Boating Guide · Updated November 2026
Lake Minnetonka Boating Guide
Marinas, boat rentals, charter cruises, public launches and the rules of the lake, put together by locals.
Lake Minnetonka boating covers more than 14,500 acres of bays, channels and narrows west of Minneapolis. Whether you keep a boat in a slip all summer, rent a pontoon for the afternoon or book a dinner cruise, this guide covers where to go and what to know before you head out.
âš“ Lake Minnetonka Marinas
Slips, storage, service and fuel around the lake. Call ahead for slip availability; most lease for the season and fill up early.
South Shore: Excelsior, Tonka Bay, Shorewood and Greenwood
Excelsior Marina
Excelsior · Excelsior Bay
Seasonal slips on Excelsior Bay, a short walk from Water Street shops and restaurants.
Excelsior Bay Harbor (Bayside Marine)
Excelsior · Minnetonka Blvd
Boat service, repairs and storage on the east end of Excelsior.
Tonka Bay Marina
Tonka Bay
One of the largest full-service marinas on the lake, with slips, service and storage, plus additional sites in Excelsior and Shorewood.
The Caribbean Marina
Tonka Bay · Echo Bay
More than 120 slips, gas and the Dockside Grill on site. Home base for Bay to Bay Boat Club.
Howard’s Point Marina
Shorewood
Operating since 1926. Slips, storage and rentals, including 14-foot fishing boats and 25- and 30-foot pontoons.
Bean’s Greenwood Marina
Greenwood · St. Albans Bay
Family owned for about 50 years. Known for the only covered slips on the lake and a gas dock in a no-wake zone.
North Shore and West Lake: Wayzata, Orono, Spring Park and Mound
North Shore Marina
Orono and Wayzata
Family owned since 1994, with locations on Maxwell Bay and Brown’s Bay. One of two Travelifts on the lake.
Wayzata Marine
Orono · Maxwell Bay
Sales, service and storage on North Shore Drive, along Maxwell Bay.
Sunset Boat Yards
Spring Park · West Arm
Formerly Rockvam Boat Yards. Wet slips, dry stack storage, repairs, winter storage and a gas dock on the West Arm.
Metro Lakes Marina and Rentals
Mound · Harrisons Bay
Boat rentals, gas and marina services on Harrisons Bay since 2013.
⛵ Boat Clubs and Rentals
No boat? Rent one for the day or join a club and skip the maintenance.
Your Boat Club
Wayzata · Brown’s Bay and Smith’s Bay
Membership boat club with two Lake Minnetonka locations on Shoreline Drive. Daily rentals and public gas are also available.
Bay to Bay Boat Club
Tonka Bay · Echo Bay
Founded in 2000 and based at The Caribbean Marina. Locally and independently owned, with pontoon rentals for non-members.
Tonka Boat Rentals
Excelsior and Wayzata
Rentals from the Port of Excelsior on Water Street, with pickup also available at the Wayzata depot docks.
Howard’s Point Marina
Shorewood
Fishing boats and pontoons by the day. Also see Metro Lakes Marina above for rentals on the west end.
Let someone else drive. All three offer private charters, and most run public cruises through the season.
Al and Alma’s
Mound
A lake institution with a restaurant in Mound and charter boats that depart from Mound, Excelsior and Wayzata.
Wayzata Bay Charters
Excelsior and Wayzata
Yachts including the Voyager, Elixir and Her Excellency. Public dinner, brunch and happy hour cruises plus private events.
Paradise Charter Cruises
Excelsior · Water Street
Public and private cruises from the Excelsior docks.
🛶 Lake Minnetonka Public Launches
Trailer parking fills fast on summer weekends, so arrive early. Hennepin County, the DNR and lake cities run these accesses.
Grays Bay
Wayzata and Minnetonka
The busiest access on the lake: 3 lanes, about 112 trailer spaces and restrooms.
Maxwell Bay
Orono
DNR access with about 95 trailer spaces on the north side of the lake.
Spring Park Bay
Spring Park
A small access with 3 lanes and 11 spaces, next to the Sheriff’s Water Patrol office.
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
Minnetrista · West Upper Lake
Three Rivers park with a launch, swimming pond and trails. Park fees apply.
North Arm
Orono
Hennepin County access on the North Arm.
Carsons Bay
Deephaven
Small city access on the south shore.
Cooks Bay and Phelps Bay
Mound
Surfside Park on Cooks Bay and the Phelps Bay access off Tuxedo Road.
Halsted Bay
Minnetrista
Access on the far west end of the lake.
Stop the spread of invasive species. Minnesota law requires you to clean off aquatic plants and animals, drain all water and pull the drain plug before leaving any access, and keep the plug out while you trailer. Expect inspectors at the busier launches.
📋 Lake Minnetonka Boating Rules and Tips
The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) and the Minnesota DNR set the rules. Here is what trips up visitors most often.
The 300-Foot Rule
LMCD · Since 2023
Since January 1, 2023, every boat must travel at slow, no-wake speed within 300 feet of shore. Stay at least 150 feet from docks, anchored boats, swimmers and diver flags when going faster.
Boater Education Permits
Minnesota DNR
Minnesota is phasing in a required watercraft operator permit for motorboats over 75 hp. As of July 1, 2026 it applies to operators born after June 30, 2000; it expands to those born after June 30, 1996 in 2027 and after June 30, 1987 in 2028.
Own Your Wake
Wake Damage
You are responsible for your wake. Big wakes damage shorelines, docks and moored boats, and Minnesota treats wake damage like collision damage.
Life Jackets
Minnesota Law
Carry a properly sized, wearable life jacket for everyone on board. Children under 10 must wear one whenever the boat is underway.
Ice-Out and the Season
2026 Ice-Out: April 3
Ice went out on April 3, 2026, ten days ahead of the long-term median of April 13. Most marinas launch slips in May and haul out in October.
Water Patrol
Hennepin County Sheriff
The Sheriff’s Water Patrol, based in Spring Park, patrols the lake and responds to emergencies. Call 911 for any on-water emergency.
Run a Marina or Boat Business?
Spot something out of date or want your business listed? Let us know. Follow along for lake news, events and ice-out updates.
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