Swap the city lights for rivers and lakes on a relaxing boat tour in Las Vegas. See the famous sights from your comfortable perch in a romantic Venetian gondola, or venture out of town for sightseeing with a difference.

Have a head for heights? Then combine a boat ride along the Colorado with a helicopter flight for an epic day out. Alternatively, for something more sedate, a lunch cruise on a paddle steamer is just the ticket.

Read on for all you need to know about boat tours, one of the most worthwhile outdoor activities in Las Vegas.

What kinds of boat tours in Las Vegas are there?

If you are short on time, then a gondola ride in the heart of the city is one of the best boat trips in Las Vegas. However, if you have a day to spare, then we recommend exploring the rivers and lakes that nourish this beautiful desert area.

City gondola boat rides

Glide along the tranquil city canal in a traditional gondola, taking in some of the famous sights as you go. This short tour also includes entrance to the Madame Tussauds waxwork museum, and a meal in the Venetian Hotel and Casino restaurant.

This combo ticket allows you to enjoy all three experiences in one day, or you can spread them out over multiple days if you prefer.

River cruise and helicopter ride with optional scenic plane flight

This epic combination adventure begins with an early start and an air-conditioned transfer through spectacular desert landscapes. Learn about the history of the area from your guide, then hop on board a helicopter and descend to the Grand Canyon floor.

A boat cruise along the Colorado is the icing on the cake, as well as photo stops at several rim viewpoints. Some tours also include a scenic plane flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon instead of the motorcoach transfer.

You can experience the Skywalk too for an additional cost.

Lunch or dinner lake cruises

These fun Lake Mead tours take place on a historic paddle steamer, making you feel like you are journeying back through time. After your hotel pick-up you will enjoy a stop at Hoover Dam, before taking to the water for a cruise.

Lunch or dinner are served on board as you watch the picturesque landscape go by outside. Most tours stop at the Las Vegas sign on the way back to the city.

Jet boat tours

Feel the thrills as you power along the Colorado by jet boat, enjoying the views and the cooling spray. A picnic lunch on the lakeshore is included, and you can go for a swim if the weather is warm.

Breakfast and a professional guide are also included.

Electric boat rentals

Take the wheel and spend a couple of hours cruising around Lake Las Vegas at your own pace. Picnics and snacks can be purchased on-site, and life jackets are available.

This is a fun way to enjoy a cooling self-drive boat excursion for those with limited time.

How much will you pay for boat tours in Las Vegas?

The cost of boat tours in Las Vegas is determined by the excursion length and type. Trips outside the city include hotel transfers and guides.

Gondola boat rides with entry to Madame Tussauds and a restaurant meal are $62 per person.
Combination tours with a Grand Canyon helicopter flight and river cruise start at $299 for a full-day trip. This includes lunch. Upgrades are available if you want to do the Skywalk.
A scenic flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, with a helicopter landing on the canyon floor, and a Colorado boat trip is $492. Lunch is provided.
Jet boat tours on the Colorado plus a visit to Lake Havasu and Oatman Ghost Town are priced at $289 for 12 hours. This includes breakfast and lunch.
Lake Mead lunch cruises with a stop at Hoover Dam start at $109, while dinner jaunts cost $119.
Electric boat rental is priced at $199 for 2 hours on the water.

What can you see on a boat tour from Las Vegas?

Las Vegas

Pretend to be in Venice as you cruise along the Grand Canal on an outdoor gondola ride, and see this dazzling part of Las Vegas in style.

Then you might choose to dine at the Venetian Hotel and Casino before taking selfies with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon needs no introduction, with plunging ravines and barren escarpments stretching as far as the eye can see. Experience the Colorado River up close on a boat ride through the canyon, and soar high overhead in a helicopter or light aircraft for spectacular bird’s-eye views.

A real highlight is the Skywalk which will put your nerves to the test as you step out 70 feet beyond the edge of the canyon. Remember to look down!

Hoover Dam

The majestic Hoover Dam towers over the Colorado River and the Black Canyon, standing proud in this dramatic arid terrain. Stop on the famous Bypass Bridge for enviable vacation photos, or take a tour inside to find out how the dam works.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead is the place to go for relaxing afternoons beside the water, surrounded by calming wilderness. You can take a cruise on the Desert Princess - an authentic paddleboat with meals served on board.

This recreation area is renowned for its outdoor activities, with everything from kayaking to ATV rides available on Lake Mead tours.

Lake Havasu

Prettily situated in western Arizona, Lake Havasu is a jumping-off point for desert trails as well as being a popular water sports venue. Walk across London Bridge, which was famously dismantled and shipped from England before being reconstructed on the lake.

Pop into the museum to learn about local Native American history and discover why steamboats were once all the rage.

What's the typical duration of a boat trip?

Las Vegas boat excursions in the city itself last 2 hours, giving you enough time to see the major sights.

The helicopter and boat ride combination tours are 7 – 12 hours. Self-drive trips with a helicopter excursion and pontoon boat ride last 2 hours, not including the time it takes for you to journey to the Grand Canyon.

Allow up to 8 hours for a Lake Mead lunch cruise and Hoover Dam tour, and 6 hours for the dinner cruise. Meanwhile, jet boat tours last a full day so be prepared for an early start.

Electric boats can be rented for a couple of hours during the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Where do boat tours leave from?

Las Vegas boat trips that venture outside the city to the Grand Canyon or Lake Mead offer round-trip transfers from selected hotels on The Strip.

If you are joining a city excursion that includes a gondola cruise on the Grand Canal, you will need to head to Madame Tussauds and present your voucher.

Electric boat rental is located on Lake Las Vegas, just 20 minutes from The Strip and not far from Lake Mead and the Valley of Fire State Park. You will need to make your own way there.

When is the best time of year for a boat trip in Las Vegas?

You can enjoy some boat trips in Las Vegas at any time of year. Others only operate between March and November so do check with your provider.

Visiting the city during the height of summer? Then a boat tour is a welcome respite from the heat, with many excursions offering swimming as part of the schedule.

Spring and Fall are popular times too, so do book ahead if you plan on traveling between April – June, and September – November.

Most Las Vegas boat tours operate outside the city, so morning departures are common to make the most of the day out.

What else can you do in Las Vegas?

Travel tips

Make sure you book your boat trip in Las Vegas in advance to take advantage of the best online deals.
Take a small waterproof pouch for your camera to keep it dry while you are on the water. Spare batteries are advisable too!
Pack your swimming gear and a towel if your Las Vegas boat tour includes a refreshing lake dip on the itinerary.
Keep applying the sunscreen throughout the day to avoid getting sunburned, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Not all tours are available every day of the week so check dates with your operator before booking.

Boat Tours in Las Vegas