This past week, my family and I did something I’ve always wanted to do, but somehow never managed to make happen before: we enjoyed a full day together at the lake on a pontoon boat.
We don’t have anyone in our family or friend group that owns a boat currently, however, back when I was in high school a family I was close to owned a boat they kept in a slip at Sierra Marina at Shaver Lake, and occasionally I’d have the pleasure of tagging along on their fishing trips. It was a lot of fun, super relaxing, and something I always remember really enjoying and wanting to do again.
This summer, my parents wanted to spend a day together doing something everyone could enjoy while spending some quality time together and I suggested we look into renting a pontoon boat at Shaver Lake, and I was thrilled that everyone was on board (pardon my pun).
At Sierra Marina, you can rent pontoon boats (which float on two big metal pontoons, and have a spacious patio-like deck, perfect for groups), smaller fishing boats, competition style speed and ski boats and personal watercraft (jet skis and wave runners). Rentals are available for half days, 8am to 12pm or 12pm to 5pm, or full days from 8am to 5pm.
Sierra Marina is located on the northwest corner of Shaver Lake, right off of 168/Tollhouse Road just past the shops and restaurants in Shaver. The drive from Fresno to get there takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and while you are driving uphill into the mountains, the road is pretty easy to drive. There is one very short section with a couple of hair pin/switch back turns just before you arrive, but you traverse them very slowly, and it’s maybe 1 minute of the total drive.
When you arrive at the Marina, there is free parking (if you see a tollbooth and people paying at the end of the parking lot, please note that is for access to other areas, and you do not need to go there to go to the Marina) and public toilets in the parking lot that you can use before embarking on your boating day. Please note: these are definitely ummm… wilderness bathrooms – toilet over deep hole in the ground style, and while there is privacy and tissue, there are no sinks for washing up after – I recommend bringing hand wipes and/or sanitizer on your trip.
You’ll walk down the pathway onto the marina floating on the lake, and come to the office and store where you can check in, and a helpful staff member will show you to your boat, explain how to drive it, the pattern of traffic on the lake, where you can and can not go, and answer any questions you have. Life vests are provided in case of an emergency for adults, and to wear while riding in the boat for children.
The pontoon boats are very comfortable, allow you plenty of space for your group and belongings, and are relatively easy to drive. They average 15-25mph, and it took us around 40 minutes to circle the perimeter of the Lake. The boats can be beached in designated sandy areas so you hop down, play beach games, have a picnic or barbecue for lunch. With the pontoon boats, you can’t pull an innertube or skier, but you can float in the lake while the boat is beached which we enjoyed in innertubes we brought after lunch.
When you’re done boating and return to the marina, staff will come out to meet you and help guide you into the slip, catch the boat and tie it up for you. Everyone who was working at Sierra Marina was helpful and kind throughout our experience.
For a 4 or 5 hour, half day rental of a pontoon boat for 6 people, the cost is $240, which breaks down to just $40 per person for a really fun experience, in a beautiful setting. Other watercraft carry different rental rates, but you can view all rates easily on Sierra Marina’s website here and reserve your ideal option here.
We are so lucky to live so close a place as stunning as Shaver Lake, and having awesome watercraft options for rent at Sierra Marina makes a lake day experience accessible to everyone, including the many like us who don’t have our own boats. I would highly recommend a boat day for your family or friend group this summer! (PS: Hungry Hut in Shaver has AMAZING milkshakes, and that would be a perfect way to end your lake day.)
- How to Enjoy a Boat Day on the Lake (When You Don’t Own a Boat) - July 30, 2026
- My Analogue Summer: 6 Screen-Free Hobbies Quieting My Stress - July 23, 2026
- My Fresno Summer Bucket List - July 17, 2026
Leave a Reply