ice cream boat cruise seattle

What to Expect on a Seattle Ice Cream Cruise for Kids

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The Seattle Ice Cream Cruise (also called the Sunday Ice Cream Cruise) is a little boat ride offered by the Seattle Ferry Service.

This post about the seattle ice cream cruise was written by seattle family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

We’re all big fans of cruises and ice cream! So, it’s a bit obvious that we would go on the Seattle Ice Cream Cruise as our little family getaway that’s within our reach.

It’s definitely an excellent way to experience and appreciate Seattle’s unique and vibrant waterway. More than a unique ice cream experience, it’s also a narrated tour where our kids (and everyone!) get to learn about Seattle and its rich history.

I’ll share all about our experience in this blog so you can gauge if this is something you would want to do with your kids. So buckle up and prepare to go all aboard!

What’s the Seattle Ice Cream Cruise

The captain narrates this Seattle’s Lake Union cruise and explains a bit about Seattle’s history and the sights you’ll see.

When he’s not talking, you can jam out to oldies music! It’s a short boat ride on a small boat, perfect for exploring Seattle with kids! 

Where is the Seattle Ice Cream Cruise Located?

They are next to the Museum of History and Industry clock at South Lake Union Park. You’ll see a sandwich board sign with balloons on it. That’s where you’ll line up to board.

When Can I Go?

The Seattle Ice Cream Cruise is available year-round on Sundays at the hour of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., even during rain or snow.

Personally, you can’t beat cruising around Seattle in the summer, but I think it would be fun to do it in the fall/winter and sip hot chocolate!

How Long is this Seattle Boat Ride?

The Sunday Ice Cream Cruise in Seattle is about 45-50 minutes long, which is perfect for families with little kids.

What Will I See?

This Seattle boat ride takes you past Gasworks Park, Dale Chihuly’s glass studio, Ivar’s Salmon House, Seattle floating homes (including the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat), and more.

Plus, you can see seaplanes, kayaks, and lots of other boats!

How Much Does it Cost?

The Sunday Ice Cream Cruise in Seattle is cash/check only.

• Adults: $12
• Seniors: $11
• Kids 5-13: $8
• Kids under 5: $3

What’s the Seating Situation Onboard?

There is bench seating on the top deck, and we also saw a few chairs scattered around. If you want to be indoors, there are some adorable painted chairs inside.

What Type of Ice Cream is Available?

When we were there in August 2018, they had Haagen-Daz bars, ice cream sandwiches, traditional root beer floats, chocolate root beer floats, orange Crush floats, and Strawberry soda floats. They were $2-5 each.

Do They Have Anything Besides Ice Cream?

They offer chips, coffee, soda, and hot chocolate, and they might have other items available in cooler weather.

What if it Rains?

There’s an indoor space inside the Seattle boat that is set up with chessboards, checkers, and other fun games. Plus, you can still grab a treat and look out the window!

Or, wear a rain jacket and enjoy the views from the top deck!

Where Should I Park?

Parking on Sundays is FREE! You can try your luck at any of the nearby street parking. There were quite a few spots available in the lot West of South Lake Union Park. Just check to see if the pedestrian bridge is down, or you’ll need to walk around the long way.

[irp posts=”7363″ name=”Take a Seattle Argosy Cruise to Kid-Friendly Tillicum Excursion”]

Seattle Ice Cream Cruise Tips for Families

Show up early.

I believe the boat’s seating is limited to 45 people. Since you don’t book your tickets ahead of time, they are first come, first served. Arriving 20 minutes early would be good.

For our cruise in August, they turned a few people away who had to wait for the next cruise.

There are 2 restrooms on board. The bathrooms have an electric foot pedal to flush, and the Captain stated that kids have a hard time with them.

So, you might go potty before you go (there are restrooms at the Cafe nearby.)

They don’t have credit card machines, so you’ll need to pay cash or check for your tickets and any treats you’d like.

Check to make sure you have enough before boarding, especially if you’ve promised your kids ice cream!

