One Day Itinerary in West Seattle: Water Taxi, Beaches and Views
You can spend a full day in West Seattle without a car: ride the King County Water Taxi from Pier 50 to Seacrest Park in 10 to 15 minutes, walk Alki Beach, eat fish and chips, explore tide pools, and watch the skyline from the shore.
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Spend a day in West Seattle: ride a water taxi across Elliott Bay for about $5, walk a paved beach path with skyline views, eat fish and chips on the water, poke around tide pools, and watch the city glow from the shore. Nine stops, one boat ride, and no car required.
The best view of Seattle is not from Seattle. It is from across the water, from a sandy beach in West Seattle where the skyline sits at the far end of Elliott Bay like a postcard. And the best way to get there is by boat. The King County Water Taxi leaves from the downtown waterfront, crosses in about 10 to 15 minutes and lands you at Seacrest Park, a few steps from the water and a pathway that leads along the shore.
West Seattle is a peninsula with a small-town feel: beach cafes, tidepools, parks with big trees and a long waterfront path that runs for miles. This West Seattle itinerary leans on the water. It starts with a boat ride across the bay, follows the shoreline from Alki Beach to a handful of small parks and ends with a sunset and a ride home. It is also easy on the wallet: the beaches and viewpoints are free, and the boat ticket is the main expense.
Prices and hours below are the latest we could confirm from the sources listed at the bottom. Anything we could not verify is marked "confirm," and restaurant hours change seasonally.
By the Numbers: 9 stops, 10 to 15 minutes on the water and about $5.25 each way for an adult with an ORCA card.
Morning: Across the Bay
King County Water Taxi, Pier 50 to Seacrest Park (9:30 a.m.)
Take the West Seattle Water Taxi from Pier 50, at 801 Alaskan Way, entered at the bottom of Yesler Way. The crossing takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Sit outside if the weather allows, because the skyline slides away behind you.
- Fare (one way): adults 19 to 64 pay $6.25 by cash or paper ticket, or $5.25 with ORCA; youth 18 and under are free; seniors 65+ or riders with disabilities pay $2.50 with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit; ORCA LIFT is $1.00
- Paying: cash, tap-to-pay, ORCA, the Transit GO Ticket app or a paper ticket from a vending machine
- Bikes and pets: ride at no extra charge, according to King County
- Schedule: a new schedule started October 10, 2026 and runs through April 9, 2027, so check the date picker for departure times
- Parking: none at the terminal; paid lots and metered street parking are nearby
- Getting to Pier 50: several bus routes and Link light rail serve the area. If you are arriving from the airport, see our guide to getting from SeaTac to downtown Seattle.
Seacrest Park and Marination Ma Kai (10:00 a.m.)
Seacrest Park, at 1660 Harbor Ave SW, is where the boat lands. A Seattle Times guide describes it as a small rocky crescent that is a popular diving spot, with a fishing pier and hand-carry boat launches. Marination Ma Kai, near the dock, serves Hawaiian and Korean flavors such as tacos, rice bowls and kimchi fried rice, and it has a waterfront patio. A bar service is mentioned too, but we could not confirm hours or prices.
- Cost: free to walk; budget for food
- Time: 30 minutes
- Worth knowing: Alki Kayak Tours operates near Seacrest. Reservations and a weather check are recommended. Prices: confirm.
Alki Beach Park (10:45 a.m.)
Walk or ride the shoreline path to Alki Beach Park, at 2665 Alki Ave SW. It is a large sandy beach with a view of downtown, a paved waterfront path and sandy and rocky areas. Across the street are sidewalk cafes, ice cream shops and bars.
- Cost: free
- Time: 60 minutes
- Swimming: allowed, but a local guide says a lifeguard is not guaranteed
- Dogs: the Argosy guide says dogs are not allowed on Seattle public beaches
- Hours: the Seattle Times guide says the park shuts down around 9:30 each night; confirm
- Bike rentals: Wheel Fun Rentals is near the beach for bikes and e-bikes (prices: confirm)
Local Tip: The water taxi gets crowded on sunny days. Board early, and check the return schedule before you walk too far from Seacrest.
Midday: Fish and Chips
Alki Spud Fish & Chips (12:30 p.m.)
Alki Spud has been serving fish and chips since 1935, with chowder and seafood, near the beach and with views toward downtown. For a sit-down meal, Salty's on Alki Beach serves seafood with views of Elliott Bay and the skyline, and Harry's Beach House serves Pacific Northwest-inspired food. For pizza, Pegasus Pizza is known for the Alki Special.
- Time: 60 minutes
- Worth knowing: restaurant hours and availability change seasonally
Alki Point and the Denny Party Landing (1:45 p.m.)
Alki is where Seattle's founding story begins. A monument near the beach marks where the Denny Party landed at Alki Point in 1851. The Alki Point Lighthouse is at the western end of the neighborhood, and the Argosy guide says tours are not currently offered, so the draw is the view of ferries and ships on Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.
- Cost: free
- Time: 30 to 45 minutes
- Worth knowing: confirm tour availability with the lighthouse before you plan around it
Afternoon: Tidepools and Viewpoints
Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint, Constellation Park (2:45 p.m.)
At 3521 Beach Dr SW, this is a rocky beach lined by sloped bulkheads. The sidewalk has constellation inlays, and the site has observation platforms, tidepooling and places to launch a kayak or paddleboard. The Seattle Times guide mentions otters, sea lions and harbor seals, and a chance of orcas. It also says you can walk between Alki Beach and this site "during low tide," so check a tide chart before you set out.
