The 6 Best Boat Trips in Seattle

In Seattle, you'll find a wide variety of things to see and do, both in the city and its surroundings, and without a doubt, taking a boat trip to enjoy a unique experience is one of them.

You can sail through the calm waters off the Seattle coast and take in the best views of the city while soaking up the history and culture found in every corner, thanks to the expertise of the local guide who will accompany you on your trip. You'll also pass by Puget Sound, Gig Harbor, and the Narrows Bridges for an unforgettable experience.

On this experience, the boat will set sail from the Seattle pier and you'll be able to explore the city's history from the water.

You'll get the best views of the Space Needle, Seattle Great Wheel, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and the city's historic pier.

Plus, weather permitting, you'll be able to see Mount Rainier, the most prominent mountain in the United States and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. If you want to learn more about this stunning natural wonder, I recommend taking a tour of Mount Rainier.

This cruise departs from Pier 55, located on Alaskan Way. This pier is the city's main marina.

Tour details

• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Price: you can enjoy this experience for approximately $31 per person.
• What's included: a one-hour guided tour of Seattle Harbor and Elliott Bay.

This is the perfect adventure to take in the best views of Seattle and relax as you watch the city merge with the red sky on the horizon aboard a historic sailboat.

You'll get to see the iconic Seattle Waterfront neighborhood, a privileged view of the Space Needle, and other popular spots in and around the city.

This tour departs from Pier 66, located on Alaskan Way. The Bell Harbor Marina is also located there, and you can even buy your tickets for the tour.

Tour details

• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Price: you can enjoy this experience for around €55 per person.
• What's included: a dreamy sunset from an exclusive sailboat with the best views of the city from the waters of Seattle.

On this tour, you'll learn a little more about Seattle's maritime and fishing history and discover the famous Ballard Locks and many other important sights that are well worth seeing. This unique experience will allow you to travel between the fresh waters of Lake Union and the salt waters of Puget Sound.

On Lake Union, you'll see all kinds of attractions, from Lake Union Drydock Co and the large commercial fishing boats pulled out of the water at one of the oldest businesses on Lake Union, to the Floating Homes Association, where you'll find several of the lake's famous floating home communities, including the one featured in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle."

You'll also see Gas Works Park, the decommissioned coal gasification plant that became one of Seattle's favorite parks, cruise through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and see several of Seattle's historic neighborhoods from the water.

The final stop is at Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront, so I recommend exploring the surrounding area, including the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Keep in mind that this cruise is a good option if you want to use it as your exclusive means of transportation to avoid traffic and travel between the Seattle coast and the AGC marina in South Lake Union.

This cruise departs from Pier 55, located on Alaskan Way.

Tour details

• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Price: you can enjoy this experience for around €54 per person.
• What's included: this is a journey through Seattle's maritime history, including key points along the route and the company of an expert guide so you can learn all about every corner you pass.

On board this boat trip, you'll appreciate the splendors and wildlife of Puget Sound and get the best views from the shore along a journey that stretches for about 19 kilometers along the Tacoma coast.

This is a tour full of history and wildlife. On this adventure, you will pass by the 1933 Brown's Point Lighthouse, Old Town, which was the historic center of the timber boom when Tacoma was one of the richest cities in the world, and the Port of Tacoma.

This cruise begins and ends at Pier D of the Elliott Bay Marina.

Tour details

• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Price: you can enjoy this experience for a price starting at €55 per person.
• What's included: this is an exclusive, expert-guided experience designed for small groups.

Aboard a vintage marina boat, you'll enjoy the best views of the picturesque town of Gig Harbor and pass under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to see one of the area's iconic structures and learn about its history.

Spoiler alert: you'll see two bridges, because the first of the three original bridges collapsed in a windstorm just four months after it opened.

You'll also visit Point Defiance Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, and the picturesque community of Salmon Beach Road.

This is a unique and unforgettable experience that will also give you the chance to enjoy nature and a relaxing ride while taking in the wild scenery of Puget Sound and spotting eagles, seals, porpoises, and many other animals.

This excursion departs from the Gig Harbor pier, located on Harborview Dr., where the legendary Anthony's restaurant is located.

Tour details

• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Price: you can enjoy this experience for a price starting at €55 per person.
• What's included: this is a guided tour with a Coast Guard-certified captain.

On board this exclusive boat, a skilled bartender will be at your disposal to provide you with a one-hour tour of Seattle on a pleasant boat trip.

The adventure will begin on the north side of Lake Union, on Northlake Way, and you will sail with an exquisite cocktail in your hand. I assure you that you will experience such a special and pleasant moment that you will not want to get off the boat when the tour is over.

Tour details

• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Price: you can enjoy this experience for a price starting at $253.
• What's included: this is an excursion with a private captain/waiter to serve cocktails while you enjoy the ride and the views.

All these experiences accept digital tickets, which is a great advantage. This way, you can buy your ticket online, receive immediate confirmation by email, and have it available to use directly from your mobile device. It's that quick and easy to enjoy an unforgettable tour of Seattle.