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU ORDER

The line for ice cream gets long, and it takes a while to make the orders (especially the floats). Don’t be the person who holds up the line debating what you want to order.

It helps them if you already know what you want so they aren’t standing there waiting. And the people behind you in line will appreciate it!

BRING WET WIPES

Maybe it’s just my kids, but the second they start eating ice cream, it’s all over their hands, faces, hair, clothes, etc.

Bring lots of wet wipes to thoroughly scrub them down after their treats. They have garbage cans on board, so this will be a lot easier than taking them to the restroom.

The stairs to the top deck are steep. We had our kids turn around and go down them like a ladder, which felt a lot safer.

What Else to Do in Seattle’s Lake Union Park

Lake Union Park is in an awesome location for kids to play. There’s a little beach where you can play in the water, and there are lots of grassy areas to run around!

We love watching the seaplanes take off and land. And, of course, watching the boats!

My kids have been obsessed with the little toy boats since they played with them at Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris last year.

We were THRILLED to discover that the Center for Wooden Boats has them available to borrow for a $5 suggested donation at the pond right at South Lake Union Park. Find out more about the pond boat sailing here .

MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) has been at its Lake Union location for a few years now. It focuses on Seattle’s history, from the pioneer days to today!

This is where you’ll find the famous Rainier “R” sign, a Boeing B-1 plane, and more! Kids ages 14 and under are free, and MOHAI is free every first Thursday of the month.

Their next traveling exhibit is about World War I in America (September 1, 2018 – February 10, 2019).. If you are a genealogy nut like me, you can access their on-site research library to discover photos, books, movies, newspaper clippings, etc.

CHECK OUT OTHER BOATS

The Center for Wooden Boats offers free boat rides every Sunday. The rides are based on a first-come, first-served system.

Sign-ups start at 10 a.m. When we arrived at 10:30 a.m., the line wrapped around the building. They can only accommodate 200 people total, so if you’d like to do this, plan to arrive early to get in line. Or at least drop off one person to wait in line to sign up. You can find out more here .

If you go in the summer, bring a change of clothes and play a bit at their splash pad! It’s basically just water shooting up from the concrete, but it’s the perfect way to cool off in the summer heat!

Fun with Kids in Seattle

Riding The Sounder Train to Seattle’s International District for a Play Date Take a Seattle Argosy Cruise to Kid-Friendly Tillicum Excursion Spend the Day at Pier 57 in Seattle with Kids 6 Reasons Your Kid Should Ride Seattle’s Monorail 6 Tips for Enjoying the Pacific Science Center with Toddlers

41 thoughts on “What to Expect on a Seattle Ice Cream Cruise for Kids”

This cruise sounds like fun! I like that they have some snacks onboard while you see the sights. This a great attraction to take children!

It’s definitely family-friendly and just the right length!

This sounds SO FUN! My kids would absolutely love it. Thanks especially for the heads up that they only accept cash – that would be so disappointing to go and not be able to get ice cream.

I know, right? I triple checked that we had enough 🙂

Oh my gosh this sounds magical! Have to check it out on my next rip!

Yes, add to your list!

Love this! Always wanted to visit Seattle!

Seattle is such a fun travel spot! I hope you make it out here!

This brings back memories. We did the same thing when our kids were about your kids’ age. Even playing at the spray park!

Haha! It was a really fun play date! Hoping to do it next year, too!

This looks like so much fun, and definitely a unique experience!

Yes, we’ve been trying to do it for 2 years but finally got it on the calendar!

Aww this looks like such a fun family outing!!!! I have a sister who lives in Seattle so we willl definitely do this with our kids on our next trip!

Oh that will be so fun!

I’ve been on sunset dinner cruises, and happy hour cruises, but an ice cream cruise is genius! I would totally do this!

Isn’t that the perfect combination?

Nice! Looks like so much fun for the kids.

They all had so much fun!

this looks so fun! Can i do it without kids 🙂

Oh for sure! We saw lots of people without kids!

Wow, I never knew such a thing exists!!!! I love ice cream, so does my little guy so I can’t wait to go to Seattle and try out this little gem 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!!

