One of the highlights of Big Bear Valley is Big Bear Lake, and every year people from around the globe come to experience the great water and summer activities in Big Bear. No matter what water sport or Big Bear Lake activities you are into, be it fishing, jet skiing, or canoeing, you can do it on Big Bear Lake. If you aren’t into getting in the water, there are plenty of great boating opportunities as well.
Go Stand Up Paddleboarding
Big Bear Lake’s pristine glassy water is the perfect place to go cruising on a stand up paddleboard (SUP). SUPing is very easy. Even if you’ve never done it before you can find yourself standing up and paddling in no time. To engage in tis awesome Big Bear Lake activity in the summer You can rent quality SUPs and gear from Getboards Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals, Holloway’s Marina, or Captain John’s at Fawn Harbor Marina.
Once you have your paddleboard gear, make sure that you have proper permitting displayed. Lake patrol is out on the lake frequently, so make sure you follow all rules. You can launch your rented gear anywhere on the lake, but we find that the public boat launches are the easiest locations. You can drop in really easy from Duane Boyer Public Boat Launch on the northwest shore of the lake or at MWD East located on the northeastern end of the lake.
Go Kayaking
What better way to get exercise and explore beautiful Big Bear Lake than by kayak? No doubt one of the most popular summer activities in Big Bear; for those who would like a guided tour, the Big Bear Discovery Center offers weekend naturalist-guided kayak trips. If striking out on your own is more your speed, you can rent a kayak from Big Bear Lake Kayak & Bike Rentals, Getboards, Captain John’s, or Holloway’s Marina.
Kayakers can launch from anywhere on the lake, but it’s a little easier to launch from a marina. Once you get out on the water, it’s pretty easy rowing. There are beautiful views all around the lake and this is truly one of the best ways to experience Big Bear Lake.
Go Jet Skiing
Few things are as fun as blasting across the water on a jet ski. This is also a great way to tour Big Bear Lake! Big Bear Lake Boat and Jet Ski Rentals at Holloway Marina has everything you need for a great day of jet skiing, including multi-passenger Wave Runners.
Make sure that you are aware of the requirements before you head down to rent your jet skis, as you will need to be at least 25 years old with a driver’s license to rent them. Once you get out on the water you have pretty much free reign to go where you please. There are some slower buoy areas, but otherwise you are free to speed along in this amazing activity.
Catch a Big One
Big Bear Lake is known for its excellent freshwater fishing. Wouldn’t it be great to hook into a big catch and have a fish dinner at your cabin? Big Bear has several top-notch fishing charters with experienced locals who know all the lake’s hottest fishing spots. You can bring your own gear and go shore fishing or rent a boat; either way will be a fun and relaxing day on the lake. If you need fishing supplies, Big Bear Sporting Goods has everything you need to get the most out of this Big Bear Lake summer activity.
If you are looking for a more complete experience, we also recommend chartering a fishing boat. Charter services like Big Bear Charter Fishing and Lucky Bear Fishing Charters give you the complete guide to fishing in Big Bear. They help you from boat launch through catching a fish, so this is a great way to get started for beginning wranglers.
Take a Tour of the Lake
Take an exciting journey through Big Bear’s history and natural beauty aboard the Miss Liberty Paddlewheel Tour Boat. This luxurious paddlewheel boat offers an excellent fully narrated tour of Big Bear Lake, filling you in on the fun facts and folklore of the area. Taking a day or sunset cruise aboard the Miss Liberty is a vacation highlight you won’t soon forget.
The Miss Liberty is located at Pine Knot Marina, “Where the Village Meets the Lake.” The tour is a guided 90-minute tour full of great narration about the area. This tour shows the rich history of Big Bear dating back to 1845. Miss Liberty features a fully shaded upper deck, a fully enclosed and heated main salon, modern restrooms, and small group seating areas. Refreshments are available during your voyage; light snacks and a variety of beverages such as beer, wine, champagne, and sodas can be purchased from the galley. Miss Liberty can hold up to 125 passengers onboard fully booked, and every seat gives you a full view of the lake and its wonders. This is really the best and most luxurious way to see Big Bear Lake, and we highly recommend it for any new visitors to Big Bear Lake.
