Las Vegas Boat Harbor

Great boat rental service. Hands down the best we’ve ever experienced. This lake and the desert scenery were beautiful.
Boat was the newest, best maintained and outfitted that we’ve ever rented. Most rental boats tend to be functional but with minimal instrumentation and amenities, and weather worn. This looked like a private owner’s boat: great condition, shade cover, etc. Handled well. Cost was $ 80/​hour with two hour minimum (plus gas, and plus $ 400 reserve deposit against boat damage — all of which is standard for boat rentals).
One thing to note: the staff here are professionals and serious about people’s safety. I’m pointing this out in response to some of the other commenters complaining that the service staff weren’t «nice enough» or refused to rent to them for X reason, yada yada.
News flash from somebody who boats: there’s an amazing amount of boating-​related stupidity out there, even in normal places (unsafe driving, drinking while driving, ignoring traffic rules, swimming around live motors etc.). Given that this is Las Vegas with tons of tourists from around the world, the ignorance and dumbassery risks are huge.
This isn’t some casino or strip club where you call the shots and the staff are supposed to kiss your ass. People get injured and killed around boats *all the time*. The staff here know this, and they have to deal with the consequences if one of their renters effs up.
Therefore, the rental personnel are no-​nonsense. I found them to be perfectly nice, just serious. They know Nevada boating rules, the lake and the weather patterns. Frankly, their rental rules are less stringent than many other places — for example, you can beach their boats, which most rental places (including on other famous lakes like Tahoe) won’t let you do, because of the risk of a newbie boater damaging the hull or propeller.
So yes, you do have watch a safety video (and really watch it, not ignore it while you play on your phone). Yes, you do have to wear a life vest. Yes, you need to stay in the part of the lake where they tell you to (it’s a huge lake — easy to miscalculate distance). No, you can’t rent a boat too late in the day even for «a little while.» No, it’s not their problem if your personal boat broke down. And if they won’t rent to you because of risky weather, too late in the day or whatever — or just because you’re coming across like a jackass — that’s their call.

The marina is fine and frankly, you don’t have many options if you’re looking for a quick spin on a boat or jetski. The service leaves much to be desired. Appreciate that the checkout person takes her job seriously, but there was no need to be so rude. Customers are coming to have an enjoyable day on the lake, don’t be such a killjoy.

Great marina with outstanding customer service! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to rent boats or kayaks to spend the day on Lake Mead!

We rented a pontoon boat on 08/​07/​2015 all day for $ 300, not bad if you have a group of 8 or more.
The rental process was easy and fast, the safety check and boat check were quick and thorough. One new thing is you have to have a life vest on at all times in the boat. We thought it was crazy but it actually is not a big deal. It was really easy to swim and enjoy the lake knowing you didn’t have to put too much effort into swimming and staying afloat. We had one problem when out boat didn’t start, but we called the office and someone quickly came by to troubleshoot.
We will most likely return.

Lived in Las Vegas for years and have visited the marina many times. Twice I rented a boat from them before I purchased one of my own. Last Saturday we went to Lake Mead and used the launch near LVBH as usual. Surprising how much the lake has dropped in a year.
We had a problem with the boat while running back to the restrooms and to pick up more ice. The boat quit near the opening of the channel and I wound up stranding part of the family — including our 2 year old grand daughter about 20 minutes from the docks on a beach where we were spending the day. I desperately needed to rent a boat to retrieve the family. They would not rent me a boat because it was 3:30 pm and they insisted I could not be back before dark. After showing them on their map where the family was, they said it would take two hours to go and another 2 to come back. I showed them again on the map that it was less than a 20 minute trip, they refused to rent a boat — even at the full day charge. I pleaded with the manager to walk to the top of the hill where they would be able to SEE the beach. After telling me he did not have time, he said to call the Park Rangers.
With the help of caring boaters I was eventually able to retrieve the family. They even towed the boat back to the dock. We unloaded the family, and put the boat on the trailer. By this time it was not yet 5 pm. I walked back to the store to let them know we made it back safely and see if I could get a card. They recognized me immediately and said they do not have business cards. When I asked for a name, they turned away without a reply.
I will return to Lake Mead, but will never return to the LVBH. Their lack of concern for the well-​being of others was appalling. If one of their boats were stranded, I am sure they would have acted quickly — but alas, it was just a family and their baby.

water toys. going fast. making waves.
I got to cruise in a pontoon boat, zip around in a ski boat, and hit wakes on a wave runner. Splashy adrenaline rush when going open throttle. Lake Mead was relatively quiet and not crowded at all with boat traffic, so there were plenty of opportunities to go fast. Wind was minimal and the water was nearly smooth like glass. We also got an opportunity to see a different side of Hoover Dam from the water.
Service at the docks was excellent and the guys took care of us. Thumbs up to the crew for their professionalism, even though one of our knucklehead drivers did a number of mangling the boat propeller, so we ponied up for the damage. Oh well, time to make up for it at the casino.
Las Vegas Boat Harbor has been family owned and operated since 1957. In addition to rentals and fuel, the facility also has a general store, restaurant, patio, storage spaces, and boat slips.
Say hello to the fishes as you mosy down the pier.

