Kayaking near Seattle
Where to Kayak Near Seattle and Bellevue
Lake Washington offers many opportunities for kayaking, with parks and access points positioned around the lake and adjacent to cities like Bellevue, Kirkland, Kenmore, and Renton. Popular places to kayak on Lake Washington include Seward Park, Union Bay, REI Co-op Kayak Rentals at Meydenbauer Beach Park, REI Co-op Kayak Rentals at Enatai Beach Park, and the Mercer Slough. Advanced kayakers like to take on the endurance paddle around Mercer Island in the middle of Lake Washington.
Summer Season Rental Locations
Kayaking Tours and Classes
Looking for a unique way to get on the water? Browse experiences only accessible on the lakes near Seattle. Take a kayaking skills course, join a guided tour through urban wetlands, or much more.
Other Seattle Kayak Locations
The Seattle area is arguably one of the best places to kayak in the United States. The cold waters and lush green islands of the Puget Sound are teeming with wildlife while further inland the landscape is punctuated with seemingly countless freshwater lakes including Lake Washington, the second largest natural lake in Washington State. Whether salt water or fresh, sea kayaking or casual exploring, there are many opportunities to get out and kayak near Seattle.
Alki Beach
Alki Beach is a well-known beach on the Puget Sound in West Seattle. While the drive from downtown Seattle to Alki can take a while, the views back towards the city skyline are a big draw for locals and tourists and are a highlight of kayaking at Alki. There is a lot of native wildlife to be found along the beach including seals, sea stars, shorebirds, and even giant pacific octopus. Alki Beach Park is a good location to put your kayak in for a longer sea kayaking adventure.
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are not “in” Seattle but they are one of the most iconic kayaking destinations in the region and cannot be overlooked here. This group of wild and beautiful islands is north and west of Seattle in the Puget Sound. There is a public ferry from the town of Anacortes that accesses the islands. Experienced kayakers enjoy paddling around the islands from beach to beach, hoping for sightings of orca whales, seals, and sea lions. For many people, an overnight kayak trip in the San Juan Islands is a once in a lifetime bucketlist adventure.