Booking choice: The Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise, from $116 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1969 and an underwater state park in 1994. At its head stands Vikingsholm, and in the middle sits Fannette Island.
The Dixie II circles the island and turns in front of the house, with narration on both. It does not land, so here is what you will see from the deck, and what you need to know if you want to visit on foot.
The quick answer
Vikingsholm is a 38-room Scandinavian-style summer home built in 1929 for Lora Josephine Knight. Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe, has the stone shell of her tea house on top. The Dixie II passes both but does not land. House tours run daily from May 23 to September 30 in 2026, $18 per adult, reached by a steep one-mile trail from Highway 89.
What is Vikingsholm?
A 38-room summer home built in 1929 for Lora Josephine Knight, designed by architect Lennart Palme in the style of a Scandinavian castle.
California State Parks calls it one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. The property was sold to the state in 1953 and is now part of Emerald Bay State Park; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Want to see it from the water? The Dixie II turns in front of Vikingsholm with narration.
Check dates for the Dixie II Emerald Bay cruiseWhat is on Fannette Island?
The stone remains of a small tea house that Lora Knight built on the summit, reached by a trail from the shore.
Fannette Island is the only island in all of Lake Tahoe. Mrs. Knight rarely used the tea house. The island is closed to landing in spring, when it is a wildlife breeding site.
What do you see from the Dixie II?
Both, at close range: the boat circles Fannette Island and turns in front of Vikingsholm at the head of the bay.
Go up on deck as the boat approaches the narrow mouth of the bay. Guests say you get a good view of the "Scandinavian castle" from the water. The whole pass through the bay takes about half an hour.
Can you get off the boat at Vikingsholm?
No. The Dixie II does not dock in Emerald Bay; it is a pass-by cruise.
Some small operators sell summer cruises that land at Vikingsholm for the house tour, but none was bookable at the time of writing. Compare what is available in Emerald Bay boat tours.
Happy to see it from the deck? The Dixie II circles the island and passes the house.
Explore the Dixie II Emerald Bay cruiseHow do you visit Vikingsholm on foot?
Park at the Emerald Bay lot on Highway 89 and hike the steep one-mile trail down, or a gentler 1.5-mile trail from Eagle Point Campground.
The main trail drops about 400 feet in a mile at around 6,800 feet of elevation, and the climb back up is the hard part. Day-use parking is $10 per vehicle. In summer the roadside lots fill early.
When are the Vikingsholm tours, and how much are they?
In 2026, daily from May 23 to September 30, every half hour from 10:30 AM to 4 PM; $18 per adult.
Students 7 to 17, college students, military and seniors pay $15; children 6 and under are free. There is no 12:30 PM tour. Outside the season you can walk the grounds but not go inside.
| Ticket | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult | $18 |
| Student 7-17, college, military, senior | $15 |
| Child 6 and under | Free |
Is it better to cruise or to hike?
Do both if you can: the cruise shows the bay from the water, the hike puts you inside the house.
The cruise suits anyone who cannot manage the steep trail. The hike suits fit visitors in the tour season. If you only have time for one, the cruise is the easier half day.
What else is in Emerald Bay State Park?
Lower Eagle Falls, a quarter mile behind the visitor center, and the Rubicon Trail along the shore.
The Highway 89 overlook above the bay is one of the most photographed viewpoints on the lake, and the circle tour in our list stops there. Emerald Bay's underwater park protects historic wrecks on the lake bed.
Ready for the bay? Check dates for the Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise.
Check dates for the Dixie II Emerald Bay cruiseFrequently asked questions
Is Vikingsholm open in winter?
The house tours run from late May to the end of September; out of season the house is closed, and snow can close the trail and parking.
How long is the walk to Vikingsholm?
About one mile each way on the steep main trail from the Highway 89 lot, with a 400-foot climb back up.
Can you swim to Fannette Island?
The island is in cold, deep water; most visitors reach it by kayak or boat, and it is closed to landing in spring for nesting wildlife.
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise
- 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
Private Yacht-Class Boat to Emerald Bay
Your own captain and boat for up to six, straight into Emerald Bay
Small-Group Lake Tahoe Sightseeing Tour
Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor and Tahoe City with a local guide