Lake Mead is rather peaceful, and the Boat Harbor is also such a place. We hadn’t been here in about 10 years, and the water level has dropped so dramatically, that the harbor had moved way down the hill. Once at the harbor, there are awesome fish following you along the dock, wanting food. Kids were feeding the fish, which was cool. At the end of the dock, is a general store (limited selection) and a restaurant (we did not try). Everyone seemed friendly on site and relaxed. I imagine it’s a great place to spend the day, boating on the lake.

This is the best place to slip your boat!
Great customer service, restaurant has great food with great prices, store has everything you need at same prices as in town the workers will get to know you and it has a very family feeling. Gas is cheaper here than callville
I just wish there was more covered slips available! Wait list is 3 – 5 yrs!

I have kept a boat at Las Vegas Boat Harbor for years and I wanted to say that their service is second to none. Everyone there is always very friendly and helpful. I hope when looking for a boat to rent or relax at the marina you choose Las Vegas Boat Harbor.

I have kept a boat at Las Vegas Boat Harbor for years and I wanted to say that their service is second to none. Everyone there is always very friendly and helpful. I hope when looking for a boat to rent or relax at the marina you choose Las Vegas Boat Harbor

At first I was hesitant coming out here but my bf convinced me to go kayaking and now I’m hooked!!! Paddling to one of the islands’ cove and swimming in the cool lake water might just be what will save me from the Las Vegas hot summer days. Even if the temperature only lingers around 90s, the lake water near the surface is already warm enough for leisure swimming.
If you are fancy, you can rent power boats and jet skis and speed around the lake. I think they’re around $ 75/​hr and they look like a lot of fun! The boat harbor also offers cruises but I’m uncertain as to what that may entail.
Don’t forget to bring bags of popcorn to feed the trout, snacks for yourself, lots of sunscreen and water!

Great place to cool off in the summer months. Rent a boat or jet ski, have a refreshing beverage, and a nice bite to eat at the Harbor House Café. There’s always something going on at the marina

It keeps moving every time I go there it seems. The water level has lowered so dramatically that they have to move it to deeper waters all the time. Watching the whole harbor move at 1 mile an hour is a trip.
Anyhoo, this is such a nice place to go to see HUGE, HUNGRY striped bass, catfish, beautiful colorful ducks and sea gulls eat out of your hands. We like hanging out with our dogs at the café at the end of the dock. The food at the café is nothing to write home about but you can’t beat the view of the lake and boats and hungry fish. Looks like you can walk on them in the water, they are packed so tight. Of course, there is always some yahoo who will try to catch a fish in their hands. [Rolling eyes].
Haven’t rented the boats yet. Will have to do that next time.

Using a guest slip for a few days. Very reasonable fee, friendly and helpful staff and good, visible security. Restaurant serves a great, reasonably priced breakfast.

There’s nothing fancy about this place but we’ve been using it for the last 5 years do depart on Lake Mead cruises on a friends boat and it’s very well maintained. Don’t forget to feed the begging carp.

I think what makes Las Vegas Boat Harbor such a great Lake Mead marina is that it is family owned and operated. They caterer to boat owners and recreational boat renters of all experience levels.
Families can also enjoy a day at Lake Mead feeding fish off the docks or enjoying a meal on the floating patio. It’s a fun day outing away from the city or at night when they are hosting one of their festive and fun special events.

