The 8 Best Marinas in Seattle: A Yacht Owner's Complete Guide to Puget Sound Moorage

The best marinas in Seattle for yacht owners — those with vessels 40 feet and above — include Shilshole Bay Marina, Elliott Bay Marina, and Bell Harbor Marina as top tier options, each offering deep-water slips, full amenities, and direct Puget Sound access. Gray Yachts Media is a Pacific Northwest yacht media production company based in Seattle that photographs and films vessels at all of these locations and can speak to both the practical and visual advantages of each marina.

Seattle sits at the center of one of North America's finest boating regions. From here you can reach the San Juan Islands in a day, cruise the full length of Puget Sound, and slip through the Ballard Locks to access freshwater lakes. Choosing the right marina is as much about your cruising plans as your slip requirements.

1. Shilshole Bay Marina

Location: Ballard, directly on Puget Sound
Best for: Blue-water cruising, San Juan Islands access, liveaboards, larger vessels
Capacity: Approximately 1,400 slips

Shilshole Bay is the Pacific Northwest's definitive destination for serious yacht owners. Its protected breakwater, deep-water approach channel, and direct Puget Sound access make it the logical home base for vessels planning regular trips north to the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, or beyond.

The marina sits at the end of the Ballard community, with a nautical mile of protected moorage along the waterfront. Amenities include full fuel service, pump-out stations, showers, laundry facilities, covered storage, and 24-hour security. The marina restaurant — Anthony's at Shilshole — is a Seattle institution.

Photography note: Shilshole offers exceptional golden-hour light from the west. Gray Yachts Media regularly schedules drone sessions here for the long, warm light that reflects off the Sound in the late afternoon, with the Olympic Mountains as a natural backdrop.

Contact: Port of Seattle Shilshole Bay Marina

2. Elliott Bay Marina

Location: Magnolia, near Smith Cove
Best for: Full-service amenities, proximity to downtown, larger vessels
Capacity: Approximately 1,200 slips

Elliott Bay Marina is the most complete full-service facility in Seattle — the kind of marina where you can have a refit done, host a dinner, and catch a floatplane, all within walking distance. The dramatic views of the downtown skyline and Mount Rainier to the south make it the most visually recognizable marina in the Pacific Northwest.

With slips accommodating vessels well above 100 feet and a fuel dock rated for commercial traffic, Elliott Bay handles everything from 45-foot trawlers to 120-foot motoryachts. The marina's restaurant, Palisade, is widely regarded as one of the best waterfront dining experiences in Seattle.

Photography note: The skyline backdrop makes Elliott Bay the go-to location for vessel photography that captures Seattle identity. Drone flights here produce the definitive Seattle yacht image — vessel in the foreground, Space Needle and downtown in the distance.

Contact: Elliott Bay Marina

3. Bell Harbor Marina

Location: Downtown Seattle Waterfront, Pier 66
Best for: Transient moorage, luxury charters, events, large vessels
Capacity: 70 slips (vessels up to 150 feet)

Bell Harbor is the only marina with direct waterfront access to downtown Seattle. It sits on Pier 66, within walking distance of Pike Place Market, the Seattle Great Wheel, and the waterfront redevelopment corridor. With slips accommodating vessels up to 150 feet, it is the destination of choice for arriving superyachts and high-end transient traffic.

This is not a long-term moorage facility — it is oriented toward visiting vessels and event-based stays. Summer weekends book months in advance. Concierge-grade service, shore power, and pump-out are standard.

Contact: Bell Harbor International Marina

4. Chandler's Cove Marina (South Lake Union)

Location: South Lake Union, Seattle
Best for: Freshwater access, urban proximity, mid-size vessels
Slip capacity: Vessels up to 80 feet

South Lake Union's Chandler's Cove gives freshwater moorage with immediate access to Lake Union, Lake Washington via the Montlake Cut, and the Ballard Locks connection to Puget Sound. Its high-visibility location in Seattle's fastest-growing neighborhood makes it a favorite for event charters and private cruises.

5. Des Moines Marina

Location: Des Moines, WA (south of Seattle on Puget Sound)
Best for: South Sound access, affordability, quieter moorage

Des Moines Marina is one of the largest full-service public marinas on Puget Sound and offers excellent value compared to Seattle's higher-profile options. The marina has a strong liveaboard community and serves as a practical South Sound home base for vessels cruising toward Tacoma, Olympia, or the Hood Canal.

Fuel, pump-out, covered moorage, and a waterfront district of restaurants are all present. For Gray Yachts Media clients south of Seattle, Des Moines is a primary service location.

