Our Scenic Lake Tahoe Cruise to Emerald Bay on the MS Dixie II

Lake Tahoe has always been our go-to family getaway for long weekends since it’s only a four-hour drive from home. Over the last 20 years, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve been, often bringing along family and friends.

One activity I always recommend, especially for larger groups, is a sightseeing cruise to Emerald Bay. On our most recent trip in September 2025, we booked this Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise on the MS Dixie II for our group of 10, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our weekend.

About the MS Dixie II Cruise

The MS Dixie II is a classic paddlewheeler that departs from Zephyr Cove Resort and takes you on a 2.5-hour round-trip cruise to Emerald Bay and back.

It’s one of the most popular ways to see the lake, and for good reason; the views of the clear blue water, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains, Emerald Bay, and Fannette Island are incredible.

The boat has three levels and can carry up to 500 passengers. The lowest and middle decks have enclosed seating with large windows, while the upper deck is open for those who want to soak up the views. The lowest level is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, and there are restrooms on the first two decks. You’ll also find a café and bar onboard for drinks and snacks.

This cruise is especially convenient for families and groups. We had three seniors, two teens, one child, and four adults in our party. Two of our seniors use wheelchairs, and the accessible lower deck made it easy for everyone to enjoy the experience.

➡️ You can book the cruise online here to secure your spot, especially since tickets often sell out on weekends.

Our Experience on the Cruise

Parking and Boarding

Parking at Zephyr Cove can sometimes be hard to find. It costs $25 per vehicle, but if you have cruise reservations, it’s reduced to $12. We gave ourselves plenty of time and found parking without much stress.

For cruise guests, there is an option to ride a free shuttle bus that picks up from several South Lake Tahoe locations, but since we had seniors with wheelchairs in our group, driving worked best for us.

After checking in at the ticket booth, we lined up about 30 minutes before departure. Boarding was smooth, and before getting on the boat, a photographer took a group photo. Our picture turned out great, and we bought it, $45 for four prints and digital copies.

Onboard Seating and Amenities

The MS Dixie II has three levels. The enclosed lower decks have panoramic windows, perfect for our seniors to stay comfortable while still enjoying the scenery. The rest of us headed to the open-air top deck for the fresh air and sunshine.

The middle deck has a café and bar where we picked up snacks and drinks. The boat ride itself was smooth; no one in our group felt seasick, even though some of us are usually prone to it.

Scenic Views of Emerald Bay

About an hour into the cruise, we entered Emerald Bay. The water shifts from deep blue to a vivid emerald green, and the boat slows as it circles Fannette Island.

From the boat, you can also spot Vikingsholm Castle, a Scandinavian-style mansion tucked along the shoreline. The only way to reach Vikingsholm Castle at Emerald Bay is by boat or by hiking the Vikingsholm Trail, which is one of my favorite Lake Tahoe hikes.

Emerald Bay views were the highlight of the trip for me, and we had plenty of time to soak in the scenery and capture photos of the bay and island.

There was also narration during the cruise playing on speakers, sharing interesting facts about Lake Tahoe, its history, and how Emerald Bay was formed. It added context to the beautiful views and made the experience even more memorable.

The return ride back to Zephyr Cove was just as relaxing. Once we disembarked, we spent a little time at the Zephyr Cove beach. You can rent kayaks, jet skis, or just enjoy the sand and views. It’s a nice way to round out the day if you’re not in a rush.

➡️ You can check availability and book tickets online for the MS Dixie II cruise here.

Tips and Practical Information

Here are a few things we learned from our experience that will help you plan your own cruise:

• Cruise length: Around 2.5 hours round trip
• Parking: $25 per vehicle, reduced to $12 with cruise reservations (when we went) Give ample time to find parking.
• Free Shuttle pickup option: Free pick-up from several South Lake Tahoe locations if you’d rather not drive
• Boarding: Begins 30 minutes before departure
• Accessibility: The lower deck is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly
• Food and drinks: Snacks and drinks are available at the café and bar
• What to bring: Camera, sunscreen, and a light jacket since it can get breezy on deck. Pack some activities for the kids, as they can get bored on a sightseeing cruise. We brought cards to play.

Tickets

Check availability and book your tickets for the daytime Emerald Bay Sightseeing cruise here to make sure you get the day and time that works best for your trip.

There’s also an Emerald Bay evening dinner cruise option, which includes dinner and live music. It’s a different experience and a nice choice if you’d like to enjoy the lake at sunset. Being vegetarian, we usually avoid lunch/dinner cruises as the cost is not worth it for us.

Final Takeaways

Taking the MS Dixie II cruise from Zephyr Cove to Emerald Bay was one of the highlights of our Lake Tahoe weekend. It’s relaxing, family-friendly, and a great way to see the lake’s scenery without having to plan anything complicated. For our group of seniors to kids, it was totally worth it.

I’d highly recommend adding this cruise to your Lake Tahoe itinerary. It’s a fun activity whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or as a couple, and it gives you a perspective of Emerald Bay you just can’t get from the shore.

👉 You can reserve your tickets for the MS Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise here and enjoy one of the most scenic experiences Lake Tahoe has to offer.