The Desert Belle has been offering visitors, and Arizona locals alike, stunning views of Saguaro Lake since 1964, and while there’s a new boat cruising the waters today, the legacy has continued by providing passengers a one-of-a-kind experience.
Today, visitors can enjoy a variety of different cruises including the 80-minute narrated cruise, a music cruise, wine cruise, craft beer cruise, or even a private charter for a party or celebration — all in the comfort of the large boat, which features an air-conditioned lower deck and open-air upper deck.
The narrated cruise, which offers a lively and engaging education of the Sonoran Desert, was launched when president and co-owner David Smith purchased the business in the mid-2000s, wanting to improve the experience he’d had on the Desert Belle in 1985.
“When I was a pilot, I was in Arizona for a layover and went on the boat, but I didn’t learn anything,” David said. “I was disappointed, and I said, ‘Gosh I want to know about the saguaro.’ So, my deal when we bought it was four things — geography, geology, history, and wildlife — that’s what I wanted to focus on.”
The fun atmosphere complete with beer and wine, educational commentary, and beautiful views, make the Desert Belle the perfect attraction for out-of-towners, as well as Arizona residents who might not have visited before. “We even get a lot of people who say, ‘I’ve lived in Mesa for 30 years and I’ve never been to the lake’, or ‘I’ve lived in the Valley since 1975 and I’ve never been here,’ and they’re just so blown away by the beauty,” said Director of Operations John Waldron, who’s worked on the Desert Belle since 1994.
The Desert Belle is open seven days a week and operates 700 cruises a year, many of which sell out, so David recommends booking a couple of days in advance, especially for weekends in the spring, which are popular due to the great weather.
This month, guests can even look forward to seeing saguaro cactus blooms in addition to impressive wildlife, like the bald eagle, which can be spotted year-round.
While at the lake, visitors can also stop by the Saguaro Dockside, a docked boat that features a gift shop, complete with local, one-of-a-kind items like amethyst directly from Four Peaks and prickly pear jam. There is also a view deck serving local beers and wine paired perfectly with live music.
For more information on the Desert Belle, or to purchase tickets, visit desertbelle.com. For more information on Saguaro Dockside, visit saguarodockside.com.