Tours and Tickets to Experience Puget Sound
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Puget Sound
The Puget Sound is ideal for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for a little urban escape.
The sound is famous for wet, rainy weather, so be sure to dress appropriately, especially between November and May.
Some Puget Sound tours include stops in British Columbia; these require a valid passport.
Book boat and seaplane tours in advance in the summer, the area's busiest time.
People Also Ask
There are plenty of ways to experience Puget Sound. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:
It’s free to visit Puget Sound, and you can simply stroll spots like Discovery Park, Magnolia Park, or the Seattle waterfront to catch beautiful water views. You may need to budget for a ride on a Washington State Ferry if you’re hoping to travel on the water—the service runs nine different routes on the sound. Sightseeing boat trips on the sound start around US$40.
In Puget Sound, May through October is prime whale-watching season, with peak orca sightings from October to December. Gray whales are most commonly seen from February to April, during their seasonal migration. Waters are typically calmer in the summer months, and temperatures are warmer, making for more comfortable viewing conditions.
Washington State Ferry fares between Seattle and Bainbridge Island are currently US$11.05 for adult walk-on passengers. Kids aged 18 and under ride for free, and seniors pay half the adult rate. It’s US$15.60 one-way for standard vehicles under 14 feet (4 meters), plus the driver. Multi-ride commuter cards and monthly passes are available at a discount.
Tours of Puget Sound typically showcase Seattle's skyline, Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, marine wildlife (like seals, porpoises, and the occasional orca), the historic Seattle waterfront, shipping terminals, and the area’s luxury waterfront homes. Many tours pass under bridges and visit working harbors. Some tours also include Ballard Locks.
Yes, you can see orcas in Puget Sound. Resident and transient orcas frequent the area, particularly the Southern Resident pods J, K, and L. For the best odds of spotting them, get on the water from June through September, though sightings are never guaranteed. Professional whale-watching tours are typically the best way to go.