It’s almost a secret cruise!

I am actually from the Seattle area and I have never heard of this! Looks like so much fun!

It’s funny that it doesn’t get a lot of publicity because it’s pretty awesome!

This sounds like so much fun! A perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Yes, it’s hard to beat ice cream on a boat on a sunny Seattle day!

What a great idea, you had me at ice cream! I’d love something like that here in Los Angeles.

Oh wouldn’t that be such a fun treat?

I never knew this existed! What a cute idea

It’s not advertised much!

This sounds like a lot of fun and such a nice place to spend your weekends with your kids and I am sure they will like it.

They really liked seeing the floating homes!

Thanks for all of the info. I’ve actually had this on my radar for a couple of years but, honestly, didn’t even know where it was. Ha, ha. Good thing you mentioned it was cash only because would have shown up thinking they would take a card.

Yes! I’m glad they had balloons or we might have missed it!

I actually just heard about that but haven’t done it yet! I need to add it to my list.

It’s really cute and so affordable!

Seattle is such a beautiful spot! I day dream of moving tot he area.

We LOVE it here!

This is SO fun! My kids would like this and I don’t think it would make me seasick. Plus…ice cream!! 😀 I’m adding this to my PNW road trip list!

Yes, the boat doesn’t really rock or anything! I get motion sick, but didn’t feel a thing!

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Seattle Ice Cream Cruise on Lake Union

by Tim Lewis | 0 comments

Are you looking for something fun to do on Sunday? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have the perfect suggestion for you — hop aboard the Seattle ice cream cruise on Lake Union!

The Seattle ice cream cruise (operated by the Seattle Ferry Service) happens every Sunday March through October, and on Saturday during the summer (June 17-August 26). The cruise launches from South Lake Union Park (near the northeast corner of the Museum of History and Industry). Departures take place between 11am-3pm on the hour. There are no reservations, so show up early to make sure you’re not left behind. Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for kids 3-12, and $5 for children 2 and under.

NOTE: The price of admission on the Seattle ice cream cruise does NOT include ice cream. That means you have to pay $2-$4 for one of the treats on board (if you want them). We had ice cream sandwiches on our cruise but the captain was really pushing their “famous” chocolate root beer floats. I guess we’ll have to try those next time. The cruise also offers tomato soup,  hot chocolate, and coffee in the non-summer months.

The 45-minute Seattle ice cream cruise is a fun, fully narrated tour around Lake Union. Among other sights, you will see where William Boeing built his first airplane, Dale Chihuly ‘s Lake Union studio, Gas Works Park , and many of the houseboats on Lake Union, including the houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle .

INSIDER TIP: Since the ferry travels around Lake Union in a counter-clockwise direction, you’ll want to sit on right (starboard) side of the boat for the best views. The only time you’ll want to be on the left side is when you make the short trek down the Montlake Cut (Ivar’s Salmon House and Dale Chihuly’s studio are on the left).

Like I mentioned, cruise is narrated (with some funky music mixed in). The captain does a great job of keeping the tour humorous (often yelling “We have ice cream!” at passing boats), but he’s also very informative. There’s so much history on Lake Union that Tove and I didn’t know about (and we’ve lived in this area for much of our lives). It was really fun to get an even better understanding of our area.

If you can’t make the Seattle ice cream cruise on Sunday, the Seattle Ferry Service also offers an hour-long Friday brown bag lunch and Saturday lake cruise during the summer (beginning the first Friday of June and running through the first weekend in September). Tickets are a little more expensive for adults on those cruises ($15 instead of $11), but kids ride for the same price as the Sunday tour.

I’m a firm believer that there’s nothing better than being on the water. Add ice cream, sights and history to the mix, and you have a winning recipe for an awesome Sunday. We recommend the Seattle ice cream cruise to tourists and locals alike. It’s a fun adventure that will send you on your way quickly, so you can run along to the next fun thing in Seattle.

