
    174
    80
    3

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily L.
    26
    127
    14

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Great experience! Easiest process of securing a boat in the Tahoe area. Can recommend enough! 5 stars!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J L.
    2
    15
    3

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Saati P.
    199
    11
    3

    5 years ago

    Shan was extremely helpful and accommodating during our trip to Tahoe! Thank you for an exceptional experience!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Specialty Boat Rentals

    Review Highlights - Specialty Boat Rentals

    Shan was punctual, very helpful, and provided excellent recommendations that made the trip even better.

    Mentioned in 80 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Tahoe Lake Tours

    Tahoe Lake Tours

    4.9
    (61 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    A week in Tahoe with the grandkids and after hiking, mini golf, and time in the pool, it was time…read moreto tour the lake. Looked to Yelp to help me find a tour that worked for us and happy to find Tahoe Lake Tours! Booking online was easy enough. Looking on Wednesday for a Friday morning time slot and there it was: 9:30-1:30 was perfect. The web site states exactly what will happen during the 4 hours and offers a phone number to call for questions. Parking and check in were easy and Captain Dan was ready for us. The boat was clean and well stocked with life jackets that fit for both adults and children (ages 8,6,4) as well as water bottles. Before leaving the dock we were offered water for a cooler which we didn't need but the offer was appreciated. Our 4 hours: 1. Safety information 2. Review of our preferences for the tour 3. Lots of history of the area as we toured 4. Emerald Bay & Mrs. Knights castle 5. Water tubing (first time for the grandkids) 6. Hang out time for a snack (we brought lots LOL) 7. Back to the marina Dan was very knowledgeable and great with the kids. We would definitely book with Tahoe Lake Tours again and request Captain Dan. Thank you for a great ending to our week in Tahoe!

    This was the highlight of our entire trip. Far exceeded expectations. The boat was immaculate and…read morecomfortable. We had 3 adults and a toddler. Captain Troy was accommodating, kind, hospitable, professional and knowledgeable. He took us to breathtaking sites including Emerald Bay, Fannette Island, Vikingsholm, and Rubicon Bay. We enjoyed swimming in the crystal water and never felt rushed. He provided swim floaties, a cooler with cold beverages, and let us take our time to have so much fun. He even called in advance to accommodate a better start time to ensure we had the best weather. We could not have asked for a more perfect day. Booking was easy and he answered all my questions beforehand. We highly recommend this company.

    Photos
    Our boat Calafia on Lake Tahoe
    Our boat Calafia on Lake Tahoe
    Tahoe Lake Tours
    Beautiful Lake Tahoe enjoying the water

    See all

    Beautiful Lake Tahoe enjoying the water
    Action Watersports At Lakeside Marina

    Action Watersports At Lakeside Marina

    3.5
    (87 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Highly experienced staff and had such a well oiled system to get the weights of the participants…read moreright for wind and flying capability for safety. They gave us a GoPro camera and uploaded directly to our phone. Dipped our feet into the water before they pulled us back in! About a 10-15 min fly but it was so beautiful and well done. The way the passengers and kids weights in our boat panned out, some of us got to go twice, but please don't expect that on your experience but that was an added surprise for our situation! Our 8 and 12 year old kids loved it! Tip: if you see a $30 off flyer or ad around town (Heidi's breakfast place) need to use QRs code before booking. Won't work if you take ad to the counter.

    I was honestly a little nervous booking here because so many of the jet ski rental companies in…read moreSouth Lake Tahoe have pretty mixed reviews. We decided to take a chance, and I'm really glad we did. The whole process was super easy. We literally just walked up, rented a jet ski for two people, and were out on the water pretty quickly. Everyone was really friendly, and they explained all the rules and safety stuff in a way that was clear and easy to understand. There is a designated area you're supposed to stay within, but it wasn't hard to follow at all and there was still plenty of room to have fun. We the best time! If you're looking to rent a jet ski in South Lake Tahoe and you're unsure where to go, I'd definitely recommend this place. Easy process, nice staff, and a really fun experience overall.

    Photos
    Yup, that's me at 54 years old at 1000 feet up.
    Yup, that's me at 54 years old at 1000 feet up.
    Action Watersports At Lakeside Marina
    Parasailing

    See all

    Parasailing
    Action Watersports At Timber Cove Marina

    Action Watersports At Timber Cove Marina

    3.7
    (113 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    We had an amazing time parasailing with Action Watersports. It was our first time parasailing and…read morewe were celebrating our honeymoon. I forget the names of the gentlemen that took us out but they were very fun and helped calm us down throughout the process. It was an amazingly fun experience we will never forget, and they took some pictures that we will have and cherish forever Price was extremely reasonable as well! thanks guys

