See Seattle the way it was meant to be seen — from the water. A private sightseeing yacht tour aboard Provocatrix, a 52-foot Prestige 520 luxury motor yacht, shows you the skyline, the houseboats, the locks and Mount Rainier in a way no bus tour can match.
Seattle’s Best Sights from the Water
Glide past the downtown skyline and the Space Needle, cruise Lake Union to see the colorful houseboats made famous in the movies and the floatplanes taking off overhead, and take in sweeping views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades on a clear day. Your private captain narrates the highlights and tailors the route to whatever you most want to see — all from the comfort of a heated, glass-enclosed cabin.
A Private Tour, Tailored to You
Unlike a packed tour boat, Provocatrix is entirely yours — up to 12 guests, your pace, your route. Stop to swim off the hydraulic platform, enjoy catering on deck, or simply relax with the city drifting by. It is the ideal way for visitors to experience Seattle, and a perfect group outing for families and friends.
Ideal for Cruise-Ship Travelers
Seattle is a major departure port for Alaska cruises, and many travelers arrive a day or two early. A private yacht tour is the perfect pre- or post-cruise excursion — a relaxed, premium way to see the city before you set sail north. Staying longer? Extend your trip with a multi-day San Juan Islands voyage for whale watching and island scenery.
Seattle Yacht Tour FAQs
What will we see on the tour?
The downtown skyline and Space Needle, Lake Union houseboats and floatplanes, and Mount Rainier and Cascade views on clear days. Your captain tailors the route to your interests.
How many guests can join?
Up to 12 guests on a private tour — ideal for families, friends and visiting groups.
Is this good before an Alaska cruise?
Yes — it is a perfect pre- or post-cruise excursion for travelers arriving early in Seattle’s cruise season.
How much does a sightseeing charter cost?
Charters start at $4,000 for 4 hours and $7,000 for 8 hours. Captain’s fee, fuel, cleaning and gratuity are not included.
A Better Way to See the City
Land tours show you Seattle through a bus window in heavy traffic. From the water, the city opens up: the skyline stands clear against the sky, the houseboats and floating homes line the shore, seaplanes skim overhead, and on a clear day Mount Rainier floats on the horizon like a painting. Because Provocatrix is private, you are not on anyone else’s schedule — slow down for photos, linger where the view is best, and ask your captain about whatever catches your eye.
It is the kind of experience that gives visitors the real feel of Seattle as a maritime city, and gives locals a fresh perspective on the place they call home. Bring the family, host out-of-town guests, or treat visiting clients to something they will not find in a guidebook.
Can the captain customize the route?
Yes — tell us what you most want to see and we’ll build the route around it, from the skyline and houseboats to open-water Mount Rainier views.
Is this a narrated tour?
Your captain shares highlights and answers questions along the way, at whatever level of detail your group enjoys.
Trips are easy to tailor to your group’s pace and interests, whether that is a relaxed two-hour highlights cruise or a longer half-day that adds swimming and lunch on deck. Families, photographers, history buffs and first-time visitors all take away something different — which is exactly the point of having the yacht, and the route, entirely to yourselves.
Book Your Seattle Yacht Tour
Reserve online to see Seattle from the water aboard Provocatrix.