Lake Washington Boating Guide
Lake Washington Boating InfoYour Complete On-Water Guide
Webcams, fuel docks, public launches, anchoring spots, day moorage, and boating safety resources for cruising Lake Washington and Lake Union. Everything you need before you leave the dock.
On-Water Fuel
Fuel Docks — Lake Washington & Lake Union
All fuel docks serving Lake Washington and Lake Union. Call ahead to confirm current pricing and hours — especially outside peak season. Most fuel docks carry ethanol-free gasoline; not all carry diesel.
Tip: Washington State offers a fuel tax refund for boaters who purchase 54+ gallons of tax-paid fuel per year. Keep your fuel receipts — you may be eligible for a refund. Prices are subject to change without notice; call ahead for current pump prices before your trip.
Public Access
Public Boat Launches — Lake Washington
Six public launch ramps serving Lake Washington. Hours, fees, and conditions current as of May 2026 — confirm with each facility before trailering your boat.
Fees and hours verified May 2026. Prices are subject to change — confirm with each facility before your trip. The Discover Pass is not valid at Seattle city-managed ramps.
Drop the Hook
Anchor Locations — Lake Washington
Day anchoring and overnight spots around Lake Washington. Check posted notices and current City of Seattle regulations before anchoring.
Day anchoring in front of the park on the north end of the lake. Wooded shoreline, calm water, popular with kayakers and paddleboarders.
More Info →Sheltered bay on the Kirkland waterfront. Great for afternoon swims. Walk to Juanita Beach Park from the shallows or dinghy to shore.
More Info →Protected bay just south of downtown Bellevue. Dinghy to shore and walk to Old Bellevue restaurants. Busy on summer weekends.
More Info →Popular daytime spot near the University of Washington. Extremely crowded during Husky game days and summer evenings — plan accordingly.
More Info →Only designated overnight anchorage on Lake Washington. 72-hour maximum within any 7-day period. Defined by buoys — anchor only within the marked zone.
More Info →Tie Up & Eat — Lake Washington
Waterfront Dining & Moorage — Lake Washington
Dock-and-dine destinations around Lake Washington with guest moorage. Call ahead on busy summer days — docks fill fast.
Tie up to their private 175-foot dock and dine in, or call ahead for dockside takeout delivery — food comes right to your boat. Northwest seafood, burgers, and cocktails with lake views. Dog-friendly patio. Happy hour Mon–Fri 2–5pm.
Arrive by boat, tie up free for up to 3 hours, and enjoy casual burgers, brews, and cocktails on the waterfront boardwalk. Stunning views of the Seattle skyline and Olympics. Dockside market on site for ice, snacks, and paddleboard rentals. Fire pits and live music on select evenings.
Upscale farm-to-table Pacific Northwest dining inside the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington. Dock at the Hyatt’s waterfront and walk up to the restaurant. Stunning lake views with locally sourced seafood, craft cocktails, and bottomless mimosa brunch on weekends.
90-slip marina in the heart of Kirkland waterfront. Three hours of free daily moorage on regular slips. Walk to downtown Kirkland restaurants, coffee shops, and waterfront parks. Powered slips with 30A shore power available for an additional fee.
Moorage at the public wharf between the two marinas on the west side of Lake Washington. Home to Blue Water Bistro and Daniel’s Broiler (a block north). Can get rough — watch lake conditions before heading in. Located between the I-90 and SR-520 floating bridges.
Free day moorage at the south end of Lake Washington. Tie up and walk to Ivar’s Seafood Bar or Kidd Valley for a casual waterfront meal. No overnight moorage. Busy on summer weekends — arrive early for a slip.
Public guest pier south of downtown Kirkland, first-come first-served. Boats over 36ft must use the outside of the pier. Home to Beach Cafe and Waterfront Adventures on site. Enter from the north entrance.
Tie Up & Eat — Lake Union
Waterfront Dining & Moorage — Lake Union
Lake Union connects to Lake Washington through the Chittenden Locks. These dock-and-dine destinations are accessible by water from both lakes.
Over 200 feet of complimentary dock space directly in front of the restaurant, west of the I-5 bridge. Three-hour limit. Order ahead and use the to-go window to grab food without leaving the dock. Famous for alder-smoked salmon and Pacific Northwest cuisine in a Northwest longhouse setting.
Dock at the north tip of Chandler’s Cove on South Lake Union. About 75 feet of come-and-go moorage space for dining guests — first-come first-served. Seattle’s iconic Dungeness crab restaurant with eight varieties of crab and an award-winning wine list.
One of Lake Union’s best-kept secrets — a single slip (fits two small boats) tucked in Portage Bay, just east of the University Bridge. Not widely known, so you may find it open when other docks are packed. Popular Mexican café known for fresh tacos and house-made salsas. Weekday mornings are best.
Seattle seafood staple on South Lake Union with dock access for boaters. Famous for their award-winning clam chowder — multiple Seattle Chowder Cook-Off wins. Sustainable and wild-caught Alaska seafood. Casual atmosphere with cold beer and waterfront views.
