Seattle Donut Boat
4.0(47)google
BoatingHarborWater ActivityFamilyPhoto Spot
Overview
Seattle Donut Boat rentals on Lake Union offer an incredibly fun, self-driven social boating experience shaped exactly like a giant colorful donut. Equipped with a central picnic table and a quiet electric motor that requires no boating license, these unique watercraft allow groups to cruise at a leisurely pace, enjoying snacks, drinks, and unrestricted panoramic views of the city.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2 hours
Best TimeSunny summer afternoons or evenings (June to August) are mandatory (online booking required). Piloting a round, electric donut boat for a picnic on the calm waters of Lake Union provides panoramic views of the skyline and seaplanes.
Getting ThereThe boarding dock is situated on the south shore of Lake Union at 1001 Fairview Ave N. Take the South Lake Union Streetcar from downtown, get off at the Fairview & Campus Dr stop, and walk 1 minute toward the lake.
Travel Tips
- Crucial Rule: Operating these circular rental craft requires absolutely zero boating license or prior maritime experience. Staff provide a quick 5-minute dockside briefing to master the simple control tiller.
- You are fully encouraged to bring your own charcoal, raw meats, and picnic baskets. However, hard liquor and fuels that generate heavy, toxic soot or excessive smoke are strictly banned due to lake safety rules.
- Lake Union is a busy marine corridor shared with seaplanes and yachts. Keep your craft completely outside the clearly marked seaplane take-off lanes and yield the right-of-way to all larger moving vessels.
Reviews
Positive
- One of the most fun experiences on Lake Union! The circular boats look like big donuts with a central table, allowing you to bring your own snacks and drinks for a lake picnic.
- Incredibly easy to drive with no boating license required; the staff provides a simple 5-minute training session on the electric motor before you set sail.
- Sitting in the unobstructed circular boat offers prime views of the Seattle skyline, Space Needle, and seaplanes taking off and landing, making for great photos.
- The boats are kept spotlessly clean and equipped with high-quality life jackets; online booking is seamless, making it a great private choice for parties.
Heads up
- The hourly rental rate is quite expensive; with taxes and mandatory insurance added, the per-capita cost is steep if you don't fill the maximum 6-person capacity.
- The boat speed is heavily restricted to a crawl; if you are looking for a high-speed adventure or a thrilling jet-boat experience, this will feel boring.
- The experience suffers immensely in bad weather; during windy, rainy, or cold Seattle days, the semi-open boat leaves you freezing and handles roughly.
- Parking near the dock is extremely scarce, especially on sunny weekends; arriving late due to hunting for parking means your rental time gets deducted.