Sail Bainbridge Private Sail: 2 Hours on a 44-Foot Ketch
Quick answer
The Sail Bainbridge private sail is a 2-hour trip on a 44-foot ketch from Bainbridge Island, listed at $445 for a private group, rated 5/5 from 5 GetYourGuide reviews.
You meet at Harbour Marina, an 18-minute walk from the Bainbridge ferry terminal, 10 minutes before departure; food and drinks other than coffee and tea are not included.
Sail Bainbridge
Sail Bainbridge Island & Seattle Waters - Classic Sailboat
5.0 (5) · from $445
The Sail Bainbridge private sail is a two-hour charter for a small group, run by Sail Bainbridge on a 44-foot Pearson Countess ketch out of Harbour Marina on Bainbridge Island.
It is not a ticketed harbor tour with a fixed route and strangers; it is your own boat, with a licensed captain, on the water between the island and the Seattle skyline.
The detail that changes the decision is the geography.
The boat does not leave from downtown Seattle: you first take the state ferry across Puget Sound, about 35 minutes, then walk to the marina. That adds real logistics to a two-hour sail, so I treat this as a trip for people who want the ferry ride too. If you only want a quick skyline view, my Seattle boat tours guide lists cheaper options, and Harbour Advisor has the rest of the city.
| Operator | Sail Bainbridge (operator website) |
|---|---|
| Boat | 44-foot Pearson Countess ketch; private booking for 1-6 guests |
| Price | $445 on GetYourGuide (USD); the listing does not say per person or per boat |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Departure times | Not stated; the listing shows start times only after you pick a date |
| Start and finish | Harbour Marina, 233 Parfitt Way SW, Bainbridge Island |
| Food and drink | Coffee and tea included; everything else not included |
| Language | English |
| Cancellation | Full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours ahead |
| Rating | 5/5 from 5 reviews on GetYourGuide (very small sample) |
What is the Sail Bainbridge private sail and what do you see?
It is a two-hour private sailing trip on a classic ketch, with views of Bainbridge Island's shoreline, the Seattle skyline and the wildlife of central Puget Sound.
- Bainbridge Island shoreline: the only named stop on the listing, since the boat starts and ends at the same marina.
- Seattle skyline: visible across the water from the Sound; the operator describes islands, distant volcanoes and the city in one panorama.
- Wildlife: marine life and sea birds are part of the listing, and reviewers report a bald eagle, seals and an elephant seal.
- Sailing itself: the captain explains boat handling, local industry, boating history and the use of these waters by local tribes, past and present.
The listing gives no turn-by-turn route. Wind and tide decide where the boat goes, and the captain chooses the course on the day, so I would not plan around a specific landmark. Ask at check-in what the conditions allow.
How do you get from Seattle to the Sail Bainbridge dock?
You take the Washington State Ferries boat from Colman Dock in Seattle to Bainbridge Island, then walk about 18 minutes to Harbour Marina.
35 min is the crossing time the state ferry schedule gives for the Seattle to Bainbridge Island route.
The listing says the ferry ride is 30 minutes; the state schedule says about 35, so I use the official figure. The WSDOT fare tool did not return a price when I checked, and the listing is silent on it, so look up the walk-on fare for your travel date on the WSDOT fares page.
| Leg | Time | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle ferry terminal to Bainbridge terminal | About 35 min on the water | WSDOT schedule |
| Bainbridge terminal to Harbour Marina | 18 min on foot (1,318 m) · walking route | OSRM foot routing, fetched 2026-10-17 |
| Check-in at the dock | 10 min before departure | Listing, meeting point |
The marina sits beside the Harbour Public House, and the boat is on the docks just waterside of it. Count two hours of sailing, a 35-minute crossing each way and an 18-minute walk each way, plus waiting for the ferry, and the outing fills most of an afternoon. Plan the return sailing before you board.
What happens during the two hours aboard?
The two hours cover a safety briefing, time under sail with the option to steer, and a return to the same dock.
- Check-in and safety briefing: life jackets are provided, and the listing tags a safety briefing as part of the trip.
- Leaving the marina: the captain handles the boat in the harbour and raises sail once there is room.
- Time on the Sound: guests can take the wheel, learn the lines, or sit back, with commentary on wildlife, local industry and history.
- Return: the boat comes back to 233 Parfitt Way SW, the same address as the start.
Because the group is private, the pace is yours. A returning family in the reviews says the kids enjoyed it the second time, though I cannot verify more than what reviewers wrote.
How long is the sail and when does it depart?
The sail lasts two hours, and the listing shows start times only once you choose a date in the booking widget.
That means I cannot give you a fixed daily timetable.