Stay Legal · Stay Safe
Washington State Boating Safety Checklist
Required equipment and regulations for operating on Lake Washington and Lake Union under Washington State law and USCG federal requirements. Verify your vessel is compliant before every outing.
- Vessel Registration Certificate (Certificate of Numbers) on board at all times
- Registration numbers displayed — block font, 3″ high, contrasting color, port & starboard bow
- Current WA registration decals displayed — decals expire June 30 annually
- Documented vessels (typically 26ft+) must carry USCG documentation certificate
- One USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD for every person on board — correct size required
- Vessels 16ft or longer: must also carry one Type IV throwable device (ring buoy or seat cushion)
- Type V PFD may substitute for required PFDs only if it is approved for the specific activity AND being worn
- Water skiers must wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times while skiing (RCW 79A.60.170)
- All persons on PWC must wear a PFD
- All USCG-approved extinguishers must be fully charged and in serviceable condition
- Required on boats with closed compartments, enclosed engine spaces, inboard motors, or permanently installed fuel tanks
- Open boats with outboard motors under 26ft are generally exempt
Requirements by vessel length
| Vessel Length | No Fixed System | With Fixed System |
|---|---|---|
| Under 26ft | 1 × B-I | None required |
| 26ft – 40ft | 2 × B-I or 1 × B-II | 1 × B-I |
| 40ft+ | 3 × B-I or 2 × B-II | 2 × B-I or 1 × B-II |
- Navigation lights — required from sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility (fog, heavy rain)
- Underway vessels display: sidelights (red/green), masthead light, and stern light
- At anchor: white 360° anchor light (all-round white light)
- Sound device — all vessels must carry a horn, whistle, or bell
- Vessels 40ft+: whistle or horn audible at least 1 mile AND a bell audible at least ½ mile
- Daytime visual distress signals — USCG approved, not expired
- Nighttime visual distress signals — required when underway between sunset and sunrise
- At least one lantern or flashlight as backup
- Muffler — required on all motorized vessels; must be effective, in good working order, and in constant use (RCW 79A.60.130)
- Backfire flame arrestor — required on all gasoline engines (except outboards) built after April 1940; one per carburetor
- Ventilation system — required on gasoline-powered vessels with enclosed engine spaces built after August 1, 1980; powered ventilation required
- Older vessels (pre-1980) require natural or powered ventilation in fuel tank compartment
- Ignition safety switch (kill switch) — required on vessels under 16ft with motor controls at the helm
- Skier-down flag — required to be displayed when a skier is down in the water
- CO warning sticker — required on all motorized vessels (except PWC), visible to passengers
- Vessels with installed toilets must carry an operable USCG-certified Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) — Type I, II, or III
- Within the NDZ: Type I and II MSDs must be secured to prevent discharge; Type III holding tanks must be pumped out at shore facilities
- Portable toilets: contents must be disposed of at approved shore facilities only — never overboard
- Pumpout stations available at most marinas on Lake Washington and Lake Union — use them
- Boater Education Card — required for anyone born after January 1, 1955 operating a vessel of 15HP or greater
- Minimum age to operate a motorboat: 12 years old
- Minimum age to operate a PWC (jet ski): 14 years old; must wear a PFD and possess a Boater Education Card
- Minimum age to rent a PWC: 16 years old
- Non-WA residents: Boater Education Card required if operating 15HP+ vessel for more than 60 consecutive days in state waters
- Renters must review a motor vessel safety checklist with the operator before departing
- Maximum 7 knots (8 mph) within 100 yards of any shoreline, pier, shore installation, or restricted area on Lake Washington (Seattle Municipal Code 16.20.210)
- Observe all posted no-wake zones — especially near marinas, launches, and swim areas
- Operators must maintain a safe and prudent speed for conditions, traffic, and visibility at all times
- Do not exceed the vessel’s maximum rated capacity — check the capacity plate
- Maintain proper distance from water skiers, tubers, and other vessels
- Right of way: sailboats generally have right of way over motorboats; give way to vessels restricted in ability to maneuver
- Accident reporting required if incident results in: death, injury requiring medical treatment, vessel damage over $2,000, or disappearance of a person
- Anchor with appropriate rode (chain + line) for Lake Washington depths
- Manual bilge pump or bailer as backup to installed bilge pump
- First aid kit — marine-specific kits include seasickness medication and waterproof packaging
- VHF radio — monitor Channel 16 at all times underway; USCG monitors 24/7
- Fenders and dock lines — adequate count for the vessel’s beam and weight
- Chart or GPS with Lake Washington and connecting waterways loaded
- Sunscreen, sun protection, and drinking water — PNW sun is deceptively intense on the water
- Spare engine kill switch lanyard (if vessel is equipped)
- Float plan — leave a copy with someone ashore listing your route and expected return time
This checklist is provided as a general reference guide current as of May 2026. Always verify requirements with the Washington State Parks Boating Program and the U.S. Coast Guard before your trip. Requirements may change — this is not legal advice.