Desert Belle Cruises

4.7 (459 reviews)

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Desert Belle Cruises - Dragonfly! - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Desert Belle Boat - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Embark on a 90-minute narrated cruise aboard the 143-passenger, double-decker Desert Belle - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Desert Belle Cruises - Left: Double-decker Desert Belle, 90-minute cruise with live music Right: Gift shop - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Nannaphat K.

Wowww what a beautiful place! I was looking for the lake that I could take my kids have some fun in nature and short drive and I found this on google map. It took me 45 mins from Chandler and it was a beautiful drive along the road. The cruise is comfortable, clean, the have bathroom and some snacks and drink for you to purchase. Captain Jack and his crews are super friendly and great service, bring some cash for a tips if you wish to do so. I would recommend you book the ticket online which allow you not too rush to go there, bring some lunch, cooler and drink with you because there so may spot you can stop by and enjoy the view. The boat ride around 80 mins round trip, enjoy the beautiful view and learning history and nature at the same time.

Matthew M.

Stunning gorgeous cruise on the river! The music was great and the service and atmosphere were divine! Definitely would recommend 10/10! Adequate shade on a hot Arizona summer day (just had to alternate what side of the boat you are on). The drinks were well priced and the lower level had good air conditioning.

Moncerrath N.

You are able to book your tickets online in advance. It is $30 per adult plus tax. The booking process is easy and you can select the type of cruise you want to join. We booked the 90-minute cruise with live music on the double-decker Desert Belle boat at 4pm on a Saturday. The boat is smaller compared to the Lake Pleasant Cruises. Highly-Highly recommend you leave as early as possible. There was an accident on the road that caused us to reroute and added 35 minutes to our drive. The boat will leave without you! Get there early and explore the Saguaro Lake Grill (restaurant) or the gift shop next boat over. Once we arrived they offer free parking and the check in was easy. You board the boat and as you enter the boat's first deck, it is air-conditioned, offer tables and chairs and you are able to purchase snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). You can sit and enjoy the view from the inside or go to the second deck. The second deck offers only chair seating and the live music entertainment. The live musician was Eric Miller and they were amazing. Played a variety of acoustic songs from Coldplay, Chris Stapleton, John Mayer and more as we cruised down the lake. We were entertained all around, seeing people jet skiing, ride their boats, cliff jumping, seeing the amazing Arizona canyon walls, and the possibilities of seeing wildlife. They offer restrooms on the first deck. The staff were friendly, helpful and very attentive. You can order from the first deck or the staff will take your order and bring it to you. We would recommend checking them out.

Jennifer G.

I've lived here almost my whole life and always wanted to do the Desert Belle Cruise, so on the 4th of July I finally did it! The boat ride is about 80 minutes total, and it's beautiful, relaxing and fun. It wasn't too hot on the covered top deck, and I just sat and watched the scenery while the guide told us about all about the area--history, animals, plants and more. Since there were a lot of people on the water that day, we saw jet-skiers, cliff-divers and fishermen. There is a snack bar on the lower deck that sells beer, wine, nonalcoholic drinks and a few food items. I didn't buy anything, but based on what I saw, the line was either long or slow or both. If you want to purchase something, I'd try to be near the front of the line when service begins. I had such a good time on the cruise and would return, especially for one of their sunset dinner cruises.

Did the Wednesday Wine and Music cruise. Fun ride and aw a bald eagle and some big horn sheep.

Gina M.

The day was cooler than usual, but thanks to Captain Justin, our trip was an absolute delight. He made the experience fun, engaging, and memorable, sharing his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm with us every step of the way. His warm & humorous personality made everyone so comfortable, and the stunning views only added to the magic. It was the perfect, relaxing cruise for our family visit, and we felt so lucky to have had him as our guide. We highly recommend this tour to anyone. I didn't capture the beauty as much as I'd have liked since we didn't have any sunshine, but the views in person are spectacular.

Tom S.

Good: the scenery was spectacular. I had no idea this area had mountainous / rocky landscape that rivals the geography of southern Utah / Page, AZ areas. The plentiful AZ desert flora are icing on this cake. Such a great surprise. The boat captain and crew were friendly and pleasant. The captain's narrative of the cruise was informative and fun. Saw lots of wildlife -- waterfowl (various species of ducks, coots, grebes, comorrants, a great blue heron), a few raptors, and a half dozen desert bighorn sheep. The captain even backed the boat up to allow us a better look at the bighorns. That was cool. Easy booking online. Good value for the money. Needs Improvement: ideally they might do something to discourage the grackles that hound the boat 100% of the time, cruising and at the dock. Not fond of being on alert to not get bombarded by a bird flying through the upper deck compartment. Bottom Line: try this cruise if you're entertained by viewing beautiful scenery.