Have you ever been on the Seattle ice cream cruise? What did you think of the tour? We would love to hear from you! Please leave your comments below or connect with us on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more fun things to do and see around the Puget Sound!

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Lake Union Ice Cream Cruise

Climb aboard the Fremont Avenue at Lake Union Park for the Ice Cream Cruise. Every hour on the hour we set out on a 45-minute trip around Seattle’s Lake Union, for a narrated tour of this unique and vibrant waterway. Eat ice cream, enjoy the views and learn about:

• The birthplace of the Boeing Company
• Turning an old powerplant into a biotech research center
• A shipyard that has been working for over 100 years
• The busiest drawbridge in the world
• Turning an old gas plant into one of Seattle’s favorite parks
• The unique lifestyle in Seattle’s floating home communities

Informal, fun, family friendly and dog friendly. Ice cream is optional, but highly encouraged! Departing on the hour from Lake Union Park, next to the Museum of History and Industry.  Click here for directions .

Sunday–Year Round

Boarding on Sundays is on a first-come-first-aboard basis, with no reservations or advance tickets. Please form a line behind our sign. Tickets are purchased on board and you can pre-pay for concession items. We accept cash, cards and, of course, gift cards and certificates.

Summer schedule through September 3: sailings at 11:00 a.m., noon, 1:00 p.m., 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00.

We are limited to 42 passengers by our Coast Guard certificate

Saturday–Summer only

The Saturday Ice Cream Cruise starts June 17, 2023 and runs through August 26

Saturday sailings at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00.

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• https://www.seattlewatertours.com/ice-cream-cruises/

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Seattle Water Tours

Ice Cream Cruise

A 45 minute narrated tour of Lake Union, with sweet treats, great views and the lake at the heart of Seattle. Every Sunday from mid-March through October, and Saturdays in summer. Click for schedule.

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Bring up to 42 passengers for a truly memorable occasion. Parties, weddings, team off-sites, memorials, birthdays, anniversaries. Click to start making your plans.

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Be dazzled by SeaFair and fireworks shows from the water. Arrive in style for Husky games at Montlake. Reserve your ride early.

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Never too cold for a Sunday Ice Cream Cruise on Lake Union

Sunday ice-cream cruises on Lake Union are popular with families — even in winter. Captain Larry Kezner makes them fun with stories about Seattle and his own life history.

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The captain with the chocolate-root-beer-float sales pitch and a 50-foot vessel is eternally optimistic. How else to explain a man with a Phil Donahue-white mane standing on deck, pitching a Sunday Ice Cream Cruise on a 48-degree day? And drizzling no less.

Yet moments later, there Larry Kezner stood, behind the wheel, after convincing an extended family of five and a grandmother-daughter pair to take his offbeat 45-minute tour of Seattle via Lake Union.

On passing Dale Chihuly’s studio, where a bathtub sits visible through a second-story window: “One day, Dale Chihuly will step out of that bathtub with nothing but his eyepatch. It will be quite a sight,” he tells passengers.

On passing the floating home filmed in “Sleepless in Seattle:” “One July day, they were filming, and they took down hanging baskets and potted plants and put up Christmas decorations … A little boy (a few houses down) woke up and thought he slept through summer.”

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Let’s not give away his whole spiel, though. He’s got to save some yarns and punch lines to get folks to pay his $11 fare.

The 63-year-old Seattle native grew up by the water, but spent 18 years behind a desk as a service manager for an electronics company. About 10 years ago, Kezner figured life was too short. He needed to be by his love, the water.

That’s how Kezner ended up buying a refurbished 30-ton passenger ship, trucked in pieces from Cleveland in 1999.

He started recalling his own childhood stories and brushed up on the city’s history, with an eye for the “backroom dealings and funny stuff” to share with passengers.

Every Sunday, his boat takes off from a spot near South Lake Union Park; the captain points out iconic sites as he heads north toward Ivar’s Salmon House and passes Gas Works Park and the Aurora Bridge on the way back. Kezner weaves together pop-culture references, history and his life story.

OK. One more tour story.

