Emerald City Pirates

What could be more magical than cruising Lake Union on a beautiful July day? Emerald City Pirates offers a fun and memorable way to experience Seattle from the water. The boat is clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully set up for group outings. There's a great little bar on board for beverages, and a central area that's perfect for laying out snacks and mingling. The water cannons added a playful, interactive twist that everyone enjoyed. The crew was fantastic—and skilled at hosting groups to ensure a smooth and unique outing. Highly recommend this experience for anyone looking to celebrate, entertain guests, or just enjoy a unique day out in the city!

This is the best spot to bring kids in Seattle! The crew was kind, funny and kept the kids really engaged the whole time. I took my little sister and she can’t stop talking about how much fun she had. It was the perfect afternoon together! So thankful for the whole crew and the owner!

This cruise was like stepping into a real-life pirate story. The crew members were not just staff but true performers, fully immersing guests in the pirate adventure. The crew have a ton of personality and a great sense of humor, and you can tell they enjoy what they’re doing. What is life without an imagination and amazing crew! Their costumes, speech, and behavior transported us into another world. It wasn’t just a show—it was a theatrical experience on the water, captivating for us adults. The actors’ complete transformation into their roles made the journey feel incredibly authentic—huge thanks to the organizers! The music was fantastic, and the energy on board made every moment exciting. The Aperol Spritz was so refreshing and was the perfect summer drink. We were always entertained and the staff were crazy funny and full of energy! The whole experience feels like stepping into a real sea adventure. They will also give you the opportunity to soak in the view of Seattle from the water. Definitely a worthwhile excursion! The attention to detail, the energy, and the fun were beyond our expectations. If you’re looking for a unique adventure, look no further. This pirate ship experience is a must-do! The pirate-themed activities were top-notch- water gun cannons-it was like stepping into a real-life pirate story. Thanks for the great core memories! The crew makes the voyage a memorable one! ARRRRR!

I've been a passenger on the pirate cruise numerous times and always leave with a smile on my face! The energetic & engaging crew, along with the bumpin' tunes make for an unforgettable experience. Bottoms up!

This ship is the coolest! My whole family rented a whole boat for the Fourth of July, and it was so much fun! They dress up like pirates, they play some pirate songs, we even dressed up like pirates! The bartender and the guy driving the boat were awesome! I’m so happy I joined in this! One of the best Fourth of July‘s I’ve had because it was just so different! You get great views of Seattle, and the water! Fireworks were awesome!

So fun! The whole family loved this experience! The boys got to "swab the deck," search for treasure, and even "attack" a former crew member who stole the treasure! This was a blast. We did go on a very chilly day, and it was still so fun. We dressed up & the crew loved that! There are a few things I'd love to see: more snack options, less crowded, or more seating somehow.

We did the Sailgating to the Huskies/Perdue game and had an amazing time. The Tiki Barge was absolutely amazing and a great way to tour Seattle and get to the game. Hosts were awesome, will definitely be doing this again!

We had the BEST time on the family pirate adventure. None of us can stop talking about what a jolly time it was to climb aboard a safe, well-maintained pirate ship and to be met by an awesome team of kind and entertaining pirates who led a really fun pirate school and a clever treasure-finding caper as we sailed Lake Union. We added on a pirate pack (pirate sword, eye patch, bandana) when we purchased our tickets (pirate hats are available too), but next time i'd be like some others on our tour and also arrive in full pirate attire to get the full experience sailing around and waving to the other boats and people on shore! The best kids age range for this is probably fully 3-12.. the 3 year olds could keep up and it was interesting enough for the older ones to be into it as well. Snacks and drinks are available on ship. 10/10 would recommend!

A hilarious and fun way to tour South Lake Union. My friend booked the boat for a private celebration and it was a great time. The captain and Jenny from the Dock were in full pirate regalia and played sea shanties and party classics as we cruised around the lake. Lots of seating - and don't miss the upstairs area where there's a great view. A highlight of the tour was when another pirate tried to board us - the kids (and adults) got to barrage her with water cannons and eventually she gave up her treasure. I love other tourist cruises in the area - but this one is definitely the most unique.

What a fun experience for both the kiddos and adults. My boys were so excited and enjoyed the little surprises that unfolded throughout the cruise. Nice birthday shout out at the end too!

This ship is the coolest! My whole family rented a whole boat for the Fourth of July, and it was so much fun! They dress up like pirates, they play some pirate songs, we even dressed up like pirates! The bartender and the guy driving the boat were awesome! I'm so happy I joined in this! One of the best Fourth of July's I've had because it was just so different! You get great views of Seattle, and the water! Fireworks were awesome!

Amazing experience! Did the tiki boat and the crew was wonderful! Highly recommend for anyone looking for a nice night on the water

Absolutely amazing experience!!!!! Wife's birthday on the boat and it was the best party we had ever. Eating, drinking and dancing into the night. Captain no beard was awesome and our bartender Jenny was equally amazing. We did the extended cruise and it was a fun 3 hours. Appreciate the service over email as well because it was my first time charting a cruise like this and I had a ton of questions and they were always quick to respond. Would definitely sail with them again. It was so much fun!!!! Everyone commented that this was one of the best sailing experiences they had.