The whole cruise was very nice. Very informative. Captain Dan and crew were super nice and all had a sense of humor which made the hour and 20 minutes very

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Marilyn F.

0

1

0

2 months ago

Very nice cruise on the lake! Beautiful day made the trip even better. Covered deck gave us protection from the AZ sun. This was a music cruise and it was outstanding! All the while, we had drinks and very nice people with us. We were on the top deck but there was a first deck that had ac I'm sure was nice too. Don't hesitate!! read more

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Van D.

Elite 26

15

317

2777

4 months ago

Wine-cruise Wednesday rocks! The Desert Belle river cruise was wonderful fun, exceeding all our expectations. The musician was great, the staff was friendly and funny, and the scenery was lovely. We live in Arizona and are familiar with the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, and it was such as pleasure to see bighorn sheep, herons, eagles, and more on a single sunset cruise. Great way to explore Saguaro Lake! read more

Desert Belle Cruises - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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John G.

0

3

5 months ago

Captain and crew offered an informative and comfortable cruise. Disappointed to learn the the advertised wildlife was seasonal and we weren't there in season. Otherwise great. read more

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Nannaphat K.

Elite 26

45

141

847

6 months ago

Wowww what a beautiful place! I was looking for the lake that I could take my kids have some fun in nature and short drive and I found this on google map. It took me 45 mins from Chandler and it was a beautiful drive along the road. The cruise is comfortable, clean, the have bathroom and some snacks and drink for you to purchase. Captain Jack and his crews are super friendly and great service, bring some cash for a tips if you wish to do so. I would recommend you book the ticket online which allow you not too rush to go there, bring some lunch, cooler and drink with you because there so may spot you can stop by and enjoy the view. The boat ride around 80 mins round trip, enjoy the beautiful view and learning history and nature at the same time. read more

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Bonnie F.

Elite 26

6

106

257

4 months ago

We always take our out of town guests on the Desert Belle Cruise boat. It's very informative and relaxing and Captain Dan, Dawn, and Ellen always do a wonderful job taking care of their guests! We love the gift shop as well! read more

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Mike N.

9

3

0

21 days ago

Music Cruise was great. Eric Miller was artist and he was great. Enjoyed Sunday morning mimosas.

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Matthew M.

Elite 26

5

32

96

3 months ago

Stunning gorgeous cruise on the river! The music was great and the service and atmosphere were divine! Definitely would recommend 10/10! Adequate shade on a hot Arizona summer day (just had to alternate what side of the boat you are on). The drinks were well priced and the lower level had good air conditioning. read more

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Moncerrath N.

Elite 26

20

145

729

9 months ago

You are able to book your tickets online in advance. It is $30 per adult plus tax. The booking process is easy and you can select the type of cruise you want to join. We booked the 90-minute cruise with live music on the double-decker Desert Belle boat at 4pm on a Saturday. The boat is smaller compared to the Lake Pleasant Cruises. Highly-Highly recommend you leave as early as possible. There was an accident on the road that caused us to reroute and added 35 minutes to our drive. The boat will leave without you! Get there early and explore the Saguaro Lake Grill (restaurant) or the gift shop next boat over. Once we arrived they offer free parking and the check in was easy. You board the boat and as you enter the boat's first deck, it is air-conditioned, offer tables and chairs and you are able to purchase snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). You can sit and enjoy the view from the inside or go to the second deck. The second deck offers only chair seating and the live music entertainment. The live musician was Eric Miller and they were amazing. Played a variety of acoustic songs from Coldplay, Chris Stapleton, John Mayer and more as we cruised down the lake. We were entertained all around, seeing people jet skiing, ride their boats, cliff jumping, seeing the amazing Arizona canyon walls, and the possibilities of seeing wildlife. They offer restrooms on the first deck. The staff were friendly, helpful and very attentive. You can order from the first deck or the staff will take your order and bring it to you. We would recommend checking them out. read more

Desert Belle Cruises - Saguaro Lake - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - On the first deck, at the back of Belle Boat - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Drink menu - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Drink menu Fall Special November 2025 - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - First deck, air conditioned and you can purchase snacks and drinks - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Jennifer G.

Elite 26

24

80

866

1 year ago

I've lived here almost my whole life and always wanted to do the Desert Belle Cruise, so on the 4th of July I finally did it! The boat ride is about 80 minutes total, and it's beautiful, relaxing and fun. It wasn't too hot on the covered top deck, and I just sat and watched the scenery while the guide told us about all about the area--history, animals, plants and more. Since there were a lot of people on the water that day, we saw jet-skiers, cliff-divers and fishermen. There is a snack bar on the lower deck that sells beer, wine, nonalcoholic drinks and a few food items. I didn't buy anything, but based on what I saw, the line was either long or slow or both. If you want to purchase something, I'd try to be near the front of the line when service begins. I had such a good time on the cruise and would return, especially for one of their sunset dinner cruises. read more

Desert Belle Cruises - We saw lots of cactuses - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Ticket office and check-in point - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - I think this is the boat they use for dinner cruises - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - A pretty little canyon - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Parts of the water were this pretty green color - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Cliff divers - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Four Peaks in the distance - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Seating on the covered top deck - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Jk S.

