Top Washington Outdoor Activities

There are very few places in the world where you can experience the stars in the sky and illuminated water around you at the same time. Our trip starts off with a beautiful sunset paddle in Griffin Bay off of San Juan Island where we kayak among harbor seals, roosting birds, and other wildlife. Then as the night progresses, the environment around us becomes even more serene as the bioluminescent sea life comes to life. This is one of those experiences that you will truly remember forever. Please contact Outdoor Odysseys directly to complete your waivers prior to the tour. The last ferry leaves Friday Harbor at 9:50pm and our June, July, and August tours end later.

A Full-Day Rainforest and beach adventure from Seattle Explore Washington's Olympic Peninsula with a friendly local guide We ensure you get many photo spots! We are the only single day tour from Seattle that takes you into the best rainforest and beach spots on the peninsula. Local knowledge to see the most fun and meaningful spots! For fun during the ride, we provide tasty craft chocolate bars and other good snacks and drinks! Why Travelers Love This Tour: "The rainforests felt like out of a dream." "I’ve never seen a beach like Ruby Beach—completely unforgettable!" *Late June through August the Hoh Rainforest area not accessible due to very long lines. Don't worry, we go to a similar rainforest area you will love! About Max Travels: Max Travels was created for people like you to experience the great nature of this area in a fun and friendly way. We look forward to your tour! Max Travels, LLC is licensed and insured to provide tours

Set sea and observe the Pacific Northwest’s majestic wildlife on this half-day whale watching cruise. Take in picturesque scenery of the San Juan Islands while searching for orca, humpback, and gray whales. Along the way, spot additional ocean creatures in their natural environment, such as seals, porpoises, sea lions, and otters.

You don’t have to venture into the San Juan Islands to see whales in their natural habitat—with this tour, you can board a whale-watching cruise right in downtown Seattle. Spend several hours onboard, looking for whales and learning about the area’s ecosystem from an expert naturalist. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard.

A road-based tour with short hikes throughout the day, where we enjoy beautiful highlights of Olympic National Park with panoramic views of mountains and ocean from Hurricane Ridge. Here we also enjoy a picnic lunch on a short hike. We then explore the rainforest at Crescent Lake, where we go for a short hike along the beautiful lakeshore, followed by a stop in the quaint town of Poulsbo with waterfront views. Finally, we cross Puget Sound again and see the best views of the Seattle skyline on the ferry back to Seattle.

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.

The ancient forests, mountains, and rugged beaches of the Olympic National Park provide some spectacular hiking opportunities. On this tour, visit two of the most stunning natural spots—Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach—and enjoy short, guided hikes at each destination. With round-trip transport, National Park fees included, and a guide who points out the local flora, all you need to do is focus on the views.

Pass through the renowned Ballard Locks and learn about the complex system on a cruise that transports you between the freshwater of Lake Union and the saltwater of Puget Sound. The one-way cruise can be used as transportation, making it ideal for travelers who want to avoid traffic and enjoy a unique journey from the Seattle waterfront to the AGC Marina on South Lake Union (or vice versa).

Enjoy Seattle’s cityscape, Olympic Mountain and Mt. Rainier views aboard Seattle's premier tall ship. After hoisting the sails, we’ll cut the engine and enjoy the tranquility on our beautiful schooner. As the sun sets, we will celebrate another beautiful summer day in the Pacific Northwest! Enjoy a beverage and the beautiful views as we sail back to the city.

Get up close with the orca whales off the San Juan Islands near Seattle on this half-day whale-watching cruise. San Juan Island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from mid-April to October. It’s also considered one of the best places to view orca whales.

There’s no better way to experience a summer evening in Seattle than from the water. Join us for the Seattle Sunset Cruise, a relaxing 1.5-hour cruise with minimal narration timed perfectly to capture the golden hour and sunset over Puget Sound. Come aboard and head to the open-air deck as the city begins to glow in the warm evening light. As the captain navigates through Elliott Bay, enjoy breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline, passing ferries, and the Olympic Mountains. Whether you’re enjoying a date night, celebrating with friends, wanting a memorable evening on your trip, or simply soaking in summer, the Seattle Sunset Cruise offers a peaceful and unforgettable way to end the day on the water.

Experience the natural beauty of Mt. Rainier with the help of a guide to lead the way on this full-day group tour from Seattle. Enjoy a scenic, narrated journey past lakes, waterfalls, historic towns, and Mt. Rainier. Take in spectacular views from Narada Falls, considered the most popular waterfall in Mt. Rainier National Park, and the aptly named Paradise. Includes pickup and drop-off from select downtown Seattle and airport hotels for your convenience.

