SEATTLE · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Seattle

27 tours  ·  from $39

Half of this city is only visible from the water. The 15 trips below run from a one-hour harbour loop to a full day under sail, each priced and clear about how long you are actually aboard.

Seattle's Original Guided Harbor Cruise - Boarding at Pier 55
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Seattle Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

Seattle’s Original Guided Harbor Cruise

1.Seattle’s Original Guided Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,077 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $45Our pick

Spend an hour on Argosy Cruises’ narrated harbor tour, passing the Great Wheel, Space Needle, stadiums, shipping terminals, Alki Beach, and mountain ranges. Guides such as Casey, Nate, and Angie have earned praise for lively local facts. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, and watch the weather for the best Mt. Rainier view.

“Excellent narration! A beautiful overview of Seattle and the marine life. It was relaxing and the staff was great!”

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Seattle: Harbor Cruise with Local Guide - Starting at Pier 55 on the Seattle Waterfront
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Seattle Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

Seattle: Harbor Cruise with Local Guide

2.Harbor Cruise with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 599 reviews · 1 hour · from $45

Sail from Pier 55 on a one-hour Argosy harbor cruise with an English-speaking guide. Look for the Space Needle, stadiums, shipping terminals, sea lions, and mountain ranges while enjoying open-deck views. Guides such as Alexis, Amy, Drew, and Astrid have earned praise for lively local storytelling.

“Wish it was longer and the narrator needs to speak up louder”

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Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle - Hoisting the sails gives the trip its character
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle

3.Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59Top rated

Join Seattle’s Tall Ship for a roughly two-hour evening sail from Bell Harbor Marina. Help raise the sails, then cut the engine and watch Seattle, the Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, Cascades, and possibly Mount Rainier glow in the sunset. Drinks are available onboard, and a cannon salute may mark the evening.

“This experience was very fun. The crew were very nice and make personal relationships with the guests. It was really cool to watch them putting up and taking down the sails. Quite an experience!”

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Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour - What the two-hour sail is really like
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Seattle Harbor Cruises, Seattle Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours

Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour

4.Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Set sail from Pier 66 Bell Harbor Marina aboard Seattle’s historic tall ship for about two hours. You’ll see the waterfront, Space Needle, Elliott Bay, Olympic and Cascade ranges, and possibly Mount Rainier. The crew may invite you to help raise the sails, with drinks, snacks, blankets, and restrooms available onboard.

“It was really something different. Wish we could have music or some kind of singing.. it was just a little boring.”

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Seattle Locks Cruise - Pick your direction carefully: Pier 54 or AGC Marina
Cruises & Boat Tours, Seattle Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

Seattle Locks Cruise

5.Seattle Locks Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 381 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $63

Take Argosy Cruises’ two-hour one-way trip between Pier 54 and AGC Marina. You’ll see Lake Union houseboats, the Sleepless in Seattle home, Gas Works Park, Fisherman’s Terminal, and the Ballard Locks. Guides such as Kyle and Harrison add humor and local stories, with indoor and outdoor seats.

“Don’t miss it. Fascinating experience. Sisters and brother in law are from Wisconsin. They felt the Argosy tour through the locks was their highlight of a week long trip in the Seattle area”

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Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise - Searching the Salish Sea for whales
Cruises & Boat Tours, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Wildlife

Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

6.Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 378 reviews · 4 hours · from $148

Cruise Seattle’s Salish Sea from Pier 69 for 3 to 5 hours with an English-speaking naturalist. Watch for orcas, humpback, gray, and minke whales, plus seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Food, drinks, binoculars, and window-seat upgrades are available for purchase.

“I enjoyed the wildlife and whale watching cruise and thought the guides were informative. We were able to see a sea lion, many bird species, and two whale species. The food was good and not too pricey. overall, a good experience from start to finish.”

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2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges - Under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Seattle Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges

7.2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · from $55

Cruise from Gig Harbor aboard an ex-Navy boat with a Coast Guard-certified captain, often including Captain Ethan. In two hours, you will see Mt. Rainier, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Point Defiance, Salmon Beach, seals, eagles, and other Puget Sound wildlife.

“Great experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and very personable. Saw lots of wildlife to include bald eagles and harbor seals.”

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Seattle: Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise - The first part of the cruise: harbor views and working sails
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Seattle Harbor Cruises, Seattle Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews

Seattle: Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

8.Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 223 reviews · 2 hours · from $79

Board the schooner Bay Lady at Pier 66 for a two-hour sunset sail across Seattle Harbor. You can relax on deck, buy beer, wine, cider, or snacks, and possibly help raise the sails or steer. Expect city views, Olympic Mountain sunsets, and Mount Rainier on clear days.

“The whole experience was excellent. The crew were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The sailing was smooth with a sighting of porpoises and amazing views of the skyline. Would absolutely recommend this.”

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Seattle Sunset Sail BYOB - Seattle Waterfront: the city from its front porch
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Seattle Brewery and Cocktail Tours, Tour Reviews

Seattle Sunset Sail BYOB

9.Seattle Sunset Sail BYOB

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 187 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $71

Sail Seattle’s harbor aboard a 70-foot yacht for about two hours, with views of the waterfront, Space Needle, Great Wheel, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier. Bring your own beer, wine, soft drinks, and picnic. Captains and crew, including Phil, Matt, Anna, and Bree, keep the mood friendly and relaxed.