“In ’62, I was a Sea Scout, a Boy Scout with a boat,” he tells folks over the intercom as he passes the floating homes on a charcoal-sky afternoon. “One floating home was just $600.”

Oh, how he wished he had purchased that house because “since then, they’ve added three more zeros to the (price of that) houseboat, two more zeros to what I’ve been making. I’m always a zero behind.”

Kezner estimates he has taken 34,000 passengers and sold 4,000 chocolate root-beer floats. He also serves hot chocolate and tomato soup with French bread. But darn if the passengers don’t still go for the ice-cream float, even on an I-can-see-my-breath winter day.

“The chocolate brings out the tartness in the root beer,” he said, explaining why they may be popular.

Many cruise tours will take this holiday weekend off, but not the ever-optimistic Kezner. Family holidays just mean more potential passengers, he said.

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or [email protected]

Ice Cream Cruise

Sat 12 feb 2022 - sat 30 apr 2022.

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Ice Cream Cruise on Lake Union (Temporarily Closed)

Seattle, Washington

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Added by Natalie F

Affordable time on the water!

My family and I were in Seattle for a wedding and I believe my mom across this gem being advertised . We had a great time and it was an affordable way to get onto the water and something everyone of all ages could do. I love checking out houseboats, being on the water, and ice cream, so it was a win win for me!  The Captain did a fun tour of Lake Union and an interesting history of his boat.  The views were great and we all had a blast.  

If I remember correctly it was a small operation, there were only 2 crew members - one person driving and one selling ice cream. It’s about a 45 minute cruise. It only takes place on Sundays. 

From their website : "Directions to Sundae Ice Cream Cruise From the Mercer Exit on Interstate 5, bear right. At the first light turn left. Turn right at Terry Street. Watch for signs and balloons. The m/v Fremont Avenue will be moored just to the MOHAI Museum of History and Industry in S. Lake Union Park."

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The Scoop on the Sweetest Cruise in Seattle

“I scream, you scream!” The ice cream season may have hit Seattle a bit early this year, but since July is National Ice Cream Month, it deserves a little extra celebration. We couldn’t think of a better way to cheer for ice cream than by booking passage on the Seattle Ferry Sunday Ice Cream Cruise. It’s a little bit sightseeing, a little bit maritime history and a whole lot of souped-up floats and ice cream goodies to help you stay cool on a hot day. Read on for the scoop.

photo: Allison Sutcliffe

Ship Shape Captain Larry Kezner has been navigating the waters of Lake Union on the Sunday Ice Cream Cruise for over 15 years. During this time, slurping chocolate root beer floats aboard the M/V Freemont Avenue has gained a kind of kitsch status reserved for funky only-in-Seattle activities, like visiting bridge trolls and leaving gooey somethings behind on the gum wall. So whether you’re looking for a new family adventure, have some guests in from out of town or just want an excuse to eat ice cream (on the water!), this is definitely the place to do it.

Bon Voyage! The Sunday Ice Cream Cruise boards right outside of MOHAI on Lake Union. You can’t miss the colorful balloons that mark the dock entrance. And on weekends families can expect to find plenty of free parking spots in the lot west of the lake. Be sure to get there on the earlier side to snag one, and plan a few extra minutes of walking time as the footbridge that connects the two is currently closed.

During the 45-minute cruise around the lake, Captain Larry treats passengers to enticing little tidbits about some iconic Seattle sights, like Gas Works park, Dale Chihuly’s studio and of course, the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat. Whether you’ve seen them before or are checking out these well-known hot spots for the first time, enjoying them atop this passenger ferry, root beer float in hand, is all part of the fun. As is the ice cream served inside. The ship’s interior is reminiscent of an old soda shop, with colorful half-moon tables and painted chairs lining the walls, and what looks like antique stained glass letting in light from above. Chess and checkers pieces are set up on painted boards all set to play, so you and your sidekick can have a wicked match while cruising around Lake Union.

