seattle boat tours

THE 10 BEST Seattle Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in seattle.

Fishing Charters & Tours
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Scuba & Snorkeling
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Speed Boats Tours
Swim with Dolphins
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Up to 1 hour
1 to 4 hours
4 hours to 1 day
5.0 of 5 bubbles
4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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Space Needle
Washington State Ferries
Candere Cruising
Likely to Sell Out
The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Seattle Harbor Cruise

2. Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour

3. Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle

4. Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour, Seattle Pier 69

5. Olympic National Park Day Tour from Seattle

6. Seattle Locks Cruise

7. One Hour Sightseeing Cruise!

8. 2-Hour Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour

9. Private Sailing Adventure on the Puget Sound

10. Sunday Brunch Cruise with Buffet in Washington

11. 1-Hour Family Treasure Cruise in Seattle

12. Seattle's Favorite Sightseeing Cruise

13. 2 Hour Sound Tour

14. Sail Bainbridge Island & Seattle Waters - Luxury Classic Sailboat

15. One-Hour Private Seattle Sightseeing Cruise

16. Skagit Valley Birding + Deception Pass Day Tour From Seattle

17. Adult Pirate Party Cruise

18. Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour: Seattle Peir 69

19. 3 Days in Olympic National Park from Seattle: Silent Forest - Hoh Rainforest

20. Bainbridge Island Wine and History - Private Luxury Day Tour with Lunch

21. View of Tulips, La Conner, Deception Pass Bridge & Whidbey Island

22. Full-Day Small-Group Bainbridge Island Wine and History Tour

What travelers are saying.

Seattle Harbor Cruise
Seattle Locks Cruise - One-Way Tour
2-Hour Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour
Half-Day Seattle Wildlife & Whale Watching Tour
Seattle Wildlife & Gray Whale Watching Tour
Seattle's Tall Ship
Sailing Seattle
Agua Verde Paddle Club
Best Seattle Fishing
Sangria Maria Charters
Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront
FRS Clipper
Hot Tub Boats
Argosy Cruises - Lake Union
Emerald City Pirates
Seattle Ferry Service Day Tours
All Rivers & Saltwater Charters
Waterways Cruises
All Star Fishing Charters
Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard
Upbeat Sailing
Spot Tail Guides
Windworks Sailing & Powerboating

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Parking & Directions
(888) 623-1445
Harbor Cruise
Sightseeing Cruises

Seattle’s Original Harbor Cruise™

A Harbor Cruise is a unique and fun way to enjoy Seattle from the water! During this 1-hour narrated cruise, you’ll see all of the beauty and history of the Emerald City. From the skyline to the shipping port, there’s views and history everyone will enjoy.

Your experience includes:

Live narration with facts and history of Seattle’s past and present
Panoramic and up-close views of the Seattle skyline and shipping port
Sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound
Full-service bar on board with cocktails, local wine and beer, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks available for purchase

Groups of 20 or more: Purchase group tickets (Minimum 20) on the Harbor Cruise and save

Trip Protection/Refund Policy: Receive a full refund on the value of your cruise until 48 hours before departure when you add on Trip Protection. Learn more

CityPASS® reservations: First, purchase CityPASS® online for immediate mobile ticket delivery. Next, redeem CityPASS® online to reserve your visit date & time and receive your Harbor Cruise boarding pass. LEARN MORE about saving 48% off a Harbor Cruise plus 4 more top Seattle attractions with Seattle CityPASS® .

Washington state residents: Save up to $4 on your next visit! Reservations can be made online or in person. A valid, state issued ID must be shown during boarding.

Seattle skyline
Container ships
Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier **
Seasonal wildlife **Weather permitting.
Full-service bar – Sip on local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages like a margarita in the summer and hot cocoas in the winter. No outside food or beverage allowed onboard.
Variety of local snacks – Purchase from a menu of delicious pre-packaged sandwiches, salads and snacks
Indoor seating/Outdoor space – Whether you enjoy the breeze through your hair or like to stay cozy, you have the choice of indoor seating or the spacious outdoors
Restrooms – All of our vessels are equipped with gender specific, gender neutral or single stall restrooms
ADA accessibility – Our crew is trained to help guests with wheelchairs, strollers, scooters, etc. to navigate our docks, vessels and facilities. For specific ADA questions, please call our office at 206.623.1445

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Your Harbor Cruise departs from Pier 55 on the Seattle Waterfront – 1101 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101 .

Parking Info

Map Legend: Blue = Cruise Route

Additional Details Cruise route is approximate and can change based on each sailing’s weather patterns, vessel traffic, and other non-predictable factors, and based on our experienced captains’ discretion. Boarding begins about 20 minutes prior to departure and onboard seating is first-come, first-served.