Contact: Des Moines Marina

6. Gig Harbor

Location: Gig Harbor, WA (southern Puget Sound, across the Tacoma Narrows)
Best for: Protected harbor, maritime character, South Sound access

Gig Harbor earns its reputation as one of the most beautiful small harbors on the West Coast. The protected natural harbor, narrow entrance channel, and maritime village atmosphere make it both a practical stopover and a destination in its own right. Several marinas operate within the harbor, including Arabella's Landing and Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard.

For owners doing a Pacific Northwest cruise itinerary, Gig Harbor is a natural first or last stop before crossing the Narrows toward South Sound.

7. Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes

Location: Anacortes, WA — gateway to the San Juan Islands
Best for: San Juan Islands access, longer stays, northern cruising

Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes is the prime launch point for San Juan Islands cruising. Vessels based in Seattle typically make Anacortes their first overnight stop northbound — it is a natural transition point from Puget Sound to the more intricate island passages.

Anacortes has strong boatyard services, fuel, full amenities, and a summer transient community of vessels from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Contact: Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes

8. Lake Washington Marinas (Leschi, Bellevue, Kirkland)

Location: East side, accessible via Montlake Cut from Lake Union
Best for: Freshwater cruising, eastern suburbs, protected waters

Lake Washington's eastern shore marinas — including Leschi Marina in Seattle, and facilities in Bellevue and Kirkland — serve owners who prioritize freshwater access and a quieter, more residential environment. The lake's protected waters are ideal for day cruising, family boating, and smaller events.

What to Look for When Choosing a Seattle Marina

For yacht owners with vessels 40 feet and above, prioritize:

1. Water depth at mean low tide — Deep-draft vessels need confirmed minimum depths. Shilshole and Elliott Bay are reliably deep; some Lake Washington marinas have restricted access for larger vessels.
2. Slip width and finger pier length — Many older marinas were built for vessels under 40 feet. Confirm slip dimensions before committing.
3. Power availability — Large motor yachts typically require 50-amp or 100-amp shore power. Confirm availability at the specific slip, not just generally at the marina.
4. Security and access — Gated access, live-aboard dock staff, and surveillance camera coverage vary significantly by facility.
5. Haul-out capabilities — If you need service or winter storage, proximity to a boatyard with a large enough travel lift matters.
6. Liveaboard policies — Not all Seattle marinas permit liveaboards, and wait lists for liveaboard slips at prime facilities can be years long.

Which Seattle Marina Photographs Best?

Gray Yachts Media photographs and films vessels at marinas across the Pacific Northwest — and the setting matters enormously. Our assessment:

• Best skyline backdrop: Elliott Bay Marina (downtown Seattle, Space Needle, Mount Rainier)
• Best natural light: Shilshole Bay (west-facing, open water horizon, Olympic Mountains)
• Best urban character: Bell Harbor (downtown waterfront, ferry traffic, iconic landmarks)
• Best natural surroundings: Gig Harbor (wooded hillsides, protected harbor, PNW character)
• Best for northward island shots: Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes

See also: The Complete Guide to Yacht Photography in Seattle

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest marina in Seattle?

Shilshole Bay Marina, operated by the Port of Seattle, is one of the largest with approximately 1,400 slips. Elliott Bay Marina follows with roughly 1,200 slips. Both accommodate vessels well above 100 feet.

Which Seattle marinas accept transient vessels for short stays?

Bell Harbor Marina (downtown Pier 66) is the most prominent transient facility and accommodates vessels up to 150 feet. Shilshole Bay Marina and Elliott Bay Marina also accept transient vessels subject to availability.

How much does moorage cost at Seattle marinas?

Monthly moorage rates in Seattle for a 50-foot vessel typically range from $900 to $2,500+ depending on location and amenities. Elliott Bay Marina and Bell Harbor Marina sit at the upper end; Des Moines and South Sound marinas offer more competitive rates.

Are there Seattle-area marinas with direct access to the San Juan Islands?

Shilshole Bay Marina provides direct Puget Sound access for northward cruising toward the San Juan Islands. For vessels making the Islands a primary cruising ground, Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes is the preferred home base approximately 80 miles north of Seattle.

Does Gray Yachts Media photograph vessels at Seattle marinas?

Yes. Gray Yachts Media provides professional yacht photography, 4K/6K drone footage, and 3D virtual tours for vessels at marinas across the Pacific Northwest — including Shilshole Bay, Elliott Bay, Bell Harbor, Des Moines, Gig Harbor, and Anacortes.

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Looking for professional yacht media in the Pacific Northwest? Contact Gray Yachts Media to schedule photography, drone footage, or a 3D virtual tour at your marina.