Marinas in Seattle, WA

Late June through August is usually the best time for boating on Lake Washington and Elliott Bay. Seattle’s ceremonial boating season opens on the first Saturday in May at Montlake Cut, while the fair-weather window tapers after summer as Puget Sound winds turn mainly southerly from September through April and fog becomes more likely in autumn.

Elliott Bay salt water off Alki stays cold, ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s through the seasons. Check the marine forecast and tide predictions: summer winds are often light overnight but can build to 8 to 15 knots in the afternoon, and Puget Sound tides are complex and variable.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (adc.seattle.gov)

From Seattle, you can boat on Lake Washington, Lake Union, the Lake Washington Ship Canal, Shilshole Bay or Puget Sound. Magnuson Park launches directly into expansive freshwater Lake Washington, a good choice for a quieter lake day. From there, the Montlake Cut and Portage Bay reach Lake Union; the Fremont Cut and Salmon Bay continue to the Ballard Locks, which move boats between the freshwater system and Puget Sound. For saltwater boating, Eddie Vine Boat Ramp enters sheltered water behind the Shilshole Marina breakwater, with Shilshole Bay leading toward the broader Sound.

Source: Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Public Utilities (seattle.gov)

Good day-trip destinations from Seattle include Blake Island Marine State Park, Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island and Kirkland’s Marina Park on Lake Washington. Blake Island is a boat-in-only stop with docks, mooring buoys, picnic facilities, beaches and trails. In Eagle Harbor, the city dock puts visitors beside Waterfront Park and within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shops. Kirkland’s Marina Park offers public moorage, a sandy beach and nearby downtown restaurants and shops, making it a convenient lunch-and-stroll destination.

Source: Washington State Parks (parks.wa.gov)

Yes, Washington requires many recreational operators to carry a Boater Education Card rather than a traditional boating license. Operators age 12 or older who were born after January 1, 1955, must carry it when operating a vessel with a motor of 15 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft meeting that threshold. The minimum operator age is 12 for these motorboats and 14 for personal watercraft; personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16.

Rental customers may instead complete and carry the State Parks approved safety checklist. Common exemptions cover people born before January 1, 1955, qualifying short term visitors and recent boat purchasers. A course completion certificate serves as a temporary card for 60 days. Washington State Parks administers the program.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (parks.wa.gov)

Washington boaters should carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for everyone; children 12 and younger must wear one while underway in a vessel under 19 feet unless inside a fully enclosed area. The alcohol limit for operating any vessel is 0.08. Boats generally need a Washington title, registration card and decals, with exemptions including human powered craft and certain small boats used only on nonfederal waters. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and rentals cannot be made to anyone under 16. Washington State Parks also advises checking local waterway rules and prohibits transporting aquatic invasive species on boats, trailers or gear.

Source: Washington State Parks (parks.wa.gov)

For a rented motor-driven boat or vessel with 15 horsepower or more, Washington law allows unsupervised operation from age 12 if the operator carries the required Boater Education Card; a personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16. An operator age 12 or older without a required card must be accompanied and under the direct supervision of a person age 16 or older who possesses a card. The card requirement generally begins at 12 for operators born after January 1, 1955. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. These rules are in RCW 79A.60.640 and 79A.60.190. Rental operators may set higher minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (app.leg.wa.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Seattle has 33 boat rentals, 16 boat clubs and 38 boat dealers.