This time we visited them on their ship. We parked at MOHAI parking lot. It's a small one but we arrived early for their first tour. Be sure to park trunk first. Otherwise, you can get a ticket. We waited for the pirate to arrive and then we jumped on their boat. All families were very excited. We purchased a package with costumes included. They asign you a name tag an off we went to the sea (lake ;)). They have a story to keep kids entertained. But you know what? We adults were very entertained too! I didn't pay attention to the trip! We were watching their little faces with the loot, pictures, story, getting other pirate's boat wet, and waving at people at Gasworks Park. Boy they know their audience! What a great experience for little ones!! We always saw them around in the City and during different events. They open Seafair with the Pirats' Landing at Alki Beach but some of them join San Patrick's landing in March next to MOHAI. They also walk Seafair parade. In fact, they close it. Such a fun part with the canons and coins. I don't remember the other parade they are part of.

The Pirate Party Cruise (21+) was such a fun experience! We went to celebrate my husbands 30th birthday and it was a huge hit with everyone! They have Jell-O shots, beer, wine and seltzers! The staff is super friendly and committed to their roles!

WOW! This experience way exceeded my expectations. My friend and I got the Groupon and went on the 21+ cruise. The staff was really fun and helpful and a lot of our fellow boat-goers had fabulous costumes. I would definitely recommend dressing up if you can! The ride itself was really smooth and the ship is gorgeous. It REALLY looks like a pirate ship and was really impressive. There was a great bar on board with lots of drinks and snacks. It rained while we were out, but everyone got plastic ponchos and still continued to have a fantastic time. I had a blast and would love to go again when the weather is a little better. I bet the kids sail is a blast for the little ones as well. This is a big Seattle MUST!

Ahoy land lubbers! If you have young swashbucklers the Family Treasure Cruise is absolutely a must-do! Even if you don't have any kiddos, this is still a super fun cruise as my mom and I found out last weekend. The 90-minute cruise takes you on a tour of Lake Union. Before the journey begins, you pick out your pirate name (Harlot Heather here) and don your pirate gear. They hand out pirate vests to everyone and extra gear can be purchased with your tickets or while on-board. I purchased two adult hats ($5 each) and one 'pirate pack' ($5) which came with a bandana, eye patch, and sword. Definitely worth it to help us get into the spirit. This boat ride isn't so much a cruise as it is an adventure. The crew gathers all the young uns together at the beginning to have a lesson in pirate terminology. And anytime other watercraft or kayakers approach the pirate boat we are encouraged to yell 'YARRR' and scare them off. Along the way, a scalawag came along and stole our ship's treasure (Boo!). But fear not because our captain chased that boat down and the kids shot water canons at the thief until he gave up and returned our treasure. If your group is all adults, I recommend heading up to the poop deck to hang out with the captain like my mom and I did. It was a little quieter up there and it was fun chatting with Captain Pete. There is one bathroom on board and a small counter with snacks and drinks for purchase (chips, candy, beer, cider, and hard seltzer). Check Groupon for discounted tickets and take your friends for a great time out on the water! I cannot recommend this enough.

If you're looking for a lovely way to spend a couple hours you can't go wrong with emerald city pirates. Stellar crew that helps make it a memorable time for you, your family, your kids, everyone. High recommend!

We had an amazing time on our adult-only pirate cruise on Lake Union. What a blast!!!! The crew was great, and the boat ride was very smooth. It was fun to see some of the Seattle sights from Lake Union at night. While there was some mixed communications from them about alcohol purchases, overall, it was a hell of a time! :) We will most definitely be back!

My wife and took my 6-year daughter on the cruise and we all had an absolutely great time in the 90 minutes or so we were out cruising Lake Union. I saw kids as young as 2 and as old as 12 getting into the spirit of pretending to be pirates on Lake Union, while the adults hang out and play along/laugh. The crew obviously knows the audience and gets the kids engaged - whether they're getting silly pirate names before we get going, having the kids "swab the poop deck", spraying down a rogue pirate ("Mean Mitch") with water cannons to get the "treasure" back, or just that the crew laughs at the kids silly pirate jokes. My wife paid a little extra for a "pirate pack" which comes with a plastic sword, eye-patch and bandana, which my daughter happily wore not just on the boat but the rest of the day - although I think the eye patch shifted eyes at least once. Was absolutely worth it to enhance the play experience for her. She's still enjoying these items a few days later. As an adult it was a pretty nice way to spend a super sunny Seattle afternoon, seeing the houseboats, and kayakers and yelling "Ahoy" and "Arrrr" at passing boats that also seemed to want to get in on the fun. We traveled from the bottom of South Lake Union to Ivars and then past Gasworks and under the Fremont bridge before turning around and heading back. Lots of good scenery. There are a bunch of other boat cruises on Lake Union and Lake Washington, and I've taken adults and visiting friends out on many of them, but if you have kids and can be young-at-heart, you can't do better for your money than this cruise.

