Thunderbird Lodge Kayak Tour

Offered every Tuesday

A truly unique and exclusive kayaking experience! Offered every Tuesday from June to September.

Experience The Exclusive Thunderbird Lodge Kayak Tour! Our tour starts with a hassle-free shuttle from the Incline Visitors Center to Sand Harbor State Park. Arriving to Sand Harbor by shuttle allows you to enjoy the glorious drive along the iconic east shore into the state park without the hassle of parking. Upon arrival to Sand Harbor, you will have a few moments to use the restroom, apply sunscreen and enjoy the white sand beach before setting off by kayak to explore the only undeveloped side of Lake Tahoe enroute to the Thunderbird Lodge!

Prior to launching, the guide will pack the groups’ dry shoes, lunch, and other necessary belongings into dry bags before covering a comprehensive paddle lesson. The journey will begin with an easy 1.5 mile paddle along pristine coastline to the beach at Thunderbird Lodge. After a rest and snacks, knowledgeable tour guides take visitors on an hour walk throughout the Whittell Estate. Highlights include the Lighthouse room, the Old Lodge, maids’ quarters, 600” underground tunnel leading to the infamous card house and boat house. If you’re lucky, you may get a glimpse of the fabulous Thunderbird yacht, built by George Whittell in 1939. The yacht is a 55′ long, John Hacker design with mahogany hull and dual aircraft engines and is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece built in a bygone era. The tour then follows the Dragon’s Tail path, past the waterfall and fountain to the Cook and Butler’s House. Following the tour, lunch is served at the gazebo with Lake Tahoe as the backdrop.

Following the tour, lunch will be served at the gazebo with Lake Tahoe as the backdrop.

Tour Time: 8am-2:30pm
Tour Meeting Location: Incline Village Visitor’s Center
Typical Tour Distance: 3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trip Cost: $195 per person
Age Minimum: 8 years old
Age Minimum for a Single Kayak: 12 years old
—Your party must know how to swim—

Tour Includes
-Kayak and paddle
-Life jacket
-Knowledgeable guide trained in CPR/First Aid
-Kayaking Instruction
-Natural and Human History Discussions
-Deli Lunch, snacks, and cold beverages
-Hassle free shuttle
-$75 donation to the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society
-Tax and Permit Fees

What To Bring
-Dry pair of shoes for touring the logde
-Reusable water bottle
-Sun Screen (SPF 30 or higher)
-Hat with a brim
-Sunglasses with holder
-Water shoes
-Swim suit or swim trunks
-Fleece jacket or sweater and a dry change of clothes
-Beach towel

What’s Not Included
-Guide gratuity