Desert Belle Cruises
Experience Arizona's desert beauty from the water on a narrated cruise aboard the historic Desert Belle on Saguaro Lake.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Live music & vibrant atmosphere
Desert Belle Cruises
Best Time
Live music & vibrant atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience Arizona's desert beauty from the water on a narrated cruise aboard the historic Desert Belle on Saguaro Lake.
"Fabulous views, so very relaxing!!! The music was fabulous… we loved all of the familiar tunes."
🎯 Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot in advance, especially for popular weekend or live music cruises. Don't miss out!
⏰ Arrive Early
Allow extra travel time for potential traffic and to explore the area before your cruise departs.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.8 · 1,708 reviews
Type
Tourist Attraction
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Narrated Desert Scenery
Saguaro Lake
Enjoy a relaxing 80-minute narrated cruise through stunning desert canyons and along Saguaro Lake. Spot wildlife and learn about the area.
Live Music Cruises
Onboard Desert Belle
Experience a unique blend of live acoustic music and breathtaking desert vistas on select cruises. Perfect for a lively afternoon.
Wildlife Spotting Opportunities
Saguaro Lake
Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including potential sightings of bald eagles, adding an exciting element to your scenic boat ride.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Saguaro Lake Views
Embrace the Desert Sun (and Shade!)
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot in advance, especially for popular weekend or live music cruises. Don't miss out!
⏰ Arrive Early
Allow extra travel time for potential traffic and to explore the area before your cruise departs.
☀️ Sun Protection is Key
Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for comfort on the open deck.
🥤 Snacks & Drinks Available
Reasonably priced snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot in advance, especially for popular weekend or live music cruises. Don't miss out!
⏰ Arrive Early
Allow extra travel time for potential traffic and to explore the area before your cruise departs.
☀️ Sun Protection is Key
Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for comfort on the open deck.
🥤 Snacks & Drinks Available
Reasonably priced snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard.
🎶 Enjoy Live Music
Check the schedule for live music cruises for an extra special experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Desert Belle Cruises for its stunning scenery, relaxing atmosphere, and friendly, attentive crew. The narrated tours are informative and enjoyable, and the option for live music adds a special touch. While the boat is smaller than some alternatives, the overall experience is highly recommended for its beauty and tranquility.
"Gorgeous slow and stable boat ride on Saguaro Lake. Lower level is air conditioned. We enjoyed the upper outside-covered deck area and it was very comfortable on a 98° day. The views are exquisite - and if you’re lucky you might see wild life. Staff and Captain Steve were a joy! Boat is clean! Drinks and snacks are reasonable. We do this at least once a year! Strongly suggest you add to your plans! Beautiful drive!"
Jayne Nothnagel
"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."
Moncerrath Nava
"Fabulous views, so very relaxing!!! The music was fabulous… we loved all of the familiar tunes. Staff were attentive & a lot of fun. Don’t miss taking your out of state friends on this tour!!!"
Mary Jean Palmer
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Desert Belle Cruises is located on Saguaro Lake, about a 40-minute drive from Phoenix. The drive offers beautiful desert vistas. Be sure to account for potential traffic, especially on weekends, and arrive early to ensure you don't miss your departure.
Yes, free parking is available at the marina where Desert Belle Cruises operates.
The drive to Saguaro Lake is scenic, taking you through Arizona's beautiful desert landscape. It's a pleasant journey that adds to the overall experience.
Public transportation options to Saguaro Lake are limited. It is highly recommended to drive or arrange for private transportation to reach the cruise departure point.
The most direct route typically involves heading east from Phoenix towards Saguaro Lake. Using a GPS navigation app is advised to get real-time traffic updates and the most efficient route.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets for Desert Belle Cruises are approximately $30 per adult plus tax for a standard 90-minute cruise. Prices may vary for special events or themed cruises. Booking online in advance is recommended.
You can easily purchase your Desert Belle Cruises tickets online through their official website. It's advisable to book in advance, especially for popular times.
While not always available, keep an eye out for potential discounts or coupons for Desert Belle Cruises, especially through sites like Groupon or during special promotions. [^SEO]
Most narrated cruises on the Desert Belle are approximately 80 to 90 minutes long, offering ample time to enjoy the scenery and onboard experience.
Desert Belle Cruises offers options for private charters and group bookings. Contact them directly through their website for more information on private event packages. [^SEO]
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Desert Belle is a double-decker boat with an air-conditioned lower deck featuring tables and chairs, and an open-air upper deck with seating. It's designed for comfortable sightseeing on Saguaro Lake.
During the narrated cruise, you'll see towering canyon walls, dramatic desert vistas, and the beautiful waters of Saguaro Lake. There's also a chance to spot local wildlife. 
Yes, the Desert Belle is a slow and stable boat ride, making it suitable for elderly passengers. The air-conditioned lower deck offers comfortable seating.
Arizona weather can be warm, especially during summer. The Desert Belle offers an air-conditioned lower deck and a covered upper deck for comfort.
Typically, outside food and beverages are not permitted on the Desert Belle. They offer snacks and drinks for purchase onboard.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the Desert Belle offers a selection of snacks and beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, for purchase onboard.
You can purchase a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, from the onboard bar.
Yes, the Saguaro Lake Grill is a restaurant located next to the boat departure area, where you can dine before or after your cruise.
Staff members are available to take your order and deliver snacks and drinks directly to your seat on the boat.
Reviews suggest that the drinks and snacks available for purchase onboard are reasonably priced.
📸 📸 Photography
The entire cruise offers stunning photo opportunities, from the dramatic desert canyon walls to the expansive Saguaro Lake. The golden hour during sunset cruises is particularly beautiful.
Absolutely! The open-air upper deck provides unobstructed views and is ideal for capturing panoramic shots of the desert landscape and lake.
Yes, the boat's stable movement and the stunning scenery make it easy to capture great photos. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens for landscape shots.
While any time offers beauty, late afternoon and sunset cruises often provide the most dramatic lighting for photography.
Generally, there are no restrictions on personal photography. However, always be mindful of other passengers and avoid intrusive photography.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit