Boasting the largest transit ferry service and system in the entire United States, the city of Seattle is the perfect destination for ferry tours. From its rugged yet elegant coastline to the city's status as a gateway to Canada, the Emerald City offers a wealth of sightseeing tours, many of which are offered via ferry service. Whether looking to chug along slowly to take in the local landscapes, or a high-speed trip into Canadian waters, there are numerous ferry tours from which to choose.
All Seattle Tours, which specializes in sightseeing activities in the greater Seattle area, offers a quick-paced ferry tour that originates in Seattle and ends in neighboring waters in Victoria, British Columbia. Just under three hours, the tour passes through the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuc. Amenities aboard the high-speed ferry, a Coast Guard certified boat named Victoria Clipper 1, include a gift shop as well as meals available for purchase. Patrons also can extend the tour by purchasing a round-trip ticket back to Seattle to complete this ferry tour. It should be noted that because the tour crosses an international boundary, a valid form of identification, such as a passport or driver's license, is required.
Departing out of Seattle, the Bainbridge Island and Kitsap Peninsula Tour provides patrons with a scenic tour of the northwestern landscape, ranging from rugged coastlines to majestic mountains. Once docked at rustic Bainbridge Island, which is only 30 minutes away by ferry, patrons can tour the small island town that "Money" magazine designated as the "second-best place to live in the United States" in 2005. Along the way, sightseers are invited to keep their eyes peeled for whales, who often make an appearance in the frigid northwestern waters off of Seattle. For those looking for some more adventure, kayaking and electric boat tours offer an additional--and optional--element to the tour.
Also originating in Seattle, the Bloedel Reserve Tour, offered by Seattle's Kitsap Tours, provides patrons with a ferry ride to the rustic island city of Bainbridge, where the nearby Bloedel Reserve is the focus of attention. Once off the ferry, where marine life and other vessels are some of the highlights for sightseers, patrons can tour the elegant Bloedel Reserve, a 150-acre resort that once served as a private residence. The reserve is particularly renowned for its landscaped grounds and gardens. One of the highlights of this tour is that it incorporates the ferries of the Washington State Ferry System, the largest such system in the United States.