Sweet Treats As for cool treats, they serve up plenty once the ship leaves the dock. The chocolate root beer float is what they’re known for, but you can get a traditional one too, as well as an orange dreamsicle or strawberry cream just like grandma used to make. There are plenty of ice cream truck faves for the Littles to choose from (think drumsticks and ice cream sammies), in case fizzy soda tickles too much. And the prices won’t break the bank. Plan to spend between $2-$4 for each treat.

Stay and Play We love any activity that maximizes playtime and this cruise is poised to do that. There’s tons to see and do before or after your trip, so you can make a day of it. A visit to MOHAI  is a no-brainer (and not just because of the A/C). They’ve got some mighty cool exhibits for the kidlets to explore while you chill out. Or check out the boats on loan from the Center for Wooden Boats. Each weekend between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. they bring out about ten beautifully crafted wooden boats for passers-by to test out on the South Lake Union Boat Pond  ($5 suggested donation). Race ‘em, time ‘em, let them float leisurely along. Any way your littlest mate plays will be time well spent on the water. The spray park at Lake Union Park  is another splashtastic way to spend a sunny day here. Pack a swimsuit and some sunscreen in the diaper bag for this added maritime adventure.

photo: Allison Sutcliffe  

Good to Know: 1. The cruise is walk-on only, which makes it an easy spur-of-the-moment Sunday family adventure.

2. It’s cash or check only for both passage and frozen goodies, so bring some green on this trip.

3. If you can’t make the Sunday cruise, Captain Larry sets sail on Fridays and Saturdays too, for a 60-minute Lake Union and Portage Bay cruise that’s a little different from the Sunday sundae cruise.

4. BYO food gets a green light from Captain Larry. Pack a lunch or a light snack to level out the blood sugars after all that yummy ice cream.

Seattle Ferry Service (just west of MOHAI on Lake Union) 860 Terry Ave. N. Seattle, Wa 98109 Online: seattleferryservice.com

When: Sundays, departing on the hour from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Cost: $11/Adults; $10/Seniors; $7/Kids (5-13); 5 & under $2

Do you plan to take a Sunday Ice Cream Cruise this summer? Already been? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below.

— Allison Sutcliffe

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Top Boat Tours from Seattle

Published : September 12, 2023

AAA Travel Editor, CW

Seattle tourists of any age can enjoy an immersive boat ride experience, capturing views of many popular attractions and landmarks. The city’s location, surrounded by Puget Sound, Lake Washington and Lake Union, offers endless opportunities for exciting boat tours to add to your vacation itinerary. Whether you're into a relaxed sunset cruise or a thrilling whale-watching experience, you'll have many options to choose from with these Seattle boat tours.

Each of these tours provides a unique experience, which means you’ll never run out of new ways to explore the Emerald City every time you visit. Check out these top Seattle boat tours you won't want to miss on your visit.

Argosy Cruises

Known as one of Seattle’s most popular boat tour companies, Argosy Cruises has offered premier sightseeing cruises for over 70 years. Visitors have two options for boat tours here, the Harbor Cruise and the Locks Cruise. Both include informative narrations that cover Seattle’s history and landmarks.

Harbor Cruise

One option by Argosy Cruises, the Harbor Cruise, features a one-hour experience from the skyline to the shipping port. During your experience, you’ll be able to check out sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Guests can also grab a refreshing drink at the full-service bar on-board.

The Locks Cruise (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks)

Argosy Cruises also offers the Locks Cruise, a longer two-hour boat tour experience. The Locks cruise takes you through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks attraction, featuring up-close views of seaplanes and floating home communities. The Locks Cruise also features an exciting opportunity to witness salmon migration and spot wildlife along the cruise. After completing this one-way experience, hop aboard the Locks Cruise Return bus to return to your starting location.

Seattle Ferry Tour

Another popular option for top Seattle boat tours is the Seattle Ferry Tour, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline and surrounding islands. A Seattle Ferry Tour can be booked for year-round private charters, or you can explore weekend Ice Cream Cruises. During an Ice Cream Cruise, enjoy a 45-minute trip around Seattle’s Lake Union while snacking on a delicious treat. This option is a great way to incorporate a quick boat tour in Seattle into your trip itinerary.

