Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Seattle
Puget Sound was created when the area's glaciers began their retreat about 14,000 years ago, leaving behind intricate patterns of islands, inlets, lakes and shorelines. Enjoy the rich ecosystem of Puget Sound on this two hour kayaking tour. This is a great chance to see seals, sea lions, great herons and more. The route of the tour will vary based on recent sightings of local wildlife. Whether you want to drift among the bull kelp or paddle hard along the shore, this tour is for you. Meet at our docks in Shilshole Marina 20 minutes prior to tour departure Family Friendly Beginner paddlers welcome What to bring: Warm clothes, preferably non-cotton Water-appropriate shoes A water-proof, wind-proof layer Water bottle Sunglasses and/or a sun hat Please note that if your booking is for an odd number of people, the odd person might be paired up with a new friend or guide in a tandem kayak.
Puget Sound was created when the area's glaciers began their retreat about 14,000 years ago, leaving behind intricate patterns of islands, inlets, lakes and shorelines. Today, Puget Sound is home to thousands of creatures, from killer whales and sea lions to sea anemones and sand dollars. Enjoy the rich ecosystem of Puget Sound on this two hour kayaking tour. This is a great chance to see seals, sea lions, great herons and more. The route of the tour will vary based on recent sightings of local wildlife. Whether you want to drift among the bull kelp or paddle hard along the shore, this tour is for you. Meet at our docks in Shilshole Marina 20 minutes prior to tour departure Family Friendly Beginner paddlers welcome
One of the largest marinas on the west coast hosting around 1500 boats. Located in Ballard with unique vantages of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain Range.
2 Hour Sound Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
Prices start at $118 per person for this Seattle experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is By the Corinthian Yacht Club, just South of Golden Gardens Beach Park. Please arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled tour to allow time for parking, signing waivers and using the restroom prior to the start time of your tour. You can find our digital waiver at https://www.ballardkayak.com/waiver.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 16 participants.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 34 verified reviews; it is run by Ballard Kayak Expeditions LLC. Most-mentioned highlights: All equipment needed for safe and enjoyable sea kayaking!; Local Guide.
Our guide was Emma and she was fantastic. I was a little nervous, having never been in a kayak, and not really being a fan of deep water. Two of our three teens were skeptical that they’d enjoy themselves. We all ended up loving it. We saw plenty of seals and just enjoyed being out on the water. Emma was delightful and so helpful. Definitely recommend this tour as it’s been a highlight of our trip.
One of the highlights of my trip and worth the trek from downtown Seattle. Emma was a fantastic tour guide. The kayaking is easy even for beginners and the wildlife is incredible - seals, eagles, herons, seagull nests with chicks, and sea stars at low tide. Going through a lock was a truly unique experience. 10/10 recommend!
Exceptional experience. Our guide, Emma, was so knowledgeable and knew all the best spots to see seals and more! We had one playful seal that jumped up in all of our kayaks! This will definitely be an experience my kids will always cherish.
This tour is a fantastic way to explore the Sound, see wildlife, and learn more about Seattle. We even got to see a seal!
The tour was great, the tour guide too, totally worth it. Clear instructions, excellent view, excellent facts of the places seen along the way.
This was a really fun time and an amazing experience for me, a person who had never been on the ocean before! I'm from MN and I was really nervous to do it but decided to go for the adventure. Our guide was absolutely amazing and great about putting everyone at ease. It was beautiful, educational, exciting, and fun. I definitely recommend!!
Our family of four (two adults, two teens) participated in the 2-hour Puget Sound Kayak tour. We had a wonderful time. Our tour group included three kayaks, two to a kayak, and was suitable for beginners (although we do have kayaking experience). Most kayaking took place near the harbor; there wasn't time to go too far afield. Still, we saw a lot of wildlife - eagles, ospreys, herons, kingfishers, harbor seals, sea lions - and learned about the natural history of Puget Sound and little about Ballard. Our tour guide was very welcoming and knowledgeable. Not a long drive from downtown Seattle and a perfect outdoor activity if you have a tight schedule but want to get out on the water.
The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and always helpful with a big smile. The tour work kayak passed fast, and we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery. From the outside of the Ballard locks to nature such seagulls, bald eagles, seals, and sea lions. The train passing by the Balladrd locks. it was just a perfect Seattle summer adventure.
I live just a few miles from Shilshole Bay and am an inexperienced kayaker, so I wanted to take a guided tour. Emma was entertaining and knowledgeable, while making sure everyone was safe and comfortable. We saw seals, sea lions, and sea stars. It was a great two hours!
Fantastic experience- got to see a lot of seals and our guide was super knowledgeable about the whole area. Great way to see the sound !
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Hour Sound Tour | 2 hours | 4.9 (34) | $118 | |
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