“Loved it - Absolutely beautiful evening and friendly staff! Side note: Glad I listened to the reviews mentioning how COLD it is out there. I wore leggings, sweatshirt, and rain jacket (only other jacket I packed), and was still very cold. Layer up!!”

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Seattle Sailing Experience BYOB - What the 70-Foot Yacht Feels Like Under Sail
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Seattle Brewery and Cocktail Tours, Seattle Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews

Seattle Sailing Experience BYOB

10.Seattle Sailing Experience BYOB

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · from $60

Board a 70-foot ocean-racing yacht at 1201 Alaskan Way for a two-hour sail on Puget Sound. The crew, including Captain Phil and first mate Anna, handles the sails while you bring your own snacks, beer, or wine and watch Seattle, mountains, and possibly orcas from the water.

“This was a great way to get out of the busy city. Was super peaceful to be on the water and it was nice to interact with the crew. Very sweet men running the business. Thank you for a great time!”

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Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package - Downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square, and the International District
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package

11.Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $147

You’ll leave your cruise terminal at 9 a.m. with a local guide such as Casey, James, Mark, Shawn, or Matthew, then tour Pike Place, Kerry Park, Ballard Locks, Fremont, and more. The small-group coach carries your luggage and ends at the airport or your Seattle hotel.

“Great color provided by Mark on the history of the city and specifically on its neighborhoods. Really enjoyed our visit.”

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Seattle's Best Private Sailing Adventure on the Puget Sound BYOB! - Mountain views that depend on the weather
Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Sailing, Seattle Brewery and Cocktail Tours, Seattle Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews

Seattle’s Best Private Sailing Adventure on the Puget Sound BYOB!

12.Seattle’s Best Private Sailing Adventure on the Puget Sound BYOB!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend three hours aboard the S/V Kingsley with Captain Russ, Mark, or Dylan, sailing from Shilshole Bay between Seattle and Bainbridge Island. Help handle the sails or relax with your own drinks while watching for seals, porpoises, eagles, and clear-day views of Mount Rainier.

“I wanted to surprise my husband who had been an avid sailor with a special trip with our grandson and his fiancée for his 84th birthday and Mark made sure that everything went smoothly and that we had a great sail in Elliott Bay.”

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Seattle's Favorite Sightseeing Floating Homes Cruise - BYOB! - Floating homes, houseboats, and a movie connection
Cruises & Boat Tours, Seattle Brewery and Cocktail Tours, Seattle City Sightseeing Tours, Tour Reviews

Seattle’s Favorite Sightseeing Floating Homes Cruise – BYOB!

13.Seattle’s Favorite Sightseeing Floating Homes Cruise – BYOB!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise Lake Union and the Ship Canal with a captain who also bartends. See floating homes, Gas Works Park, the Space Needle, UW, bridges, and possibly the stadium. The boat holds six, runs about two hours, and allows limited beer or wine plus your own food.

“Captain Genevieve was an excellent tour guide and host. We had a wonderful experience viewing Lake Union, Gas Works, several bridges and taking in the charms of House Boats, Floating homes and the like. Many great photo moments with the skyline and even Space Needle. Would highly recommend. Great way to spend an afternoon in Seattle.”

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Seattle: Sunset Sailing Cruise - What the 70-Foot Yacht Adds
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Seattle Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews

Seattle: Sunset Sailing Cruise

14.Sunset Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 114 reviews · from $71

Spend two hours aboard a 70-foot sailing yacht with a captain and deckhand, watching Seattle, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier from Elliott Bay. Bring your own food, beer, wine, or soft drinks. Crew members such as Anna and Matt may share the sailing duties and local stories.

“The skipper & first hand were both excellent, the water was calm & weather superb. Highly recommend 👍”

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Seattle: Sailing Cruise - The views across Elliott Bay
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Seattle Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews

Seattle: Sailing Cruise

15.Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · from $49

Spend 1.5 hours sailing from Seattle’s Pier 56 on a 70-foot ocean racing sailboat. Your English-speaking captain and deckhand guide you across Elliott Bay while you enjoy skyline, Mount Rainier, Bainbridge Island, and mountain views. Bring your own picnic and drinks, with blankets, jackets, and an iced cooler provided.

“Smooth sailing, nice route, calm waters. Discrete staff. Pleasant experience. Wished for more wind/speed”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 3.5Seattle Half Day Tour with Space Needle, Boat Ride & UndergroundFrom $2659 reviews
★ 3.0Small Group Tour W/Space Needle, Boat & UndergroundFrom $2545 reviews
★ 5.0Sail Bainbridge Island & Seattle Waters – Luxury Classic Sailboat26 reviews
★ 5.0One Hour Social Sightseeing Cruise – BYOB!From $5934 reviews
★ 4.3Dinner Cruise ExperienceFrom $13139 reviews
★ 4.7Elliott Bay Sailing CruiseFrom $6040 reviews

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