Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard
Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard
5
Read more
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
If you are considering a visit to Seattle or you are looking for a completely unique Pacific Northwest experience, let Seattle's top rated kayak and paddleboard tour and rentals company show you a truly remarkable experience. Whether you are completely new to watersports or have been around water your whole life, our trained guides will take excellent care of you during your time with us. We offer: TOURS leaving from Shilshole Marine -Ballard Locks Tour (our top seller) -Sunset tour -Discovery Point Tour (Lunch included) -2 hour Puget Sound Tour -Custom tour curated just for you And other seasonal offerings RENTALS from the beautiful Golden Gardens beach -Kayaks (Singles and doubles) -Paddle boards GROUP EVENTS at either beach or marina locations -Fully tailored to the specific needs of your group Do you have a group? We specialize in large, medium and small group activities or even fully catered parties that will leave your guests speechless! We handle it all, from transportation, F&B, games/activities to the entertainment. Make the easy choice, Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard. Let's go explore!
Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
(4 reviews)
(2 reviews)
(4 reviews)
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
127 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
lisasuss
East Greenwich, RI74 contributions
Sep 2021
What a great day out! Blaine is a terrific and knowledgeable guide. He was great at giving paddling tips as well as local historical and natural history lore. I saw on the reviews that some people were unhappy because their tour was cancelled due to unfavorable conditions, but really? I would prefer to go with a company that puts my safety over their profit margin. Plus the gear is top notch. Lunch was beyond expectations. We saw seals, herons and starfish.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephanie C
4 contributions
Jun 2020 • Solo
Two Hour Sound Tour - I was in the area on a solo vacation and decided to jump on this tour. Blaine was a phenomenal guide. He was very friendly and very knowledgeable. He made sure that everyone was comfortable throughout the entire tour. I would DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone visiting the area or any locals who might be interested in getting out on the water!
Written June 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grace Ziwei
Washington DC, DC14 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
We had a fantastic time on our kayak tour of the locks. Stunning views on the water, so many seals sunbathing on the shores, and of course, the locks themselves were fascinating. Jay and Sam were very knowledgeable and friendly tour guides. Highly recommend this tour - it was probably our favorite experience in Seattle.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave O
Seattle, WA559 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
On July 4, I signed up for the sunset kayak tour. Blaine, the general manager, was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. He knows the true meaning and value of good customer service, and he has a delightful personality.
The registration confirmation I received was excellent. Not only did it explain what to bring, when to arrive, and where to meet, it also contained a list of items to bring.
Matt, our tour guide, was as delightful as Blaine! (Note the pattern: having a "delightful" personality must be a job requirement!) Matt provided an outstanding technique and safety overview. Besides my friend and I, there was one other couple from Ohio. We left at 8:00 pm. The weather was perfect, and the water was like glass. Matt is extremely knowledgeable of the nature and the history of the area, and he provided information and answered questions throughout the trip. The sunset was simply amazing, with indescribable colors. Near the end of the trip, a seal came right up to our kayak, practically close enough to reach out and touch! Throughout the trip, I could not help but say "Wow!" and "Awesome!" repeatedly.
Thank you very much Blaine and Matt for providing us with such a "splendid" evening paddle! I will definitely return.
The registration confirmation I received was excellent. Not only did it explain what to bring, when to arrive, and where to meet, it also contained a list of items to bring.
Matt, our tour guide, was as delightful as Blaine! (Note the pattern: having a "delightful" personality must be a job requirement!) Matt provided an outstanding technique and safety overview. Besides my friend and I, there was one other couple from Ohio. We left at 8:00 pm. The weather was perfect, and the water was like glass. Matt is extremely knowledgeable of the nature and the history of the area, and he provided information and answered questions throughout the trip. The sunset was simply amazing, with indescribable colors. Near the end of the trip, a seal came right up to our kayak, practically close enough to reach out and touch! Throughout the trip, I could not help but say "Wow!" and "Awesome!" repeatedly.
Thank you very much Blaine and Matt for providing us with such a "splendid" evening paddle! I will definitely return.
Written July 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John L
La Paz, Mexico11 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
My partner and I live on our sailboat in the Shilshole Bay Marina. We have been thinking about buying kayaks to take on our sail boat as we explore Puget Sound and British Columbia. We decided to try this tour so we could paddle a two person sit-in kayak to help us decide what we wanted to buy.
The idea of seeing the locks from the water sounded like fun so we signed up.
It was an excellent experience. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife and the history of the locks. She was always focused on safety and kept a close watch on all the boats in our group.