The operator's own site states that sails run rain or shine, and it separately sells a sunset sail at $545 (priced before tax and fees) for guests who want the evening light. If you want to be on the water at sunset, ask which departure fits, using the sunset table below.
| Date | Sunset (Seattle local time) |
|---|---|
| Jan 15 | 4:47 PM PST |
| Feb 15 | 5:34 PM PST |
| Mar 15 | 7:16 PM PDT |
| Apr 15 | 8:00 PM PDT |
| May 15 | 8:41 PM PDT |
| Jun 15 | 9:10 PM PDT |
| Jul 15 | 9:04 PM PDT |
| Aug 15 | 8:23 PM PDT |
| Sep 15 | 7:23 PM PDT |
| Oct 15 | 6:22 PM PDT |
| Nov 15 | 4:34 PM PST |
| Dec 15 | 4:20 PM PST |
Clocks change on 1 November 2026, so the sunset moves from 6:22 PM in mid-October to 4:34 PM in mid-November. From November to February the sun is down before 5:35 PM, so only an early afternoon departure gives daylight for the full two hours.
What is on board and what is included?
Included are the two-hour private sail, a licensed captain, life jackets, a chance to steer, and coffee and tea; food and other drinks are not.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Private 2-hour sail | Included |
| Licensed captain (US Coast Guard) | Included |
| Life jackets | Included |
| Steering and line handling | Included, optional |
| Coffee and tea | Included |
| Food and other drinks | Not included |
| Gratuity | Optional, not included |
| Wet-weather gear | Available to borrow, per the operator's site |
The listing does not mention a toilet, shade or seating, and a 44-foot ketch is a sailing boat, not a cruise ship. Ask the operator about the head and what to wear on deck before you go, especially with small children.
How much does it cost per person?
At $445 the cost per person falls from $222.50 for two guests to $74.17 for six, if the price covers the whole boat.
| Guests | Per person | Per person per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $445.00 | $222.50 |
| 2 | $222.50 | $111.25 |
| 4 | $111.25 | $55.63 |
| 6 | $74.17 | $37.08 |
The marketplace price is $20 above the $425 two-hour rate on the operator's own site, which excludes tax and fees. The operator's site says all sails are private bookings for one to six guests, which fits the whole-boat reading, but the listing does not confirm it. Check the total in the booking widget before you pay.
How does it compare with other Seattle sailing and harbor trips?
The Sail Bainbridge sail is the only private boat among the city's sailing listings, and it costs several times more per hour than the scheduled trips.
| Trip | Price | Length | Rating | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sail Bainbridge private sail | $445 | 2 h | 5/5 (5) | Private, 1-6 guests |
| Tall sailboat sunset harbor cruise | $80 | 2 h | 4.8/5 (267) | Shared, downtown pier |
| Argosy sunset cruise | $51 | 1.5 h | 4.5/5 (48) | Shared, Pier 55 |
| Argosy harbor cruise | $43 | 1 h | 4.8/5 (741) | Shared, Pier 55 |
If you want sails up but not a private boat, the tall-ship trip leaves downtown and costs $80, and my guide to sailing in Seattle compares the two options. For a sunset on the water without a ferry, see the Seattle sunset cruise list.
Is the Sail Bainbridge private sail worth $445 against other Seattle boats?
It is worth it if you are two to six people who want a private, hands-on sail; for a quick skyline view, the downtown boats win on price and effort.
- Worth it for: couples, a small family or friends who want to steer, with an afternoon free for the ferry.
- Worth it because: the boat is private, the captain is licensed, and the trip includes time at the wheel.
- Not worth it if: you are travelling alone on a budget, since one guest pays $445, or you only have two hours in the city.
- My pick: I'd book it for a group of four to six on a dry day in July or August, when the per-person cost is $74-$111.
I have not sailed with this operator, and the listing has only 5 reviews, so my recommendation rests on the data, the operator's own site and what reviewers wrote.
When is the best time to go?
July and August are the driest and warmest months; in 2025 July had 1 rain day and an average high of 79 °F (25.9 °C).
| Month | Avg high 2025 | Rain 2025 | Rain days | On deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44 °F (6.9 °C) | 2.2 in | 9 | Layers, hat and gloves |
| Feb | 46 °F (7.6 °C) | 5.2 in | 15 | Layers, hat and gloves |
| Mar | 53 °F (11.9 °C) | 5.6 in | 20 | Waterproof jacket; wettest spring month in 2025 |
| Apr | 59 °F (14.9 °C) | 2.6 in | 11 | Waterproof jacket and a fleece |
| May | 65 °F (18.1 °C) | 1.9 in | 11 | Light jacket; mild |
| Jun | 72 °F (22.4 °C) | 0.4 in | 3 | Comfortable; sun hat |
| Jul | 79 °F (25.9 °C) | 0.1 in | 1 | Driest month in 2025; sun hat and water |
| Aug | 77 °F (25.2 °C) | 1.6 in | 5 | Warm; sun hat and water |
| Sep | 71 °F (21.9 °C) | 1.4 in | 5 | Comfortable; a light layer for the evening |
| Oct | 58 °F (14.6 °C) | 4.1 in | 16 | Rain jacket; 16 rain days in 2025 |
| Nov | 53 °F (11.7 °C) | 6.4 in | 16 | Rain jacket and a warm layer |
| Dec | 50 °F (9.8 °C) | 9.1 in | 19 | Wettest month in 2025; full waterproofs |
December 2025 had 19 rain days and 9.1 inches of rain, so winter sails are for people who like wet-weather gear. The operator lends it and says it sails regardless of weather, and its site describes off-season sailing as stronger wind and crisp air. For conditions on the day, check the National Weather Service Seattle forecast.
