Boat Rides from Downtown
Discover the Emerald City, Elliott Bay, and the Puget Sound from a different perspective! Board your vessel of choice right in downtown Seattle.
Whether you are a visitor or a local, the Seattle Waterfront is your gateway to the Salish Sea straight from downtown. The boat trips and tours from here range from 1-hour harbor cruises to overnight excursions in some of the world’s most beautiful waters. Want to smell the breath of a whale and taste the liquor (juice) of a live oyster? Your Seattle Waterfront adventure starts here!
ARGOSY CRUISES
boards at Pier 55
Blake Island Fast Ferry & Excursions. Discover and explore this peaceful island with departure straight from downtown Seattle. Book today!
Seattle’s Original Harbor Cruise™ resumed May 28, 2021 (1 hour water tour of Seattle; under $35*).
Ballard Locks Cruise will resume June 19, 2021 (2.5 hours cruise of Ballard Locks; under $50*).
Planned to resume in 2022: Tillicum Excursion
* Children 0-3 ride free. Discounts for youth and seniors. $ave by ordering tickets online.
CLIPPER VACATIONS
boards at Pier 69
Seattle to San Juan Island and Friday Harbor Fast Passenger Ferry. Clipper will bring you to the world-renowned, pristine San Juan Islands straight from Pier 69 in under four hours. (Year-round)*
Whale Watching Half-day Trip from Seattle. Clipper guarantees that you will see whales or you can come back again until you do. Book today! (June-September)*
Whale Watching Day-trip to San Juan Islands. Relax as you set sail on a high-speed catamaran from downtown Seattle to the San Juans in search of whales with a naturalist guide. Amazing trip with a whale sighting guarantee! (May-October)*
* Stays in Washington waters. No passport required.
Returning Soon:
Gulf Islands Whale Watching from Seattle (Spring-Summer-Fall, No sailings to Canada until further notice due to Canadian pandemic travel restrictions)
Seattle to Victoria Fast Passenger Ferry (Year-round. No sailings to Canada until further notice due to Canadian pandemic travel restrictions)
Check out the awesome Clipper whale photos, videos and more.
SAILING SEATTLE
boards at Pier 56
Seattle Sailing Cruises (1.5 hours*)
NEW! Northwest Sailing Cruise (2 hours*)
Seattle Sunset Sail (2.5 hours*)
Seattle Private Sailing Yacht Charters (rent the whole ship for you and your group:-)
* Scheduled sailings daily during high season on two 70-foot sailing yachts, starting at $39. Discounts for youth, seniors and military. Runs from May to October. Book online up to 14 days in advance. Corporate and private sailings for special groups and events welcome.
KITSAP FAST FERRIES
boards at Piers 50 and 54
Sailing schedules. Seattle Waterfront at PIER 50:
Southworth Fast Passenger Ferry (26 minutes crossing; M-F)
Kingston Fast Passenger Ferry (40 minutes crossing; M-F)
Sailing schedules. Seattle Waterfront at PIER 54:
Bremerton Fast Passenger Ferry (30 minutes crossing; M-F)
KING COUNTY WATER TAXIS
boards at Pier 50
Sailing schedules. Seattle Waterfront at PIER 50:
West Seattle Fast Passenger Ferry (10-15 minutes crossing; daily)
Vashon Island Fast Passenger Ferry (22 minutes crossing; daily)
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
boards at Pier 52
WSF Sailing schedules. Seattle Waterfront at PIER 52:
Bainbridge Car & Passenger Ferry (35 minutes crossing*)
Bremerton Car & Passenger Ferry (60 minutes crossing*)
* There is no fare collected or ticket required for the return leg to Seattle
CRUISE SHIPS
boards at Pier 66
Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66:
Port of Seattle Cruising Portal
Please note that some ships use Smith Cove at Pier 91, which is not downtown. There are currently no cruises happening because of the pandemic.
