Floating on Great Salt Lake feels unreal. This 2-hour pontoon boat tour from Great Salt Lake State Park takes you out for two swim stops and the kind of buoyancy you only get in this lake. I like how the trip mixes real talk about the area with jokes and easy relaxation, and how guides like Tyler, Nate, and Devin keep things moving.

Two things I’d call out fast: the spa pillows on board (your back will thank you) and the small group setup, capped at 9 people, which means you get more attention when you’re suiting up and getting in the water. Even better, the guides I saw named across boats—like Colton and Captain Dunkin—focused on safety and good vibes instead of rushing you.

One caution: expect bugs near the marina right when you leave, plus saltwater stings if you shave before you go. You’ll get a bee-keeper style hat, but you’ll still want sunscreen, a towel, and a quick rinse plan.

Quick hits before you go

• Two swim stops so you can feel buoyancy in different water depths
• Max 9 people on board for more hands-on help during the floating time
• Spa pillows on the pontoon to make the ride feel like a float session
• Fresh-water buckets to wash salt off your hands and face after swimming
• Bee-keeper style hat to cut down on bugs right after leaving the marina
• Full showers at the marina if you want to leave feeling clean

Great Salt Lake Float Tour: Why This 2 Hours Works

This is not a long slog across Utah. It’s a tight, smart 2-hour outing on a motorized pontoon, built around one main goal: getting you into Utah’s Great Salt Lake and making you understand buoyancy with your own body. And yes, you’ll hear history and area stories along the way, but the pacing stays practical. You’re not stuck listening the whole time.

The Great Salt Lake is described as the western hemisphere’s largest saltwater lake, and that salt content is exactly why floating feels so strange. You don’t need fancy swimming skills. When the guide says to try standing or holding position, you’ll get why the lake earns bucket-list status.

The vibe is part education, part relaxation. Guides like Tyler and Nate repeatedly show up in the story with the same pattern: they explain what you’re looking at and keep it fun, then help you enjoy the swim time. That combination matters, because if you’re just dropped into the water, you miss the point.

Meeting at Great Salt Lake State Park: Getting Started Without Stress

You start at Great Salt Lake State Park, 13312 W 1075 S, Magna, UT 84044. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so your day stays simple. You’re not dealing with a long drive out to the middle of nowhere and then hoping transit lines up on the way back.

What I like about this start is that it’s set up for a quick transition from land to water. You’ll get instruction and safety talk before the boat heads out. That’s especially useful because saltwater behavior can be surprising the first time you float. You want clear guidance early—before you’re trying to figure out how your body sits in the water.

Do also plan for that brief bug window. The tour notes that you can have bugs in the air right when you leave the marina. Once you’re out on the lake, the bugs are gone. Translation: the worst part is short, and the team provides a bee-keeper style hat to help you handle it.

Onboard Comfort on a Pontoon: Spa Pillows, Snacks, and Small-Group Attention

You’ll board a pontoon boat with a small group—up to 9 travelers—so it doesn’t feel like a cattle-car tour. That matters when you’re gearing up for a saltwater swim. Fewer people means more room to move, more time for the guide to check on anyone who’s unsure, and less waiting around to ask questions.

The ride itself is designed to feel comfortable. You’ll find spa pillows on board, so even the “just floating” part of the experience starts before you ever hit the water. On a salt lake trip, comfort is not fluff. When you’re confident and relaxed, you float better and enjoy it more.

You’ll also get bottled water and a light snack to keep you hydrated. Great Salt Lake conditions can dry you out, and saltwater can make you feel different physically. This is the kind of tour where it’s easy to forget to drink unless the basics are already there.

One practical detail that’s genuinely helpful: there are buckets of fresh water available to wash off salt from your hands and face after swimming. That’s a big deal, because salt residue is the part that makes your skin feel sticky and uncomfortable long after the fun is over.

The Boat Ride with Lake Stories: What You’ll Learn While You Glide

Once you’re underway, the trip focuses on views and explanations. You’ll get “great views of the lake” and also hear entertaining stories and history of this unique area, plus salty joke-style humor.

Here’s why I think this portion adds value: the Great Salt Lake isn’t just scenery. It’s a system with weird chemistry and an environment that shapes everything about the visit—like why you float so easily and why the shoreline can be different from open water.

Guides named across the experience—like Tyler, Devin, Nate, Colton, and Captain Dunkin—are the ones who turn that into something you’ll remember. They also take photos in the water and while you’re floating, so the learning isn’t just verbal. You’ll walk away with actual proof you did it.

Two Swimming Stops on Great Salt Lake: Shallow vs Deeper Buoyancy

This tour is built around two swimming locations. That structure is smart, because the buoyant sensation can be intense enough that your brain needs a comparison. You’ll feel it, then you’ll repeat it with a different depth and water feel.

At the first stop (often described as deeper water), you’ll float and realize you basically can’t sink. One of the key things I’d expect from this stop is that “stand-in-place” moment. Instead of fighting the water, you try standing, and it feels like there’s a float under your feet.