    This review is for the 10 AM parasailing. Our experience went smoothly and the views were great…read more They take photos of you going up there and provide a go pro to take up during the ride. Pictures/footage are available for purchase after. I'd recommend taking a sturdy phone lanyard with you so you can safely take your own photos and videos up in the air. I did book this a week in advance and when called I was told the experience would be 30 mins in air minimum - also on the website. This was not the case as we had some large groups with us and the whole boat ride is an hour so you get at most 8-15 mins. Also, the height in air you select dosent really matter. They don't ask and everyone kind of gets the same ride no matter what they chose. Beware that in the morning it's pretty cold especially in up in the air. You take off your shoes as soon as you board the boat and they do dip your toes in when bringing you back down. Also usually morning trips are less booked since it's colder. Also make sure you're atleast 10 minutes early to have time to sign the waiver paperwork and so you don't miss the boat.

    Photos
    Action Watersports At Timber Cove Marina
    Action Watersports At Timber Cove Marina
    Action Watersports At Timber Cove Marina

    See all

    MS Dixie II

    MS Dixie II

    3.3
    (484 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    We had a wonderful time on the scenic day tour. During the boat ride there are moments of learning…read moreabout the lake and its history, which was very interesting. The food was also very good, with a lot of options, even for vegetarians. There aren't enough seats inside the boat for everyone, so arrive early (our tour was at noon and we started lining up at around 1115 am) in order to secure a seat. Otherwise, you're stuck at the top deck, exposed to the elements. It was very smooth sailing and super relaxing. Would highly recommend it!

    I drove 10 hours round-trip from San Jose to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday on this cruise. I…read morepaid premium prices for window seats, a proper dinner, and a complimentary drink. I got absolutely none of it. At boarding, the dock was chaotic with zero organization -- they were prioritizing a large corporate group while the rest of us were left confused and waiting. We were sent upstairs where there was no seating, forcing us to stand in the cold for nearly two hours while spending $100 out of pocket on drinks to hold us over for the dinner that was almost 2 hours late! Then we were literally packed into a cramped stairwell for 30 minutes -- a fire hazard their own service manager admitted to -- while the corporate group enjoyed the upper deck. When we were finally seated, I had to remind the manager I'd paid for window seats because she tried to put us in the middle of the room. By then it was pitch dark outside. Zero views. Zero complimentary drink. Ever. The food was a disaster. My medium rare steak came out overcooked and tough, the salmon was cold, and we were rushed off the boat before we even finished dessert. To make it worse -- I've called multiple times and been put on hold and hung up on repeatedly. I've sent emails with zero response. A manager on the boat promised a refund and never followed through. The customer service is as bad as the experience itself. Save your money and your special occasions for somewhere that actually values its guests.

    Photos
    Main eating area
    Main eating area
    Live music on the sunset dining Cruise
    Live music on the sunset dining Cruise
    Sunset on Lake Tahoe

    See all

    Sunset on Lake Tahoe
    Cruise Tahoe

    Cruise Tahoe

    4.8
    (23 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    A wonderful ride to Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay. Stacy and Aaron were both great on the boat. And…read moreYou owner Ed was easy to work with over the phone. We had 13 guests and we all enjoyed getting to know each other and visiting. On the way back we were provided with a beautiful charcuterie board and free wine, beer or soft drink. I highly recommend this this boat ride on beautiful Lake Tahoe.... Plus, otherwise to get to Vikingsholm, you have to hike down a mile and then hike back up

    This was a very special tour for my very special mom's 80th birthday. She hasn't been to Lake Tahoe…read morein 60 years, and I knew she would love being on the lake *and* a tour of Vikingsholm - she couldn't hike to/from the castle, so this cruise was the perfect tourist combination for us. Captain Stacy and Mate Katerina were gracious hosts and provided us with lots of cool Tahoe history, in-between serving us cocktails and pointing out mutliple "must-see" points of interest in Emerald Bay. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour Vikingsholm (our docent was wonderful as well), with an added bonus of seeing Eagle Falls because we had a little extra time. When we returned to the boat, Captain Stacy provided us with delicious snacks and made sure we were "fed and watered" before returning to the marina. We had considered a few other boat tours of Lake Tahoe, and I'm SO happy we chose Cruise Tahoe. It was intimate but we weren't crammed in like sardines, very professional yet laid back, and the perfect amount of time on the lake for us. Highly recommend! Side note - directions to the Tahoe Keys Marina were excellent and appreciated for us 3 directionally-challenged girls.

    Photos
    Tahoe waiting in Emerald Bay while we took our tour.
    Tahoe waiting in Emerald Bay while we took our tour.
    The wooden ship Tahoe
    The wooden ship Tahoe
    Vikingsholm from the boat.

    See all

    Vikingsholm from the boat.

    Specialty Boat Rentals - boating - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...