0

4

0

1 month ago

A must...an AZ historic scenic view of nature and the renown Sonoran Desert with Steep memorable stone mountains surrounded by the beauty of Saguaro Lake which offers Narration or celebratory wine tour Cruise with the joy of music that also entertains nature's grateful beauty and appreciation Of the Tonto National Forest. As a retired concierge...I highly recommended the Desert Belle Cruises to guests and share wonderful reviews, too as a customer. read more

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Jordan S.

Elite 26 All-Star

5

687

54

9 months ago

Went on their 80 minute narrated cruise. Very nice, relaxing, scenic and Captain Dan does a nice job of pointing out sites as well as providing a very informative narrative of the lake and surrounding area. It is reasonably priced, kept clean and the vessel is set up nicely for both inside and outside viewing. Families or couples alike will have a nice time. Drinks and snacks are available, again all at a reasonable price. read more

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John M.

0

48

12

2 months ago

Wonderful afternoon with nine family members. We have been around Saguaro Lake for many years but this is the first time we took the cruise. It was beautiful scenery and very informative as it relates to the Sonoran desert environment. The crew was super-friendly and went out of their way to serve our family well. Thanks for a great afternoon! read more

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Michael N.

0

5

2

2 months ago

Did the Wednesday Wine and Music cruise. Fun ride and aw a bald eagle and some big horn sheep. read more

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Gina M.

1

25

12

6 months ago

The day was cooler than usual, but thanks to Captain Justin, our trip was an absolute delight. He made the experience fun, engaging, and memorable, sharing his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm with us every step of the way. His warm & humorous personality made everyone so comfortable, and the stunning views only added to the magic. It was the perfect, relaxing cruise for our family visit, and we felt so lucky to have had him as our guide. We highly recommend this tour to anyone. I didn't capture the beauty as much as I'd have liked since we didn't have any sunshine, but the views in person are spectacular. read more

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Tom S.

0

83

20

6 months ago

Good: the scenery was spectacular. I had no idea this area had mountainous / rocky landscape that rivals the geography of southern Utah / Page, AZ areas. The plentiful AZ desert flora are icing on this cake. Such a great surprise. The boat captain and crew were friendly and pleasant. The captain's narrative of the cruise was informative and fun. Saw lots of wildlife -- waterfowl (various species of ducks, coots, grebes, comorrants, a great blue heron), a few raptors, and a half dozen desert bighorn sheep. The captain even backed the boat up to allow us a better look at the bighorns. That was cool. Easy booking online. Good value for the money. Needs Improvement: ideally they might do something to discourage the grackles that hound the boat 100% of the time, cruising and at the dock. Not fond of being on alert to not get bombarded by a bird flying through the upper deck compartment. Bottom Line: try this cruise if you're entertained by viewing beautiful scenery. read more

Desert Belle Cruises - Verdant Hillside, Saguaro Lake - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Rock Outcropping - Saguaro Lake - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Susan P.

0

9

4

3 months ago

We really enjoyed the Music cruise. The guitarist, Eric Miller, was outstanding. The captain and crew were professional and friendly. The scenery was amazing. Would definitely do it again! read more

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Andy S.

0

6

7

4 months ago

The whole cruise was very nice. Very informative. Captain Dan and crew were super nice and all had a sense of humor which made the hour and 20 minutes very read more

Desert Belle Cruises - Water and The Desert Belle. - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Panoramic view off of shore. - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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B's P.

0

9

0

3 months ago

Great day in the lake! Friendly staff, cheap drinks and beautiful setting! Well worth it.

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Charles R.

0

3

0

5 months ago

As always enjoyed the ride on the Desert Belle. We have taken all our guests over time and they have enjoyed as well. Best part of our cruise yesterday was seeing 22 Dall sheep on their journey to the waters edge! read more

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Lori W.

0

4

0

2 months ago

The noon narration cruise was WONDERFUL!! It exceeded our expectations. The captain did a great job providing the information. The bartender and waitress were friendly and attentive. We sat on the upper deck which is shaded. It was around 106 when we were out on the water but was pleasant in the shade (It's a dry heat!!) The views were stunning. Hard to believe this exists so close to a densely populated city. And the heat of summer is the perfect time to go. It wasn't crowded so you could move around the boat and take in all the magnificent views. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! And we'll be back. read more

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Aubrie H.

