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  • Trip protection that works for you

    Book with confidence. If bad weather disrupts your trip, you’re eligible for a refund.
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    Each vessel is reviewed against a checklist for safety, reliability, and cleanliness.
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    Experience a seamless checkout process, ensuring your transaction is protected.
  • Insurance for the unexpected

    We’ve designed coverage to handle damages, so you can focus on the adventure.

Top questions

The cost to rent a boat in Seattle depends on whether you are renting for a half-day or a full day, the boat features and the boat size can impact your boat rental price. Rental prices can range from $200 to $1,000 plus depending on the boat rental itself and the length of time of the rental.

Seattle Boat Show – January event and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest.
Seafair Fleet Week & Torchlight Events – Summer celebration with naval ships and water activities.
Opening Day of Boating Season – Spring kickoff featuring decorated boat parades on Lake Washington.
Fourth of July on Lake Union – Fireworks drawing hundreds of anchored boats.

Bell Harbor Marina – Downtown, transient-friendly, near Pike Place Market.
Shilshole Bay Marina – Large, full-service marina with Puget Sound access.
South Lake Union Park & Marinas – Ideal for lake cruising and skyline views.
Fishermen’s Terminal – Historic marina with strong boating culture.

With a Seattle boat rental, top destinations include Lake Union for views of the Space Needle, Gas Works Park, and the city’s iconic houseboats. Lake Washington provides a wide-open space for cruising past waterfront mansions and under floating bridges. For more adventure, Puget Sound opens the door to whale watching and trips to Bainbridge Island or Blake Island. Elliott Bay offers dramatic downtown views and access to the Seattle waterfront, while a longer trip to the San Juan Islands brings stunning natural beauty and wildlife encounters. Seattle’s mix of urban and wild waterscapes makes it ideal for boating.

Further questions or assistance? Visit the support center

A local guide to boating in Seattle

Boating around Seattle offers a mix of calm freshwater cruising and rugged coastal scenery. Start with an easy ride across Lake Union or Lake Washington, then venture out into Puget Sound for a more expansive, nature-filled experience. Many boaters head toward Bainbridge Island for a day of exploring, anchoring, or spotting local wildlife. With Boatsetter, you can find the right boat for your plans or go out with a licensed captain—making it easy to settle in, take in the views, and experience Seattle from the water.

Lake Cruising & Skyline Views

Cruise across Lake Union or Lake Washington for calm water, floating homes, and views of the Seattle skyline.

Island Hopping & Scenic Anchor Spots

Head out through Puget Sound to explore nearby islands, quiet coves, and scenic anchorages surrounded by evergreen coastline.

Wildlife Watching & Sunset Cruises

Keep an eye out for seals, sea lions, and even orcas while cruising, especially around Bainbridge Island and surrounding waterways.

Explore boats in Seattle

Thousands of on-the-water experiences, from vetted owners and licensed captains.