Located on the shores of Puget Sound, Tacoma + Pierce County, WA is an ideal destination for water-seeking adventurers! Begin your day on the water with a morning kayak out of Dock Street Marina in downtown Tacoma. Paddle through the Foss Waterway into Commencement Bay and overlook Tacoma’s Ruston Way and the cargo ships as they make their way into the Port of Tacoma. Keep an eye out for the wildlife that inhabit the Puget Sound region, including bald eagles, osprey, seals and more!
Paddle back to land for a feast at Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern & Eatery on Tacoma’s Ruston Way Waterfront. Choose from a wide variety of pizzas, seafood options and other Northwest favorites while soaking in the views of Puget Sound and Commencement Bay!
Following lunch make your way to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for a chance to interact with sharks in the newest underwater experience, Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives! You will descend into the 240,000-gallon aquarium, both cage-dives and free-dives are options depending on your experience. Your underwater journey will bring you face-to-face with 17 types of shark and a wide variety of saltwater fish, a memorable experience you will not forget!
There is no better way to end your day of water adventure than by being on the water! Head over to The Point Defiance Marina and take advantage of their boat rentals to explore the local Puget Sound waterways on your own. Their 14-foot fiberglass skiffs come powered with 9.9-horsepower Mercury motors which allows you to cover some ground. Make your way northwest and go under the Tacoma Narrows Bridges, home to the largest specie of octopus in the world!
Tonight you will dine on the water at Boathouse 19 while watching the sun set over the Olympic Mountain Range. This waterfront restaurant has public docks which makes it a favorite amongst boaters who agree that fresh seafood is a must! Stop next door at Narrows Brewing Co. to sample local beer, like the Galloping Gertie Golden Ale, before returning to the Silver Cloud Inn for the evening.