Ultimate Seattle Seaplane Tour Worthy of Your Bucket List

Hiking clothes as daily attire, good coffee, and Subarus. Another thing that is quintessentially woven into the fabric of the Pacific Northwest? Seaplanes. If you’re planning a visit to the Evergreen State and looking for one of the most unforgettable and unique activities, consider booking a Seattle seaplane tour.

Words can’t fully describe the feeling of seeing the buzz of downtown Seattle from a bird’s-eye view. Some people spend their whole lives here and never get the chance to experience it. So, if you’re looking to splurge on a special occasion activity — or simply want to capture some jaw-dropping photos — this is my local’s guide to the Seattle seaplane tour I recommend most.

What Exactly Is a Seattle Seaplane Tour?

Growing up in Washington State, it really wasn’t until I moved to Seattle for college that I fully understood seaplane culture. Western Washington is filled with freshwater lakes and inland saltwater seas, making it the perfect environment for seaplanes. Unlike traditional airplanes, seaplanes take off and land directly on the water’s surface. And honestly? In my experience, the takeoff and landing are surprisingly gentle.

If you’ve never seen one before, Lake Union during late spring through early fall is one of the best places to watch seaplanes in action. Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park are especially great viewing spots.

There are a few companies offering scenic Seattle seaplane tours, but I’ve personally only flown with Kenmore Air, which happens to be the largest seaplane operator in the country. Over the last few years, I’ve experienced several flights with them departing from both Kenmore and Tacoma. However, it was my most recent flight that convinced me this is the ultimate Seattle seaplane tour experience — and exactly why I’m writing this guide for you.

Bestie Tip: Looking for more bucket list worthy Pacific Northwest activities? Check out my new guidebook, 52 Weekends in the Pacific Northwest, that has hundreds of recommendations packed into 52 weekend itineraries – one for every week of the year!

Which Seattle Seaplane Tour Is Right for You?

Before I get into my personal favorite, which is definitely more of a splurge due to its longer flight time, I wanted to share a few other Seattle seaplane tour options worth considering.

1. Lake Washington Scenic Flight

This was the very first Seattle seaplane tour I ever did, and it completely hooked me.

The flight departs from the northern tip of Lake Washington in Kenmore, an area that feels peaceful and residential compared to the bustle of downtown Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, you’ll soar over Magnuson Park before continuing toward the iconic University of Washington campus.

As a UW alum, this portion of the flight felt especially special to me. From above, you can spot Husky Stadium, Red Square, Suzzallo Library (aka the “Harry Potter library”), and the Quad, home to Seattle’s famous cherry blossoms each spring.

The flight continues over Gas Works Park, offering incredible skyline views complete with the Space Needle. From there, you’ll fly over Shilshole Bay Marina before crossing over the saltwater near Discovery Park and West Point Lighthouse, eventually looping back toward Lake Washington.

If your main goal is seeing Seattle from above, this short and scenic 25-minute flight is a fantastic option. At the time of writing, tickets are around $112 per person, and flights typically operate daily.

RELATED POST: Did you know Tacoma now has seaplane tours?

2. Seattle Scenic Seaplane Tour

Although I haven’t personally flown this route yet, it appears very similar to the Lake Washington Scenic Flight. The main difference is that this Seattle seaplane tour departs directly from Kenmore Air’s South Lake Union terminal, making it especially convenient if you’re visiting Seattle without a car.

Because the departure point is in Seattle proper, ticket prices are slightly higher at around $149 per person. Flight time is still approximately 25 minutes long.

3. San Juan Islands Scenic Tour

Hear me out: while we’re technically talking about the best Seattle seaplane tour, I’d argue the ultimate experience combines those iconic Seattle skyline views with the added bonus of soaring over the Salish Sea nearly all the way to Canada.

That’s exactly what you get with the San Juan Islands Scenic Tour!

Departing from the Lake Washington terminal, this 1-hour-and-45-minute flight feels like an expanded version of the Seattle scenic flights — but on a much grander scale. Along the way, passengers can listen to a prerecorded narrated guide highlighting towns, islands, and landmarks throughout the region. We also got lucky and saw the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.

Beyond this, I think I literally gasped when I spotted some of my favorite places in Washington State like Port Townsend, Fort Flagler Historical State Park, and the Hood Canal Bridge. And don’t get me started on the seemingly endless beauty of the Strait of Juan de Fuca…

Since you wear headphones during the flight, it’s worth noting that the narration itself is fairly brief. For most of the ride, upbeat ambient music plays in the background. Full transparency: by the second half of the flight, I found myself wishing for a little more variety. One passenger actually switched over to their own headphones, which honestly seemed like a smart move.

I also found myself frequently checking Google Maps on my phone to better understand where we were flying. If it’s your first visit to Washington, you probably won’t need to do this. But if you’ve already visited places like Whidbey Island, La Conner, San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, or the Olympic Peninsula, it becomes really fun trying to identify familiar places from above.

Because of the lengthy flight time, tickets currently cost around $336 per person. At the time of writing, this Seattle seaplane tour operates exclusively on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Bestie Tip

I highly recommend calling before booking to ask how full a particular flight is. Some tours — especially the San Juan Islands Scenic Tour — require a minimum number of passengers in order to operate.

If your group only has one or two people, choosing a date where another party has already booked can help reduce the risk of your flight being canceled or rescheduled. After personally dealing with a few springtime rebookings, I learned that May tends to mark the beginning of the busier season as the sunny weather returns.

Tips for Enjoying the Perfect Seattle Seaplane Tour

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before departure to check in. Take it from me: Seattle-area traffic can be rough, and you definitely don’t want to miss your flight.

Fortunately, arriving early isn’t a bad thing. The terminals typically offer indoor seating, outdoor lakeside patio seating, restrooms, and a small gift shop.

Pack Light

Unless you’re a photographer like me, you probably don’t need a large backpack. During my flights, I found there was still plenty of legroom even with camera gear, but realistically, all you need is a water bottle and maybe your phone or camera.

Wear Closed-Toe Shoes

Compared to some other Seattle seaplane tours I’ve done, boarding this particular plane involved narrower steps than expected. I wore my Blundstone boots and was very glad I skipped sandals or flip-flops.

Press Your Camera Against the Window

To avoid reflections and glare in your photos, press your camera or phone as close to the window as possible. This makes a huge difference in image quality.

Take a Photo With the Plane Afterwards

After your flight, don’t forget to snap a photo beside the seaplane itself. In my experience, the pilots are usually more than happy to help take group photos.

This post was all about finding the ultimate Seattle seaplane tour experience.