Seattle Water Tours
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersMedina, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Seattle Water Tours firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Seattle Water Tours
- Legal name
- Seattle Water Tours
- Website
- https://seattlewatertours.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 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
Seattle Water Tours industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Seattle Water Tours is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Medina
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Seattle Water Tours business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Private Charter - Base Rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ice Cream Cruise - Upper Deck |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ice Cream Cruise - Lower Deck |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ice Cream and Concessions |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Private Ice Cream Cruise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Seattle Water Tours product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Seattle Water Tours
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Seattle Water Tours technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Seattle Water Tours partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Seattle Water Tours competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Seattle Water Tours social profiles
Digital presenceSeattle Water Tours financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Seattle Water Tours leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Seattle Water Tours funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Seattle Water Tours M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Seattle Water Tours
What does Seattle Water Tours do?
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.
Is Seattle Water Tours a public or private company?
Seattle Water Tours is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Seattle Water Tours founded?
Seattle Water Tours was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Seattle Water Tours based?
Seattle Water Tours is headquartered in Medina, United States, in the North America region.
How does Seattle Water Tours make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Private Charter Rentals are the primary driver. The others are ice Cream Cruise Public Tour Tickets and ash Scattering and Memorial Services.
Does Seattle Water Tours have an API?
No public API is recorded for Seattle Water Tours.
What industry is Seattle Water Tours in?
Seattle Water Tours's product category is Boat Tour and Charter Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAJAA, Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching), with a secondary code of THAJAJAB, Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters). Its NAICS code is 48721 and its SIC code is 4400.