Puget Sound sailing from Seattle: Olympic Mountains & wildlife

The West Point Lighthouse has guided ships into Seattle since 1881, and you'll pass it under sail.

A 2.5-hour sailing tour across Puget Sound from Seattle's Shilshole Bay Marina, heading west toward the Olympic Mountains with views of Discovery Park, Mount Rainier on clear days, and chances to spot orcas, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles and harbor seals. Captain Grant, a former Seattle Times reporter and author, leads the crossing and shares the history and ecology of the sound. Mid-day and sunset departures are available; both include fleece pullovers, life jackets of all sizes, bottled water, coffee and tea, and an onboard bathroom.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail across Puget Sound and view landmarks

• Depart from Shilshole Bay Marina
• Pass by over 1,800 yachts and Golden Gardens park
• Sail past Discovery Park and West Point Lighthouse
• View Mount Rainier to the south on clear days
• View Mount Baker to the north on clear days
• Sail west toward Olympic Mountains
• Enjoy sunset light show over Olympic Mountains

The Experience

You leave from Shilshole Bay Marina with a view of more than 1,800 yachts, then sail past Golden Gardens as the boat heads west across the sound. The route passes Discovery Park and its historic West Point Lighthouse, which has protected incoming ships since 1881. On clear days, Mount Rainier rises to the south—considered one of the most beautiful mountains in the world—and Mount Baker appears to the north, a combination sailors call a "Two Mountain Day." The Olympic Mountains fill the western horizon, the heart of Olympic National Park, and on sunset sails they catch the light as it drops behind them, turning the peaks and any wispy clouds into glowing colors.

Captain Grant holds a 100-ton Master of Inland Waters License from the U.S. Coast Guard and spent years as a reporter for the Seattle Times and science writer for the Associated Press before becoming an author. He navigates the same waters Peter Puget mapped in 1792 and uses the crossing to point out what lives here: orcas, schools of local porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and great blue herons. The tour runs 2.5 hours and includes fleece pullovers and coats to borrow, life jackets in all sizes (from adult to toddler), bottled water, coffee and tea, and an onboard bathroom. Infants sit on an adult's lap; service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Fleece pullovers and coats to borrow.
• life jackets in all sizes from adult to toddler.
• bottled water.
• coffee and tea.
• onboard bathroom access.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Joyful Water Days LLC

Is this one for you?Choose the sunset departure if you want the Olympic Mountains lit by the dropping sun and the horizon clouds turned to glowing color; the mid-day sail gives you the same crossing and wildlife watching without waiting for dusk.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

35 verified traveler reviews

5 ★35

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What wildlife might I see sailing across Puget Sound from Seattle?

Orcas, schools of porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and great blue herons live in these waters. Sightings depend on the day and the season, but the route crosses their habitat regularly.

Can I see Mount Rainier and Mount Baker on the same sail?

On clear days, yes—Mount Rainier appears to the south and Mount Baker to the north, a combination sailors call a "Two Mountain Day." Visibility depends on weather and the time of year.

What's included with the Puget Sound sailing tour?

The tour includes fleece pullovers and coats to borrow, life jackets in all sizes, bottled water, coffee and tea, and an onboard bathroom. The 2.5-hour crossing departs from Shilshole Bay Marina.

Does the tour run in the morning and evening?

Mid-day and sunset sailing options are available. Sunset sails offer views of the sun dropping behind the Olympic Mountains and illuminating the peaks and horizon clouds.

Who is Captain Grant and what does he share during the sail?

Captain Grant holds a 100-ton Master of Inland Waters License and is a former Seattle Times reporter, AP science writer and author of four books. He narrates the crossing with knowledge of the sound's history, ecology and wildlife.

Is this tour suitable for young children and infants?

Yes. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and life jackets are available in all sizes including for toddlers. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and an onboard bathroom is available.