Cross the lake on a big paddlewheeler into Emerald Bay, around Fannette Island and past
Vikingsholm. Where it really leaves from, what the 2.25 hours include, and the quieter boats worth comparing.
Where it really goesDeparture dock, route and time in the bay
Real guest ratingsAs shown on Viator & Tripadvisor
Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before, on every cruise here
Secure checkout on ViatorMobile ticket, confirmation by email
Tickets
Choose your Lake Tahoe cruise
The M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise in the centre. Beside it, the same paddlewheeler's sunset
dinner sailing, and the small-group sailing trip that out-rates both.
The same paddlewheeler in the evening, with a seated dinner (ribeye, chicken, salmon or a vegetarian plate), soft drinks, coffee and live music in the lounge. It sails at sunset, so later in the season guests report it is already dark by the time the boat reaches Emerald Bay.
What's included
Evening cruise on the M.S. Dixie II with narration
Dinner with a choice of entree; soda, coffee and tea
Live music; free shuttle from select hotels
Not included: alcohol, parking; 20% gratuity added for 8 or more
The big one: a 2.25-hour narrated cruise on South Lake Tahoe's largest paddlewheeler, from Zephyr Cove on the Nevada shore across the lake and into Emerald Bay, around Fannette Island and past Vikingsholm, then back. Sit inside in the climate-controlled lounges or up on the open top deck. It is a pass-by cruise: nobody gets off in the bay.
What's included
2.25-hour narrated cruise to Emerald Bay and back
Indoor heated seating and an open-air top deck
Free shuttle from select South Lake Tahoe and Stateline hotels
Restrooms on board; all fees and taxes
Not included: food and drinks (sold on board), parking (about $12)
The quiet alternative: two hours under sail on the yacht "Blue" from Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe, with a small group, local beer, wine and soft drinks included. It is the best rated way onto the water here, but it is a sailing trip on the open lake, not an Emerald Bay tour.
What's included
2-hour public sailing cruise, small group
Local beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks
Restroom on board
Ages 5 and up; not suited to people with balance or mobility problems
The first thing to check is where each trip leaves from. The Dixie II sails from the Nevada side, about
an hour's cruise from Emerald Bay; the small boats leave from Tahoe Keys, much closer to the bay.
Cruise
Leaves from
Best for
Length
Rating
From
M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise
Zephyr Cove, Nevada (east shore)
A classic narrated trip into Emerald Bay at the lowest price
Prices are Viator from-prices in USD at the last update, per adult unless marked per
group. Booked direct, the Dixie II is $99 per adult and $55 for children 3 to 11, with 48 hours' notice to cancel.
The two private boats take up to six people, so a full group pays about $107 to $113 each. Every cruise here
cancels free up to 24 hours ahead on Viator.
Where the cruise really goes
It leaves from Nevada and crosses the lake: Emerald Bay is the destination, not the dock.
The M.S. Dixie II sails from Zephyr Cove, on Lake Tahoe's east shore in Nevada, about five miles
north of the Stateline casinos. Emerald Bay is on the far side of the lake in California, so the first hour is a
crossing of open water, with commentary on the lake, its depth and its history. Then the boat slips through the
narrow mouth of the bay, circles Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe, and turns in front of
Vikingsholm, the 1929 Scandinavian-style mansion on the shore, before heading back.
It is a pass-by cruise. Nobody gets off in the bay, and guests put the time inside it at about half an hour
of a 2.25-hour trip. If you want to walk through Vikingsholm, that is a steep trail from Highway 89, not a stop
on this cruise. If the crossing sounds long, the small boats from Tahoe Keys Marina reach the bay much sooner.
1 island
Fannette Island, with the stone shell of a 1920s tea
house on top, is the only island in all of Lake Tahoe.
Emerald BayFannette IslandVikingsholmZephyr Cove
Fannette Island in Emerald Bay: the boat circles it but does not land.
01
Where do I board?
Zephyr Cove Resort, 760 US-50, Nevada. Check in at the boat dock 30 minutes before sailing.
02
Is lunch included?
No. A snack bar and a full bar are on board; the dinner cruise is the one with a meal.
03
How do I get there?
Drive and pay to park, or ride the free shuttle from select South Lake Tahoe and Stateline hotels.
04
Who might skip it?
Anyone who dislikes crowds: the boat carries up to 500. A sailing yacht or private boat is calmer.
The cruise
How the Dixie II trip unfolds
About three hours from check-in to the dock, or longer with the free hotel shuttle. Here is how the time is spent.
01
Check in at Zephyr Cove
Park at the resort or ride the free shuttle, then check in at the boat dock and pick a deck.
30 min before
02
Cross the lake
The paddlewheeler heads west across open water while the narration covers the lake's depth and history.
About 1 hour
03
Into Emerald Bay
Through the narrow mouth, around Fannette Island and in front of Vikingsholm. Go up on deck for this part.
About 30 minutes
04
The ride back
Time for the snack bar, the lounges or the sun on the top deck on the way back to the pier.