What do passengers say?
The 5 reviews on the listing are all 5/5, so the sample is positive-only and too small to prove consistency.
- Wildlife: both reviews shown on the listing mention animals, including a bald eagle, seals and an elephant seal.
- Captain: one reviewer names the captain and praises the sailing and local information.
- Families and repeat guests: one reviewer returned with children for a second sail.
- Add-ons: the same reviewer pointed to the operator's sunset sails and Blake Island day trips for next time.
I found no complaints in this sample, which is why I would not read too much into a perfect score based on five votes.
Who should skip the Sail Bainbridge private sail?
Skip it if you want a downtown pier, a fixed price per seat, or food on board.
- Solo travellers: one guest pays the full price if it is per boat.
- Groups over six: the operator caps private sails at six guests.
- Anyone short on time: the ferry and walk add roughly two hours around the sail.
- Anyone prone to seasickness or with limited mobility: a ketch heels under sail and boarding is from a marina dock; the listing gives no accessibility details, so ask.
For cheaper seats on a larger boat, go back to the full list of Seattle boat tours.
How do you book the Sail Bainbridge private sail?
Book the 2-hour private sail for $445, with a licensed captain, life jackets, coffee and tea, and free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Sail Bainbridge private sail?
The listing shows $445 for the 2-hour sail, and the category is private group. Sail Bainbridge's own site lists a two-hour sail at $425 before tax and fees, so expect the marketplace price to include a small premium. The listing does not say whether $445 is per person or per boat, so check the booking widget before you pay.
How do you get from Seattle to the Sail Bainbridge dock?
Take the Washington State Ferries boat from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, a crossing of about 35 minutes, then walk roughly 1.3 km to Harbour Marina. Routing data puts the walk at 18 minutes. Be at the dock 10 minutes before departure, and check the ferry timetable for the sailing that fits.
What is the most scenic ferry ride in Seattle?
For a short view of the skyline from the water, the Seattle to Bainbridge Island crossing is the one most visitors choose, and it doubles as the way to reach this sail. The crossing takes about 35 minutes. I have not ridden it, so I rely on the schedule page and on reviewers who liked the views.
What is the best boat tour in Seattle?
It depends on the group. For a big group on a budget, a scheduled harbor cruise from Pier 55 costs far less per head. For six or fewer people who want a private boat, this sail is the only private sailing option in the city's listings. My hub page compares the full list.
How many people can join the sail?
Sail Bainbridge says every sail is a private booking for 1 to 6 guests. The listing shows the category as private group. If you are seven or more, ask the operator before booking because the stated maximum is six.
Can you take the wheel and learn the ropes?
Yes, the listing says guests can steer and help with the lines, or just sit and watch. The captain is described as a licensed US Coast Guard sailor. Nobody needs sailing experience, but tell the captain how much you want to do when you check in.
Is food included on the sail?
No. The listing includes coffee and tea only, and food and other drinks are excluded. Bring a snack or buy one near the marina before you board, and take water if the day is warm.
What happens if it rains?
The operator says it sails rain or shine and lends wet-weather gear. Cancellation through the listing is free up to 24 hours before departure. If strong wind is forecast, ask the operator how they handle it, because the listing does not describe a weather policy beyond that.
Does the sail go to Blake Island?
Not on this listing: the two-hour sail stays around Bainbridge Island and the Seattle side of Puget Sound. The operator's website sells separate Blake Island trips, an all-day trip at $995 and a sunset sail at $545, both priced before tax and fees.
Will you see whales?
Possibly, but the listing makes no promise. It says marine wildlife and sea birds, maybe whales. Reviewers mention a bald eagle, seals and a rare elephant seal, and one says orcas were seen with clients the day before.
Sources: Sail Bainbridge (boat, pricing, private bookings, fetched 2026-10-17); WSDOT Seattle-Bainbridge schedule; National Weather Service Seattle; Open-Meteo (2025 weather); sunrise-sunset.org (sunset times); Nager.Date (holidays); OSRM foot routing; GetYourGuide listing 1004201.