Purchase First to Board for first access to board, visit the bar, and find a seat. Vessel available on the day of your sailing may vary.

No outside food or drink allowed onboard.

Before you depart:

1 Book your reservations

2 E-pass or print at home

3 Board your vessel

Seattle’s 10 Best Boat Tours for Unmatched Views and Unforgettable Adventures

One of the most unique things about Seattle is its abundance of waterways. Besides its direct connection to the Pacific Ocean, Seattle is surrounded by a bounty of lakes, bays, and islands to explore via ferry, cruise, or boat tour .

With so much to explore, it can be hard to narrow down the best places and ways to see the beauty Seattle has to offer. Below is a list of 10 of the best boat tours and cruises that simultaneously allow guests to take in the views of Seattle’s waters while having a unique and fun time with family and friends.

The 10 Best Boat Tours from Seattle

Here are 10 of our favorite boat tours from Seattle:

Argosy Cruises : The biggest fleet in the Pacific Northwest
Boat Tours Seattle : Unique boats available for rental
Sailing Seattle : 70-foot sailboat rides with a view of downtown
Seattle’s Tall Ship : Going even bigger! An 85-foot boat that gives tours of Elliott Bay
Soundview Sunset Cruises : Morning, mid-day, and afternoon cruises of Union Bay and beyond. Soundview has tons of options for seeing Seattle from the water.
Emerald City Pirates : Pirate-themed cruises!
Waterways Cruises And Events: Dinner and drink pairing cruises and more
Seattle Water Tours : Seasonal ice cream cruises
Steamer Virginia V Cruises : Cruise aboard a historic landmark
Lake Union Charters & Adventures: Ride a 1926 schooner

1. Argosy Cruises

One of the longest-running boat cruises available in the Seattle area, Argosy Cruises offers cruise tours that explore the beauty and history of the city of Seattle, complete with a full-service bar. Argosy Cruises also boasts the largest fleet in the Pacific Northwest , which in combination with their 70 years of service makes them one of the most trustworthy cruise companies in the state.

Argosy Cruises offers a 1-hour Harbor Cruise and 2-hour Locks Cruise option for passengers to choose from. Their boats can also be reserved for corporate events as well as weddings. Additionally, they also have happy hour cruises that combine the stellar views with tasty drinks and special sales for holidays like the 4th of July.

2. Boat Tours Seattle

With a unique fleet where every boat is different, Boat Tours of Seattle i s spearheaded by a group of United States Coast Guard Captains who are dedicated to using their skills to provide some of the safest and most enjoyable experiences on the water. From 2 hour tours to overnight adventures, Boat Tours Seattle is one of the most unique boat tours available in Seattle.

Each boat has its own special features and pricing. From smaller motor boats to full-blown sail boats, passengers can pick and choose their type of tour and the setting. Boat Tours Seattle has multiple tour packages as well, including rent-by-the-hour tours, special event tours, and overnight adventures. Check out the picture above, which shows their Metlite Boat. As you can tell, it’s a pretty unique experience!

3. Sailing Seattle

Featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler , Trip Advisor, and more, Sailing Seattle is a sailing-themed boat tour company that allows passengers to enjoy a sailing experience without having to steer or be involved in a guided tour. Hop aboard one of their two 70-foot sailing yachts and enjoy the views without any worries. Each boat is complete with a seating area on the deck, bench seating, and restrooms that guests can utilize while they explore Elliott Bay.

Sailing Seattle is an all-ages experience, including children and infants. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks as well, including alcohol. Passengers can even learn to help sail the boat by simply asking the deckhand or captain, who will then provide instructions. Each route aboard one of their yachts is unique as their routes are determined by wind direction and boat traffic that day.

4. Seattle’s Tall Ship

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seattle’s Tall Ship (@seattlestallship)

Offering 3 public sailing tours every day, Seattle’s Tall Ship runs all of its tours aboard the Bay Lady, an 85-foot tall sailing ship that currently resides in Elliott Bay. The ship is equipped with bathrooms, a drink and snack bar, and outdoor seating for guests. Apart from their daily tours, Seattle’s Tall Ship also has private charter tours and sunset sailing tours.

Run by a skilled captain and crew, guests do not have to worry about steering when aboard the Bay Lady. Guests of all ages are welcome to enjoy one of their daily 2-hour tours or partake in an evening sunset tour complete with delicious drinks. The Bay Lady is available for reservation for private events for up to 6 hours at a time for events like weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, and much more.

