Top Seattle On the Water

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.

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.

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.

Discover Seattle’s original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, on this guided walking tour that is great for locals and tourists alike who want to learn more about this city. Explore the underground pathways that were built in the southwest corner of the Emerald City more than 120 years ago. Learn about Seattle’s history and the events that transformed this once-small Indigenous dwelling place into one of the most popular and thriving cities in the United States.

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. You'll spend 3 to 5 hours onboard, looking for whales and learning about the area’s ecosystem from an expert naturalist. Choose from budget-friendly standard seating or pay extra for premium window seats. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard.

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).

Explore the rich ecosystem of Puget Sound on a guided kayak tour with a small group. Suitable for families and beginner kayakers, follow your guide as you paddle around the sound, soaking up the views and keeping an eye out for wildlife such as wild seals, sea lions, great herons, and more.

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.

South Sound Kayak Tours specializes in small group kayak adventures on South Puget Sound. Join us for a guided 3hr tour to Hope Island Marine State Park! Located just 30min from Olympia and convenient to the Olympic Peninsula, Hope Island remains one of the best places to kayak in the area. The protected waters that surround the island offer the opportunity to see seals, sea lions, porpoise, eagles, and all the amazing creatures living just below the surface. Once on the island, you'll have time to explore the various trails, old growth forests, or picnic under the historic fruit trees. On those bluebird days take in the views of both the Olympics and Mt Rainier! **Ages (5+) with an Adult (16+) Weight Limit 240lbs per person. Solo or One person bookings may be cancelled or rescheduled to meet 2 person tour minimum.**

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.

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.

Our services cater to people who want to enjoy fishing but don't have the necessary skills or equipment, including access to a boat or knowledge of fishing locations. You will be able to enjoy great views of the Puget Sound at each fishing location. Captain Kyle provides on-site tutorials that teach clientele a unique Japanese American-influenced style of fishing, called “Mooching”. The tutorial is suitable for all levels of fishers. Most salmon fishers and charters use a different technique that uses a downrigger, which isn't engaging and can't feel the fish bite like "mooching". The Catch Mooching for salmon offers a more interactive experience, allowing customers to feel the excitement of actively hooking a fish. This technique involves casting out a line with a herring hooked to a leader and attached to a sinker. As the herring sinks and spins through the water, its movement mimics natural prey, drawing in the salmon and enticing them to bite.

Seattle is famous for its bustling waterfront, numerous green spaces, and historic neighborhoods. Ideal for first-time visitors, this sightseeing tour provides an overview of top attractions such as Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, and Pike Place market. Sit back and relax while your guide provides historical and cultural background for each destination, and enjoy stops to walk and take photos.

Make the most of summer in Seattle on an evening river 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 locally sourced food and drinks (own expense) from the onboard bar and catch glimpse of the Olympic Mountains.

Your services cater to people who want to enjoy fishing but don't have the necessary skills or equipment, including access to a boat or knowledge of fishing locations. You will be able to enjoy great views of the Puget Sound at each fishing location. Captain Kyle provides on-site tutorials that teach clientele a unique Japanese American-influenced style of fishing, called “Mooching”. The tutorial is suitable for all levels of fishers. Most salmon fishers and charters use a different technique that uses a downrigger, which isn't engaging and can't feel the fish bite like "mooching". The Catch Mooching for salmon offers a more interactive experience, allowing customers to feel the excitement of actively hooking a fish. This technique involves casting out a line with a herring hooked to a leader and attached to a sinker. As the herring sinks and spins through the water, its movement mimics natural prey, drawing in the salmon and enticing them to bite.

See where (and how) airplanes are built on this guided small-group tour of the Boeing factory near Seattle. Tour the massive Boeing assembly plant, the world’s largest building by volume, and see signature Boeing planes in production. Explore the interactive exhibits and displays in the 28,000-square-foot Aviation Center Gallery and visit the educational Future of Flight Aviation Center museum.

Find out what makes Seattle one of the most popular cities in the US on an intimate, half-day tour. Head first to beautiful Snoqualmie Falls, in the Cascade Mountains. Then return to the city for a tour of its top attractions, including Pioneer Square, Fremont Troll, markets and parks, and a lookout point. Ample time is spent at each stop, giving you the chance to take photos and ask questions.

See a new side of Gig Harbor—and soak up the wild scenery of Puget Sound—on this boat tour. Meet your Coast Guard-certified captain, hop aboard the ex-navy boat, and set sail. You’ll see impeccable views of Mt. Rainier’s snowy peak, and admire local landmarks like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. As you go, look out for eagles, seals, porpoises, and other wildlife, and learn more about the region’s history.

Seattle is a fun city to explore, but good luck finding parking if you rent a car and set out on your own. Make things easier on yourself with a guided tour of Seattle that hits up highlights, including the Space Needle, Chinatown, and T-Mobile Park. Plus, your guide knows all the quickest ways around, so you can see more in less time.

Experience spectacular 360-degree views of Seattle and its surrounding mountain ranges on a small-group sunset sea kayak tour in Elliott Bay. This evening excursion is perfect for active travelers seeking the perfect pictures of the Emerald City. All are welcome on this aquatic adventure, as no previous kayaking experience is necessary, and a guide is on hand at all times to ensure traveler safety.

The ONLY Whale Watching tour with hotel pickup in Seattle! Most whale sightings in the Puget Sound happen near the San Juan Islands - make the most of your day and explore Deception Pass before your Whale-watching cruise! Journey north of Seattle to Deception Pass State Park, a Pacific Northwest hidden gem with views that rival our National Parks! Explore the old growth forest among the jagged cliffs and secret coastlines before enjoying a seasonal catered picnic lunch. After lunch, we'll drive up to Anacortes and join our partners, Outer Island Excursions, on a 3-hour Wildlife and Whale Watching boat tour. The Outer Island Excursions Captain and Naturalist will share information about the Salish Sea while we cruise around the channels in search of whales and other wildlife. Our all-inclusive small-group day trip is limited to 10 travelers. We also bring assorted snacks, water, and other cold beverages for the day. Don’t worry about a thing.

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!

Make the most of your day at Lake Sammamish with a kayak rental from Lake Sammamish Paddle Co by Wheel Fun Rentals. Launch right from a convenient shoreline location and paddle into calm, scenic waters perfect for beginners and experienced adventurers alike. Glide past lush greenery, explore quiet coves, and keep an eye out for bald eagles, herons, and even salmon near Issaquah Creek. Take your time soaking in the mountain views, then head back to shore to relax at Tibbetts Beach, enjoy a picnic, or stroll nearby trails. When you’re ready to recharge, grab a refreshing bottled water or treat yourself to a classic ice cream favorite available for purchase on-site. It’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, book your Lake Sammamish kayaking experience today!