Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard Tours

We did the Ballard Locks excursion as a high school graduation gift for our nephew and he enjoyed it a ton. We were a group of 5 and there were two other pairs on the tour with us, plus 2 guides. It was a fantastic day. Blaine & Jane were well-organized, put safety first at all times, and were a wealth of information about the area, wildlife and history. The tour is easy going and suitable for all levels of kayakers. We had a blast, and going through the locks is a unique fun experience. Ballard Kayaks is a fantastic local business providing exceptional service. Thanks for a terrific day!

— S Mintz

We have stared at the Ballard Locks kayak tour from the footpath across the locks for years and it was a dream come true to go on this tour! It was absolutely even better than we had imagined. The tour guides, Blaine and Jane, were extremely focused on safety and were very knowledgeable about the area, history, and wildlife we saw. They infused the information they gave us with great humor, and it was such a fun time! We would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who has good upper body strength–the tour is beginner-friendly but can be challenging and tiring paddling if there's wind.

— Nicole Tanner

We did the Discovery Point Tour, it was fantastic, organized, and efficient. The water was smooth, perfect for our beginner group. Our guide, Jane, was great and gave us lots of information on the area. She earned the title of 2 horsepower Jane. Lunch on the beach was delicious. The kayak equipment was clean and well maintained. What a fantastic experience on our trip to Seattle.

— Heather Zischka

We had an amazing tour with Teri! We booked the Discovery Park tour for our wedding anniversary, and it could not have been a more perfect day. We got to paddle past sea lions, float with seals, see many types of birds, learn about kelp and eel grass as well as some history of the area. And we had a fantastic picnic lunch laid out for us on the beach at Discovery Park. All in all, this was an outstanding experience, and we can’t wait to book our next tour (we’re thinking the Ballard Locks!). Highly recommended.

— Carol Anne Ogden

We were supposed to paddle through the locks but due to a collision, the gates were closed. Without missing a beat our guides, Anna and Lindsey, offered to take us to the fish ladders and see the king salmon run. It was so cool! Along the way, we saw mobs of harbor seals, many with the cute white and spotted pups. We were followed for a time by a belted kingfisher. Our trip on land to the observation aquarium took us past the great blue heron rookery. And we got to see a 340-ft fishing trawler go through the large locks! It was the largest vessel that can go through the locks. The guides share fascinating information about the area's history and ecology and are excellent at pointing out and explaining the local wildlife. They went out of their way to ensure everyone had a great time.

— Elizabeth Nelson