Northwest Outdoor Center Seattle
The Northwest Outdoor Center offers tours on Lake Union, a protected area that is optimal for beginners. If conditions are questionable, the center may change the route of the trip or reschedule for safety.
July through August you can join Northwest Outdoor Center for a Golden Gardens Sunset Tours on the weekends. The tour travels toward the sunset from the center and through the ship canal to Ballard Locks, part of Seattle's Lake Washington Ship Canal. A gravity-fed elevator takes kayakers down to Puget Sound. The tour stops at Golden Gardens Park, which contains wetlands, beaches and hiking trails where you will watch the last of the sun fall behind the Olympic Mountains. A vehicle will return you to the center.
Once a month near the full moon from May to September, the center takes guests on a night paddle around the lake. Some of the things kayakers see are equipment once used to transport logs from Union Bay to Lake Union, houseboats, the Seattle and Queen City Yacht Clubs, the Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the University Bridge.
Northwest Outdoor Center
2100 Westlake Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 281-9694
(800) 683-0637
nwoc.com
Alki Kayak Tours
Alki Kayak tours explore waterways around Seattle with instructors who are environmental ambassadors well-versed on the area's history and culture.
The Alki Point Lighthouse tour starts at the Seacrest Boathouse and heads to the Alki Point Lighthouse and back, providing views of downtown Seattle and the Cascade and Olympia Mountains. This three-hour tour is offered daily. Winds can pick up while on the water, so this tour is better suited for more experienced kayakers. The route may also change if winds are severe.
The Duwamish River Birding and Wildlife Tour is a three-hour kayak tour goes around man-made Harbor Island, where they build and repair ships, with a short stop at a park along the river. Area wildlife includes bald eagles, salmon, osprey and kingfishers. The route passes the West Seattle Bridge and the Spokane Street Bridge, a swing bridge.
Offered daily, the Seattle Sunset Sea Kayak Tour starts with a paddle down the Duwamish River to the islands to watch the sun set behind the Olympia Mountains. This is a popular tour, so reservations are recommended.
The two-hour daily Elliott Bay Sea Kayak Tour is suited for first-time kayakers because of the protected bay waters. Participants explore Elliott Bay and the mouth of the Duwamish River while watching for seals, bald eagles and sea lions.
Alki Kayak Tours
1660 Harbor Avenue Southwest
Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 953-0237
kayakalki.com
Aqua Verde Sea & Paddle Club
The Aqua Verde Sea & Paddle Club focuses on sunset and moonlight tours but can design a custom tour for larger groups. Guides provide an introduction before heading out on the water. The Paddle Club reserves the right to cancel, change or reschedule tours due to weather.
The New Moon Tour paddles around glacial Lake Union as the sun sets, casting a sparkle on the buildings of the Seattle skyline. Paddlers will pass Gas Works Park, the largest park on Lake Union. Running lights are provided to help guide participants back to the club. This tour is held once a month in the summer.
If being guided by the moon interests you, join Aqua Verde for a Full Moon Tour. Beginning at the Paddle Club, you will explore the arboretum, urban green space with lush flowers and the largest collection of Maple Trees in the U.S. A Native American burial site is both spooky and mysterious when seen by the light of the moon.
Every Wednesday night, the Paddle Club offers a Sunset Tour. Kayak around Lake Union and Portage Bay while the sun sets. Learn about the local area history during this two-hour paddle.
Customized tours are available where the club will bring the paddles, guide and kayaks to you. When booking, you can choose the waterfront location, time and date for the event.
Aqua Verde Sea & Paddle Club
1303 NE Boat Street
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 545-8570
aguaverde.com