Although less recommended, as you may not get a place, another option for purchasing your tickets is to buy them at the respective departure ports, either at Argosy Cruises, Bell Harbor Marina, Elliott Bay Marina, or the Gig Harbor pier.

The only experience that cannot be booked in person is the private cruise with cocktail included in Seattle.

Please note that if your plans change for any reason or you simply change your mind, you can cancel your purchase free of charge at least 24 hours before the date of your experience.

All of these tours are relatively short, lasting between 1 and 2 hours. This makes them an excellent option to combine with another city tour.

Here you will find a wide variety of tours of Seattle to choose from.

You can enjoy a pleasant boat trip around Seattle for a price ranging from $31 to $55. Keep in mind that the price will depend on the route, the duration, the number of people sharing the excursion, and the services included.

Therefore, I recommend analyzing all the variables before choosing the tour that best suits you.

Seattle is a city full of contrasts. You'll be struck by its futuristic and modern side, and you'll fall in love with its nature and the outdoor activities it offers. Without a doubt, from the waters of Seattle you will find the best views of the city and get the best photos of your trip.

These excursions will show you its unique charm. You will be able to observe the city from the outside and see how the huge skyscrapers blend in with the vegetation and the most natural landscapes. Here are some of the sites you will see on your boat tour.

• Mount Rainier: if the sky is clear on the day of your excursion, you'll have incredible views of one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and undoubtedly Seattle's most famous attraction.

• Space Needle: From the waters of Seattle, you can see one of the city's most popular structures and take unique photos of this attraction.

• Seattle Waterfront: you'll have a privileged panoramic view of one of Seattle's best-known neighborhoods, home to several of the city's attractions, including the famous Seattle Great Wheel, which you'll also see from aboard the boat.

• Lake Union: a popular lake located entirely within the city of Seattle, which is of glacial origin. You will surely learn more about its history as you sail through its fresh waters.

• Puget Sound: this is the deep inlet of the Pacific Ocean, where you will have views of the islands and bays that make it up and are interconnected.

• Gig Harbor: you will have access to the most picturesque views of this small town with unique natural landscapes.

• Tacoma Narrows Bridge: this is a set of two parallel suspension bridges 1,800 meters long, with a very unique history that you will learn about on your tour.

I recommend wearing comfortable clothing suitable for the weather on these excursions. Also, keep in mind that you will be spending a few hours outdoors, so sunscreen will be your best friend.

Before the excursion, it is essential to check the weather so you can choose the most appropriate attire and avoid being too hot or too cold on board the boat, also taking into account the temperature on the day and the date you are going.

Keep in mind that all these boat trips in Seattle are weather dependent, as good weather is necessary for them to take place. Otherwise, they will have to be rescheduled or you will be given a refund.

As it is not possible to predict the exact weather on the day of your excursion, here are the best months to visit Seattle and enjoy this type of experience.

Let me start by saying that you are in luck, because Seattle usually has good weather almost all year round. However, there are months when you will experience milder temperatures and others when it is colder or more unstable.

The best time to visit is between May and September, with July and August being the mildest months. The coldest, most unstable, and rainiest months are January, November, and December. Although February is cold, it doesn't usually rain as much as during the other months.

Here is a complete guide to the best things to do in Seattle in summer, so you can combine your boat trip with other activities in the city: 10 things to see and do in Seattle in summer, 10 things to see and do in Seattle in July, and 10 things to see and do in Seattle in August.

I have good news for you: with the Seattle City Pass, you'll get a one-hour boat tour of Seattle included.

With this exclusive city pass, you'll have access to the most popular attractions and activities in Seattle, including the Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium, and you can choose 3 more from an extensive list: a 1-hour boat tour or tickets to the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Woodland Park Zoo, or Chihuly Garden and Glass.

By purchasing the Seattle City Pass at a fixed, exclusive price, you'll save on admission to all these activities and enjoy a relaxing boat tour of Seattle included in your pass. It's the complete package!

This is a special and unique excursion that I highly recommend. You'll get the best views of Seattle from the calm waters and learn about another part of its history on a one-of-a-kind tour.

This is the ideal option for discovering the city's most eccentric and aesthetically impressive natural wonders, its wildlife and marine life, and one of the main activities in this city, which is sea fishing.

You'll have the chance to take in the best views and gain a more complete and thorough knowledge of the city. You won't regret getting on the boat, relaxing, absorbing all the knowledge the guide can offer you, taking the best photos, and spending a relaxing and refreshing time on board.

If you would love to do this but don't have much time in the city, I have a solution: a boat tour is an ideal plan to combine with the Seattle sightseeing bus.

This way, you can take a boat tour of Seattle's waters without worrying about not having time to see the city's main attractions.

The duration of these excursions makes them easy to combine with other tours and experiences so you can get to know Seattle in depth.

You'll have a wide variety of excursions to choose from in Seattle and the surrounding areas, which are full of nature and attractions to visit. For more information, visit: best excursions from Seattle.

You can also complete the experience by including a food tour of Seattle and discovering the city's most unique flavors. For more information, visit: best food tours in Seattle.