Seattle Water Tours

What Seattle Water Tours does

Seattle Water Tours is a privately held Seattle-based boat tour and private charter company founded in 1999, operating from Dock 9 at Fishermen's Terminal on the M/V Fremont Avenue, a 1985 purpose-built 50-foot steel-hulled vessel U.S. Coast Guard certified under Subsection T for up to 42 passengers plus crew. The company runs two service lines: a recurring public narrated tour branded the Ice Cream Cruise (45-minute sailings every Sunday from May through September, with onboard ice cream concessions) and year-round private charters that serve weddings, corporate events, memorials and ash scatterings, and special-event viewing (SeaFair, UW Husky games, July 4th and New Year's Eve fireworks). Ash scattering is conducted under a State of Washington Final Disposition Permit covering any Washington State waters.

The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer, with online ticket booking for the Ice Cream Cruise and email-based charter agreements for private events, supplemented by walk-up traffic at the Fishermen's Terminal location. Private charter pricing starts at $1,675 for two hours plus $825 per additional hour, with special-event and weekend-evening surcharges; public tour tickets range from $16 to $24 depending on deck level, plus $3-$4 concession items. The company is operated by Captain Mike Luis following the 2023 passing of founder Captain Larry Kezner, supported by a small crew including First Mate Julia, and references a sister vessel called the Seeker that can accommodate up to 35 passengers. Distribution is fully direct through the company website and at-dock sales, with content marketing around local waterway history (Lake Union, Lake Washington, the Ship Canal) used to drive organic demand.

Customer segments span individual and family tourists (primary), wedding and life-event celebrants (primary), corporate groups seeking offsite experiences (primary), special-event attendees (secondary), and memorial/end-of-life service families (secondary). The company holds no external funding, no institutional investment, and reports no revenue figures; operations are concentrated in the Seattle/Pacific Northwest market with geographic restrictions tied to Coast Guard certification limiting saltwater operation to Shilshole and Elliott Bays.

Name

Seattle Water Tours

Legal name

Seattle Water Tours

Website

https://seattlewatertours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Seattle Water Tours operates the M/V Fremont Avenue, a 42-passenger tour boat out of Fishermen's Terminal, running Sunday Ice Cream Cruise public tours (May-September) and year-round private charters for weddings, corporate events, memorials, and special-event viewing across Seattle's Lake Union and Lake Washington Ship Canal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boat Tour and Charter Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Inland Water Passenger Transportation (483212)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters) (THAJAJAB), Day & Short-Horizon Private Cruises (Half-Day/Day/Overnight) (THAEAEAF)

Keywords

• Narrated boat tours
• Private boat charters
• Sightseeing cruises
• Wedding boat charters
• Ash scattering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Medina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Private Charter Rentals: The company books the M/V Fremont Avenue for private charters year-round, accommodating up to 42 passengers. Charters operate on Lake Washington, Lake Union, the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and through the Ballard Locks to Shilshole and Elliott Bays. The company also books charters for weddings, memorials/ash scatterings, corporate events, and special events (SeaFair, Husky games, fireworks). Catering, decorations, music, and alcoholic beverages (with state banquet permit) are brought by customers. Basic rate is $1,675 for two hours plus $825 per additional hour. Special events command higher fees.
2. Ice Cream Cruise Public Tour Tickets: The company operates scheduled 45-minute narrated public tours (Ice Cream Cruise) every Sunday from May through September 27, 2026 from Dock 9 at Fishermen's Terminal. Tickets are sold at two deck levels: Upper Deck at $24.00 (adults 13+) and $19.00 (children 0-12); Lower Deck at $20.00 (adults) and $16.00 (children). Additional revenue comes from onboard ice cream and concession sales ($3-$4 per item). The company also sells gift cards and offers private Ice Cream Cruises for groups up to 42 at a $525 minimum.
3. Ash Scattering and Memorial Services: The company holds a Final Disposition Permit from the State of Washington allowing them to scatter ashes on any Washington State waters. Ash scattering and memorial charters are booked as private charters, with rates based on duration and departure location. The company accommodates up to 42 passengers for memorials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Seattle Water Tours operates narrated public boat tours and private charters aboard the M/V Fremont Avenue, a 50-foot U.S. Coast Guard-certified vessel on Lake Union, Lake Washington, and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The company's flagship public offering is the 45-minute Ice Cream Cruise running Sundays May through September, while private charters serve weddings, corporate events, ash scatterings, and special Seattle events year-round for groups up to 42 passengers.

Product overview

Seattle Water Tours operates the M/V Fremont Avenue, a 50-foot steel-hulled tour boat offering two primary service lines: the Ice Cream Cruise (a regularly scheduled 45-minute narrated public tour on Sundays) and Private Charters (customizable events for groups). The Private Charters encompass wedding ceremonies and receptions, ash scattering memorials, corporate team events, and special event charters to Seattle's major festivities including SeaFair, Husky games, and fireworks shows. All services operate from the vessel which features indoor cabin space, covered back deck, and upper deck viewing area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ice Cream Cruise: A 45-minute narrated tour of Lake Washington Ship Canal departing Sundays from Fishermen's Terminal, featuring ice cream and views of Seattle's waterways
• Private Charters

Products and services

• Ice Cream Cruise A 45-minute narrated public boat tour along the Lake Washington Ship Canal from Fishermen's Terminal to Lake Union, featuring onboard ice cream and concessions and educational commentary about Seattle's waterways, engineering, and history. Operates every Sunday from May through September and is open to individuals, couples, families, and dogs.
• Private Charters Year-round private boat charters for up to 42 passengers on Lake Washington, Lake Union, and the Lake Washington Ship Canal, with options for trips through the Ballard Locks to Shilshole and Elliott Bays. Suitable for groups hosting weddings, corporate events, memorials, and special occasions. Base rate $1,675 for two hours plus $825 per additional hour.
• Special Event Charters Private boat charters to Seattle's major events including SeaFair Blue Angels performances, UW Husky football games (sailgating to Montlake), July 4th fireworks on Lake Union, Bellevue fireworks from Meydenbauer Bay, and New Year's Eve fireworks near the Space Needle. These events command higher charter pricing and require advance scheduling.
• Wedding Charters Private boat charters used as wedding venues, including wedding ceremonies on the upper deck, rehearsal dinners, out-of-town guest entertainment, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Customers bring their own catering, decorations, music, and alcoholic beverages (with state banquet permit).
• Ash Scattering and Memorial Services Memorial services and ash scattering ceremonies aboard the M/V Fremont Avenue. The company holds a Final Disposition Permit from the State of Washington allowing them to scatter ashes on any Washington State waters. Accommodates up to 42 passengers, with services customizable from simple to elaborate.
• Gift Cards Electronic gift cards for the Ice Cream Cruise, available at suggested denominations such as $60 for two adults (fares and concessions) and $120 for a family with two kids. Usable for fares and concessions on any Ice Cream Cruise sailing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 years of continuous operation of the Ice Cream Cruise
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seattle-water-tours

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seattle Water Tours