Elite 26

37

782

2004

1 year ago

What a beautiful way to see this area. There are indoor and outdoor seats. As you sail along you hear lots of facts about the area, wildlife and plants. There are snacks and drinks for purchase and overall it is a nice relaxing way to spend some time. Really enjoyed ourselves on this tour. read more

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Michael A.

0

1

0

4 months ago

It was a nice relaxing cruise. We had a couple of margaritas and enjoyed the narrative and scenery. I would recommend this cruis. read more

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Andre B.

0

2

0

2 months ago

As soon as I booked the this experience I was excited to go. Due to an error on my part I missed the 12pm boat tour but the lady who picked up the phone to rebook me was very kind. She was able to get me on the 2pm music boat tour and i had a great time. The views were amazing and the DJ/ singer/host played great songs. while on the boat I was thinking a brunch tour where y'all serve light bites will be a great idea and maybe a sunset tour. I'm not sure of the rules and regulations but those are just some ideas to get more people to experience this wonderful tour. read more

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Mary G.

21

5

3

5 months ago

Highly recommend! The boat trip was so beautiful and the narration was very interesting. Loved every minute of it! read more

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Tom T.

4

112

61

7 months ago

Cruises NOW CASHLESS!!!! :( HORRIBLE. Even the small gift shop on the dock is cashless. Tried to buy a super expensive bottle of water. "We don't accept cash." So lame. I refuse to patronize any cashless business. I put the drink back and left. Never again. read more

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GiGi S.

0

1

0

6 months ago

A great experienc! The captain did a marvelous job of narrating the cruise. it was informative all the while fun and interesting. I would recommen! read more

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Caren C.

0

3

0

3 months ago

Phil was an amazing Captain. He is so knowledgeable. My family was visiting from New Jersey and learned so much about the flora and fauna of our beautiful state and lakes. We thoroughly enjoyed the day. read more

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Jamie O.

55

22

0

7 months ago

This is so much fun! We take all our out of town guests on the live music tour and everyone enjoys it so much. The talent of the musical performer is outstanding every time. We have heard at least 5 different people and each one is amazing. Plus, you can buy a beverage and see the amazing sites. read more

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Stephanie J.

0

8

0

4 months ago

We went on a Sunday for the 4pm cruise. Sat upstairs and the weather was perfect. So relaxing & beautiful views. The captain gave some of the history and had plenty of information to make it more enjoyable. The live music added to the ambiance. It was just the nicest afternoon with friends. Can't wait to bring out of town visitors. read more

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Michael M.

Elite 26 All-Star

118

1594

1750

2 years ago

Boat was very clean, Staff was great, Captain John was fantastic. Great sound system, beautiful views and only 80 minutes. read more

Desert Belle Cruises - Elephant Point - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Very relaxing - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

Desert Belle Cruises - Gorgeous - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Marsha S.

0

13

0

7 months ago

It was a lovely day for a ride on the Belle. We took our out of town family from back east on the lake. Phillip was our captain and he did a great job giving us information and entertainment narrating. We saw a big horn sheep. Lovely day. read more

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Violette W.

0

6

0

4 months ago

Perfect way to relax. Lovely gift shop before and after the cruise. Lights snacks on board. You are allowed to bring your own water bottle. No other food and beverages allowed. Great value for such a wonderful narrative cruise. Learn learned a lot about the lake and surrounding area. Highly recommend. read more

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Lisa P.

0

31

6

1 year ago

It's a beautiful, relaxing way to view Saguaro Lake. I have done the Narration Cruise and wanted to do the Music Cruise since my friend Kristy Dee was the musician. read more

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Katie D.

230

240

188

1 year ago

5 Stars cannot recommend enough! Captain Dan is fun and informative. Such a fun way to spend the afternoon. So reasonably priced! Highly recommend we will be back with all of our visitors. Snacks and drinks for sale, easy free parking read more

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Cheryl D.

0

8

0

4 months ago

I took 3 guess for a first time and everyone was in aww. The boat is comfortable, the staff were hard workers all guess seem to be engaged the music kept us all happy. read more

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Jim D.

Elite 26

10

117

408

3 years ago

What can I say, it's a nice sightseeing cruise for the entire family. Not only did we get to cruise around the lake, we learned a lot about it and the inhabitants. Captain Dan is very personable and great for this tour boat. For someone that loves to be on the water I really did enjoy myself with my wife and 7 year old son. I'm so happy that my wife booked the cruise. read more

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Lacy K.

Elite 26 All-Star

82

346

2091

3 years ago

Done this 2 years in a row for the navigation cruise. It's a fun idea for bringing people from out of state. Informative and funny way to learn about AZ. I've come in July and Sept... both very hot. Limited seating indoors in the fan and shade... but the views are outside on the top deck anyways. It's a nice time... especially with a drink in hand. (Drinks can be purchased on the boat but card only) On weekends the gift shop is open in the boat parked next door... it's nice to have a drink there and sit up top waiting for the tour Instagram: @msbusyblonde read more

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Rachel H.

