Photo courtesy of San Juan Cruises
Cruise Control
Day-long trips capture the spirit of the Pacific Northwest
One of the many advantages of living in—or traveling through—the Pacific Northwest is its abundance of waterfront access. Lakes, rivers, oceans, sounds. They’re all here, which makes it remarkably easy to sail past evergreen shorelines, spot local marine wildlife or simply enjoy some
nautical sightseeing.
Because not everyone has the time, budget or inclination to set off on a multiday trip, day cruises are the perfect solution for enjoying time out on the water without the hassle of packing for a lengthy voyage or having to dig deep into your travel allowance. These noteworthy options let you “seas” the day in less than 24 hours.
Photo courtesy of San Juan Cruises
Photo courtesy of whales.com
San Juan Cruises
Bellingham, Washington
San Juan Cruises operates two boats that transport you through Puget Sound’s scenic San Juan archipelago bound for the town of Friday Harbor. Board the passenger-only ferries on the mainland in Bellingham and enjoy a narrated tour during the seven-hour, roundtrip voyage. Along the way, the ship’s captain will introduce you to local wildlife such as resident orca pods, playful harbor seals and immense sea lions, while providing insights into the islands’ geography and its four main islands—Orcas, Shaw, Lopez and San Juan—including the fact that San Juan county has more shoreline than any other in the United States.
The ferry docks on San Juan Island near the heart of town at Spring Street and allows three hours on land to grab lunch, peruse galleries and shops, rent mopeds or bikes, visit The Whale Museum, or just sit along the shoreline and watch as private boats and the Washington State ferries come and go. See whales.com.
Photo courtesy of Darlisa Black
Photo courtesy of Portland River Cruise
Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Built in Hood River, the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge was constructed as a replica of those that plied the Columbia River in the 1800s. At 145 feet long, it’s propelled by a large paddle wheel mounted at the stern (rear) of the ship and holds just shy of 600 passengers. Because sternwheelers are specifically designed for river navigation, it’s the ideal vessel for trips to view the Bonneville Dam and Columbia Gorge.
On back-to-back tours, you can experience locking (when the boat enters an airtight chamber that acts as an elevator to move from one water level to another) and breathtaking views of the gorge by staying aboard for successive expeditions—roughly one hour each way and free of charge after initial admission. Once aboard the sternwheeler, you can take the West Loop Tour which passes underneath the iconic Bridge of the Gods to spot seals and osprey, then to the top of the hydroelectric Bonneville Dam. The massive structure, which generates power to almost a million homes in Oregon and Washington, also features enormous fish ladders to help migrating salmon make their way to their spawning grounds. Afterwards, stay onboard for the subsequent journey with panoramic views of the Columbia Gorge, renowned for its lush forests, soaring cliffs and variety of waterfalls, including the majestic Multnomah Falls. See sternwheeler.com.
Photo courtesy of Portland River Cruise
Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com
Portland River Tours
Portland, Oregon
Spend the day on the water with a customized experience run by Portland River Tours, which offers a variety of options that can take a group of two to 18 passengers aboard a luxury pontoon boat built for casual comfort on the Willamette River.
Cruises begin at Willamette Park and cover roughly 18 miles roundtrip, with sights from historical cityscapes to Portland’s bridges and floating homes. Wildlife and nature tours—where sea lions, beavers and more can be spotted—are a top choice, but the most popular are those to Willamette Falls, the second-largest waterfall by volume in the United States. See portlandrivertours.com.
TIP: Portland Spirit offers two full-day cruises to Astoria—one in May and one in October—where you’ll leave the Columbia River to explore Oregon’s forested coastal range. Retracing a portion of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, you’ll likely be kept company by tugboats and ocean freighters. The journey includes meals and historic narration.
Bookings are popular and always sell out quickly, so book early. See portlandspirit.com.
Photo courtesy of Hells Canyon Tours
Photo courtesy of Hells Canyon Tours
Beamer’s Hells Canyon Tours
Clarkston, Washington
Since 1919, the United States Postal Service has been delivering mail to residents on the banks of the Snake River. Every Wednesday from May through September, you can ride with a postal agent on a jet boat, working along the river to deliver mail to homes and ranches.
You can still experience the thrill of riding on a jet boat propelled through the Hells Canyon wilderness any other day of the week—without the mail stops. Manned and narrated by U.S. Coast Guard-certified boat captains, these tours traverse the deepest river-carved chasm in the country. And though you’ll be passing through several sets of rapids, there’s also a chance for mellower activities on land, including a self-guided walking tour of the Kirkwood Historic Ranch and its museum, which offers a look into early 1900s life in the canyon. See hellscanyontours.com.
Photo courtesy of Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
Photo courtesy of Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Many people dream of taking a European river cruise on the Rhine or Danube, but there’s a stunning option closer to home. Head to northern Idaho to hop aboard a double-decker boat and set sail on a six-hour journey across Lake Coeur d’Alene and along the St. Joe River.
With an elevation of 2,129 feet at its mouth, the St. Joe is considered to be one of the highest navigable rivers in the world. After it flows 140 miles through the Idaho Panhandle, it drops into Lake Coeur d’Alene. Often referred to as the Lake Tahoe of Idaho due to its vivid blue color and high-quality water, surrounding thick pine forests and dramatic scenery, the lake provides a setting for many luxurious lakefront properties. As the cruise follows along its route, learn about the natural history of the area that includes resident wildlife like osprey and eagles. See cdacruises.com.
AAA Member Benefits
Travel Deals
