Top Mt Rainier Cruises & Sailing Tours: Reviews & Recommendations
Planning a trip near Mt Rainier National Park, and are you sort of thinking a water-based view of the natural surroundings might make a pretty neat experience? So you’re likely going to ask whether or not a “Mt. Rainier cruise” is even possible, that it’s just not what people think of when planning a trip. Still, did you know there are actually some fantastic lake and Puget Sound cruising options just a short distance away, offering different perspectives and awesome natural sights? Instead of one big cruise actually happening *in* the park, look a little to the north and west, and you will, at the end of the day, find what you were looking for!
Why Consider Cruises and Sailing Tours Near Mt Rainier?
Seeing Mt. Rainier sort of involves driving to particular viewpoints, or you hike various trails. Yet there’s also this neat angle from the water that gives you different snapshots! You know, with Mt. Rainier looming in the distance, it’s like you can admire its height without, at the end of the day, being surrounded by other tourists. Or there’s being out on Puget Sound, that salty sea air can, in a way, make you feel completely renewed.
Did you know there’s actually plenty to choose from when wanting cruise adventures relatively close to Mt. Rainier? Here are a few that just might make your visit all the more fantastic.
1. Seattle Harbor Cruise
So, a Seattle Harbor Cruise often gives, typically, some great views of the city skyline, with the opportunity, clearly, to view Mt. Rainier on clear days. You know, many cruises start, typically, from downtown Seattle waterfront, not very far from popular attractions just like Pike Place Market.
What to anticipate: With guided tours on Puget Sound, one can glimpse the Seattle skyline from afar and sort of capture images of Mt. Rainier. Or that you’ll often find opportunities, alright, to see local marine life such as seals and seabirds, along the way.
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2. Argosy Cruises Tillicum Village Excursion
The Argosy Cruises Tillicum Village Excursion, well, it really gives this cultural taste paired with awesome views of the Puget Sound. So it also has a chance of showing you Mt. Rainier.
What to anticipate: This excursion goes to Blake Island, so, too it’s almost like you’re witnessing the culture of the Northwest tribes with a salmon bake. That really good views can come of it!
Read our full review: Argosy Cruises Tillicum Village Full Review and Details
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3. Lake Washington Cruises
Now Lake Washington is closer to Seattle, therefore giving scenic boat cruises showing off, often, some views that could be Mt. Rainier depending upon where you actually are on the lake. It just is, that many tours launch from places that are relatively close just like Kirkland or Seattle.
What to anticipate: You might find waterside views that have houses and parks and all sorts of fancy landscapes around the lake. Then if that sky is fairly clear, there’s typically that peak popping up far away!
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4. Whale Watching Tours from Seattle
Yep, departing from Seattle are Whale watching tours; and, obviously, these aim to find Orca whales by going across Puget Sound. So this can also provide pretty far away mountain views in the process.
What to anticipate: Surely that wildlife experiences abound, therefore there’s a lot to see with a good experienced guide as far as spotting the wildlife, plus that bonus of mountain scenery in that background of your shot! Anyway you can hope that skies turn out in such a way as to show that grand old mountain range off well!
Read our full review: Whale Watching Tours from Seattle Full Review and Details
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5. Private Sailing Charters on Puget Sound
Alright a Private Sailing Charter can give an especially tailored, alright, trip around the Puget Sound where seeing Mt. Rainier happens if the skies agree.
What to anticipate: That one customizes one’s trip totally? Anyway you can often plan different itineraries with the operator, including a chance of getting closer or seeing a little bit extra of that peak than other general trips typically do. We can all use just a little more flexibility in our lives.
Read our full review: Private Sailing Charters on Puget Sound Full Review and Details
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Tips for Choosing Your Cruise
Checking the weather conditions is really pretty important, so do check, and see, very, what times might have calmer waters with clearer mountain sights showing. Obviously you will likely get better at this with practice. Or that reading prior reviews, this, well, gives details on if there’s enough seating or places available around the deck. You know, with, often, these things it’s quite hard if others happen keep blocking everything!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I really view Mt Rainier from these cruises?
Yeah if weather is very clear, then definitely cruises traveling Puget Sound, so, too it’s almost like they show great Rainier overviews.
What should one bring onboard any of these trips?
Alright so bring different layers just in case that breeze picks right up. You may also bring sunscreen, basically because reflections come from the water! So yeah, your shades help, too.
Will I get seasick from smaller boats near Rainier?
Puget Sound might, might be a bit bumpy some times and the lake cruises are mostly just fairly smooth. Even on calmer days, bringing seasickness drugs along seems that, frankly, they come in really very useful!