IncludedNarrationHow Emerald Bay was formed, Fannette Island and Vikingsholm, on the boat's speakers.
IncludedHeated loungesEnclosed, climate-controlled decks, which is why the boat sails year-round.
IncludedHotel shuttleFree from select South Lake Tahoe and Stateline hotels, if you reserve it.
Pay on boardFood and drinksSnacks, lunch plates and cocktails; guests call the drinks pricey.
Pay on arrivalParkingLimited spaces at Zephyr Cove Resort, listed at $12 on Viator.
Not possibleGoing ashoreNo landing at Vikingsholm or Fannette Island on this cruise.
Where you board
Zephyr Cove boat dock
Zephyr Cove Resort
760 US-50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448, United States
Turn into the Zephyr Cove Resort parking lot from Highway 50, about five miles north of Heavenly Village. The
boat dock is just northwest of the main lodge and restaurant, and the Dixie II ties up at the end of the long
pier. Check in at the dock 30 minutes before sailing. The small boats in the comparison leave from Tahoe Keys
Marina and Ski Run Marina on the California side instead.
Check in 30 minutes before departure
Limited paid parking; free shuttle from select hotels
4.6★★★★★ 936 reviews · M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise as shown on Viator & Tripadvisor, September 2026
★★★★★
The cruise is a great way to see the lake and seeing Emerald Bay from the water is unique and the best way to see it. The boat is stable and comfortable. Take sunscreen, hat and jacket.
★★★★★
Dinner was delicious and the staff very attentive. Afterwards we moved about the paddle boat to muse the scenery and spectacular sunset. Definitely worth the time and money.
★★★★★
Very friendly staff and stunning views from the lake! Get there early if you want best seats on promenade deck. Lots of other seating throughout the boat though.
★★★★★
Exactly as described... Actually better! Pick up and drop off points were easy and both drivers were awesome. The ride was smooth and absolutely gorgeous.
★★★★★
Great time with an experienced sailor. The surrounding views are spectacular. I'd bring a light jacket. You may or may not need it. And sunblock is a must.
★★★★★
This tour is appropriate for all ages! On a beautiful day you have the option to sit outside, however if too cool, you can easily sit inside in climate controlled environment to enjoy the trip.
★★★★★
Beautiful ride into Emerald Bay allows you to view the Scandinavian castle up close. Had a nice drink, too.
★★★★★
Very nice scenery and commentary on the castle. Food and drinks were very good. Service was great. Good views from the top deck. I would highly recommend this dinner cruise.
★★★★★
Dress for the weather. You can always take off a layer, but a light windbreaker is fine. We went in Sept, nice day, the narration and onboard amenities were very good, clean and great service.
Quotes from verified Viator bookings on the cruises above, lightly trimmed for length.
Rather see the whole lake?
Drive the full circle instead
A cruise shows you one bay in depth. A guided circle tour shows you the whole 72-mile shoreline,
Emerald Bay overlook included, for less than the boat.
Lake Tahoe Circle Tour with Palisades
★ 4.7 · 170 reviews · 7.5 hours
If you want to see the whole lake rather than one bay, this guided shuttle tour drives the full 72-mile shoreline in a day: the Emerald Bay overlook, the Truckee River dam, Palisades Tahoe where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held, and lunch stop in Tahoe City (at your own cost), with morning pickup from select South Lake Tahoe hotels.
The M.S. Dixie II has been carrying visitors from Zephyr Cove to Emerald Bay since 1994, and it is
still the easiest, cheapest way to see Lake Tahoe's most famous bay from the water. Here is what the ticket buys,
what it does not, and when a smaller boat is the better choice.
The boat, and the one before it
The Dixie II is a 151-foot, three-deck paddlewheeler that carries about 500 passengers. It was built in
Wisconsin, assembled at Zephyr Cove and launched in spring 1994. You may read that it came up from the
Mississippi: that was its predecessor, the original M.S. Dixie, which served on the Mississippi River before it
arrived at Lake Tahoe in 1948 and was retired in 1993. Inside, the Dixie II has heated, enclosed lounges with big
windows, a snack bar and a full bar; up top is an open deck with benches along the rail.
The open top deck is the place to be when the boat turns into Emerald Bay.
What it really costs
Zephyr Cove Resort lists the 2026 daytime scenic cruise at $99 per adult and $55 per child aged 3 to 11, with
under-3s free. Viator sells the same cruise from $116. The difference buys you flexibility: Viator refunds in
full up to 24 hours before, while the operator asks for 48 hours' notice. On top of the ticket, budget for
parking (Viator lists $12) unless you take the free shuttle, and for anything you eat or drink on board. A family
of four booking direct pays $308 before snacks.
The honest small print: most complaints are about the crowd, not the scenery. On busy
summer sailings the boat is full, the lines at the bar are long and the narration is hard to hear on the top deck.
