Yes. Fall is one of the most comfortable times for a boat charter on Lake Lewisville. The summer heat eases, an October sunset lands inside the evening charter, and boats still sail seven days a week. At Sam’s Dock the rate depends on the boat and the day of the week, not the season.
This guide covers what fall changes on the water and what it does not: when the sun sets, which departure time to pick, whether to plan on swimming, what to wear and bring, and how to book. For the bigger picture of chartering on the lake, start with the complete guide to boat charters on Lake Lewisville.
Why fall works on Lake Lewisville
A Texas summer on the water is hot, bright and busy. By fall the afternoons are milder, the light is softer, and a charter can be spent out on deck rather than hunting for shade. For many groups that makes the boat itself the main event, with the lake as the backdrop.
Fall is also full of reasons to get a group together: birthdays, family visits, reunions, a friends’ weekend, or a team outing before the end of the year. If you are planning for a company, the guide to planning a company holiday party on a boat covers the details that matter for a work group. Once school is back and the summer rush is over, it is often easier to find the date and the boat you want.
What a fall charter costs
Fall is not a discount season. The rate is for the whole boat on a three hour charter, it includes the licensed captain, the crew and the fuel, and it is set by two things only: the boat and the day of the week. A Tuesday in October is priced the same as a Tuesday in June.
| Boat | Guests | Mon to Thu | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miss Selina Party Boat | 30 | $975 | $975 | $1,175 | $1,050 | $1,325 |
| Miss Teena Party Boat | 40 | $1,175 | $1,175 | $1,385 | $1,250 | $1,575 |
| Blue Goose I Party Boat With Slide | 50 | $1,675 | $1,675 | $1,925 | $1,725 | $2,175 |
| Blue Goose II Party Boat With Slide | 50 | $1,675 | $1,675 | $1,925 | $1,725 | $2,175 |
Monday to Thursday is the lowest rate on every boat, so a weekday charter is the simplest way to keep the cost down at any time of year. With a full boat on a weekday, the Miss Selina works out to about $33 per guest before tax. A few holiday dates carry their own rate, which replaces the usual rate for that day, and the price for your date is always shown before you pay. Sales tax is added at checkout, and gratuity for the captain is not included.
Timing your charter around the sunset
Charters depart seven days a week at 10 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM and 10 PM, and custom start times are available on request. In the fall the departure you pick decides how much daylight you get, because the sunset moves quickly from week to week.
- September and October. The sun sets around 7:15 PM at the start of October and around 6:40 PM by the end of the month, so the 6 PM charter sails into the sunset and finishes under the evening sky.
- After the clocks change. Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November, and sunset moves to about 5:30 PM. The 2 PM charter then ends in the late afternoon light, and the 6 PM charter starts around dusk and becomes a night out on the water.
- The warmest hours. The 10 AM and 2 PM charters get the warmth of the day, which matters most later in the fall.
If a particular sunset matters, for an anniversary or a proposal, contact the reservations team about a custom start time.
Swimming, layers and staying warm
The lake holds its summer warmth for a while after the air cools, so early fall is the likeliest time for a swim off the boat. Later in the season, plan the day around the boat rather than the water, and treat a swim as a bonus if the afternoon turns warm. Life vests are on board for every guest, in multiple sizes.
Whatever the date, it is cooler on the open lake than on shore, and the temperature drops once the sun goes down. A few habits keep everyone comfortable:
- Dress in layers. A light jacket or sweatshirt over warm weather clothes covers both the afternoon and the evening.
- Bring a blanket or two. They earn their place on an evening charter.
- Pack towels if anyone plans to swim. Drying off quickly matters more in October than in July.
- Keep the sunscreen. Fall sun on the water still burns, even when the air feels mild.
Food and what to bring
Fall is a good season for warm food, and on a charter the menu is yours. Homemade, store bought and catered food are all welcome, and Sternos are allowed, so a tray of something hot stays warm through the charter.
- Ice and drinks. Every party boat has one large cooler, and it comes empty, so bring your own ice and beverages.
- Tables and chairs. Each boat has one or two tables and a limited number of chairs. Bring more if your group needs them.
- Caterers and entertainers. A caterer, a DJ or a photographer counts toward the capacity of the boat, so include them in your headcount.
Weather on the lake can change quickly at any time of year. If you are booking vendors, read the cancellation policy first, so you know what happens if the weather turns on the day.
How to book a fall charter
Booking takes a few minutes. Settle the headcount, then compare the boats and check available dates. One boat carries 30 to 50 guests, and you can charter more than one boat for the same time slot. Choose a start time, add your details and pay to hold the date. The person who books must be 18 or older.
The waiver needs to be signed within 24 hours of booking, and on the day guests should arrive 30 minutes before the start time to check in. Online booking needs about a week of notice, so for a date sooner than that, call or message the reservations team and we will check it by hand.
Sam’s Dock sails from Eagle Point Marina on Lake Lewisville, about 30 minutes from downtown Dallas. The lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which looks after recreation and natural resources around it.