Boat trips on Lake Washington

Lake Washington is Seattle's big lake. It runs about 20 miles north to south, between Seattle on the west shore and Bellevue, Kirkland, Renton and Mercer Island on the east. Floating bridges carry I-90 and SR 520 across it, and on a clear evening you can see Mount Rainier to the south.

It's a good place for almost any trip. Try a morning of wake sports, a few hours of fishing, or a sunset cruise past the city.

Good to know before you go

• It's a busy lake in summer. Weekend afternoons bring a lot of boats. Captains often run wake sports trips early in the day, when the water is calmer.
• Meeting points vary. The lake has many marinas and docks on both shores. Check your listing for the exact meeting point, and use the directions in the app.
• Fishing here is mostly for trout, bass and perch, depending on the season. Washington's fishing rules apply. See fishing trips for the license you need.
• Evenings cool down fast on the water, even in summer. Bring a jacket for sunset cruises.

What to bring

• A swimsuit and a towel for wake sports
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• A warm layer for the ride back
• Water and a snack, unless the listing says they're included

Each listing lists the safety equipment on board. Your captain gives a safety briefing and decides if conditions are right to go.

Things to do on Lake Washington

• Cruises

  Sunset and sightseeing trips for anyone who just wants to be on the water.

• Wakesurf

  Ride the wave behind the boat with no rope once you're up. Great for first-timers.

• Wakeboard and Water Ski

  Towed sports behind the boat: wakeboarding, water skiing and the jumps in between.

• Fishing

  Book one seat on a captain's fishing trip, from lake trout to Puget Sound salmon.