Seattle Sunset Sail: BYOB Cruise on a 70ft Racing Yacht

A racing yacht instead of a tour boat, your own drinks instead of a bar tab

A two-hour sunset sail in Seattle aboard a 70ft ocean racing yacht, with views of the city skyline, Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. You bring your own beer, wine and food (alcohol for ages 21+), and the boat runs on wind power. A live English-speaking guide is included; sales tax is covered.

The Experience

Two hours on the water starts when you board the 70ft yacht at the downtown Seattle dock. The boat is powered entirely by wind — no engines — which makes it one of the few truly eco-friendly cruises in the area. As the sails go up, you're moving out into Elliott Bay with the Seattle skyline receding behind you and the Olympic Mountains visible across the water to the west. Mount Rainier appears to the south on clear evenings. The whole arc of the Puget Sound geography unfolds without narration or stops; you're sailing, not sightseeing from a stationary deck.

What sets this apart is the BYOB policy. You bring your own beer, wine, soft drinks and food — no markup, no house wine list, no snack bar prices. Alcohol is for passengers 21 and older. That freedom to pack what you actually want to drink and eat is why this cruise costs less than the alternatives and why people come back. The boat was built for racing across oceans, so it moves with purpose and speed; you feel the difference between a purpose-built sailboat and a converted tour vessel the moment the sails catch wind.

A live guide in English narrates the route and answers questions about what you're seeing. The experience is relaxed — two hours is long enough to settle in but short enough that it doesn't demand a full afternoon. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The boat is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

What’s included

• Live guide in English.
• sales tax.
• wind-powered sailing on a 70ft racing yacht.
• views of the Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sailing Seattle

Is this one for you?Small groups and couples will find the relaxed pace suits an evening out without the formality of a dinner reservation. The BYOB policy makes it affordable for friends splitting a bottle, and the two-hour window fits easily into an evening schedule.

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Top questions

Can I really bring my own beer and wine on the Seattle Sunset Sail?

Yes. You can bring your own beer, wine and soft drinks aboard. Alcohol is only for passengers 21 and older. There's no bar or markup — you pack what you want to drink.

What will I see on the two-hour sail?

The Seattle city skyline, the Olympic Mountains across Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier to the south. The boat sails out into Elliott Bay and back, powered by wind, with a live guide pointing out landmarks and answering questions about the Puget Sound.

Is the Seattle Sunset Sail suitable for someone who gets seasick easily?

The boat is a 70ft racing yacht that moves with the wind and water, so there is motion. It's suitable for all fitness levels, but if you're prone to seasickness, you may want to take precautions or consider a different activity. The boat is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

Is food and drink the only thing I can bring, or are there other rules?

You bring your own food and drinks (beer and wine for ages 21+). Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Sales tax is included in the price. Gratuities are not included.

How is this different from other Seattle harbor cruises?

The Seattle Sunset Sail is one of the only cruises in the area that allows you to bring your own beer, wine and food aboard. The boat is a 70ft racing yacht built for ocean racing, not a converted tour vessel, and it's powered entirely by wind, making it eco-friendly. It's been operating since 1984.