Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona

Address: 14011 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, United States.
Phone:4809842425.
Website: desertbellecruises.com
Specialties: Tourist attraction, Boat rental service, Boat tour agency, Cruise line company, Event venue, Ferry service, Swimming lake.
Other points of interest: On-site services, Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Toilet, Getting tickets in advance recommended, Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments, Good for kids, Free parking lot, On-site parking.
Opinions: This company has 1724 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.8/5.

Location of Desert Belle Cruises

Desert Belle Cruises 14011 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, United States

Open Hours of Desert Belle Cruises

  • Monday: 10 am–5:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 10 am–5:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am–5:30 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am–5:30 pm
  • Friday: 10 am–5:30 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am–5:30 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am–5:30 pm

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Mesa, Arizona, Desert Belle Cruises offers a unique and picturesque way to explore the beautiful Saguaro Lake. This family-owned business has been providing memorable cruises and events since 1990, making it a beloved attraction among locals and tourists alike. With a commitment to exceptional service and creating lasting memories, Desert Belle Cruises is more than just a boat ride; it's an experience.

Main Services

  • Saguaro Lake Cruises: The main attraction is the 90-minute narrated cruise around Saguaro Lake. You'll learn about the area's rich history, geology, and wildlife while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Four Peaks Wilderness.
  • Specialty Cruises: Desert Belle Cruises also offers themed cruises throughout the year, such as Easter, Mother's Day, and Christmas cruises, as well as wine tastings, dinner cruises, and live entertainment events.
  • Private Charters: The Desert Belle boat is available for private charters, perfect for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. Customizable packages ensure a unique and unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
  • Boat Rentals: If you prefer to explore Saguaro Lake at your own pace, Desert Belle Cruises also offers boat rentals, including paddleboards, kayaks, and powerboats.

Location and Access

Desert Belle Cruises is located at 14011 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, United States, situated within the scenic Usery Mountain Regional Park. The park offers easy access to the cruise departure point, with ample parking available. For those using public transportation, the nearest bus stop is a short walk away, served by Valley Metro routes 48 and 61.

Featured Characteristics

  • Desert Belle Boat: The Desert Belle is a 140-passenger, double-decker paddlewheel boat that offers both indoor and outdoor seating, providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience regardless of the weather.
  • Onboard Amenities: The boat features a cash bar, restrooms, and climate-controlled cabins, ensuring that passengers have everything they need for a pleasant cruise.
  • Accessibility: Desert Belle Cruises is committed to accommodating guests of all abilities. The boat, parking lot, and entrance are all wheelchair-accessible, and assistive listening devices are available upon request.
  • Pet Policy: Well-behaved pets are welcome on board, making Desert Belle Cruises an excellent choice for pet owners who want to include their furry friends in their outing.

Practical Information

  • Hours of Operation: The cruise schedule varies by season, with generally hourly departures from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It's recommended to check the website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information.
  • Ticket Prices: Ticket prices vary depending on the cruise type and length. Regular cruises typically range from $15 to $30, while specialty cruises and private charters have separate pricing structures.
  • Getting Tickets: It's recommended to purchase tickets in advance, either online through the Desert Belle Cruises website or by phone at 480-984-2425. Walk-up tickets may be available, but space is not guaranteed.
  • Payment Methods: Desert Belle Cruises accepts cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover), debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
  • Dining Options: While some cruises include meals, most do not. However, there are several dining options nearby, such as the nearby Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch or bring your own picnic to enjoy at the park before or after your cruise.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 4.8/5 from 1724 reviews on Google My Business, Desert Belle Cruises consistently receives high praise for several aspects of their operation:

  • Scenic Views: Many reviewers highlight the stunning beauty of Saguaro Lake and the surrounding area, with one reviewer calling it "a hidden gem that everyone should experience."
  • Informative and Engaging Narrated Tours: The narrated cruises are often praised for being both informative and entertaining, with a knowledgeable and friendly captain who shares interesting facts and stories about the area.
  • Excellent Customer Service: Desert Belle Cruises is commended for their exceptional customer service, with reviewers frequently mentioning the friendly and attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant experience.
  • Great for Families and Special Occasions: Many families rave about the fun and enjoyable experience for both children and adults, while others praise Desert Belle Cruises for providing a perfect setting for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Frequently asked questions about Desert Belle Cruises

How long is the main Saguaro Lake Cruise?

90 minutes.

Are pets allowed on board?

Yes, well-behaved pets are welcome.

Is the boat wheelchair-accessible?

Yes, the boat, parking lot, and entrance are all wheelchair-accessible.

What are the typical hours of operation?

Generally hourly departures from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, varying by season.

How much do regular cruises cost?

Regular cruises typically range from $15 to $30.

Reviews of Desert Belle Cruises

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Felicia F.
5/5

The atmosphere was very relaxing and friendly. Live music was absolutely fantastic. She had a beautiful voice and sang great hits that we could all sing along to. I really enjoyed my time. A big shout out to the captain for being awesome. This Alaskan girl will definitely do another live music cruise when she comes back in town.

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Jayne N.
5/5

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!

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Moncerrath N.
5/5

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.

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Mary J. P.
5/5

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!!!

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Karen R.
5/5

This was a very relaxing and informative lake cruise. It takes about 80 minutes. It has plenty of shaded seating, a full bar, and popcorn. The captain offers an informative narrative throughout the 80 minutes. I recommend this boat cruise.

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Tawny S.
5/5

My family and I had a great experience! It was an easy check in. Drinks and snacks on board. The narration was good. Not too talky, but we all got good information. Highly recommend.

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
Mirela B.
5/5

We went on the 80-minute narrated cruise and had such a wonderful time. The views along the water were absolutely gorgeous, and the narration was interesting and informative without being overwhelming. We grabbed some popcorn on board, which was fresh and tasty, and enjoyed sipping on a couple of their delicious drinks while we relaxed and took in the scenery. It was such a fun, laid-back way to spend the afternoon — I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and memorable experience! Defiantly will be returning.

Desert Belle Cruises - Mesa, Arizona
adinainaz81
5/5

It was a great time! Beautiful views! For those of you that may have issues with motion sickness, both my son and I suffer from car sickness if we don't take precautions but we handled this gentle ride very well. It was an abnormally windy day and the Desert Belle was still very gentle and steady. The captain handled all of the wakes from speed boats very well and we didn't feel queasy at all. There is a bathroom on the boat. Something good to know. There are snacks and drinks on the boat and they are decently priced. The captain was entertaining but there were still plenty of quiet moments to enjoy the view and talk amongst yourselves. I've been on narrated tours that were a bit too much talking for me, this is not. I appreciated the information they give you, as well as the opportunity to just enjoy things on your own. We had a really great time and I recommend it for everyone! I didn't take enough photos to really show how spectacular the views were because I was having such a great time that I forgot!