Referred to by some as the ‘boating capital of North America’, Seattle is perfectly placed between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington to offer an almost endless range of experiences that boaters of all ages and experience levels can enjoy. From water-sports and nature watching to sightseeing and dockside dining there really is something for everyone who choose to opt for boat rental Seattle.

If you’ve yet to experience all that the waters around the Emerald City then you are in for a treat. Planning a trip to this stunning Northwestern city but not sure what you could actually do, or where you should go if you do opt to spend some time offshore? Here are just a few suggestions to fire up your imagination:

Port Orchard – Port Orchard is an easy cruise from downtown Seattle, one that takes just over fifteen minutes or so. Once there boaters discover that they have arrived in a truly picturesque town that is built along one of the best inland waterways to travel along in the US. The salmon fishing is second to none, setting up a wonderful day for fishermen, and the scenery is astonishing. Head off your vessel and onto land and you’ll find fabulous dining and shopping experiences abound. And if you are very lucky you may get to experience the sight of something truly wonderful; majestic orca whales gliding through the Sinclair Inlet.

Poulsbo – Some people call this place Little Norway on the Fjord, and if you choose to boat along its waterways it won’t be too hard to see why. The peninsula on which it sits, halfway between the urban centers of Seattle and Tacoma is completely surrounded by water, making it the perfect destination for fishermen, watersports enthusiasts – the waters around the town recently became one of the first recognized water trails for paddlers in the US – and nature lovers.

Poulsbo is also the perfect spot for a quiet cruise, taking in views of snow-capped mountains and fabulous forested vistas and you can top off the day by anchoring up in the town’s historic harbor and heading off to enjoy some delicious dining.

Bell Harbor – Located in the lively heart of downtown Seattle itself the Bell Harbor is a large, ‘recreational’ body of water that is considered to be the heart of the city. Bright and lively it offers guest dockage that allows those who choose boat rental Seattle to experience Seattle in the best possible way, both from the water and by exploring the area around the harbor itself.

From taking a trip to the fascinating aquarium, to exploring the famous Pike Place Market – site of, coffee lovers – the original Starbucks and one of the oldest farmer’s markets in the US – to taking in the view of the stunning Seattle skyline, there’s something for everyone. And, should you happen to be in the area, there are few better places you can choose to spend the 4th of July as the celebration staged annually at Bell Harbor is a real stunner.

Bainbridge Island – Another spot that is very close to the beating heart of Seattle and just a short sail away from downtown is Bainbridge Island. Despite its close proximity to the city though it feels like it’s a world away. A quaint harbor is its central focus and boat watching is a fun activity in itself, especially if you can spot some of the larger yachts Paul  that belong to the likes of billionaire locals like Oakley founder James Jannard and Microsoft’s Paul Allen and Steve Ballmer. But there is also fishing, water-sports and the simple pleasure of sailing to be enjoyed, as well as all of the land based fun the island offers as well.

San Juan Islands – It would be very easy to write pages and pages about the San Juan Islands and no doubt one day we will. In a nutshell however, the best way to describe them is as a little slice of paradise right in the heart of the Northwest.

Technically an archipelago consisting of more than 170 islands, the only way to reach the San Juan Islands is by air or by boat, there are no bridges or roads that connect them to the mainland, but renting the boat of your choice – if you are wise with a captain as well, at least on your first visit – will never be money badly spent. Many people hit the water specifically to go whale watching – and for good reason as spying a majestic Orca rising from the water is an amazing and memorable sight – but there are many more reasons to leave the land.

Watersports are a must try for the active and adventurous, the fishing is incredible, and an Outer Islands cruise in any vessel will take you through some of the best of what is all truly beautiful scenery in the area. Head inland and you can stop off at one of the four most heavily populated of the islands – San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island and Shaw Island – and enjoy everything from fine dining and spectacular shopping to hiking, biking, wine tasting, concert going and more.

Whatever your personal passions, taking advantage of boat rental Seattle when visiting the Emerald City and the surrounding area will only serve to enhance the experience. The areas and trips we’ve just described are also only a rather small selection of the boating opportunities that abound.

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