The Best Boat Rentals in Seattle

Boat rentals in Seattle typically range from $100 to $300 per hour for pontoons and powerboats. Sailboats and captained yachts can cost $400 to $1,200 per day depending on size, duration, and amenities.

Yes, many boat rentals in Seattle offer licensed captains, which is a great option for sightseeing, events, or if you’re unfamiliar with the waterways. Captained charters are available for yachts, sailboats, and party boats.

If you plan to operate the boat yourself and were born after January 1, 1955, you need a Washington Boater Education Card. If you rent a boat with a captain, no license is required.

Popular marinas include Fishermen’s Terminal, Bell Harbor Marina, Shilshole Bay Marina, and Leschi Marina on Lake Washington. Lake Union also has several docks and rental pickup locations near downtown.

Must-see boating spots include the Seattle skyline from Lake Union, the Ballard Locks, Lake Washington, Gas Works Park, and views of Mount Rainier on a clear day. Some boaters venture toward Bainbridge Island or the San Juans.

Boaters enjoy cruising Lake Union and Lake Washington, sailing, kayaking, watersports like wakeboarding or tubing, and even dining or sunset tours. There are also floating hot tub boats and cocktail cruises available.

Yes, Seattle boat rentals are popular for birthdays, corporate outings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and romantic sunset cruises. Many charters allow custom routes and onboard catering.

The peak boating season is late May through early September when the weather is warmest and the days are longest. Summer weekends book fast, so reserve in advance.

Yes, Lake Union and the waterfront have several boat-accessible restaurants and breweries with public or private moorage. Ivar’s, Westward, and Agua Verde are popular stops.

Absolutely. There are guided boat tours covering Seattle’s houseboats, the Space Needle view, historic shipyards, and even wildlife watching tours in Puget Sound. These are available with local captains and guides.

Seafair weekend is a summer festival in Seattle that is celebrated with many events, including many boating events on the water. It’s a popular weekend to rent a boat and get out on the water in Seattle to see airshows and fireworks.

The log boom of Seattle’s Seafair weekend is a giant on-water boat party. Hundreds of boaters tie up to anchored logs for a celebration on their boats, giving them a chance to meet other boaters and get great views of the hydroplane show that takes place over the water.

The best time of year to see whales on a whale-watching tour in Seattle depends on what types of whales you want to see. Typically, you’ll have a good chance of seeing pods of whales during the migrations of March and April or November and December. In June, you can see lots of orcas off the coast of Seattle, and the summer months are the best times to see the resident pods on a whale-watching tour.

Whale watching tour prices vary in Seattle, but you can typically find group tours for about $70-$100 for adults and $50 for kids for a 3-4 hour tour. You can book private boat tours for a higher price if that’s your preferred method of whale watching.

Whale-watching tours are typically 3-4 hours in duration. Many tours will include lunch or drinks and snacks in addition to the whale watching tour. You can also find and book full-day tours that can be up to 8 hours.

While it is possible to occasionally see dolphins in Puget Sound, it’s not common to find them in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest. You can see whales and orcas in the waters of Puget Sound year-round.