The Best Views on the Bainbridge Island Ferry to Seattle

What's the Best View on the Bainbridge Island Ferry to Seattle?

Most riders crowd the front of the Bainbridge ferry for the downtown Seattle skyline, and it's a great view, don't get me wrong. But the back deck is just as good, giving you an open look at Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the island receding behind you, minus the crowd. On the roughly 35-minute Washington State Ferries crossing between Bainbridge Island and Seattle, the ride itself is one of the real perks of island living.

By Samantha Schlegel | July 2, 2026

There's an unwritten rule on the Bainbridge ferry: everyone rushes to the front.

They line up along the bow for that postcard shot of the Seattle skyline growing on the horizon. I get it, that view never gets old. But after enough crossings, I've come to think the best seat on the boat is the one nobody fights for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKq_4QPXIBA

The back of the ferry is just as good. Maybe better.

Why the Back Deck Wins

When you stand at the stern heading toward Seattle, you get the whole picture the front misses.

Bainbridge Island pulls away behind you - the harbor, the tree line, the marina. all while the open Sound spreads out on both sides. On a clear day the Olympic Mountains sit off to the west, and the water churns out behind the boat in a long wake that catches the light. There's no crowd back there, no jostling for the railing, and you can actually hear the water and the gulls instead of a hundred phone cameras.

It's a small thing. But small things like this are exactly what make living around Seattle feel special.

The Ferry Ride Is Part of the Lifestyle

Here's what people who don't live here miss: on Bainbridge, the ferry isn't just transportation. It's part of the day.

The crossing runs about 35 minutes between Eagle Harbor on the island and Colman Dock on the downtown Seattle waterfront. For a lot of islanders, that's the commute, and instead of sitting in I-5 traffic, you're standing on open water with a coffee watching the mountains. Walk-on passengers load fast and head straight up to the passenger deck. Drive-on if you need the car on the other side.

That daily rhythm is a big reason people trade city density for island life in the first place. If you want the fuller picture of what that trade-off actually feels like day to day, I broke it down in my guide to what island life on Bainbridge is really like - the ferry schedule, the small-town pace, and the water views you get in return.

Thinking about whether island living or a quick ferry commute fits your life? That's exactly the kind of thing I help buyers and sellers think through across the Puget Sound area. Reach me at (206) 928-1738 or samantha.schlegel@compass.com and let's talk.

Make a Day of Both Sides

One of the underrated perks of this route is that Colman Dock drops you right on the Seattle waterfront, so the ferry itself becomes the start of the outing.

Step off and you're minutes from the newly reconnected waterfront and a short walk up to Pike Place Market. I've spent whole afternoons doing exactly this loop, and it's an easy, low-effort way to enjoy the city. If you want a ready-made plan, here's how to spend a quick afternoon at Pike Place Market, and if you're bringing the kids, my guide to the Seattle waterfront with kids at Pier 58 pairs perfectly with a ferry ride over.

So next time you're on the Bainbridge boat, let everyone else pack the bow. Head to the back, find the railing, and watch the island shrink behind you over the Sound. It's one of the best views on the ferry, and it's the one nobody's fighting for.

For more everyday looks at life and real estate around Puget Sound - neighborhoods, homes, and moments like this - subscribe on YouTube and follow along at Living Beyond Homes.

About Samantha Schlegel

Samantha Schlegel is a real estate agent with Compass serving buyers and sellers across King County, Snohomish County, and the greater Seattle area. She helps clients navigate everything from island living to complex, high-stakes sales, and shares honest home tours, neighborhood guides, and slices of Pacific Northwest life at Living Beyond Homes. Reach her at (206) 928-1738 or samantha.schlegel@compass.com.