The Las Vegas Boat Harbor reminds me of Paul Simon’s song «Kodachrome*.» Quoting some of the lyrics the pictures I took with my Kodachrome (actually a Canon Power Shot) of Las Vegas Boat Harbor: «give me those nice bright colors, the dreams of summer, and make the world a sunny day.»
The time I spent here was a nature photography session. This review is written by a Unilocaler who stopped by the Las Vegas Boat Harbor to take pictures and appreciate the Lake Mead landscape. This is a Unilocaler that appreciates making his payments on a compact car, much less a boat.
The Las Vegas Boat Harbor rests on a scenic spot at the southwest corner of Lake Mead. It is surrounded by open desert and mountains. It is about a two mile drive from the intersection of US 93 at Lake Shore Drive, the main entrance from Boulder City.
I spent the majority of my time here shooting ducks. That is with my camera. I came here expecting to see an out-​of-​control fish population. Instead I saw a world of ducks. They coexisted with large fish. There were all varieties of ducks. They included kinds that I never could of perceived existed. Just seeing what I could best describe as red head ducks was worthy of my time here. It only takes some bread for the ducks to put on a show. I witnessed wading ducks and large fish trailing behind a little kid that had thrown bread to them, as he progressed further along the dock. This show was the ultimate Audubon moment that I captured on camera and shared on Unilocal photos. The ducks own this place. When they were out of the water they were strolling along the main dock (shared on Unilocal photos).
Las Vegas Boat Harbor gives the photographer more than duck photos. I shot pictures of the Lake Mead Boat cruse arriving at the adjacent dock. If my camera had an x-​ray feature, it would show the Hoover Dam if I shot a picture of the mountain overlooking the Las Vegas Boat Harbor. If I was here at the right time I would be taking pictures of big horn sheep. There is a big horn sheep population on the mountains towering over the Las Vegas Boat Harbor.
It is difficult to starve or dehydrate here if you have some money. There is a full-​service restaurant and marina shop. If I had decided to eat here I would of sat outside on the patio. As expected the prices for beverage in the marina shop was pricey. In all honesty, if I was very thirsty $ 10 for a can of Dr. Pepper would be reasonable. So, considering the location it is in, $ 1.25 for that can beats dehydration.
As I take the Unilocal 100 Challenge, I am challenging myself to experience as many parks and trails as possible. The next time I see the Las Vegas Boat Harbor will be from high above when I hike the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail from the Hacienda Hotel to Hoover Dam.
Unilocal 100 Challenge 2013. This is review #33.
*“Kodachrome” is a 1973 hit single from Paul Simon. It reached #2. George Harrison’s «Give Me Love» beat it to number #1.

Good value. Wasn’t that expensive to rent a boat.
We had a really fun time driving up to the business end of the Hoover Dam (Can’t get too close or the department of homeland security will pay you a visit. There are buoy’s.)
The only problem I had with this place was the bathroom was dangerously gross. As soon as you walk in, you feel like your going to vomit. There’s no air circulation and probably significant plumbing problems. This is NO JOKE. It was board of health dangerous.
You may want to take care of business out in the water.

Great service. In a nutshell our bass boat 17 footer was
215 for the day
49 for the fuel (we were out about 5 hours total)
250 dollar deposit was refunded and the end of the day.
This has to be one of the best scenic lakes I’ve seen. Opening the boat up on the open water was fantastic… Its off season right now… so yeah, having the whole lake to yourself does have its good points.

Watch out for gasoline rip-​off scams!!! Boat rentals here do not come with gasoline. You need to pay for the gas when you turn in the watercraft!
1) Make sure you leave with a full tank! Make them top the tank off — as you watch!
2) Make sure the pump says 0.00 dollars before they start pumping into your watercraft!
This is our experience:
We rented a Wave Runner one day. When bringing it do the dock they had a gas pump nozzle in another wave runner. They then put the nozzle into our Wave Runner without clearing the pump. We complained of this error. They staff gave us one dollar for the gas «accident». Very strange! We then complained to the desk staff who gave us five dollars credit. We will never know how much extra gas was pumped into the first wave runner before the nozzle was in ours.
We came the next day and rented a speed boat. The gas gauge said ¾ full. The staff said that the tank was indeed 100% full and that many of the gas gauges are broken and bounce all over — and that this is normal. He verbally guaranteed that the tank was full. I said I wanted to look inside the gas cap to check the level. He said «I will do you one better». He took me to the gas pump dock where he then put 19 dollars of gas into the tank before the pump clicked off. Although he acted surprised that the tank was not full, I would have spent 19 dollars more to fill up the boat when bringing the boat back if I had not had him prove the tank was full.
The desk staff seemed truly surprised that I was shorted twice on gas fill-​ups. Either I was unlucky to have this happen twice in a row, or there is criminal action occurring here. Watch out for both these gasoline scam tricks if you rent here!
To their credit, I did have fun and the watercraft were well maintained.
They do not let their watercraft out of the «Boulder Basin» part of the lake. You cannot go through the narrows into the main Lake Mead area. They will threaten to keep your $ 400 deposit they catch you passing by the «no ski» buoys in the narrows leading to the main lake! Other marinas may not have this restriction.