Grand Tahoe Charters - Tahoe Vista, California

Nicole Gonzalez

Best private charter ever! I booked this for my husband’s milestone birthday with our kids and a few family members and it was an unforgettable experience! Captain Matt was great and super knowledgeable. He made the whole experience that much better with his knowledge of the Lake and great service! The boat was extremely comfortable and immaculate. We even got out to swim for a bit. Highly recommend!

Kendra L

Matt and crew onboard the WILD GOOSE II were absolutely excellent. A real class act! The Boat is a pure beauty and pics do it no justice! It is exquisite! The Entire excursion provided top notch service and fun! Couldn’t have been any better! Thanks guys!

Ben Johnson

A+++! It was a fantastic experience for nine immediate and extended family members, ages 9 to 75!! Captain Steve and First Mate Kim were professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. It was easy to book, easy to board, and very comfortable during our two-hour August charter. Having both shaded and sunny areas on the boat was perfect. We explored picturesque areas, learned about Tahoe, had refreshing drinks, and jumped off the boat for memorable swimming. I highly recommend it as a fun family activity.

Sammy Greenberg

There’s no denying that the service and boats from Grand Tahoe Charters are top-class. Being out on Lake Tahoe aboard their vessel was an unforgettable experience.

However, the way we were greeted upon arriving at the dock was shocking, uncalled for, and frankly, unforgettable—but for the wrong reasons.

Yes, we were a bachelor party. Yes, we communicated this during the booking process. And yes, we were a group of men between the ages of 35 and 50. This wasn’t a stereotypical wild bachelor party showing up unannounced.

When we arrived, the first thing they asked was if we were a bachelor party. When we confirmed, we were met with skepticism and an unwelcoming tone. We were then told—after having paid in full, made various arrangements to get there early—that they normally don't accept bachelor parties. On top of that, they emphasized there could be no "wrestling" aboard the boat.

Not exactly the welcoming start we expected for such a highly anticipated and expensive experience. To be clear, were we loud, belligerent, rude, or behaving inappropriately? Absolutely not. We were pleasant, polite, and simply excited for the day ahead.

Things only got more complicated when, one hour into our two-hour charter, there was an issue with one of the engines. I had to approach the captain to ask why we were moving so slowly, and only then did he admit to a mechanical problem. About 20 minutes later, he finally addressed the group, informing us that we’d need to cut the trip short to save the engine. We completely understood the need to mitigate risks for both the boat and its passengers. However, it was frustrating that we, as paying guests, had to investigate the problem ourselves. If guests are expected to uphold certain decorum, shouldn't we expect a similar level of communication and professionalism in return?

I’m sharing this experience not just to air grievances but to offer constructive feedback. It’s a relatively simple fix to avoid these kinds of situations: instead of confronting guests at the dock, how about a phone call after booking or a day or two before the trip to explain any rules or expectations? A respectful conversation upfront could prevent any unpleasant surprises.

The legendary boats of Grand Tahoe Charters, combined with the premium price for the experience, shouldn’t lead to the experience we had. Once we cleared up their assumptions and got out on the water, it was indeed one-of-a-kind—minus the engine malfunction and early return. They only charged us for one hour instead of two, which we ultimately thought was fair. I recommend Grand Tahoe Charters because there’s no doubt they should be five out of five stars every time, and that everyone and everything sometimes have an off day. Based on all the other reviews, I think that's all this was.

Margaret Cascio

Matt did an excellent job helping to make our celebration of life for my Dad super special. The last tour of the lake on a very special woodie was the exact thing my Dad wanted and with the help of Matt and the Wild Goose, we were able to make that come true.

Nicole Horder

We celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary with a family ride on the Wild Goose II. Matt was an excellent host and captain, it was a memorable morning on the lake and a fun and special treat.

Danna

Chartered Wild Goose II and had the best time! Beautiful boat, the crew was so fun and helpful, would charter again.

Demi Fisher

One of the best charters on the lake!! Their staff is so fun and friendly and we always have an awesome time! Highly recommend to bring families, friends, bachelorettes, parties, etc! Enjoy!