Alki Beach Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Alki Beach. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Seattle's Original Guided Harbor Cruise

• Seattle by Land and Sea Experience Tour

• 5-Hour Seattle and Suburbs Attractions Tour

• Hourly City and/or Wine Tours of Seattle, WA

Alki Beach is a public beach and free to visit, but it’s also included on many guided Seattle tours. Enjoy a view from the water on a harbor cruise from Seattle, starting around US$46 per person, or visit on a private city tour, starting at US$345 per group.

Yes, Alki Beach is one of Seattle's most popular beaches and is known for its sandy shores, beach volleyball courts, and magnificent views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the Seattle skyline. If a day at the beach is your goal, hop on a water taxi from downtown Seattle, but if you're seeking the best views and photo opportunities, consider a sightseeing cruise around Seattle Harbor and Elliot Bay instead.

Per one customer who booked the Seattle's Original Guided Harbor Cruise, "We had a great time. We paid the extra to get on board first to choose our seats, and it was totally worth it as there was a large crowd lined up when we got there. The starboard side has the best view as you are closest to seeing what is being discussed. The tour guide was great. He was friendly, and he knew his stuff. He was having fun, too. Seeing a cargo ship being loaded up close was fascinating. The views of the skyline and the mountains were beautiful. I'm glad we decided to take this tour."

Alki Beach has a saltwater bathhouse and art studio, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and paths for joggers, bicyclists, and strollers. It’s perfect for the family and for those wanting to do some beach sports, like volleyball. Any time of year it’s a popular spot for long beach walks.

Yes, you can have a fire at Alki Beach, but you’ve got to follow the rules. Fires must be built in the designated fire rings, which can’t be reserved ahead of time. They’re usually in high demand, so if want to build a fire, grab one early in the day.

Alki Beach is the spot where the first white settlers touched down in Seattle in 1851, and they built a lodge with the assistance of Chief Seattle. It became a hot spot, and in 1902 an electric streetcar was built to it from Seattle. It once housed an amusement park.

Yes, there are volleyball courts to rent at Alki Beach, but you must bring your own net and ball. Make reservations online—you can reserve your court up to two weeks in advance. Courts are around US$8 per hour.

Yes, sometimes. Visitors to Alki Beach whale watch from the beach and sometimes spot Orcas. The beach is a popular hangout for seals, so Orcas are also attracted to the area. Fall and winter are the best times to spot whales, but occasionally you can see a transient Orca swimming.

Yes, you can swim at Alki Beach. Regular swim groups like to exercise in the relatively chilly water: 53.1°F (11.7°C) in summer to 45.3°F (7.4°C) in winter. Wearing a wetsuit may make swimming more pleasant. On hot summer days, the cool waters may have broader appeal.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Alki Beach. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Seattle:

• Pioneer Square

• Pike Place Market

• Kerry Park

• Mt. Rainier National Park

• Seattle Waterfront

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Seattle.