Private boat charters on Whitefish Lake, sunrise to sunset.
The Signature Sunset is the Empress's main cruise. The First Light at sunrise and the Long Afternoon are also by request. One party at a time aboard a restored mahogany Hacker-Craft, with Shawn, the owner, at the wheel.
Pick your hour. The whole boat is yours.
Every Empress cruise is a private boat tour of Whitefish Lake for up to six guests, with groups of up to 10 by request. An hour and a half aboard, unhurried, and I'm the one at the wheel. It's not a rental, and there are no other passengers.
Bring what you love, or tell me about the occasion and I'll have the boat set up for it.
The Signature Sunset
Golden hour on the water, timed to end as the light goes. An hour and a half aboard, unhurried, as the sun sets.
A grazing board, ice, glassware and mixers are ready; bring your own champagne, wine or beer.
The First Light
A private sunrise cruise, often on glass-flat water, with the lake nearly to yourselves. We leave the dock as the sun comes up.
Hot coffee and pastries aboard, and blankets if the morning is cool.
The Long Afternoon
A private afternoon boat charter in the warm, lively part of the day, between a morning on Big Mountain and an evening in town. Kids welcome.
Tell me who's coming and I'll set the boat up for the afternoon.
Every cruise is priced by request for up to six guests, plus 3% Whitefish resort tax. We don't sell alcohol; bring your own.
Longer charters by request
Ninety minutes is the sweet spot for most groups, but some days call for more. Longer charters by request; text me what you have in mind.
There's no restroom aboard, which is why 90 minutes suits most groups.
Whatever you're celebrating
Just the two of you
The two of you, the whole boat, and the timing built around the light. Bring the champagne you've been saving; the ice and glasses will be ready, and white roses too if you'd like them.
Anniversary cruises
Your first or your twenty-fifth, tell me about the anniversary and I'll set the boat up for it. Most couples choose the Signature Sunset, at the normal package price.
Birthday cruises
A milestone birthday, a friend's fortieth, the one you've been planning for years. Bring whatever you like, or tell me who it's for and I'll have the boat set up for it.
Bachelorette and bachelor parties
A Whitefish bachelorette party with the whole boat to yourselves: up to six guests, or up to 10 by request. The Long Afternoon and the Signature Sunset both work, and bachelor parties are just as welcome. Drinks are yours to bring.
Family boat tours
Kids are welcome aboard. If someone in your group needs a hand boarding, tell me ahead and we'll plan for it. The Long Afternoon is a good pick for families.
Corporate and team charters
For your team or your clients: up to 10 guests, priced by quote. Tell me the group and the goal, whether that's a client thank-you or an executive retreat, and I'll have the boat set up for it. One person to text, start to finish: me, at (406) 333-1335. If I cancel for weather, you choose a new date or a full refund. It's BYOB; we don't sell alcohol.
Planning a wedding, an elopement or a proposal? See wedding and proposal cruises.
Fall on the lake
The season runs into early October, when the larches and aspens around the lake turn. The lake is quieter then, and the color is worth seeing from the water.
Private charter questions
Is there a sunrise cruise?
Yes. The First Light is a private 90-minute sunrise cruise on Whitefish Lake aboard the Empress, for up to six guests, boarding at City Beach. It's priced by request; text (406) 333-1335.
Can we go out in the afternoon?
Yes. The Long Afternoon is a private 90-minute afternoon boat charter on Whitefish Lake for up to six guests, priced by request. Text (406) 333-1335 with your date.
Can we do a half day or a full day?
Longer charters by request; text me what you have in mind. There's no restroom aboard, so 90 minutes suits most groups.
Is it good for kids?
Yes, kids are welcome, and families often pick the Long Afternoon. If anyone needs a hand boarding, tell me ahead and we'll plan for it.
Can we do a bachelorette party on the boat?
Yes. The whole boat is yours for up to six guests, or up to 10 by request. It's BYOB, and the ice, glassware and mixers will be ready.
Can I book it for my team or clients?
Yes. Corporate and team charters take up to 10 guests and are priced by quote. Text (406) 333-1335 with the date and group size.
Do you offer boat tours in Whitefish, MT?
Yes. The Empress runs private Whitefish Lake boat tours from the City Beach dock in Whitefish, MT: sunset, sunrise or afternoon, for up to six guests, with groups of up to 10 by request. Text (406) 333-1335 with your date.
What else is there to do in Whitefish?
Of all the things to do in Whitefish, MT, seeing the lake from the water gives you the view you can't get from town. A private Empress cruise fits around a day on Big Mountain, downtown, a trip to nearby Glacier National Park or anywhere else in the Flathead Valley.
Plan your charter
The easiest way to book is to text me at (406) 333-1335. You can also call or email shawn@shawnisakson.com, and either way I write back myself. Tell me the date, the occasion and how many are coming and I'll confirm what's open. If I cancel for weather, you choose a new date or a full refund. Booking and cancellation terms are on What to expect.
Which part of the day are you thinking?