When cruising Puget Sound, getting away from civilization is easy, yet major cities — Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, and Bellingham — and their amenities are always close by. Views toward Mt. Rainier, the 14,410-foot snow-capped volcano, dominate many vistas. Islands and peninsulas tend to be tree-covered or pastoral. Calmer waters are found in the south — good for year-round cruising — and the meteorological convergent zone in the north can cause weather and sea conditions to change. Marine parks, museums, many marinas, and cozy anchorages mean you’ll always have something fun to see and do while boating in Puget Sound.
Top Destinations
South Puget Sound
Olympia • Case Inlet • Carr Inlet • Tacoma Narrows
Central Puget Sound
Gig Harbor • Tacoma • Vashon Island • Seattle • Bremerton • Poulsbo • Bainbridge Island
North Puget Sound
Kingston • Admiralty Inlet • Port Ludlow • Port Townsend • Edmonds • Everett • Langley •Saratoga Passage • Coupeville
Skagit Bay to Bellingham Bay
Oak Harbor • La Conner • Deception Pass • Anacortes • Bellingham
Lummi Bay to Point Roberts
Semiahmoo Bay • Blaine • Point Roberts
Plan Out Your Trip
Puget Sound is fully covered in the latest Waggoner Cruising Guide. It provides all you need about marinas, anchorages, passages, and attractions. Plan your day’s route with the guide’s detailed planning maps. Get your copy of the Waggoner Cruising Guide book!
Plus, there’s more to help you plan a great cruise through Puget Sound. Read on…
Shoulder Season Cruising in 2021
If there was ever a time for cruising, this year’s shoulder season of September and October is it! For boaters whose schedules allow for cruising during the spring and fall, the rewards are many. This year should be especially desirable. Canada’s border opening in...
The Peace Arch City – Blaine, Washington
The Peace Arch City is one of Blaine, Washington's slogans. The other is “Where America Begins.” Both are rooted in its northwest Washington location on the US-Canadian border. Many people know Blaine as the place where they drive across the border in their vehicles....
Rediscovering Oro Bay on Anderson Island
Over the past five years we’ve visited Oro Bay, located on the southwest corner of Anderson Island, about half a dozen times. We enjoy the rural tranquility, the scenery – made dramatic by the derelict Ocean City ferry – and the wildlife. It’s one of our go-to South...
Jarrell Cove Marine State Park – Mooring Buoys Pilot Program
Field Correspondents Janine & Nick Mott report that State Parks is running a pilot program where boaters can register and pay for Mooring Buoy fees by telephone instead of taking the dinghy to the dock to complete the registration form and payment. Telephone...
Respectful Play, So We Can Stay in Andrews Bay
Lovely Andrews Bay on the southwest end of Lake Washington, adjacent to the Seward Park neighborhood, has long been one of the favored destinations on this 22-mile lake, situated between the cities of Kirkland and Bellevue on the eastern shore, and Seattle spanning...
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
Eagle Harbor is the most visited harbor on Bainbridge Island, home to many nice marinas, a waterfront park and public boat dock, and easy walking access to many shops, restaurants, and museums. Cathleen and I have visited many times, but only recently discovered the...
Be Whale Wise
With boating season kicking off, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Be Whale Wise and other partners are reminding boaters this season to do their part to follow regulations that support Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) survival. By following...
Quartermaster Harbor – Hidden Trails and New Docks
One of the main attractions in Quartermaster Harbor is the labyrinth of trails, 12 miles worth, that meander through Dockton Forest. These forest trails are often overlooked by boaters who visit Quartermaster Harbor, unaware of the hidden forest trails...
Dyes Inlet and the Silverdale Marina with Europa
In early June we visited the Silverdale Marina. We had departed our home port of Tacoma on June 1st for an extended cruise – we had no set itinerary but planned to stay in the central Puget Sound area before heading north later.We were thinking about...
Places to Boat Locally During Covid-19
For cruisers finding their usual destinations in the San Juan Islands closed (e.g., Friday Harbor Marina) or crowded (e.g., Echo Bay on sunny Mother’s Day), my simple suggestion is to visit places you have never been to. Get out the Waggoner Guide and...
Ajax Café — Good Food, Good Times
by Lorena Landon Ajax Café is one of the most unique dining venues in all of Puget Sound, offering excellent cuisine and presentation. The Café is housed in the historic Galster House, built in the late 1800’s, located within steps of the public dock at...
Puget Sound Bound; When the Float Plan Keeps You Close to Home
Puget Sound Bound When the Float Plan Keeps You Close to Home, It’s Nice to Have Puget Sound as Your Backyard.By Deane Hislop Under a clear cobalt blue-sky, we were on the bridge taking in the sights and unseasonably warm temperature as Easy Goin’s diesels...
The Big Three Experience Puget Sound’s Urban Boating
Experience Puget Sound’s Urban BoatingBy Deane HislopA large portion of our boating adventures are spent visiting small seaside villages or in the wilderness at anchor. Arlene and I enjoy exploring the many islands, coves, and bays the waters of Puget...
We Bought a Marina
It all started with some beer and oysters on a hot summer day. Truly, that’s how this story began for us. We took a ride on our Harley to Treasure Island to visit friends, and we gathered along the shoreline to enjoy oysters over a fire, along with a cold...
South Puget Sound Spring Break Cruising
Spring Cruising in the South Puget SoundRid Those Winter Blues with A Weekend Outing or Mini VacationThe aroma of brewing coffee fills the cabin. NOAA weather squawks out of the VHF radio. Arlene, and I are enjoying the first morning of a five-day...
