Top Washington On the Water

Get up close with the killer whales off Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, on this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Eastsound. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters — plus a wide variety of birds and more. Sightings are guaranteed from April through early September.

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 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!

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.

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).

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.

Experience the food and culture at one of Seattle’s most famous landmarks, Pike Place Market, on this 2-hour, chef-guided food tour. See where chefs shop and locals hang out and enjoy diverse tastings at several different stops — places such as Beecher's ‘World's Best’ Mac and Cheese, Pike Place Chowder, local artisan chocolate shops and more. Feel like a market insider on this behind-the-scenes adventure to savor the flavors, as well as the sights and sounds, of this historic attraction.

Make your arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport totally hassle-free with this prebooked transfer service. Skip the taxis and shuttles, and travel with confidence, aboard a private vehicle. Choose from a 3-person sedan, a 5-passenger van, or a 6-person SUV to fit your group's needs. Then, sit back and relax en route to your Seattle, Bellevue, or Kirkland accommodation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Anacortes is strategically placed to offer the best whale viewing opportunities. There's no company that sees more whales than Island Adventures. As members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, we have access to the best whale-sightings network in the world. If whales in the area, we know it. High-speed, low profile vessels often travel past whales without seeing them. Our elevated wheelhouses and upper decks allow us to find more whales, spot them sooner, and view them better than smaller boats.

This full day adventure includes about 4-5 hours of kayaking, high speed powerboat transport to and from the island, exploration on the beaches and a lunch break. We take a power boat to Sucia Island where we spend the day exploring the many coves and rocky shores of this spectacular state park. After a brief kayaking safety orientation, you and your guide will hop in your kayaks for a 4 to 5 hour paddle which includes a lunch stop (Lunch is not provided) and short hike at a remote beach. As we paddle around the island we stop by prime wildlife viewing locations and explore some of Sucia’s natural history. After the adventure of a lifetime we return to Orcas by power boat. One can encounter bald eagles, osprey, harlequin ducks, river otters, harbor seals, sea lions, porpoise and even the occasional orca whale!

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.

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.

Join us on this 3 hour kayaking tour from the north shore on Orcas Island. Surrounded by private property on land, the park is only accessible by kayak, canoe, or row boat. Once at the park we take a brief break on the beach to enjoy a nature walk and beautiful views of Mt. Baker and the surrounding islands before we head back. These kayak tours explore the best wildlife area Orcas Island has to offer! It is home to many harbor seals, porpoises, shore birds, and eagles.

Get ready for adventure on White Salmon River's glacial meltwater, which flows through the collapsed lava tubes of Mt. Adams volcano. In springtime, this National Wild and Scenic River offers Class IV rapids, and in summer Class III. This offers just the right amount of fun for first timers and thrill for veterans. We'll bus you in so that your 8.5 miles river trip ends right back at your car.

See Whidbey Island in Washington from a fresh perspective with a small-group kayaking tour in Deception Pass State Park. Meet your guide at a departure point 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 is provided.