How to score a Free Tacoma Boat Tour at Foss Waterway Seaport

Each summer Foss Waterway Seaport hosts a Maritime Fest, usually in July. This is your opportunity to take a free boat ride! Sign ups usually post end of May or beginning of June on the website. Here’s what we thought!

You’ll need to reserve your FREE tickets for the boat tour ahead of time!
To check on dates and see more info, click here.

Wen we arrived parking was full. The boats can hold about 150+ people so their parking lot is not equipped for that many vehicles. I would highly suggest arriving early. It is $2 for 0-2 hours parking in the marina’s lot. Lots of people had to park on the side of the road. There is a long line to get in for ticket holders as well as a line for those without tickets who want to stand by. We were on the 12 pm tour and everyone in the stand by line was able to get on.

On the boat there is inside and outside seating. We choose outside on the front of the boat. There are also restrooms and a small snack bar/gift shop on board.

The tour is an hour long and it takes you just around the Port of Tacoma. It was a beautiful, clear, sunny day so we had an amazing view of Mount Rainier from the water. The captain told us about the history of the port, the large cranes and how many cargo ships come through here. 

We didn’t get to see the cranes lifting any cargo containers but we did get to see it moving. There was a large Japanese ship in the port with plenty of cargo on it. 

The Maritime Fest also brings in other boats you can look at including army boats and coast guard boats. The Foss Waterway Seaport which is a boat museum, has free admission all day for the festival. 

They also have vendors set up, food trucks, and crafts and activities for the kids! It wasn’t a long boat ride but you cant beat FREE! If you missed it, check it out next year!
Visit Foss Waterway Seaport’s website here.

Finding the fun everywhere life takes us!
Love, Olivia Michelle