Top Seattle Sailing Tours

Hop aboard a schooner for a 2-hour sailing journey out into the Puget Sound, ideal for photographers or anyone who wants to capture images of the city from the sea. You'll board right in downtown Seattle's Pier 66 terminal and set out into the water for some fantastic views of the city's skyline and the mountains beyond.

Relax, take in the views, and discover why Lake Union, in the very heart of Seattle, is one of the city's most fascinating—and beautiful—places to explore. Your captain, Grant, born and raised in the great Northwest, has been sailing since he was 12 years old and loves taking guests out on the water--while inviting them to steer the boat as much as they like, while he borrows your phone to take photos of you on the helm. Grant is a U.S. Coast Guard–licensed 100-ton Master of Inland Waters who has sailed in a race to Hawaii, and served as navigator on a sailboat going from Seattle to San Diego. He was also a charter captain in Greece. Grant is a former reporter for The Seattle Times and a former Science & Medical writer for the Associated Press. His book "The Tomorrow Makers" about AI, robotics, and the future of humanity, was named one of the 10 best books of the year by the American Library Association. He' a natural storyteller who loves conversing with his guests.

Come sailing on Seattle’s Tall Ship, a historic 19th-century style gaff-rigged schooner. We offer three public sailing tours daily from Seattle’s downtown waterfront. Our beautiful sailing ship, the Bay Lady, evokes the romance of traditional sailing as we work together to set the sails, turn off the engine, and sail off into an age of cannon fire and sunsets behind the untouched mountain ranges of the Puget Sound. Bay Lady is the largest public sailing vessel in Seattle. With her high railing and comfortable seating, she is the premier boat ride for families. Enjoy a drink from our onboard bar and set sail into the perfect day on the water!

Experience the magic of being carried by the wind, just as Peter Puget was when he mapped these waters back in 1792. From Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina we sail west across Puget Sound toward the magnificent Olympic Mountains. Along the way we will watch for orcas, schools of our local porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, great blue herons, and other wildlife. On the Sunset Cruise, we’ll enjoy the light show as the sun drops behind the well-named Mount Olympus and other peaks in the Olympic Range and illuminates feathery horizon clouds into glorious colors. Captain Grant, who holds a 100-ton Master of Inland Waters License from the U.S. Coast Guard, is dedicated to sharing the joy of being on the water with others. A former reporter for the Seattle Times, former Science and Medical writer for the Associated Press, and author of four books (one of which was named one of the year’s 10 Best nonfiction books by the American Library Association) Grant is a natural story teller.

See Seattle’s striking skyline from the water’s edge—and admire a new perspective on the Pacific Northwest scenery—aboard this private sailing tour from Bainbridge Island. Meet your captain at the Bainbridge Island City Dock, hop aboard the sailboat, and set off through Eagle Harbor before raising sails. You can see Seattle and Mt. Rainier, look out for seals and whales, and soak up the peaceful ambiance of Puget Sound.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Seattle from Elliott Bay and Seattle Harbor on this narrated cruise. Learn about Seattle’s historic waterfront and get an up-close look at one of the world's largest shipping terminals. Take in the view of the city’s skyline with a spectacular panoramic background of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, including majestic Mt. Rainier. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard the ship.

Sail around Seattle on this private trip on Puget Sound for up to six passengers. Set sail from the Shilshole Bay Marina with an experienced captain leading the way. Learn how to sail (conditions permitting) or simply sit back and enjoy the views of marine wildlife, the downtown Seattle skyline — including the iconic Space Needle — and the Olympic Mountains.

I've been doing sailing tours for 10 years, and compared to the bigger boats, with more passengers, I offer more intimate setting with great history on an antique modern sailing yacht.