- Cost: free
- Time: 45 minutes
- Worth knowing: do not count on the low-tide route without checking the chart first
Cormorant Cove (3:45 p.m.)
A short way on, Cormorant Cove, at 3701 Beach Dr SW, is a small rocky beach with tidepools and an upper viewing platform with a bird mosaic. It is named for the cormorants that sometimes gather there. The same guide notes that signs will indicate any environmental problems, so read them before you go down. Fauntleroy Ferry Dock is nearby if you want to watch the boats.
- Cost: free
- Time: 30 minutes
Lincoln Park (optional, 4:30 p.m.)
If you have energy and time, Lincoln Park, at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, has about a mile of shoreline, wooded trails, picnic shelters and a playground. Coleman Pool offers saltwater swimming. Because it is farther south, plan a bus or rideshare rather than a walk. We could not confirm pool hours or prices.
Evening: Sunset and the Ride Home
Sunset on the Shore, then the Boat (6:00 p.m.)
Return toward Seacrest and Alki for the evening. Salty's is a good dinner spot before the water taxi, according to the Argosy guide, and Driftwood serves seasonal Pacific Northwest food for a special occasion. Then ride the water taxi back, and watch the skyline grow as you cross. Confirm the last sailing before you plan your dinner, because the winter schedule is shorter.
- Price: dinner is moderate to high (confirm)
- Rainy day backup: West Seattle Arcade on Alki Avenue is a locally operated, year-round family arcade
What the Day Costs
| Stop | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Water taxi (round trip, ORCA adult) | About $10.50 |
| Alki Beach, Constellation Park, Cormorant Cove | Free |
| Fish and chips lunch | Moderate (confirm) |
| Coffee or ice cream | A few dollars |
| Dinner | Your choice |
A careful day can come in under $40 per person if you pack a picnic or eat one meal out. That is an estimate, so check prices before you go.
Best Time to Visit
West Seattle works best on a clear day, when the skyline and the Olympic Mountains show up from the shore. Low tide is the time for tidepools at Constellation Park and Cormorant Cove, so check a tide chart before you plan your afternoon. The water taxi runs on a seasonal schedule, and the current schedule runs from October 10, 2026 through April 9, 2027, so winter sailings may be less frequent than summer ones. Confirm departure times for your date before you commit to a late dinner.
Ways to Extend the Day
If you have more time, a few add-ons come up in local guides. Argosy Cruises runs a one-hour harbor cruise from Pier 55 downtown with skyline, mountain and West Seattle views, and seasonal happy hour and sunset cruises that the company says ended in September 2026 and return in early summer 2027. Wheel Fun Rentals near the beach rents bikes, e-bikes and tandems for riding the waterfront path, and Alki Kayak Tours offers guided tours, classes and rentals near Seacrest. Prices for all of these were not listed, so ask before you book.
If You Have Less Time
For a half day, do the water taxi, Seacrest, Alki Beach and lunch, then catch an earlier boat home. Cut Lincoln Park first, then Cormorant Cove, then the lighthouse area. If it rains, spend more time at lunch and the arcade, and save the tidepools for another day.
Getting There and Getting Around
The water taxi is the best way across the bay, and it means you do not need to drive or find parking. Once you land, Metro Route 775 serves Alki and Seacrest Park, according to King County, and a neighborhood shuttle and waterfront pathways connect to Alki Beach Park. Confirm routes and shuttle schedules in the trip planner. To combine West Seattle with a trip across town, see our fall and winter guide to Seattle and our guide to Downtown Seattle's must-see places.
How to Pace the Day
West Seattle rewards a slow walk along the water. Wear shoes you can walk in, bring a layer because the shore is windy, and carry a refillable water bottle. Check the tide chart for the afternoon, since tidepools are best at low tide, and check the water taxi's return times before you settle in for dinner. If you want to extend the trip, add the Ballard locks and Nordic Museum on another day with our guide to one day in Ballard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the water taxi from Seattle to West Seattle? About 10 to 15 minutes each way.
How much is the West Seattle Water Taxi? Adults pay $5.25 with an ORCA card or $6.25 with cash or a paper ticket. Youth 18 and under ride free.
Can I bring a bike on the water taxi? Yes. King County says bicycles and pets ride at no extra charge.
Is Alki Beach free? Yes. It is a public park. Swimming is allowed, but lifeguards are not guaranteed.
What are the best things to do in West Seattle? Walk Alki Beach, ride the water taxi, eat fish and chips, explore Constellation Park and Cormorant Cove and watch the sunset.
Conclusion
One day in West Seattle gives you a boat ride, a beach, a skyline view and a few small parks for the price of a water taxi ticket. Pick a clear day, check the tide and the boat schedule and plan to stay for sunset.
References
- West Seattle Water Taxi, King County Metro: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/travel-options/water-taxi/west-seattle
- A Big List of West Seattle Beaches, The Seattle Times: https://theticket.seattletimes.com/city-guides/a-big-list-of-west-seattle-beaches/
- Alki Beach Visitor Guide, Argosy Cruises: https://www.argosycruises.com/alki-beach-visitor-guide-what-to-see-eat-and-do-in-west-seattle/
- West Seattle via the Water Taxi, Exploration Vacation: https://explorationvacation.net/west-seattle-via-water-taxi/