0

7

3

1 year ago

We went here yesterday and it was a blast. They allowed water so if you want to bring a cup or bottles you can. There's also a nice gift shop. We took the music cruise and it was well worth the price. We will be back it was a gorgeous cruise! read more

Desert Belle Cruises - All of us on the Desert Belle! - Tours Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

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Diane D.

0

1

0

4 months ago

The staff were friendly and courteous from the boarding and throughout the entire trip. Captain Jack (..Sparrow, as I call him) was very friendly and knowledgeable...fantastic job of narration during the trip. Loved it! read more

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Jim W.

0

61

0

10 months ago

First time on the Desert Belle cruising Saguaro Lake. Captain Dan was the perfect host, giving a great history/ narration as we went and answered any questions we had. Would definitely do this experience again. Highly recommended !! read more

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More info about Desert Belle Cruises

14011 N Bush Hwy
Mesa, AZ 85215
Directions
(480) 984-2425
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.desertbellecruises.com

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Payment methods

Does Desert Belle Cruises take credit cards?

Yes, Desert Belle Cruises takes credit cards.

Other Amenities

Does Desert Belle Cruises have free WiFi?

Yes, Desert Belle Cruises has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Enjoy 90 Minute Narrated Cruises or Live Music Cruises aboard The Desert Belle Tour Boat on Saguaro Lake in Mesa, AZ. You'll be entertained by our captains on the narrated cruises learning about the history, geology, geography and wildlife native to the Sonoran Desert. The perfect spot to bring out-of-town guests. Or relax on a sunset live band music cruise. We offer jazz, pop, country, soul, blues and many more. See the cruise calendar on our website for exact dates and times. Private charters are also available for an unforgettable wedding, birthday, anniversary, or corporate function. Whatever you choose, The Desert Belle is a unique way to enjoy all the beauty that Arizona has to offer.

History

Established in 1964.

Originally launched in 1964, the Desert Belle has been plowing the waters of Saguaro Lake for fifty years. Relax in comfort and see exotic Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls, and dramatic desert vistas. Witness the flora and fauna first-hand, as you navigate pristine Sonoran desert canyons. Watch birds of prey soaring high on desert thermals as you photograph breath-taking desert vistas. Saguaro Lake is located within the Tonto National Forest, just 20 minutes from Mesa, Arizona. Experience the magnificence of both desert beauty and natural wildlife of one of the Valley's hidden treasures, spectacular Saguaro Lake.

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Hours

Review Highlights - Desert Belle Cruises

“Despite being a local and enjoying Saguaro lake during my entire childhood, I now look at the lake in a whole new way.”

Mentioned in 48 reviews

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Hi Jean-Paul, So nice to actually hear back from you. I'm sorry, but I am not going to remove my…read morereview. It is not in any way hate, just our experience. Did I hate that you ruined my father's 75th birthday celebration, absolutely!! However, the hate stops there. Just want people to be aware of what can happen when they go through you. And to respond to your comment... The boat was absolutely not broken. If it was you would have known the night/day before, right? The boat hadn't even been in the water yet, we were supposed to meet you in the parking lot before and we were all going in together. You also have reviews on that specific boat that very same day. Also, you absolutely did NOT call. We called you many times and left a couple voicemails. You turned your phone off after the first one. We did hear from the Boatsetter App right away and THEY refunded us our money. And SOOOOOOO many things you could have done better if indeed your boat was actually broken. For starters, answering your phone and explaining the situation.... Hope you take care as well.

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$$

We went on the 9am brunch cruise. This was Buffett style service that went pretty smooth. The eggs…read morewere amazing, potatoes were perfect, and the ham is as good as any ham can get. There is a small bar downstairs where we got a couple of mimosas. The cruise around the lake is peaceful and there is a lot to look at. About the parking, if you are a first responder or veteran, it's a no hassle situation to park for free. I just showed my badge as we pulled up and they waved us through. Overall, I'm glad I brought the family.

There's only a short time left to get out on a Lake Pleasant cruise before the summer heat bears…read moredown on us. Choose between a sightseeing cruise, live music brews cruise, sunset dinner cruise, or live music sunset cruises. The cruises run Wednesday thru Sunday in May. I took my mom for a mother/daughter adventure on a Wednesday afternoon sightseeing cruise. You'll park at Pleasant Harbor and hop a ride down the docks on a shuttle cart (bring some cash for tips). We arrived early to enjoy lunch and drinks at Dillon's before our 2pm cruise. Check in 30 minutes prior and then set off for 90 minutes on the water. Adults are $30, kids $15, toddlers free. On the boat, you can sit inside on the main level or up top and outside. Grab some snacks and a beverage from the bar to really luxuriate. The captain narrates the cruise and gives great information about the lake, the dam, and the wildlife. As for wildlife, we saw a few bird species and wild burros on shore. It was such a peaceful afternoon and a great time together. Follow @msbusyblonde on insta for more Fun

Arizona Sailing Adventures

(7 reviews)

I brought my man on a private sail with Captain Bill and we had an amazing experience! Bill was…read moreextremely friendly, down to earth, and pleasant. He allowed us to move about his 22ft boat as we wished and shared his knowledge on the area and sailing. We were allowed to bring our own drinks and snacks and he provided bottled water if needed. Bill talked just enough and allowed me and my man to just enjoy the sail! I would highly recommend Captain Bill for any private sail for 2!