5. Soundview Sunset Cruises

Here’s a great choice for boating options! Want to cruise to a University of Washington football game and “sailgate” ( that’s tailgating on a sailboat )? Well, Soundview has sailgate cruises.

They have mansion cruises, morning cruises, mid-day cruises, afternoon cruises, and much more.

Home of the yacht known as Rainbird, Soundview Sunset Cruises showcases the views, landmarks, and history of Lake Union in addition to Portage Bay, Lake Washington, and Seattle Locks. Most famous for their sunset cruise views, they also have morning, mid-day, and afternoon cruises so passengers can enjoy Seattle in all of its beautiful and scenic forms.

In addition to their daily cruises, Soundview Sunset Cruises has holiday cruises, UW sailgate cruises for sporting events, and custom cruises. They even have a boat tour showcasing some of Seattle’s gorgeous mansions. Custom tours can refine their route for specific locations or special occasions. Passengers can also add things to their tour package, such as drinks.

6. Emerald City Pirates

One of the most unique water experiences available in Seattle comes in the form of a fully interactive pirate-themed ship. Known as the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship is the home of themed boat tours of the area, treasure hunts for families, and adult only parties, all complete with pirate flags and costumed crew.

Emerald City Pirates is for all ages, even babies. Dogs under 25 pounds are also allowed on board provided they are well-behaved. All tours come with snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, and cider for sale, as well as a ship store full of hats, swords, eyepatches, and more. Passengers can join tours without reservations, but for events like birthday parties or other private boat charters, it is best to make reservations ahead of time. Party cruises can be booked for either families or adults only.

7. Waterways Cruises And Events

From dinner and drink pairing cruises to private events and holiday tours, Waterways Cruises And Events has a boat tour for every occasion. They regularly offer dinner cruises, weekend brunch cruises, and Sunday dinner buffet cruises. All of these cruises are complete with either a buffet or a plated dinner with roughly 2 hours of time on the water, making it a fabulous way to take in the views while spending time with friends or loved ones.

In addition to their regularly hosted tours, there is no shortage of special cruises throughout the year. Holidays like the 4th of July and Father’s Day come with special pricing, events, and food, from brunches and dinners to party cruises. They also have karaoke night cruises and drag brunches for Pride Month and miscellaneous special tasting events for breweries, chocolate and wine pairings, and spirits sampling.

If you’re looking for something to do during Seafair (held in early August), Waterways Cruises is a top option.

8. Seattle Water Tours

Known for their seasonal summer ice cream cruises, Seattle Water Tours takes passengers to historic sites on Lake Union aboard the Fremont Avenue. Throughout the year they offer special event cruises for holidays, sports events, and more. Guests can book the Fremont Avenue for private charters for birthdays, weddings, corporate events, and more.

Seattle Water Tours’ Sunday Ice Cream Cruise is their most popular cruise, which runs from March through October. They also offer it on Saturdays from June to August. Each ice cream cruise is walk-ons only with no reservations or advance tickets available. Every cruise hosts up to 42 passengers and serves ice cream while showcasing local landmarks and history, such as the Boeing Company, a 100-year-old shipyard, the busiest drawbridge in the world, and more.

9. Steamer Virginia V Cruises

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Steamer Virginia V Foundation (@steamervirginiavfoundation)

As the name implies, the Steamer Virginia V Cruises is a historic boat tour aboard the Steamer Virginia V, which is a nearly 100-year-old steam-powered wooden ship. These tours simultaneously serve as a great way for passengers to explore the local area and to learn more about maritime history. It is also a great way to keep one of the most iconic historical ships of Seattle functioning for generations to experience and enjoy.

Passengers can enjoy public cruises, educational tours, and special events aboard the Steamer Virginia V for 9 months out of the whole year. Guests can rent the ship for private charters, like weddings, parties, fundraisers, corporate events, and more, either as a dockside rental or a leisure cruise. Private charters all come with a 3-hour rent time and come with tables, seating, speakers, microphone, projector, and more. Guests can then bring any cutlery, plates, food, and drink as needed for their celebration through Lake Union, Elliott Bay, or the Ballard Locks.

10. Lake Union Charters & Adventures

Lake Union Charters & Adventures has a number of options. There are Lake Union Cruises, private sailings, sailing battles, and even lessons. One big reason to look into Lake Union Charters? They have a 63-foot schooner named the Lavengro, which can accommodate up to 22 people. It’s beautiful and can be chartered for all kinds of sailings ranging from nights out to family events and sunset sails.

