Learn more about boating in the great state of Washington, with a wealth of data gleaned from thousands of boat rentals.

Table of Contents

With over 230,000 registered boats, 3,000 miles of shoreline, 170 islands, and dozens of rivers and lakes, Washington State is a beloved destination for boating and on-water experiences for anyone exploring the Pacific Northwest. The state's coastline offers access to vibrant marine environments that comprise Puget Sound, offering endless opportunities for sailing, fishing, and wildlife spotting against the stunning backdrops of the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Peninsula.

Inland, pristine lakes such as Lake Washington and Lake Chelan provide serene settings for water sports, leisurely cruises, and family-friendly activities.

Additionally, Washington's temperate climate and stunning natural landscapes enhance the boating experience, making boating accessible and enjoyable year-round.

About This Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top boating locations in Washington.

It contains proprietary data for each city, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these destinations boating hotspots and the overall boating experience they offer.

The Top Boating Cities in Washington List

Washington Data 2025

#1 Seattle

Number of Vessels Available: 146

Seattle is the largest city in Washington and a premier destination for boat rentals and yacht charters. The city is completely surrounded by water, contributing to its vibrant boating culture and great access to boating experiences. There are many islands and inlets to explore, all with gorgeous views of the city’s skyline as well as natural features like Mount Rainier. Explore the Puget Sound with your eyes open to spot whales and dolphins, or cruise through canals to Lake Union and Lake Washington. If you’re in Seattle during the Seafair event, make sure you experience it on the water.

#2 Kirkland

Number of Vessels Available: 19

Kirkland, a city on the northeastern shore of Lake Washington, is a popular boating destination known for its charming waterfront parks and upscale amenities. Its close proximity to Seattle makes it easy to access on a weekend, and it shares in the same boating culture. Visit Marina Park, a popular spot for boating and a great spot for picnicking. Cruise to Juanita Beach Park offers swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

#3 Renton

Number of Vessels Available: 16

Coming in third on the list, Renton lies at the southern tip of Lake Washington, making it an ideal location for boat rentals and water sports. Here you can find great deals on pontoons, making it a bit more of a budget-friendly location than Seattle, and it’s perfect for a laidback family boat day on the lake. A few great spots you can check out when cruising around Renton include Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, which features boat launches, fishing piers, and picnic areas, and the Cedar River, popular for kayaking and paddleboarding.

#4 Bellevue

Number of Vessels Available: 16

Bellevue's location on the eastern shore of Lake Washington offers a perfect blend of urban and natural attractions for boat enthusiasts. Cruise in your boat to Meydenbauer Bay, which offers great waterfront dining. You can access the lake from Bellevue Marina and enjoy scenic views of the Seattle skyline, with the mountains in the background.

#5 Cheney

Number of Vessels Available: 7

Cheney, Washington is a favorable location for boating and boat rentals due to its proximity to a variety of freshwater lakes, most notably Williams Lake and Clear Lake, both within a short drive from the city center. These lakes offer recreational boating, fishing, and water sports. The region's mild summer climate and relatively low boating traffic create optimal conditions for both novice and experienced boaters. Furthermore, Cheney's location within the Spokane County lake system makes it a convenient access point for exploring multiple bodies of water, enhancing its appeal as a hub for inland boating activities in eastern Washington.

#6 Olympia

Number of Vessels Available: 24

Olympia provides access to Puget Sound and various freshwater lakes, making it a versatile spot for boat rentals. It’s renowned as a very clean and safe area, offering a relaxing and family-friendly atmosphere. Here you can enjoy cruising Long Lake and Hicks Lake, beloved for water sports, kayaking, fishing, and more. For saltwater adventures, you can get to the Puget Sound from Olympia.

#7 Issaquah

Number of Vessels Available: 24

Issaquah is an outstanding locale for boating and boat rentals thanks to its direct access to Lake Sammamish and a well-developed recreational infrastructure. Lake Sammamish State Park, at the southern tip of the lake, offers nine dedicated boat launches, multiple docks, ample trailer parking, and on-site rental services for kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats. The lake itself spans approximately 8 miles in length and over a mile in width, creating a sizable and varied surface for activities ranging from calm paddling to waterskiing and wakeboarding. Its warm summer ensures pleasant water temperatures and offers a longer boating season. Coupled with scenic shoreline woodlands, abundant wildlife (including bald eagles, heron rookeries, and beaver lodges), and conservation-minded park management, Issaquah presents an ideal environment for boaters

#8 Tacoma

Number of Vessels Available: 7

Tacoma, located on Puget Sound, is known for its bustling waterfront and diverse boating opportunities, and comes in at #8 in 2025, up from #10 in 2024 for top boating cities in Washington. Here you can explore Commencement Bay, the key location to enjoy Tacoma’s boating activities. Cruise by Point Defiance Park and see the Museum of Glass from the water, a unique building worth checking out when exploring Tacoma.

#9 Lake Stevens

Number of Vessels Available: 24

Lake Stevens offers an excellent environment for boat rentals and recreational boating, owing to its substantial freshwater reservoir and favorable climatic conditions. At roughly 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, Lake Stevens provides sufficient surface area for a variety of boating activities—from leisurely pontoon rides to wakeboarding—while maintaining a manageable scale that suits both novice and seasoned boaters. The lake’s modest water traffic and well-developed rental facilities reduce congestion and waiting times, enhancing user experience. Moreover, the regional temperate summers, with average water temperatures in the mid‑60s to low‑70s °F, support prolonged boating seasons and comfortable aquatic recreation. These factors combine to make Lake Stevens a great choice for boating pursuits.

#10 Eastsound

Number of Vessels Available: 7

Eastsound, nestled at the northern end of Orcas Island in Washington's San Juan archipelago, is an exceptional hub for boat rentals and recreational boating. The village is served by several marinas, including Brandt’s Landing on the north shore and the Rosario Resort Marina in Cascade Bay, that offer amenities such as slips, moorings, fueling stations, potable water, and nearby lodging and dining options.

Visitors can rent powerboats and sailboats and book the most popular experience here - whale watching, with private tour operators or with a group. The sheltered waters of East Sound, punctuated by public dinghy floats and anchorages, alongside calm bays like Cascade Bay, create a favorable boating environment.

In Summary

Washington State is an exceptional location for boating and outdoor on-water recreation due to its diverse aquatic ecosystems, extensive coastline, and numerous inland water bodies. Washington's temperate climate allows for a longer boating season compared to other regions, with an average of 150-200 days of boating weather annually. The state also prioritizes environmental preservation, with programs like the Clean Marina Washington initiative, which has certified over 70 marinas for their commitment to protecting water quality. Furthermore, Washington offers ample infrastructure with over 500 public boat launches and numerous marinas and support services that facilitate easy access and enhance the boating experience. Washington State is a great destination for boating, and a great state to rent or charter a boat, no matter which body of water you’re looking to explore. The findings in this report contribute to our understanding of boating trends within the state and can inform strategic planning efforts to promote tourism and sustainable recreational practices.

Citing This Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting purposes, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions, or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.


About Getmyboat

Getmyboat is the biggest and best marketplace for boat charters and rentals, worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible to everyone — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon, and everything in between.


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