Arrive early for a good spot, and if you would rather share the bay with a dozen people than several hundred, look
at the sailing yacht or a private boat from Tahoe Keys.
The Dixie II or a smaller boat?
The paddlewheeler wins on price for couples and families, on comfort in cool weather and on accessibility. The
small boats win on time in the bay and on intimacy. The two private boats in the list above cost $642 and $680
for up to six people, which is about $107 to $113 each for a full group, less than the Dixie II on Viator, and
they leave from Tahoe Keys Marina, close to Emerald Bay, so more of your two hours is spent in it. The sailing
yacht from Ski Run Marina is the best rated of all, with drinks included, but it is a sail on the open lake rather
than an Emerald Bay tour.
The dinner cruise includes a seated meal; on the daytime cruise, food is extra.
Making the most of the cruise
Book the midday sailing in summer for the best light on the water, arrive at the dock early, and sit inside on
the crossing if it is windy. Head up on deck as the boat approaches the narrow mouth of Emerald Bay: Fannette
Island is on one side, Vikingsholm at the head of the bay, and the boat turns slowly enough for photos from both
rails. Bring a jacket even in August.
A wind layer, sun protection and a camera: the Lake Tahoe cruise kit.
Straight answers to what visitors ask most about the Dixie II and Emerald Bay cruises.
How much is the M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise?
The operator lists the 2026 daytime scenic cruise at $99 for adults (12 and over), $55 for children 3 to 11, and free for under-3s. On Viator it is from $116 per adult, which adds Viator's fees but lets you cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before (the operator asks for 48 hours). Food, drinks and parking are extra either way. See the ticket guide.
Where does the M.S. Dixie II leave from?
From Zephyr Cove Resort, 760 US-50, Zephyr Cove, Nevada, on the east shore about five miles north of the Stateline casinos and Heavenly Village. It does not leave from Emerald Bay, which is on the opposite, California side of the lake. Check in at the boat dock 30 minutes before departure. See parking and the free shuttle.
How long is the Emerald Bay cruise?
The cruise itself is 2.25 hours. Guests report about an hour each way across the lake and roughly half an hour in and around Emerald Bay. Viator lists about 3 hours because you check in 30 minutes early, and the free shuttle adds 45 to 80 minutes before departure depending on your hotel.
Can you get off the boat at Vikingsholm or Fannette Island?
No. The Dixie II is a sightseeing cruise: it circles Fannette Island and passes Vikingsholm with narration, but it does not dock in Emerald Bay. To tour Vikingsholm (daily from May 23 to September 30 in 2026, $18 per adult) you hike a steep one-mile trail down from the Highway 89 parking lot. Read Vikingsholm and Fannette Island.
Is it cheaper to book the Dixie II direct or on Viator?
Direct is cheaper: $99 against $116 per adult. What you get on Viator is the more flexible policy (full refund up to 24 hours before instead of 48), one checkout alongside other Lake Tahoe tours and hundreds of guest reviews in one place. The boat, the route and the shuttle are the same.
Is food included on the Dixie II scenic cruise?
No. There is a snack bar and a full bar on board, with lunch items such as nachos; guests describe the food as good but the drinks as pricey, and one booking site says the bar takes cards only. If you want a meal included, the sunset dinner cruise includes dinner and soft drinks.
Does the Dixie II run all year?
Yes. Zephyr Cove Resort runs daytime, dinner and private cruises on the Dixie II year-round, weather permitting, with enclosed heated decks. Summer has several sailings a day; after Labor Day guests report one daytime sailing a day, so check the live calendar before you plan around a time.
Where is the best place to sit on the Dixie II?
The open top deck has the widest views of Emerald Bay but is windy and the narration can be hard to hear up there. Guests recommend arriving early for a promenade-deck spot at the rail, then moving between the heated lounges and the deck as the boat turns into the bay.
Is the M.S. Dixie II wheelchair accessible?
Partly. Wheelchairs are permitted and there is an accessible restroom, but there are no elevators, so wheelchair users stay on the main deck. Only service animals are allowed on board.
Is the Dixie II cruise worth it?
For most first-time visitors, yes: it rates 4.6 from 936 reviews, and guests love seeing Emerald Bay from the water with history along the way. The common complaints are crowds on busy sailings (the boat carries up to 500), hard to hear narration and pricey drinks. If you want a quieter trip, a small sailing yacht or a private boat from Tahoe Keys suits you better. Compare them in Emerald Bay boat tours.
Is the Dixie II sunset dinner cruise worth it?
For a date night, usually: guests praise the views, the service and the live music. The catch is timing: late in the season guests report it is already dark when the boat reaches Emerald Bay. The operator lists it at $150 per adult ($170 for a window table); Viator is from $170.
Is there parking at Zephyr Cove, or a shuttle?
There is limited paid parking at Zephyr Cove Resort (Viator lists self-parking at $12) and it fills on summer weekends. A free shuttle runs from select South Lake Tahoe and Stateline hotels and casinos; the operator asks you to reserve it at least two hours ahead.
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