Seaworthy in Seattle

FLOATING TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & HISTORY

Auto and Passenger Ferries
Washington State Ferries, the nation's largest ferry system, carries 25 million passengers per year aboard 28 vessels serving ten routes. Ferries range in size from small, high-speed passenger-only boats to vessels which carry 2,500 passengers and 218 automobiles. Among the most popular and scenic routes are the ones leaving Seattle's waterfront. These car ferries (also open to foot and bicycle passengers) travel to Bremerton (on the Olympic Peninsula) and Bainbridge Island. Several other routes operate on Puget Sound with comparable fares and regular sailings, including Mukilteo-Clinton (Whidbey Island) and Edmonds-Kingston (Olympic Peninsula). April-October, the Anacortes-San Juan Islands-Sydney route winds from the Washington mainland through the beautiful San Juan Islands (with stops at four of the largest islands) to Vancouver Island, just north of Victoria, B.C. For information and schedules, call (206) 464-6400 or (888) 808-7977 in Washington State and British Columbia or visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

Two ferries operate between Port Angeles (Olympic Peninsula) and Victoria, B.C. Blackball Transport, Inc. operates an auto/passenger ferry (M.V. Coho); Call (360) 457-4491, (250) 386-2202, or visit www.cohoferry.com. Mid-spring through early fall, Victoria Rapid Transport, Inc. ("Victoria Express") offers a passenger-only ferry between the two cities. For information call (800) 633-1589 (U.S.), (604) 361-9144 (Canada) or visit www.victoriaexpress.com for information.

Alaska Marine Highway operates auto/passenger ferries year-around between Bellingham, Wash., 80 miles north of Seattle, and several southeastern Alaskan ports. Fares vary depending on season, automobile and final destination. For more information call (360) 676-8445, (800) 642-0066 or visit www.akferry.com.

Catamarans
Victoria Clipper operates three high-speed passenger-only catamarans from the Seattle waterfront to Victoria, B.C. with a 2 to 3 hour crossing time depending on the vessel. Victoria Clipper IV, has a waterjet propulsion system and can travel up to 40 knots. It is known as one of the fastest passenger vessels in the western hemisphere, making the Seattle-Victoria trip in just two and a half hours. Fares vary depending on season and destination. Special packages and discount fares for seniors, children and groups are available throughout the year. Call (206) 448-5000 or (800) 888-2535 for information or visit www.victoriaclipper.com.

Float Planes
Kenmore Air, which began operation in Seattle in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest float plane operators in the world with a fleet of 25 aircraft logging some two million miles and carrying 75,000 passengers a year. Kenmore Air offers regularly scheduled flights between Seattle and Victoria, B.C., as well as Friday Harbor and other points in the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island and British Columbia's Gulf Islands. Charters, fishing and other packages plus short Seattle 'flightseeing' excursions are also offered. Flight times between Seattle and Victoria are just 45 minutes one way. Fares change seasonally and vary according to destination. Call (425) 486-1257 or (800) 543-9595, or visit www.kenmoreair.com.

Seattle Seaplanes also flies from Lake Union, offering year-around sightseeing flights as well as 'dinner flights' to popular restaurants and resorts in the San Juan Islands, Victoria, B.C., Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula and the towns of Port Ludlow, Hadlock and Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Charters, special occasion flights and flight instruction are also available. For information call (206) 329-9638, 1-800-637-5553, or visit www.seattleseaplanes.com.

Sightseeing Cruises
Argosy Cruises offers travelers in a hurry several options for getting out on the water. Take a one-hour narrated tour of Seattle’s harbor, Elliott Bay; tours depart from Pier 56 on the Seattle waterfront several times throughout the day depending on the season. Argosy also offers a two-hour locks cruise, also departing from Pier 56. The narrated tour passes through Hiram M. Chittenden Locks along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The U.S. Government operated locks raise and lower boats between six and 26 feet between fresh and salt water. Argosy's popular Lakes Cruises offer either a two-hour trip from Seattle's Lake Union, or a 1.5 hour trip departing Kirkland (east of Seattle) on Lake Washington. For more information on all of Argosy's tours, call (206) 623-1445. (800) 642-7816, or visit www.argosycruises.com.