Lake Union Cruise

Looking for something different for your Seattle experience? Try a private sunset Lake Union Cruise! You'll pass by drawbridges and seaplanes and enjoy stunning lake views. The Lake Union Cruise can be done as a three-hour sunset tour but is also available as a one-hour sightseeing cocktail cruise. This unique experience offers a guided tour that points out prominent landmarks and local history, such as the Space Needle and Husky Stadium.

The Lake Union Cruise is also amongst the top Seattle boat tours thanks to its casual and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors aboard the cruise can enjoy one free drink included in the ticket price. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views of Lake Union on this exciting tour.

Island Adventures Whale Watching

Whale Watching is another top activity to explore during your visit to Seattle. With the Island Adventures Whale Watching experience, you'll embark on a memorable and thrilling whale-watching expedition. This boat tour is strategically placed to offer guests the best opportunities to view the whales. Throughout the tour, you'll benefit from expert naturalists sharing insights about marine life, providing plenty of chances to learn fun facts.

This whale-watching experience takes place aboard an elevated wheelhouse with an upper deck, providing better chances to see orcas, humpback whales and other exciting marine life.

Seattle Electric Boat Company

Offering three styles of electric boats available for rentals, the Seattle Electric Boat Company provides a new way to experience Seattle's views. You and your travel group can rent out electric-powered boats (seating between six and twelve passengers) to create your own customizable tours.

With no boating license required, anyone can operate these boats for a self-guided exploration of Lake Union's scenic beauty. This opportunity is perfect for special occasions or intimate gatherings! Plus, the Seattle Electric Boat Company offers year-round excursions, as boats are heated and completely enclosed.

Salish Sea Tours

Experience an eco-friendly tour of Elliott Bay, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation. The one-hour Salish Sea Tour takes place along a catamaran, equipped with two-full service bars for your enjoyment. Along your ride, watch for seals, sea lions, bald eagles and many other species that live in the surrounding environment. Light snacks and refreshments are also available for purchase during your ride. Tour tickets can be purchased online up to two months before your visit date.

Alki Kayak Tours

If you want to experience Seattle with a more hands-on approach, try Alki Kayak Tours. These scenic and informative guided kayak tours explore Seattle's waterfront, offering several different options to choose from. During the Elliott Bay Sea Kayak Tour, visitors will paddle along Alki Beach and Duwamish River, exploring this historic region. This tour is perfect for families and is about two hours in duration. Throughout this kayak experience, check out the close-up views of marine life and natural habitats in the area.

From electric-powered boat tours to guided Kayak tours, there are plenty of adventures that await you on Seattle’s top-rated boat tours. From leisurely sightseeing experiences to opportunities to get up close to natural wildlife, these memorable experiences will surely create a memorable Seattle trip.

During your next visit to Seattle, dive into exciting aquatic adventures, where the rich history and stunning landscapes of the city unfold on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. What are you waiting for? Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Seattle today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.

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Tour Seattle by Boat – Cruise Lake Union

Tour seattle by boat.

Looking for fun activities to do in Seattle year-round, regardless of the weather? The Electric Boat Company launched a Seattle boat tour on Lake Union. Experience over 200 years of Seattle history at your own pace with our GPS-guided audio tour . We give you a tablet with our proprietary guide loaded up that will automatically play at tagged locations as you drive around Lake Union.

Your tour begins as you leave our docks with a brief history of Seattle and the events that made Lake Union what it is today. After that foundation is built, the tour takes you through the specifics that brought the area from a small logging and fishing community to a mecca for technology and innovation. You will learn about everything from the rum runners in the prohibition area that operated on the lake to Gasworks Park which the Seattle Times calls the strangest park in Seattle and potentially one of the strangest in the world. There is no shortage of stories to tell about this unique lake and the two-hour tour will take you through the highlights as you enjoy your electric boat cruise.

