One of my favorite easy things to do in Seattle is hop on the water taxi, ride across Elliott Bay and grab a beer at Marination Ma Kai. I did it with a guest recently and Mount Rainier decided to show up too. Pretty good day at work.
Watch the ride over
Why it's worth doing
The ride is quick and cheap, and you get a view of downtown from the water that a lot of visitors miss. Marination Ma Kai sits right where the boat docks in West Seattle, with a patio looking straight back at the skyline. You don't need a car or a plan beyond lunch. It also pairs well with our 3-Hour City Tour. Ask to finish near Pike Place and the water taxi dock at Pier 50 is a short walk along the waterfront.
How the water taxi works
The King County Water Taxi leaves downtown from Pier 50 at 801 Alaskan Way. Enter at the bottom of Yesler Way. It lands at Seacrest Park in West Seattle, and the crossing takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Fare: $5.25 each way with an ORCA card or $6.25 cash for adults. Kids and teens ride free. Seniors with a reduced fare permit pay $2.50.
Paying: cash, ORCA card, tap to pay, the Transit GO Ticket app or a paper ticket from the machine.
Bikes and pets: no extra charge.
Schedule: it changes with the season and runs later on some nights. Check departure times on King County's water taxi page before you go.
Grab a spot outside if the weather's decent.
New to ORCA cards or tap to pay? My guide to getting around Seattle on transit covers the basics.
Marination Ma Kai
Marination started as Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison's food truck in 2009, and Ma Kai is their spot at Seacrest Park, right next to the dock. The food is Hawaiian-Korean: tacos, sliders, katsu, that kind of thing. Grab something, sit on the deck and look back at the city. Hours change with the seasons, so check their locations page before you ride over, and follow them on Instagram at @marinationsea.
Keep going if you have time
From Seacrest you can walk or bike along the water toward Alki Beach, or catch a Metro shuttle that connects the dock to Alki and the Admiral District. If you just want lunch and the view, Ma Kai and the ride back are plenty.
Adding it to a tour
Our private tours are customizable, so we can make time for things like this. Want the water taxi and lunch at Ma Kai as part of your day? Mention it when you plan a custom tour and I'll work out the timing around your pickup and the rest of your stops. Food and drinks are on you. Or book the 3-Hour City Tour, finish near Pike Place and head over on your own.
Quick answers
How much is the West Seattle Water Taxi? $5.25 with ORCA or $6.25 cash for adults, as of October 2026. Youth ride free.
How long is the ride? About 10 to 15 minutes each way.
Is Marination Ma Kai right by the dock? Yes. It's at Seacrest Park, where the boat lands.
Keep reading
What Does "The Mountain Is Out" Really Mean?, for the days Rainier shows up
Kerry Park: Why I Keep Bringing Seattle Visitors to This View, the skyline from the other side