Evening & Dinner Cruises
Tillicum Village & Tours features a cruise from Pier 56 on the Seattle waterfront to Blake Island State Park for a salmon bake dinner and a Northwest Coast Native American dancing presentation. for information call (206) 443-1244 or visit www.tillicumvillage.com.

Argosy Cruises offers dinner and lunch cruises year-around aboard the Royal Argosy, a 180-foot classically designed - cruise ship featuring white linen tables, mahogany trim, marble tops, chandeliers and several accessible decks. An on-board kitchen prepares pre-fixe meals featuring Wild Chinook salmon, Dungeness crab cakes and more. In addition to the public cruises, special event cruises, packages and group charters are available. For information call 206-623-1445, (800)642-7816 or visit www.argosycruises.com.

Waterways Cruises & Events operates public and group charter cruises aboard a fleet of luxury yachts that cruise Puget Sound and Lakes Union and Washington. For information call 206-223-2060 or visit www.waterwayscruises.com.

Kayaking & Canoeing
The Northwest Outdoor Center located on Seattle's Lake Union rents kayaks by the hour. Some 41 different types of kayaks are available, along with expert instruction before you shove off. Lake Union is an urban lake just blocks from Seattle's downtown and offers seven nautical miles of shoreline, dotted with residential houseboat communities, lakeside restaurants and seafood bars, the Center for Wooden Boats and an array of maritime industry. The Northwest Outdoor Center also offers group tours, including Full Moon Paddles, Golden Gardens Sunset Tours and Caroling by Kayak during the holiday season. Classes and day trips outside the city are available as well. Call (206) 281-9694, (800) 683-0637 or visit www.nwoc.com.

Warm summer days lure canoeists to the quiet marsh waterways around the Washington Park Arboretum. The University of Washington's Waterfront Activities Center rents canoes and rowboats by the hour, February through October. For information call (206) 543-9433.

Experience the Alki Peninsula while overlooking the Seattle skyline with Alki Kayak Tours. Alki Kayak Tours also offer inline skate, bike, longboard and boat rentals. For information call (206) 953-0237 or visit www.kayakalki.com.

The San Juan Islands, 80 miles north of Seattle, are known around the world as a kayaker's dream. The islands are home to a resident Orca whale population, nesting bald eagles, sea lions and a bounty of nature that is often viewed at close range by kayak. San Juan Safaris operates from Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor (on San Juan Island), offering guided tours led by naturalists. Some tours include whale watching. For information call (360) 378-1323 or 800-450-6858 or visit www.sanjuansafaris.com. Crystal Seas Kayaking, also operating from Friday Harbor, offers 3-hour, day, sunset and multi-day guided tours, including whale watching. For information call (360) 378-7899 or (877) 732-7877, or visit www.crystalseas.com.

Sailing and Small Boat Charters
A wealth of boat charter companies offer a wide variety of sailing and small boat cruises ranging in length from an hour to half- and full-day cruises and longer. Contact the following companies directly for full details.

Emerald City Charters, operating from Pier 54 on the Seattle waterfront, features 90-minute and 2.5 hour private and group sailing excursions May through October. Call (206) 624-3931, (800) 831-3274 or visit www.sailingseattle.com.

Wind Works Sailing Center, operating from Shilshole Bay in Seattle, offers corporate, group and private sailing excursions. Picnic sailings are also offered. Call (206) 784-9386 or visit www.windworkssailing.com.

Cristal Charters, LLC, operating from Seattle, features cruises of a few hours, a day or longer aboard the motor yacht Match Maker. Call (206) 286-9711 or visit www.cristalcharters.com.

Fishing Charters
Several charter fishing companies offer salmon and other saltwater fishing on Puget Sound. Most provide tackle and equipment as well as licensed skippers or guides. Fishing seasons vary each year, so check dates and charter availability with the following companies directly.

