Category Cruises & Boat Tours

Seattle · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Seattle, Compared

24 tours

Harbour cruise, sunset sail, locks run, whale boat or the ferry to Canada: Seattle offers more water than most visitors have days. These 15 boat trips are compared on where they leave from, how long they last, what the fare covers and which are worth booking when the forecast is grey.

Seattle: Harbor Cruise with Local Guide

Seattle: Harbor Cruise with Local Guide - Seattle Waterfront to Myrtle Edwards Park: where the skyline starts making sense

1.Harbor Cruise with Local Guide

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

One-hour narrated Seattle harbor cruise from Pier 55: skyline and Space Needle views, port action, and mountain photos for $45.

“This is a fantastic harbor tour of Seattle with food and drinks available on board! Getting to see the city from the water was a real treat, and you'll learn a little bit of the history of Seattle while taking in the views... We were lucky enough to book our tour on a fairly clear day, so we were able to see Mt. Rainier in the distance, watch the sea lions sunbathing, and experience the longshoremen in action at the port while enjoying the brisk bay breeze on the top deck. The next time I make it back to Seattle, this will definitely be a must-do for the lunch hour...…”

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Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle

Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle - Where you meet at 2201 Alaskan Wy, and how boarding works

Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour

Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour - The Seattle Waterfront and skyline: where the water changes the photo game

3.Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour

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

Sail Seattle Harbor from Pier 66 on a 2-hour tall ship. Skyline views, Space Needle photos, possible Mount Rainier, and restrooms.

“Great crew, tasty beverages, beautiful views. Great activity to do with just about anyone - partner, friends or family! Will be bringing folks again!”

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Seattle Locks Cruise

Seattle Locks Cruise - Lake Union to floating homes: the part that sets the mood fast

4.Seattle Locks Cruise

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

Argosy Cruises takes you one-way through the Ballard Locks, past Seattle’s floating homes and icons, with live narration and skyline photo stops.

“We really enjoyed learning about all of the Seattle architecture and history. It kept us entertained!”

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Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise - Whale-spotting feels like a hunt, with real rules

5.Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

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

See orcas and other Pacific Northwest wildlife on a 4-hour Salish Sea cruise from Seattle’s Pier 69, with a naturalist onboard.

“We didn't see a lot of animals but that's wild animals, they go where they please. We did see a minke, whale, some porpoises, and a sea lion, plus lots of birds. The guide was very knowledgeable, the boat comfortable, and we had a very good time.”

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2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges

2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges - From the start at 8829 N Harborview Dr

6.2 Hour Guided Boat Tour in Gig Harbor and Narrows Bridges

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

2-hour guided boat tour from Gig Harbor with Mt. Rainier views, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and wildlife like seals and eagles.

“We had a super great time. The Captain and First Mate were very pleasant. The Captain was very knowledgeable. He shared all kinds of interesting information about the Harbor, bridge, land, wildlife, etc. I already told my family whom lives local to take this cruise.”

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Seattle: Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

Seattle: Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise - A 2-Hour Sunset Timeline That Actually Feels Like Sailing

7.Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

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

Sail on the Bay Lady from Pier 66 for a 2-hour Seattle Harbor sunset cruise, steering and hoisting sails plus a bar for drinks.

“Whole experience was amazing from start to finish! Captain and his team were very welcoming and good crack along the way! The boat was lovely with spectacular views of the city’s skyline and sunset! I’d recommend this trip!”

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Seattle Sunset Sail BYOB

Seattle Sunset Sail BYOB - What you see: skyline plus mountains, with a real sunset feel

8.Seattle Sunset Sail BYOB

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

Seattle sunset sail on a 70ft yacht with BYOB. Skyline plus Space Needle views, plus a relaxing 2-hour ocean cruise.

“Crew was friendly, knowledgeable, interactive and seemed to love their work. We even saw some humpback whales which was an unexpected treat. So relaxing after a hot summer day!! We highly recommend it!!”

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Seattle Sailing Experience BYOB

Seattle Sailing Experience BYOB - What Happens After Boarding on a 70ft Ocean Racing Yacht

9.Seattle Sailing Experience BYOB

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

Seattle 70ft sailboat BYOB cruise with crew raising sails and engine-off views of skyline and mountains, about 2 hours.

“We had an amazing experience with this crew. The team was very friendly and made sure each guest was comfortable out on the water. The tour out on the water was breathtaking.”

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Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package

Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package - Downtown Seattle first: Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square on deck

10.Seattle Post-Cruise Tour Package

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

Post-cruise Seattle in 5 hours, with pier pickup, live narration, Space Needle views, Pike Place Market, and airport or hotel drop-off.

“We thoroughly enjoyed this tour of beautiful Seattle. Our guide, James, was very knowledgeable about the city’s history and the architecture. He fed us a wealth of information during our tour and gave us great ideas for future visits to Seattle! We saw some of the great landmarks from television and film, shopped at the public market, visited a local donut shop with great coffee and tea, and a great seafood lunch. Then he delivered us safely to our downtown hotel with some tips as to how to spend the evening. This was definitely a great way to spend the time between getting off of the ship and checking into…”

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

Seattle's Best Private Sailing Adventure on the Puget Sound BYOB! - S/V Kingsley and your captain: the difference private makes

Seattle’s Favorite Sightseeing Floating Homes Cruise – BYOB!

Seattle's Favorite Sightseeing Floating Homes Cruise - BYOB! - Cocktails, BYOB rules, and what to expect from the bar setup

Seattle: Sunset Sailing Cruise

Seattle: Sunset Sailing Cruise - The 70ft ocean yacht: what the sailing feel means for you

13.Sunset Sailing Cruise

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

Sail a 70ft race-built yacht at sunset from Elliott Bay. Bring your own drinks and snacks, and spot Mount Rainier views.

“Really enjoyed the cruise! Sat in the back in the cock pit for some seating ease but really had fun conversing w both the captain and first mate. Met some fun people as well and just had a very fun time celebrating our 41st anniversary on the Salish Sea!”

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Seattle: Sailing Cruise

Seattle: Sailing Cruise - Pier 56 Check-In, Without the Stress

14.Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · from $49

A 1.5-hour Seattle sail on Elliott Bay from Pier 56. Bring your own snacks, enjoy skyline and Mount Rainier views, great value at $49.

“I always love to spend time on the water. The tour guides are really nice, it will be perfect if they can play some relaxing background music, so it won’t be too quiet sometimes.”

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