Your own little island paradise is just a short kayak trip away. Known as the only island on Lake Tahoe, this destination boasts both stunning scenery and fascinating history. It definitely makes for a unique adventure and it’s a lot more accessible than you’d think. Make it your mission to branch out and explore some of Northern California’s lesser-known natural wonders. This remote island is a great place to start and you’ll definitely be happy you visited it!
Did you know there is only one island on the entirety of Lake Tahoe? It's called Fannette Island and it has a surprisingly fascinating history. You'll definitely want to carve out some time to see it for yourself, because it's downright amazing.
Located within Emerald Bay, Fannette Island has boasted a variety of names over the years. Also referred to as Coquette, Baranoff, Dead Man's, Hermit's, and Emerald Isle, it turns out there's some incredible stories associated with this place.
One of the island's earliest stories dates all the way back to 1863. It was during this time that the island was home to an eccentric captain named Dick Barter who had just moved from England. He called the island his home until his disappearance in a storm off Rubicon Point in 1873.
However, the most popular story of Fannette Island is related to the odd-looking stone structure located at the top of it. The structure is all that remains of the "Tea House" that was built during 1928 by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, the owner of Vikingsholm.
Mrs. Knight and her guests would transport to the island by motorboat to enjoy tea in the rustic little "castle." The Tea House has since been vandalized and only the shell of it remains, but it's still a fascinating thing to see for yourself.
People can visit Fannette Island by boat, canoe, or kayak. Just keep in mind that swimming is not allowed since the water can become hazardous. Once on the island, you could spend hours perusing the strange granite slab that's perched just 150-feet above the water.
Full of vibrant foliage and boasting the most magnificent views of the bay, visiting the island feels like slipping into your own little oasis. A trip to Fannette Island is more than worth it, and it's the type of place every adventurer should see for themselves.