Puget Sound Sports Fishing, Inc., operating from Edmonds, 20 miles north of Seattle, provides tackle and experienced skippers for salt water fishing excursions. For more information call (206) 546-5710 or visit www.pugetsoundsportsfishing.com.

Possession Point Fishing Charters, operating from Arlington, 50 miles north of Seattle, offers year-around salt water fishing. For more information, call (360) 652-3797 or (866) 652-3797 or visit www.possessionpointfishing.com.

Major Seattle Marinas
Shilshole Bay Marina, operated by the Port of Seattle, is Seattle's largest marina with 1,400 slips. The marina is located in the neighborhood of Ballard at the Puget Sound entrance to the Lake Washington Ship Canal, offering views of the sound and Olympic Mountains. Guest moorage for up to 100 boats is available at seasonal rates. Businesses at or near the marina include yacht brokerages, marine supplies, a boatyard with engine repair, sailing charters and lessons and restaurants with meeting and banquet facilities. The marina is located at 7001 Seaview Avenue N.W. For more information call (206) 728-3006, (800) 728-3006, tune to VHF Channel 17, or visit www.portseattle.org/seaport/marinas/shilshole.

Elliott Bay Marina has 1,200 slips at the foot of Magnolia Bluff on Seattle's harbor. Guest moorage is available with seasonal rates. Businesses located at the marina include yacht sales and leasing, boat maintenance and repair and three dining establishments including Seattle's largest, Palisade, an 11,000 square foot restaurant specializing in Northwest seafood and boasting spectacular views of Seattle's skyline, harbor, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Elliott Bay Marina is located at 2601 West Marine Place in Seattle. For more information call (206) 285-4817, tune to VHF Channel 78 A, or visit www.elliottbaymarina.net.

Maritime and Aquatic Education & Heritage
The Seattle Aquarium, located on Pier 59, reopened to the public on June 22, 2007 after a remodel and expansion. The project included replacing the pilings that support the aquarium's primary pier, an 18,000 square-foot expansion to the existing building, a completely new exterior and the addition of a 40-foot, 55,000-lb viewing window into the new 120,000-gallon showcase exhibit. For more information call (206) 386-4320 or visit www.seattleaquarium.org.

Odyssey, The Maritime Discover Center, on Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront features 44 interactive exhibits in four galleries. Take a Virtual Kayak Journey or practice loading ships with a high-tech crane simulator. For more information call (206) 374-4000 or visit www.ody.org.

The Center for Wooden Boats offers a free look at an array of classic wooden boats, located at 1010 Valley Street on the southern shore of Seattle's Lake Union. Rentals, workshops and lessons are also available year-around. For more information call 206-382-2628 or visit www.cwb.org.

MARITIME FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Opening Day of Boating Season
On the first Saturday in May each year since 1913, thousands of spectators line the shore of the Montlake Cut to celebrate Seattle's official Opening Day of boating season. The Parade of Boats, sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club, begins with a canon blast and the opening of the Montlake Bridge. Hundreds of sail and motor boats parade through, crew in full regalia according to the parade theme. Festivities also include sailboat and crew races and a trophy ceremony. For information, call the Seattle Yacht Club at (206) 325-1000 or visit www.seattleyachtclub.com.

Seattle Maritime Festival
In mid-May Seattle's waterfront becomes a drag strip for some 40 tugboats. It's part of Maritime Week, a festival celebrating Seattle's maritime heritage, culminating with the popular Tug Boat Races which are the largest in the U.S. For more information call (206) 443-3830.

Seattle Boat Show
More than a thousand boats of all kind fill Qwest Field Event Center and South Lake Union in mid-January. The show, produced by Northwest Marine Traders Association has been an annual event for more than 50 years. For more information call (206) 634-0911 or visit www.seattleboatshow.com.

Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
Sponsored by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show runs concurrently with the Seattle International Boat Show in mid January. Boats Afloat offers a look at a wide array of water craft - all afloat in Seattle's Lake Union, extending from the Center for Wooden Boats to Yale Street Landing. For more information call (206) 748-0012 visit www.boatsafloatshow.com.

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