Took my husband and best friend out on the water along with my mother. We were treated to the…read moreexperience of a lifetime!

Dolly Steamboat

(971 reviews)

My friend and I had such a great time on the Dolly Steamboat! Even though it's hot in the desert,…read morethere was a nice breeze out on the lake that made the ride incredibly comfortable while we were outside. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, and the whole experience felt so peaceful. The crew was friendly, welcoming, and made the experience even more enjoyable. I loved it so much that I'm already planning to bring my mom and aunts when they visit in September. If you have binoculars, definitely bring them! You'll be able to spot the bighorn sheep along the cliffs better! After the cruise, I'd recommend grabbing lunch at the Tortilla Flat Saloon and taking a drive along the Apache Trail. Just know that part of the trail is unpaved with switchbacks and steep grades, so take your time and make sure you're comfortable driving those kinds of roads. It's a really unique experience with incredible views, and you'll eventually end up at the Roosevelt Dam. It was the perfect Arizona day and a wonderful way to experience the beauty, and history, of the desert.

A friend and I went on the Dinner Astronomy Cruise. There were only 40 of the 160 people boat…read moreholds, which means lots of room and more if a personal experience. We left promptly at 6:30 PM four our narrated tour and dinner. The weather and temps could not have been better. We toured the lake, saw fossils on the Canyon Walls I didn't know existed, saw Big horn sheep and beautiful scenery. The food was really good with smoke portions, Dr. Sky finished the evening with a discussion on the Blue Moon, Venus, Jupiter and the elusive Space Station. A very enjoyable trip snd memories. I highly recommend this for a family, romantic evening or just an evening out.

Scorpion Bay

(89 reviews)

This place is a hidden gem. We stayed in their floating cabin. Absolutely one of our best getaways…read more The cabin had two bedrooms and a loft. Easily sleeps 8 comfortably. There is a restaurant in the marina. Food was delicious. All the staff we encountered were very nice and hospitable. Rented boats, kayaks and water toys. Very easy to do. This place is very pet friendly. We brought our black lab with us. If you can snag one of these 5 cabins you will not be disappointed. We can't wait to come back. Note: the cabins are actually floating on the water. If you are prone to motion sickness be aware.

The staff was friendly and the service getting on and off the boat was excellent. The rental…read moreprocess was smooth, and everyone we interacted with was helpful. Unfortunately, our day on the water was disappointing because the boat was not equipped with an anchor that would hold in the lake conditions. One of the main reasons we rented the boat was to stop, swim, cool off, and let our kids play in the water. While we watched numerous other boaters anchored and enjoying the lake, we were unable to do the same because our boat continually drifted. Had the anchor worked properly, our experience would have been much better. The customer service was great, but not being able to safely anchor significantly impacted our day and kept us from fully enjoying the rental. I hope the company addresses this issue for future customers.

Pleasant Harbor Boat Rentals

(106 reviews)

There was a lot left to be desired with this experience…read more We arrived for our 8:00 AM reservation, and it was pretty clear the staff had also barely just arrived. Our boat wasn't ready, and we didn't get launched until after 8:30 AM. The young guy helping us was nice enough, but he could really benefit from moving with a little more purpose. He still had to clean the boat, grab the safety flag, and initially told us he couldn't technically launch us because he had only worked there for a month and a half... even though he ended up launching us anyway. At one point, there were three deckhands working on tying up one floatie for another reservation while we were still waiting. Have we heard of delegating tasks? The boat itself was also disappointing because it was not the boat shown in the photos online. I reserved the Canyon Comforter based on the photos, so that was frustrating. Not having the lounger and table was disappointing and the cushions were torn up. I even took a second look to see if they were just using stock photos, but each boat listing appears to have different photos, so it didn't seem like a generic image situation. To be fair, the safety instructions were solid, and the kid explained things well. However, he talked about the anchor multiple times, and then when we were finally ready to anchor, there was no anchor on the boat. Luckily, it was a calm day and we found a cove without much wake, otherwise that would have been extremely frustrating. When I told the woman up front about the missing anchor after we got back, she said the person who gave us the safety information should have taken a photo before launching us. So I guess after a month and a half of working there, that part still hasn't made it into the training manual. Thankfully, the boat ride itself was smooth, and we still had a wonderful Father's Day with the family. But between the late launch, the boat not matching the photos, missing equipment, and general lack of organization, this experience was definitely not worth the cost.

