West Seattle Electric Bike Tour: Waterfront ride with ferry

Glide past hidden waterfalls and historic streets on your Alki adventure

A guided electric bike tour of Seattle starting downtown, crossing to West Seattle by water taxi, and returning by ferry. The route follows flat, safe trails along Alki Beach and the Duwamish River, where the city skyline and industrial waterfront meet. Includes bike, helmet, water and ferry ticket; minimum age 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

West Seattle Electric Bike Tour

• Meet bike guide and gear up
• Bike through Seattle cityscape and Pioneer Square
• Catch West Seattle water taxi at Colman Dock
• Bike along Alki bike trail and see river meeting ocean
• Visit lighthouse and other Seattle stops
• Stop at Duwamish river for views and nature

The Experience

Meet your guide 15 minutes before the 9:30am start at the Vine Street storage unit across from the Edgewater Hotel on Alaskan Way. You'll get fitted with a helmet and bottled water, then bike out to Coleman Dock on the new waterfront. The water taxi carries you across to Alki Beach in West Seattle—the best view of downtown happens as the boat leaves the harbor.

Once on Alki, you'll ride the flat bike trail that runs along the beach. The route passes the lighthouse, and you'll see where Seattle's only river meets the ocean. The Duwamish River area is where industry and nature sit side by side; depending on the season, you might spot salmon and migratory birds. The city skyline from this side is the one most people miss. If you book an electric bike, the pedaling gets easier on any incline, though this tour stays mostly flat.

The return trip is the signature part: instead of biking back, you board the ferry at Coleman Dock and ride it back into downtown, watching the waterfront recede. The whole outing wraps by 12:30pm, leaving the afternoon open. Bring a camera—the water views and the industrial Duwamish landscape don't photograph the same way twice.

What’s included

• Bike and helmet.
• bottled water.
• West Seattle water taxi and return ferry ticket.
• live guide in English.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by SeattleBicycleTours

Is this one for you?The 3-hour window fits a morning or early afternoon slot without eating the whole day. If you're new to Seattle or have a free morning before other plans, the ferry ride back gives you views most visitors never see, and the flat Alki trail means you're not exhausted by the time you dock back downtown.

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Top questions

Can I book an electric bike for this Seattle tour?

Yes, electric bikes are available if you select that option when booking. The operator asks that you reserve it in advance, as they may not have one available if it's not pre-booked.

What's the Duwamish River area like on this tour?

The Duwamish is where Seattle's river meets the sound, and the tour stops there on the return ride. It's a working industrial waterfront mixed with nature—you'll see the city skyline from an angle most tourists don't, and in the right season, salmon and migratory birds pass through.

How does the water taxi work on this bike tour?

After biking to Coleman Dock on the downtown waterfront, you board the West Seattle water taxi that carries you across to Alki Beach. On the return, you take the ferry back into downtown instead of biking, so you get views from both sides of the sound.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The route is mostly flat and uses safe bike trails, so it's manageable for moderate fitness. The operator does not recommend it for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Riders must be at least 12 years old.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs from 9:30am to 12:30pm. You'll meet your guide 15 minutes early at the Vine Street storage unit to gear up and check in.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the bike, helmet, bottled water, and the ferry ticket for both the outbound water taxi to West Seattle and the return ferry to downtown. Your guide leads the whole route.