Hi, I'm Ashleigh! Welcome to Seattle Travel, my little piece of beautiful PNW. This is home and I'm here to share all my experiences so visitors and locals alike can find the best experiences this part of the country has to offer. I started Seattle Travel in 2012 as a way to journal my experiences and over the years have been encouraged by family and friends to open up my adventures to everyone. I actively seek out the best food, activities, and day trips and give you a local perspective. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and my goal is to let you explore it to the fullest.

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CANDERÉ CRUISING

Seattle's favorite sightseeing cruises and sailing adventures.

Cruising Lake Union and Lake Washington, and Sailing the Puget Sound are the most unique things to do in Seattle. After 10 years, our reputation speaks for itself. Join us for Seattle's best boat tours and create memories to last a lifetime. We are a small family business and we staff based on reservations. Please book as far in advance as you are able!

Choose from Our Top Rated Experiences on Seattle's Waterways

Key Hole Private and social options
Hour Glass 1 hour
User All ages

One Hour Sightseeing Cruise

Experience the best of Seattle’s urban and natural beauty with a Lake Union sightseeing cruise. This delightful excursion offers a perfect blend of exploration, relaxation, and delightful commentary while taking in the iconic sights of the city. We staff based on reservations. Please book in advance!

Most Popular
Key Hole Private
Hour Glass 2 hours

Two Hour Sightseeing Cruise

Experience the best of Seattle’s urban and natural beauty with a Lake Union sightseeing and cruise. This delightful excursion offers a perfect blend of exploration, relaxation, and delightful commentary while taking in the iconic sights of the city. We staff based on reservations. Please book in advance!

Hour Glass 3 hours

Day Sail on the Puget Sound

Experience the natural beauty and maritime magic of the Puget Sound with a 3-hour sailing tour that will take you on a memorable journey through the heart of this stunning waterway. Great for locals and travelers alike!

We staff based on reservations. Please book in advance.

Sunset Sail on the Puget Sound

For an enchanting and intimate adventure, embark on a private 3-hour sunset sailing tour in the Puget Sound. This experience is tailored for a group of up to six passengers, providing the perfect setting to witness the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest as the sun dips below the horizon.

Hour Glass 5 Hours

Blake Island Adventure!

Enjoy your own private cruise across the Puget Sound to Blake Island, a beautiful state park that will make you feel miles and miles away! We staff based on reservations. Please book as far in advance as you are able!

Check out our Takacat Catamaran & Paddleboard Rentals

Hour Glass 1 - 3 hours

Takacat Rental

Explore all the scenery Lake Union has to offer at your own pace in style. Take our Takacat Inflatable Catamarans for a spin and enjoy a leisurely cruise around Lake Union! We staff based on reservations. Please book as far in advance as you are able!

Paddleboard Rental

Embark on a self-guided tour around Lake Union with our Paddleboard rentals. Get your swim suit and sunscreen ready to get on the waters and take your paddleboard for a ride! We staff based on reservations. Please book as far in advance as you are able!

Canderé Cruising

Explore Seattle’s waterways in luxury and style with Canderé Cruising’s intimate experiences for up to six guests. Offering social and private sightseeing cruises and sailing adventures via motor or sailboat, Canderé Cruising will introduce you to Seattle in ways you didn’t think possible. What we offer is among the best things to do in Seattle, even on a rainy day! All boats can be enclosed to keep you dry and comfortable.

Get up close and personal with Seattle’s floating home and houseboat community, beautiful classic cruisers, modern mega yachts, and breathe taking views of Mt. Rainier, and the Seattle Skyline!

Read what our customers say about us

We had a delightful time with Captain Curt. He was friendly and answered all questions. We didn't feel rushed or hurried at all. We had a great afternoon and family outing. I highly recommend this excursion.

Captain Russ is spectacular. He is an amazing captain with a great personality. Captain Russ made my family feel at home out on the water. Thank you for creating a fabulous memory for my family.

Loved it, we had a 3 hour daytime private sail with Russ. We were able to sit on the front of the boat and got to relax together. Would recommend for anyone looking for a private experience or a COVID-safe experience.

We took an afternoon sail on the Puget Sound. We hardly sailed because the wind did not cooperate but the experience was still wonderful. Russ was attentive and full of interesting facts about the Puget Sound and the locations we saw along our cruise. I highly recommend this experience. You will not be disappointed. Thanks Russ!

Captain Russ was great. Very mellow afternoon, no set agenda. Boat was very nice, stable. If you are looking for a way to get out of town and enjoy something cozy with your family this is a great option. Thanks

Thoroughly enjoyed our time sailing. Russ was a knowledgeable and friendly captain! Highly recommend this experience while in Seattle.