Had a great time with our grandsons on a day that was close to 100 degrees. Our boat was old and…read morenot as fast as we would have liked for tubing. However, the experience of boating on Lake Pleasant was priceless. The staff was so helpful and courteous. Luckily, the water temperature wasn't too terrible for late March which allowed us to swim. Couldn't believe how clear the water was. Would definitely do this again.

Saguaro Lake Marina

(52 reviews)

writing this review while we're literally still out on the water because that's how great our…read moreexperience has been! d'angelo was SO helpful from the beginning and honestly just an overall awesome human. he was kind, welcoming, and made the whole experience so easy for us. you can tell he genuinely cares about making sure people have a great time. the boat itself was amazing! super clean, comfortable, and the sound system was SO good. we've been having the best time and already know we'll definitely be coming back. thank you so much d'angelo and the entire team for such an amazing experience!! we'll see you guys again!

Great day on lake with family. Jesse was helpful and professional. Would definitely rent a boat…read morewith them again.

AZ Boat Works

(6 reviews)

let me start the chain of bad reviews....... we arrived at 11am when we confirmed with the company…read morewe would arrive. They said they though it was 12pm. okay.... we understand, mistakes happen. 12pm comes and then they say, "our battery died, we have to replace it." again. we understand. UNTIL- they didn't show for TWO hours. UNTIL they offered us a free ride home (BUT DIDN'T EVEN SHOW UP UNTIL WE CALLED THEM AND ARGUED WITH THEM TO GET OUR MONEY BACK) We called them several times and they ignores our calls. When they finally answered, they argued with us and had no customer service for correcting business with unhappy customers. They argued that we need to pay the full price, even though we weren't even on the water for the full time we scheduled. This company is sad and NOT good at customer service.

I wish I would have been able to put zero! They had us sitting for two hours since they got our…read moretime wrong. We were supposed to start our trip at 11am but did not get into the boat until 1pm. Then we returned at 4pm since that's where we were told to be back so that we can get our ride back home. When we got back we called our ride and they said they could not get us for another hour! This is ridiculous staying in the HOT sun for 3 hours out of our day that we had planned for our bride. We could not even fully enjoy our time since we were so stressed out about the entire situation! So sad that they disappointed our bride on what should have been the best weekend! We did have an amazing driver Cameron so thank you to hit for not making it a total shit show

Events Your Way

(5 reviews)

When my daughter got engaged, we thought we could plan the wedding ourselves. With the ceremony in…read moreone place and the reception in another, we soon realized it was too much. Jeanne from Events Your Way was a lifesaver. From the moment I met her, it was like a huge weight was lifted. She knew exactly what needed to be done and when. She stayed in contact with vendors and and kept us on track. Wedding planning was no longer daunting, but actually enjoyable. She is so easy to work with and I really enjoyed her. If you need help with your wedding, she is the planner for you! She is professional, organized, knows a lot of people in the industry and is really fun to work with!

I used Events Your Way for many functions, including my wedding, and you cannot find someone as…read morespectacular at Jeanne. She is very attentive to detail and makes your ideas come true. At my wedding she was not only my wedding planner but she was my friend that I could trust with anything during my special day! I have referred her to many people and have had 3 friends personally book their weddings with her. She is worth every penny you spend with her!

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

27 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Frin F.

51

4

0

13 years ago

I just took my family on this 90 minutes scenic and narrated tour of Saguaro Lake. I have lived in the valley my whole life, and have been to Saguaro Lake HUNDREDS of times, yet this was really a delightful experience! I found the narration to be very easy to listen to...not too full of fluff...very educational, but at the same time not boring. I took a 14 year old, 21 year old and 55 year old and all really enjoyed the outing. The boat is actually new, not super old as I read in one review. The crew was friendly and outgoing. Although not posted, you can bring your own snack/beverages on board. I am sure they would prefer you buy their popcorn, and beverages (They do serve alcohol on board) they were still gracious. There was ample shade for everyone, and the restrooms, men's, and women's, were very clean. The Captain also spied some Bighorn sheep and stopped and let everyone watch the sheep as they descended to the lake. No rushing. Music was great. If you can find a Groupon or a coupon found in the Entertainment book from Phoenix, you can get 50% off of your tour. This would be a great afternoon trip for those out of towners that can't get enough of our varied landscape and of course our awesome Saguaro cactus! read more

Dennis B.

0

2

0

15 years ago

We had our wedding on the Desert belle October 23, 2011, It was the most spectacular wedding ever, Thanks to the crew Pat and John Everyone was sooo helpful, makeing my busy day a total success. everyone had a blast said it was the best wedding thye had ever been to. wow what a wonderful way to give back to all the friends without boring them to tears, needless to say we had lots fo laughs and they all commented they had never been there before and al plan to go back. thnks to you all again. Jeannie and Dennis read more

Diane M.

