
Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 232 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe worth booking?
Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe is a 0.2-hour experience in Lake Tahoe, United States, from $139 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 232 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (232)
- Duration
- 0.2 hours
- From
- $139 per person
Weight limits apply: Maximum per-passenger weight is 250lbs. Maximum weight of all passengers combined must not exceed 500lbs. Passenger weights must be accurately provided at time of booking. Groups reaching a combined
What you get
About this experience
Weight limits apply: Maximum per-passenger weight is 250lbs. Maximum weight of all passengers combined must not exceed 500lbs. Passenger weights must be accurately provided at time of booking. Groups reaching a combined weight of 500 lbs will be subject to a weight check upon arrival for their flight. Any individual weighing 300 lbs or more will not be permitted to fly per the limitations of the aircraft. Any cancellation of a planned flight due to weights exceeding the maximum allowable aircraft weight (individual or combined) will be charged at full price. Showcasing beautiful Fallen Leaf lake, Cascade Lake, Taylor Creek, and Pope Beach, this tour heads to breathtaking Emerald Bay. Surrounded by granite cathedrals and fed by Eagle falls, the lake's only true bay is named for its emerald green waters.
What's included
Included
- Noise reducing headsets
- Live commentary on board
- Helicopter tour of Emerald Bay
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Emerald Bay State Park
Head to the Lake Tahoe Airport where parking is free in the upper lot. Enter the terminal building to find our office on the left inside the main lobby. After meeting your pilot, take part in a short safety briefing prior to heading out to the ramp to board your aircraft.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Lake Tahoe
Inside the main lobby of the Lake Tahoe Airport
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Inside the main lobby of the Lake Tahoe Airport
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 3 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tahoe Helicopters
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Maximum weight per person is 250 pounds (113kg)
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required. Please call tour operator prior to flight to arrange this. A full refund will be given if disability cannot be accommodated.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Maximum combined passenger weight is 500lbs per flight and strictly enforced
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Traveler reviews
232 verified traveler reviews for Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
12 minute emerald bay flight
Great ride. Totally worth it. Pilot was nice
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful experience and friendly staff
Very friendly staff and awesome tour! Would like to do it again!!!
via Tripadvisor
Lake Tahoe Tour
It was a bummer my husband couldn't go due to the weight restrictions, but my son and I still went due to the ride not being refundable. My 1.5yr old loved being in the helicopter and the pilot was super nice!
via Tripadvisor
Grandson trip
This was an amazing experience for my 13 year ills grandson 💙. He was visiting from Texas for 10 days
via Viator
Great Experience
First time in a helicopter. It was very interesting to listen to the stories of the area, seeing what it takes to start and stop the helicopter and no motion sickness. Best of all, a soft landing! Pilot was great!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 81
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lake Tahoe.
How much does Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe cost?
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Prices start at $139 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lake Tahoe usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe take?
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Plan for about 0.2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lake Tahoe is not rushed.
Is Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 232 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lake Tahoe, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe?
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Around 81 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lake Tahoe can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lake Tahoe and add a light layer if any part of the 0.2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lake Tahoe within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Lake Tahoe?
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Tahoe splits by season: summer brings boat cruises, kayaking at Emerald Bay, parasailing and Flume Trail rides, while winter brings snowmobiles, snowshoe treks and ski shuttles. Pickup points around the lake are far apart, so meeting logistics matter. On Outty we rank every Lake Tahoe experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Coastal Self-Guided E-Bike Tour(2–4 hrs) | East Shore Trail, Yosemite Grand Adventure - day tour from S. Lake Tahoe. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe?
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June to September for water, December to March for snow. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Lake Tahoe?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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