This diverse and active half day tour features the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with two cascading waterfalls, a 2-hour moderate hike through an old growth forest, a visit to a historic logging town, and a stunning lake reflecting the surrounding mountains. We'll visit the verdant Ollalie Sate Park with Twin Falls and Upper Falls, the towns of North Bend and Snoqualmie, as well as the legendary 270-foot tall Snoqualmie Falls.

Make the most of summer in Seattle on an evening cruise that takes you past the city's skyline from a vantage point on the water. Pass by Elliott Bay, Alki Point, and into Puget Sound as the sun begins to set—perfect for snapping golden hour photos. Up on the top deck, enjoy an included drink (cocktail, mocktail, beer, or wine) and feel free to purchase more from the onboard bar and catch a glimpse of the Olympic Mountains.

Explore Mt. Rainier National Park's highlights on this day tour featuring glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and old growth forests. From Seattle, you'll head to the park and take guided shorter hikes from the Visitor Center at Paradise, including a one-mile walk to a picnic near giant glaciers. See Reflection Lake, Narada Falls, and Christine Falls. In winter and spring (November-June), snowshoeing replaces hiking—no experience required.

See the highest mountain in Washington State on this full-day tour of Mt. Rainer National Park. Your guide transports you from Seattle—conveniently handling all the driving and logistics—to explore the iconic park of the Pacific Northwest. With your guide in the lead, spend the day hiking, visiting the Longmire Museum, and seeing incredible vistas of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.

The White Salmon River rafting trip has attracted whitewater enthusiasts for generations. Perfect for beginners and advanced rafters, the river’s Class III-IV whitewater rapids challenge even our most experienced veteran rafting guests. Fed from the glaciers of the majestic Mt. Adams and aquifers beneath surrounding orchards, the river’s water runs crystal clear all year long. Once a lava tube, the White Salmon runs through narrow, volcanic basalt canyons before heading out into the warm sunshine of a forested valley. Protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the White Salmon River transports raft guests to a remote wilderness conveniently located just outside of Portland, Oregon. The undeveloped shoreline and inaccessible deep forests invite wildlife to visit the refreshing river, a sight only experienced by rafters and kayakers. Whitewater river rafting on the White Salmon River epitomizes the lush and wild character of the Pacific Northwest in one exciting raft trip!

For snow-capped vistas, ocean views, mazes of forests, and bubbling riverways, hop on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Staff fit you with the appropriate e-bike, helmet, and accessories, brief you on safety, and set you up for a ride into Washington’s blues and greens. Spend three to four hours scouting for wildlife, exploring Port Angeles, and sinking into the beauty of this otherworldly peninsula—the e-bike pedaling for you!

Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo houses over 300 animal species and contains more than 10 bioclimatic zones, which range from humid tropical rain forests to coastal deserts. Ideal for time-pressed travelers, this admission ticket allows you to bypass the ticketing line at the zoo’s west entrance. Inside, you can admire an impressive range of animals including gorillas, grizzlies, lions, giraffes, and penguins.

This is the perfect tour for anyone looking to get out on the water for a few hours on their San Juan Island vacation. With pick-up and drop-off in downtown Friday Harbor, this family and beginner-friendly three hour tour gets you kayaking among pelagic wildlife in the shadow of Mt. Baker. After picking you up at the Friday Harbor waterfront, we'll take a short drive over to Jackson's Beach, coach you through basic paddling and safety techniques and get you out on the serene waters and tidal zone of Griffin Bay as to circumnavigate Dinner Island with views of the Olympic Mountains cresting above Cattle Pass. With morning and afternoon departure times, we think this tour is a great way to dabble in some kayaking, have some laughs, enjoy nature, and make memories with your travel companions.

There are many beautiful waterfalls near Seattle, but it can be difficult to reach them without a car. See two spectacular waterfalls with ease in just half a day on this small-group tour. After meeting your naturalist guide in central Seattle, head to Snoqualmie Falls and then hike to Twin Falls. Along the way, explore an ancient rainforest and learn about the unique environment and Indigenous culture of the Cascades from your guide.

See Whidbey Island in Washington from a fresh perspective with a small-group kayaking tour in Deception Pass State Park. Meet your guide at 4399 Bowman Bay Rd and climb into a sea kayak to explore the calm waters of Bowman Bay. Learn the basics of paddling and admire views of wildlife, Fidalgo Island, and more. All gear including life jackets and paddles is provided.

Make exploring beyond Seattle city limits simple—and get up close and personal with the iconic Mt. Rainier—on this hassle-free, full-day trip. Following convenient downtown pickup, journey to Mt. Rainier National Park. Look forward to seeing scenic highlights including Christine Falls, Narada Falls, and Mt. Rainier. Experience the beauty of the area with help from a guide who knows the best ways around the park.