Seattle Harbor Sailing Tour: Tall Ship Cruise & Skyline Views

Summary

Sail past the seattle waterfront and skyline on a tall ship with mountain views

You’ll step onto a classic tall ship in Seattle’s harbor, watch the skyline fade behind you, and maybe spot Mount Rainier or the Olympic Mountains if skies are clear. Expect two hours of wind in your hair, stories from local guides, city views from Elliott Bay—and that feeling you only get when land feels far away for a while.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment when you first step onto the old schooner at Pier 66—ropes creaking, wood underfoot, that salty Puget Sound smell mixing with coffee from someone’s thermos. I kept glancing up at the sails, half-expecting to mess something up (don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything). Our captain, who everyone just called Mike, shouted something about Mount Rainier being visible today if we were lucky. I didn’t spot it right away—my eyes kept drifting to the city behind us, all glass and cranes and that odd saucer shape of the Space Needle poking out.

We drifted out into Elliott Bay and suddenly it was quieter than I expected—just wind in the rigging and a few gulls yelling overhead. A little kid pointed at the ferries slicing across the water, and someone else tried to name all the mountains in view (I got as far as “that one’s probably the Olympics?”). The guide told us stories about old ships that used to dock here, and how sometimes you can see orcas if you’re really lucky. Didn’t happen for us, but honestly just watching the city shrink behind us felt like its own kind of luck. The Seattle sailing harbor tour is two hours but time goes weird out there—it felt both long and not enough.

I leaned over the rail for most of it, just letting my hands get cold from the wind and listening to people swap stories about where they’d come from. There was this couple from Texas who’d never seen mountains so close—they kept taking photos of everything, even the clouds. The crew moved around quietly but would answer any question if you asked (I might’ve asked too many about how tall ships actually work). There’s a restroom on board which I appreciated after my third cup of coffee—just a small thing but makes a difference. We sailed back as the sun dipped lower, light turning gold on all those windows downtown. I still think about that view sometimes when I hear seagulls back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Seattle Harbor Sailing and Sightseeing

• Board historic sailing ship at Pier 66
• Sail on Puget Sound for 2 hours
• View Seattle Waterfront and city skyline
• See Space Needle from the water
• Spot Mount Rainier on clear days
• Observe Olympic and Cascade Mountains

Top questions

Where does the Seattle sailing harbor tour depart from?

The tour departs from Pier 66 Bell Harbor Marina in Seattle.

How long is the Seattle sailing harbor tour?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours on Puget Sound.

Are restrooms available on board?

Yes, there is a restroom available on board the schooner.

Can strollers be brought on the ship?

You can use strollers to reach the dock; they are securely stored there but cannot be taken aboard due to space limits.

Is this sailing tour suitable for families?

Yes, it’s family-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels.

Will I see Mount Rainier or other mountains?

On clear days you may see Mount Rainier as well as Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges from Elliott Bay.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted on board during the sailing tour.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Pier 66 Bell Harbor Marina.

What’s included

Your day includes two hours aboard a classic schooner departing from Pier 66 with local crew sharing stories along Elliott Bay; restroom facilities are available onboard for comfort throughout your Seattle sailing harbor tour before returning to shore.