Clearly Tahoe Kayak Tours: Clearly Explorer Excursion
DETAILS:
Location: Departs from Tahoe Keys Marina - 2435 Venice Drive East, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Hours of Operation: Various. See website provided below under “resources” for schedule and availability.
Parking: Free parking available in Tahoe Keys Marina.
Cost: Varies by tour type. See website provided below under “resources” for rates… For our 3-hour private “Explorer Excursion”, the total cost was $3068 ($124.50/person - based on a 20 person group… $110 private tour fee… $468 automatic 18% gratuity)
Time Commitment: 4 hours
MISC:
A $500 down-payment was required in advance, but is applied to the final total.
Children under 6 not allowed.
Dogs not allowed.
The “Explorer Excursion” is dependent on whether and may be canceled due to poor water conditions, especially heavy winds.
You’re asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time in order to check-in and fill out an electronic waiver.
A nice assortment of snacks and beverages are provided complimentary during the cruise.
There is a bathroom available on the tri-toon.
Prior to your tour, you can choose how many single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and paddle boards you want on the tri-toon, based on the size of your group and space available on the tri-toon.
Amongst all of California’s natural wonders, Lake Tahoe might be the most beautiful destination in the entire state. The largest alpine lake in North America is famed for its crystal-clear blue waters, mesmerizing viewers from each and every spectacular angle. Every side of Lake Tahoe is its good side! So it’s pretty much a must to get on the water when visiting and one of the best ways to do this is by taking a kayak tour with Clearly Tahoe; one of several kayaking companies around the lake. Their name has a dual meaning, derived by the clearness of Lake Tahoe and the fact that they utilize transparent kayaks which allow you to view the depths below as you paddle along, offering a surreal (and sometimes trippy) vantage point of the water underneath you which is completely unique to any other boating experience.
Clearly Tahoe offers a variety of kayak and paddle-boat cruises from various locations, but its pièce de résistance is its “Explorer Excursion” option. Departing from the Tahoe Keys Marina aboard their brand new “try-toon” vessel, you’ll embark on a 3-hour private tour of Lake Tahoe (longer tours are available also) as you make your way to your kayaking destination which has be pre-selected by your captain based on water conditions and boating traffic. In essence, half of your time on the water will be spent getting to and from your kayaking spot (1.5 hours) and the actual kayaking itself (1.5 hours). But as the expression goes, it’s as much about the journey as the destination itself. As you proceed, the amazing tour staff will provide facts and figures about the lake along with some history which is a great supplement to the tour. And have I mentioned the views yet?!
Once you reach your kayaking destination (on our tour, we embarked just north of Lake Tahoe’s famed Emerald Bay), you’ll board your kayak from the tri-toon’s inflatable dock and paddle along the immaculate and postcard-worthy coastline, once again joined by several tour guides who will continue to relay stories as they highlight various points of interest as you kayak on top of the pristine water. Each kayak is outfitted with a dry bag for safe-keeping any items you bring onto the kayak in addition to complimentary water boxes (although they claim you can drink straight from Lake Tahoe itself. I actually bottled up some lake water and drank it later. Thankfully, I’m happy to report that I didn’t get sick!). One of the tour’s subtle but nice touches is that the tri-toon trails behind your group as you continue to press forward which allows you to travel more of the coastline instead of having to double back to your original departure point. And if you’re wondering about getting wet, the kayaks are pretty wide and are outfitted with a rudder for added stability and maneuverability, so it’s pretty difficult to get wet unless that’s your intention.
Before you know it, it’s time to return to the tri-toon, but your excursion isn’t over just yet. On our tour, the captain topped off our experience by cruising around Emerald Bay before returning to the marina, completing an adventure that was once in a lifetime! Everything about Clearly Tahoe’s “Explorer Excursion” was top-notch and while this activity is certainly pricey, I promise that it’s worth every penny.
RESOURCES:
Clearly Tahoe website.