15

13

1

5 years ago

Really loved this cruise. I took my husband and out of state visiting sister. So fun, and informative. The narration was great. The drinks are great. The server did an awesome job. Fast and efficient. What I want to say is thank you for organizing everyone in loading the boat. Very much appreciated your stance on letting everyone on the boat who follows the rules. The captain was so good at delivering information and he is entertaining. I know he must be wondering if anyone is listening - YES we did. read more

Tc C.

0

1

0

7 years ago

Our company, WIreBuzz had a team event on 03/01/2019 with Desert Belle Cruises for the 2:45 Narration Cruise. The staff, bartenders, and our captain were amazing. We would highly recommend Desert Belle Cruises to anyone who wants to plan a team event, people who are visitors to the beautiful AZ Sonoran Desert, and any AZ Locals who want to experience a great little get-away! Thank you Desert Belle Cruises for accommodating our WireBuzz Team, and making this a wonderful experience for us. read more

Kim D.

0

1

0

3 years ago

FUN, EDUCATIONAL. I have treated family and friends to this great experience dozens of times. My grandchildren love interacting with the knowledgeable Captain. Make sure you do your Arizona homework before the tour! The Captain will be quizzing you on the five C's of Arizona. If you don't know what the five C's are...you may have to walk the plank. read more

Brian M.

0

11

12

7 years ago

This was an awesome tour! Everyone was very nice. The gave us umbrellas to use for shade before we boarded as it was very hot. The boat was super clean everywhere, including bathrooms. Good selection of beer and snacks. Tour was very informative. Saw bald eagles, wild horses and great scenery. Highly recommended! read more

Inge M.

0

7

0

3 years ago

This is someplace you want to take family or friend that coming to town is a no very expense But for sure a wonderful experience every time I have a chance a go The views are spectacular and the stories and description form the Capitan are wonderful a very relaxing and great way to spend an afternoon read more

David T.

0

2

0

7 years ago

Captain Kenny drives the boat full steam ahead. He yells "there's a bald eagle as we blow right by it. The Canyon Lake tour was much more enjoyable and the captain not only stopped the boat but repositioned it so everyone could see the bighorn sheep. And the Canyon Lake tours don't bum for tips. read more

Billy K.

0

3

0

3 years ago

Gina and Billy were absolutely wonderful! Greeted at the ticket booth by wonderful Gina and when we went down to the boat, Billy was there to whip us up some amazing cocktails! Get the Marg! Would recommend for anyone visiting arizona! read more

Jim D.

22

3

0

7 years ago

This was a wonderful trip with family. I have to say that Captain John did a really good job of narration and that the information that he provided was highly accurate. Thanks for a great trip. read more

Deanna H.

0

1

0

1 year ago

Wonderful time on the lake. Great views and service from the staff. The musician was a nice touch! would highly recommend for a short trip but go in the morning during the hot months. read more

Tara V.

0

5

0

4 years ago

My sons and I cruised May 9, 2022 ad had a great time. Captain John narrated well and had just the right amount of humor. Will go again on one of the cruises offered. Tara VO read more

John I.

0

1

0

7 years ago

Capt. John and the crew were great hosts. Capt. John provided so much information about the area. He also has a terrific sense of humor. My wife and I had a great day. read more

Karen S.

0

3

0

5 years ago

Loved this cruise - will be doing again. We got a shot of the Bald Eagle even. Captain Ken and the girls did a great job. We have already told lots of people about it.. read more

Ramona C.

0

1

0

4 years ago

Love the Desert Belle cruise. Ken does a wonderful job narrating. Always so informative and relaxing. I take all of my visitors on the cruise. read more

D A.

0

6

0

6 years ago

I love the Desert Be Yours. John n Crew were fabulous! Narration was very informative n entertaining. I'll be back in December!

Dan R.

0

1

0

1 year ago

Friendly staff, great beverages and a darn good time! The rock formations and the View of the crested saguaro were a plus!

Tom T.

0

1

0

5 years ago

Trip was wonderful, narration was informative, great fun. We're planning another with our adult children. Good show!

Alan C.

0

3

0

7 years ago

We had a great evening with Captain Ken. Live music by Edwin. The crew was awesome. Just a great cruise.

Jamie G.

0

2

0

3 months ago

the boat tour was relaxing and very informative. the Az landscape surrounding the lake is so beautiful

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27 Desert Belle Cruises reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

27 reviews that are not currently recommended

Desert Belle Cruises - tours - Updated August 2026

Best of Mesa

People found Desert Belle Cruises by searching for…

Trending Searches in Mesa, AZ

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