The process of locking up and then down was very easy. That was not a big surprise since the locks have been in use 24/7 for close to a hundred years and the operators have the process down pat.
I would recommend that people who do this tour visit the locks and its museum by land first so they will have an appreciation of what they are experiencing and also have a chance to visit to fish ladder by the locks.
The idea of seeing the locks from the water sounded like fun so we signed up.
It was an excellent experience. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife and the history of the locks. She was always focused on safety and kept a close watch on all the boats in our group.
The process of locking up and then down was very easy. That was not a big surprise since the locks have been in use 24/7 for close to a hundred years and the operators have the process down pat.
I would recommend that people who do this tour visit the locks and its museum by land first so they will have an appreciation of what they are experiencing and also have a chance to visit to fish ladder by the locks.
Written June 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris J
Seattle, WA6 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Even for us kayaking beginners, the guides did an excellent job of getting us up and running. Before we knew it, we were feeling confident and having a blast. Great views, friendly employees, and well maintained equipment make Ballard Kayak a 5/5. Bravo!
Written May 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cmotuz
1 contribution
May 2015 • Solo
I had a very relaxing hour and a half paddle out on Puget sound during a stunning sunset over the Olympic mountain range. Saw a seal and, from a distance, some sea lions. I was the only one, so it was just me and the tour guide, who was friendly, experienced and knowledgeable about the area. After a full safety briefing, we headed out in sea kayaks. Beginners have the option of sharing a very stable double kayak, so I would rate this activity suitable for kids, too.
I can't wait to go back!
I can't wait to go back!
Written May 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
coco9nyc
Seattle, WA36 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Friendly staff, good gear, fun time. Even in the rain.
We did the "Paddle and Pour" option... a kayak ride through the Ballard locks followed by an hour on the beer cycle thing.
Our start was delayed because of a thunderstorm (!) but once it passed we got going. John and Luke were very helpful, guiding us through the harbor and locks while passing on useful information and pointing out sights. As it was raining on and off we were more than a bit wet but on a sunny day it would be wonderful. We saw sea lions, jumping salmon, a boat from "Deadliest Catch"... and got a good eyeful of the impressive harbor-side real estate.
The beer bike was a bit so-so... harder work than I expected and they didn't have the tap running, we just had some cans. Next time I'd just stick to the kayaking.
We did the "Paddle and Pour" option... a kayak ride through the Ballard locks followed by an hour on the beer cycle thing.
Our start was delayed because of a thunderstorm (!) but once it passed we got going. John and Luke were very helpful, guiding us through the harbor and locks while passing on useful information and pointing out sights. As it was raining on and off we were more than a bit wet but on a sunny day it would be wonderful. We saw sea lions, jumping salmon, a boat from "Deadliest Catch"... and got a good eyeful of the impressive harbor-side real estate.
The beer bike was a bit so-so... harder work than I expected and they didn't have the tap running, we just had some cans. Next time I'd just stick to the kayaking.
Written September 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Casey B
Porterville, CA13 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We went on a Ballard Locks kayak trip Wednesday the 10th of July. It was my husband and I and our two teenage kids. The tour guide was amazing. She was knowledgable, helpful, friendly, and a wonderful guide. We had an amazing time. She went at our pace. Ballard Locks provides EVERYTHING you need. They have high quality gear and we loved the whole experience. I would definitely recommend it to any family looking for a wonderful experience.
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rerBellevue
Bellevue, WA311 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
I did the Ballard locks kayaking tour. The equipment, guides, and training are all tops. Going into the large locks along side a very tall fishing boat was exciting. This requires a fair amount of work, but is very worth it.
Written October 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Islandshell
14 contributions
Do we have the option of a double kayak for the locks tour?
Blaine_DeWalt
2 contributions
Hello! Thanks for reaching out to us. All of our tours are exclusively conducted in tandem kayaks. We find they are more more stable and efficient than single kayaks. Hope to see you soon!
Should beginners sign up specifically for the beginner lesson or can beginners for sure handle taking the Guided Tour one?
Ballard_Kayak
Seattle, WA1 contribution
Hello Sarah,
Thank you for reaching out to us! All of our tours are beginner friendly. So you can pick a tour that looks the best for you and go with it!
Hope to see you on the water!
Ballard Kayak Team
JillVarner
Orlando, FL9 contributions
Which tour would you most likely encounter whale sightings?
MarcyFR
Gilbert, AZ3 contributions
We only went on the sunset tour so I don't know. If you email Ballard Kayak I guarantee they will get back with you right away. They would be better suited to answer your question.