Seattle Harbor Cruises: The 15 Best Hours on the Water

1.Seattle’s Original Guided Harbor Cruise

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

Cruise Seattle’s historic waterfront with live narration, indoor and open-air seating, and views of the Space Needle, Great Wheel, port, and mountain ranges. Guides such as Casey, Nate, and Angie have led engaging trips. The one-hour route also passes working container terminals, a welcome change from a sightseeing tour focused only on city landmarks.

“Easy cruise along the water seeing the sites. I would recommend this tour. You just kicked back relax and look around.”

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2.Harbor Cruise with Local Guide

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

Sail from Pier 55 for an hour of English-language narration, skyline views, and a look toward Seattle’s working harbor. The route takes in landmarks such as the Space Needle, Harbor Island, and Alki Beach Pier. Guides vary, with past trips led by Alexis, Astrid, Shawn, and Amy. Food and drinks have been available to buy onboard.

“Cruise was very good. I learnt a lot from the guide, this is a great way to see the City and the surrounding areas from a distance”

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3.Seattle Locks Cruise

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

Spend about two hours on a one-way Seattle cruise between Pier 54 and AGC Marina, passing Lake Union houseboats, Gas Works Park, Fisherman’s Terminal and the Ballard Locks. Live commentary puts the city’s maritime past in context, and the lock passage lowers your boat about 20 feet. Check your ticket carefully: the two departure points are different.

“Excellent trip, wonderful crew. Had a great time the whole trip. Highly recommend this excursion. Love it”

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4.Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

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

Leave Pier 69 for a three-to-five-hour cruise through the Salish Sea, searching for orcas, humpback and gray whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. An onboard naturalist explains the wildlife and conservation work. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and you receive a free trip if no whales are sighted.

“Not only did we see Orca, we saw a family pod of Biggs Transients. We even got to see them hunt! Our captains, support staff, and naturalist guide were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. 10/10 would go again!”

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5.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 through Seattle Harbor. The captain and crew run the trip in English, and you can relax on deck, buy a drink or snack, or try raising the sails and steering. Views may include the Space Needle, Smith Tower, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier on a clear day.

“Had a great time with my kid talking to the crew about pirate facts and swordfighting. Was a perfect first time out on the water for the kid. Loved the grade A Dad jokes told by the Captain.”

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

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

Set out from South Lake Union for a two-hour cruise with a captain who also serves as bartender. See floating homes, the Space Needle, Gas Works Park, and the Montlake Cut, with a chance of reaching the stadium. Your first round is included, and you can bring limited beer or wine.

“My family had a wonderful time. Beautiful weather, smooth boat ride, enjoyed the intimate setting I recommend it highly.”

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7.Sunset Sailing Cruise

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

Spend two hours on Elliott Bay aboard a 70-foot ocean sailing yacht, with views of Seattle, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier when conditions allow. Bring your own food and drinks, including beer or wine. The crew includes a captain and deckhand; recent sailings have featured guides Anna and Matt.

“We had a great experience. The guides were knowledgeable and very personable. We had a scheduling problem (our fault) and they were very helpful in getting it resolved so we could do the cruise. The scenery and sunset were great!”

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8.Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · from $49

Leave Pier 56 for a 1.5-hour sail on Elliott Bay aboard a 70-foot ocean racing sailboat. A US Coast Guard-licensed captain and deckhand handle the boat and share local information as you look back at downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, West Seattle, and the Olympic and Cascade ranges. Bring your own food and drinks; an ice-filled cooler, blankets, and jackets are provided.

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

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9.Tall Ship Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 86 reviews · from $73

Set sail from Pier 66 aboard the schooner Bay Lady for a two-hour cruise through Seattle Harbor. You’ll see the skyline and, on clear days, Mount Rainier; spot seals, porpoises, and seabirds; and may get to help raise the sails or steer. Drinks and snacks are available to buy, and the crew may fire a small cannon when conditions allow.

“Very enjoyable relaxing sail. Anthony, Madison and Clark were attentive, wonderful hosts. We didn't want it to end.”

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10.Locks Cruise with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 74 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

On a two-hour, one-way cruise with Argosy Cruises, you’ll pass Seattle’s working waterfront, houseboats, and Gas Works Park before riding through the Ballard Locks between Elliott Bay and Lake Union. An English-speaking guide narrates the route. Guides on past sailings have included Ryan and Lars, though your guide may differ.

“I learned so much about the bay, the locks, and the history of Seattle from Ryan, our guide. He was such a wealth of knowledge!”

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11.One-Hour Private Seattle Sightseeing Cruise – BYOB!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Take a one-hour private cruise for up to six aboard Candére, departing from Lake Union’s north shore. Your captain guides you past the Space Needle, Gas Works Park, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and floating homes, with close views of seaplanes taking off and landing. Bring a small cooler, picnic, and a limited amount of beer or wine.

“Dillon was great host. I've lived in Seattle for 40yrs, and it was really fun to get his historical perspective on lake union that I'd never known. He was also really good about "reading the room" by giving us room to connect as a family on his boat, and be attentive when appropriate. Highly recommend.”

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12.Elliott Bay Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews · from $60

Meet the Sailing Seattle crew at Pier 56 for a two-hour sail aboard one of two U.S. Coast certified yachts, originally built for ocean racing and refitted for comfort. Bring your own food and drinks, dress warmly, and enjoy views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and, if conditions allow, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.

“Rex was great and was a very nice relaxing time. Thanks”

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13.Dinner Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 39 reviews · 2h 30m · from $131

Board a Waterways yacht at Lake Union for a 150-minute dinner cruise on Lake Union and Lake Washington. You’ll get a prosecco or sparkling cider welcome, a private table, a three-course dinner with a choice of steak, salmon, chicken, or vegan entree, and light narration from the captain.

“The food was really average, the salad was alright and the steak was just too well done. The desert really wasn't anything special but the night time cruise was really romantic and the hosts were great. The boat was fun experience and we got to see some lovely sights. So I might not have enjoyed the food but we did have a good time.”

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14.Summer Views Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 19 reviews · 1h 30m · from $57

Argosy Cruises takes you from Pier 54 around Elliott Bay and Alki Point, then into Puget Sound for a 90-minute golden-hour cruise. Look for close views of Seattle’s skyline and shipping port, plus the Olympic Mountains. Your captain shares favorite landmarks, though commentary may be brief. Drinks and snacks are available to buy onboard.

“Most cruises have some kind of education on the scenery surrounding you. As the last sunset cruise of the season I was super excited to go. Well the boarding process was awesome and I quickly took my seat. There was plenty of places to sit. Once we set sail the host introduced the crew and off we went. We got about 5 minutes of talk in the beginning and then didn't hear anything until the boat turned back. In the meantime there were key areas of the coast we weren't informed about. Someone later asked me if I saw Mt Rainer and I think I might have but that was…”

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15.Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 10 reviews · 2 hours · from $109

Board at 10:30am for an 11:00am cruise across Lake Union and Lake Washington. You get a private table, a prosecco or sparkling cider toast, a brunch buffet, coffee and tea, and light narration from the captain. The cruise returns at 1:00pm. Drinks beyond the toast cost extra, and the narration may be hard to hear if onboard music is loud.

“Everything was amazing. We really enjoyed ourselves. I'm sure we will be going again.”

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