Just a few of the sites you’ll see on our Lake Union boat tour:

• Gas Works Park
• Floating Homes & Houseboats (including the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat)
• Fishermen’s Terminal
• Seattle Yacht Club
• Space Needle

Rain or shine you can take in the breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline in our Standard or Luxury boats. There is no need to worry about the weather because these boats can be open or completely enclosed and heated! The Standard holds up to ten passengers and the Luxury holds up to twelve passengers.

Our Donut boats are open air and perfect for cruising around Lake Union on those beautiful Seattle days! The Donut boats hold up to six passengers.

Ready to tour Seattle by boat with The Electric Boat Company? Head to our booking page, choose a standard or luxury boat, and add on a tour for just $29 per boat!

Previous Post The Electric Boat Company Opened an Ice Cream Shop

Make a reservation now to experience Seattle from an electric boat on Lake Union.

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Social media users get dramatic after Carnival cruise ship hits ice in Alaska: 'Titanic moment'

No damage was found after the carnival spirit hit ice.

Carnival cruise ship strikes ice in Alaska, passenger video shows

The Carnival Spirit struck ice Sept. 5, 2024, in Alaska, the cruise line confirmed to FOX Business. A passenger caught this video from her balcony. (Courtesy: Cassandra Goskie)

A Carnival Cruise Line ship struck "an errant piece of drifting ice last Thursday while sailing in Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska," the company confirmed to FOX Business on Monday.

The hull of the Carnival Spirit underwent an assessment and no damage was found, the company said. The ship continued on its current seven-day cruise that arrives back in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday. 

Carnival said "the vessel continued on its cruise and there has been no impact to operations." Despite this, social media reactions took a turn for the dramatic.

"If we die, it was damn-well worth it," passenger Cassandra Goskie said in a video she posted in a private Carnival VIFP Club Members Facebook group and shared with FOX Business. "It's a Titanic moment."

CARNIVAL CRUISES FEATURE SPACEX STARLINK INTERNET ON ENTIRE FLEET

Carnival Spirit sails in an undisclosed location in this photo from the cruise line. (Carnival Cruise Line / Fox News)

"Oh, we are hitting it," she said, as other passengers could be seen looking over the side of the ship. "Damn."

The video's caption reads, "Carnival did an AMAZING job of keeping all the passengers and staff safe and updated."

One X user shared photos with their local meteorologist that showed the iceberg and a boat, which appeared to be assessing the ship for damage.

Carnival said in a statement to FOX Business that the ship did not experience delays, and that the Spirit "arrived in Skagway on Friday as scheduled."

The Carnival Spirit was built in 2001. It can take just over 2,600 guests on voyages with 920 team members onboard, according to a ship fact sheet.

While its home port is currently Seattle, the ship has upcoming cruises from Mobile, Alabama.

CRUISES CANCELED FOLLOWING CARNIVAL FREEDOM FIRE DURING BUSY SPRING BREAK SEASON

Icebergs from the Sawyer Glacier at the entrance to Tracy Arm, a fjord in Southeast Alaska near Juneau, Tongass National Forest, Alaska. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via / Getty Images)

Alaska is considering a new policy to limit the number of visitors to its capital, Juneau, amid concerns about the impact of overtourism, expanding on measures introduced last year. 

Juneau last year limited visitation to just five cruise ships per day, and in June, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian agreed to limit the number of passengers visiting the shore per day as well: 16,000 per day Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays starting in 2026, according to the Alaska Beacon . 

Cruise ship among ice floes in Tracy Arm fjord, Alaska. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via / Getty Images)

Cruise season runs from early April to late October, and the capital continues to prove a highly popular destination with several glaciers nearby , including the Mendenhall Glacier. Residents in recent years have raised concerns about the increased traffic, congested trails and noise pollution from both cruise ships and helicopter tours. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS  

The cruise industry produces around $375 million in direct investment into Juneau, mostly through passenger spending. Tourism dipped during the coronavirus pandemic, but has spiked in the past 18 months as travel resumed normal levels, with a record 1.6 million cruise passengers visiting Juneau in 2023. 

FOX Business' Peter Aitken contributed to this report.