It’s been a long wait, but tours of Crater Lake in the new boats placed in the lake earlier this summer are finally happening.

Reservations are recommended for the three different tours, which began operating Monday and will continue until Sept. 17. No tours will be offered, however, on Sept. 9 or 16, because Rim Drive will be closed for the annual Ride the Rim event.

The new boats — 41 feet long, 13 feet wide and constructed of aluminum alloy — can carry 55 passengers and two crew members. They replace boats that had a carrying capacity of 34. And, because each new boat will have two engines, one boat will no longer be required to remain at the Cleetwood Cove dock in case of an engine failure. It’s expected the upgrades mean many more people will be able to take the tours, which are often sold out.

The new crafts have an open boat design that, according to Katanacraft, the Grants Pass company that designed and built the boats, will allow 360-degree views of the lake and caldera walls. Windshields will protect passengers from wind and spray off the lake.

The new boats are gasoline fueled, not electric. Park officials previously explained there is no way to charge electric boats, which would require installing solar panels or electrical lines from the rim to the boat dock — which would require the removal of acres of trees — or installation of power lines. The new boat hulls are designed, according to park officials and Katanacraft, “to reduce environmental impacts, including shore preservation for the lake, which reflects our commitment to creating a boat that is not only safe for passengers but also eco-friendly.”

In addition, the hulls are “specifically designed to cut through chop on the lake while lifting the hull to minimize wakes more effectively. The hull also includes a reverse chine design that gives the boat more stability and increased performance in its operation.”

Each boat is U.S. Coast Guard approved and were “carefully constructed to enhanced safety standards, including U.S. Coast Guard and ABS rules, and are ADA accessible with updated assisted listening systems for hearing-impaired passengers.”

Along with being designed for fuel efficiency, a news release says, the new crafts will have reduced engine noise. The tour boats used the past two decades have been too loud while traveling from point-to-point to allow passengers to hear commentary from the interpretive park ranger, so talks were possible only when the boats were stopped.

Three tour options are being offered — standard two-hour cruises, cruises with three-hour Wizard Island layovers, and Wizard Island shuttles. For more information and reservations, visit the Crater Lake Hospitality website at travelcraterlake.com/things-to-do/boat-tours.

All of the tours depart and end at the Cleetwood Cove boat dock, which is reached by a 1.1-mile trail from the Rim Drive Cleetwood parking lot. The hike is strenuous because it requires a 700-foot elevation gain on the way up to the parking area. Children 2 and younger are not permitted on any of the boat tours. Details of the trips include:

• Standard Lake Cruise: The two-hour cruise circles the perimeter of the lake, taking in up-close views of Wizard Island, Phantom Ship and other natural formations. The tour offers spectacular views of the natural beauty of the lake and the sheer cliffs that were formed thousands of years ago when the volcano collapsed and Crater Lake was born. A ranger on board shares information about the lake’s history, geology and culture. Tours leave daily at 8:30 and 11 a.m., and at 1 and 3 p.m., and also at 10 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays. The cost is $44 for adults, $30 for ages 3 to 12.
• Wizard Island Layover: People wanting to hike the trail to the top of Wizard Island and do other activities, such as fish or explore the island, can do so on tours that offer a three-hour layover. Wizard Island is a 763-foot cinder cone created when Crater Lake first filled with water after the volcano collapsed. The hike to the 90-foot-deep summit crater is rated as moderate and is a 2.2-mile round trip. Tours leave Cleetwood Cove daily at 9 a.m. The cost is $55 for adults and $37 for ages 3 to 12.
• Wizard Island Shuttle: The shuttle to Wizard Island and back are favored by fishermen — no license is required — and people wanting to hike the Wizard Island Summit Trail. Rated as moderate, the hike is 2.2 miles long roundtrip. Shuttles are offered daily at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $28 for adults and $18 for ages 3 to 12.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online, and some tickets are available for same-day bookings. Same-day ticket sales can be purchased up to two hours before departure at the Mazama Village Cabin/Campground registration desk, Crater Lake Lodge front desk and at the Cleetwood Cove kiosk.

Boat tour schedules are based upon weather and are subject to change. It is recommended to allow at least 90 minutes prior to the boat trip for travel from Crater Lake Lodge/Rim Village to Cleetwood Cove. Only half of the available boat tour seats are available for advance reservations. If tours are cancelled, the Crater Lake Hospitality says, “we will do our best to accommodate guests with advance reservations on the next available tour or we will issue a refund.”