At the second stop (often described as more shallow areas), you get a different kind of experience. You may be able to walk or do more gentle movement while still enjoying the buoyancy. This is a good time if you want photos without fully committing to a long swim.

A key practical point: the tour says there are spots to swim and also time to float. You can keep it calm—hold onto a spot and relax—or you can swim around. Either way, the guide’s job is to help you stay safe, and the small group size makes that easier.

Spa pillows continue to matter during this period too. You can lay back and feel that weightless sensation, which is what most people are chasing on a salt lake tour.

Bring the Right Stuff: Sun, Towel, and Saltwater Prep

You’ll want to come prepared because this is a swim experience, not a sit-and-watch cruise. The tour guidance is clear: bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunblock.

Also listen to the saltwater warning. The tour doesn’t recommend shaving any body part before you swim because it can sting in the salt water. If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t think about that until you’re rinsing your legs later. Avoid the surprise.

For comfort, plan a simple packing routine:

• swimsuit and a towel you don’t mind getting a bit salty
• sunscreen you can reapply if you’ll be in the sun between stops
• any wash-and-change items you prefer for after

One more note: you’ll get the bee-keeper style hat to reduce bug contact near the marina. Wear it if it helps. It’s easier to enjoy your float when you’re not distracted by insects near your face.

Fresh-Water Buckets and Showers at the Marina

Saltwater is fun. Saltwater residue is less fun. The tour handles the rinse stage well.

You’ll have fresh-water buckets on board to wash your hands and face after swimming. That covers the quick reset, the kind you need right away when you’re trying to protect your skin and avoid that salty, dry feel.

If you want a full cleanup, the tour notes that full showers are located at the marina after the tour. That’s the difference between leaving feeling “tour-day gross” versus heading back ready for dinner.

Price and Value: Is $81 Worth It for a Two-Hour Swim?

At $81 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to spend two hours in Salt Lake City. But the price makes more sense when you look at what you’re buying:

• You’re getting access to the Great Salt Lake and guided swim stops, not just a self-service boat outing.
• You get onboard comfort like spa pillows, plus hydration with bottled water and light snacks.
• You get help managing saltwater impacts, including rinse water and the availability of shower facilities afterward.
• You’re paying for a small group experience (max 9), which usually means better attention during the moments that matter: getting in, floating safely, and taking photos.

Also, this is the kind of activity you can’t recreate easily on your own. You’re dealing with timing, safety, and access. So while $81 sounds high at first glance, it’s closer to “pay for the experience, not the equipment.”

Finally, booking tends to happen about 17 days in advance on average, which is a hint to lock in your spot rather than waiting for last minute plans.

Weather Matters and It’s a Good Thing You’ll Know Early

This tour requires good weather. That’s not them being picky; it’s about safety on open water and comfort during swimming.

You also get a safety net: if the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. So you can plan with less worry than with tours that just disappear if conditions change.

Who This Salt Lake Swimming Tour Fits Best

This is ideal if you want a bucket-list body-feel experience: standing and floating in a saltwater lake that changes how your body moves. It’s also a strong choice for families, since the experience is designed around short swim windows and guide support, not marathon exertion.

It’s also a good pick if you like your “education” delivered through stories and on-the-water context rather than a lecture. Guides such as Tyler and Nate consistently show up in the vibe: they keep the information lively and make sure everyone is having fun.

If you hate bugs, don’t rule this out. The bug problem is described as limited to the moment you leave the marina, and the hat helps. Just don’t plan on ignoring preparation—sun and salt management are part of the fun here.

Should You Book This Great Salt Lake Boat Tour with Swimming?

I’d book it if you want one of the most unusual, hands-on experiences in the Salt Lake area and you don’t mind a little prep for sun and salt. Two swimming stops are a real advantage: you get the first “wow” moment, then you get a second chance to compare depth and make the experience click.

Skip it (or think hard first) if you’re sensitive to saltwater on skin—especially if you plan to shave right before—because the tour specifically warns about stinging. Also, if you’re booking on days with shaky weather, keep your expectations flexible since the lake tour depends on conditions.

If you’re aiming for value, small-group attention, and that unmistakable Great Salt Lake buoyancy, this $81 pontoon swim tour is one of the more straightforward ways to do it without fuss.

FAQ

How long is the Salt Lake boat tour with swimming stops?

The tour runs about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $81.00 per person.

Where does the tour meet and end?

It meets at Great Salt Lake State Park (13312 W 1075 S, Magna, UT 84044, USA) and ends back at the same meeting point.

What should I bring for the swim?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunblock. The tour also advises you not to shave before the tour to avoid saltwater stinging.

Are showers available after the tour?

Yes. Full showers are located at the marina after the tour.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included: bottled water and a light snack. Not included: entrance fee for the State Park and there is no refund or reschedule if you are late.