Duwamish Waterway Sea Kayaking

Kayaking the Duwamish Waterway is by no means a wilderness experience. Instead, it offers paddlers a unique opportunity to kayak among the giant ships, fishing boats, and varied coastline near the Port of Seattle as container ships come and go from Elliot Bay. A popular place to put-in is the Duwamish Waterway Park. From there, head north past the ever-changing urban landscape near Boeing and the Port of Seattle. Be on the lookout for oncoming shipping traffic in this narrow waterway. The Lower Duwamish Waterway is a Superfund cleanup site from years of industrial development that has left the waterway contaminated. Although wildlife along the route is not as prevalent as other areas of the Puget Sound and the surrounding waterways, there is still an opportunity to see salmon, seals, and even sea lions.

The route can be lengthened or shortened depending on the skill level of the group, but a popular trip is to paddle to Elliot Bay around Harbor Island and back. The Duwamish Waterway makes a great half-day adventure that is easy to reach from Seattle.