I want to give a shout out to Emerald City Pirates for showing us an amazing time! We did a private charter for my husband's 60th birthday. The owner Peter was wonderful to work with. I had lots of questions and he was quick to respond every time. Captain Bosn Bill and his first mate Jenny were both gracious, accommodating and threw us a party we will never forget. If you are looking to have the time of your life, I highly recommend Emerald City Pirates to make your occasion the most memorable ever!! ‍‍‍‍‍

My family went on the Family Treasure Cruise! This was a great adventure that was fun for all ages. The cruise begins everyone getting dressed in pirate vests. Hats, hooks and more are available to purchase for a few bucks. This was followed by a quick safety review. This cruise is all about interacting with the kids and teaching them how to be pirates. It is more fun when everyone plays along. The adventure includes shooting water cannons and trying to retrieve the treasure that was stolen from the treasure chest. The smiles on their faces was priceless. There are snacks and drinks available for purchase. (They do take credit cards.) There is also a "head" available if nature calls. Get ready for some high sea fun if you decide to be a pirate for the day.

I took my grandkids on the cruise for my grandsons birthday. The grandkids had so much fun. The pirate are very good with kids. They are very interactive with the scullywags and they keep busy and entertained. I encourage you to buy the add on items. My grand kids loved them. Even the adults had a good time.

We went out again with Emerald City Pirates. This time was as much fun and well organized as 2 years ago. This is a great cruise for parents and all extended family members. I can't say enough about the main pirate who welcomed and worked with the children to make the cruise fun for them. This Pirate gives each child and adult special attention. He is able to quickly assess the child's personality and tailor events and interactions to their ability. Of course, the high point of the cruise is firing the water canons. This feature brings pure joy to children and adults. Bravo Emerald City Pirates! Thank you again for a fun day.

My friend got her doctorate and we went a little traditional on the celebration and booked a pirate ship. The crew was great, and we got a lot of attention on the water which I'm a sucker for. They were friendly and easy to work with, can't recommend this place enough.

This is some of the most fun I have EVER had. Where has this been all of my life!?!?!?!? My husbeast set up a birthday party for me, so I was able to set sail with a scurvy crew of swashbuckling rogues. We were delighted with the journey from start to finish! The ship is amazing and does have a surprising amount of seating, not that anyone wanted to do that. I loved the excellent music choices, awesome staff/crew, and the fun games they played with us! I am the proud owner of thrift shop jewelry due to my absolute victory in the pirate name competition. The bar had good choices of beverages that everyone could enjoy, and they were reasonably priced, considering the captive market. :) My ENTIRE group was like, "So, when are we doing this again?" after our voyage ended. I have a lot of out of town family who visit and we've pretty much done everything one can do with visitors- our next family outing will DEFINITELY be with Emerald City Pirates! Thanks for one of the best birthday parties I have EVER had!

Our company had a little inter-department party on Emerald City Pirates and we had a lot of fun. It was a really hot day, so it would have been nice to have a little shade, but otherwise no complaints. They had name tags with pirate themed names. I was dubbed "The Shankhill Butcher". I got a kick out of that one. They were really fun and the tour around the lake up towards UW was nice. We even got to play with the water cannons which is always amusing. We were able to bring drinks and snacks on board so there was no shortage of fun. Can't wait for another sunny day to get back out there! Service was fantastic, atmosphere was a lot of fun, and they definitely have lots of ways to personalize your event. Give them a try for your next private party!

We had our company summer outing on the pirate ship yesterday and the employees loved it! One said that this was the "most fun company event she'd ever experienced"! The staff was fantastic - helping out before, during and after the event. (Even to the point that they set our the catered food we'd brought from another company.) The fantastic weather, the beautiful views of the city, the great staff and fun atmosphere made this pirate cruise an event we will never forget!!!

This place was great. They stayed in character the whole time it was a great experience. They sell drinks snacks alcohol merchandise on the ship. I brought the T-shirt it's super comfortable. They are really great at entertaining all the kids. They are super friendly. I would definitely recommend this place for birthday party

Captain Pete and his crew showed us amazing customer service for our Seafair event in August. We had a corporate event to watch the Blue Angels and his crew kept everyone entertained and spirits high despite the had rainy/windy-ish weather we had. It was a great event! They allowed us to play our own music, but had a handful of pirate tunes in their back pocket. He actually suggested a local caterer to use and I received a discount which was great. We also had my boyfriend's birthday on the Pirate ship in late June, and it was a blast. These guys know how to throw a party for whatever group you bring along. Thanks Captain Pete!

Found this activity on Groupon, from the very first encounter with them, trying to get more tickets than Groupon allowed they were awesome. Great email communication and they honored the price for all 10 of us. Super fun adventure for the family, just the right length for little ones and entertaining for all ages. Our 5 year old grandson lost his pirate hat overboard and the captain gave him a new one, thanks Captain and all the crew!!!

I was looking for an event to book with my work team that would be fun, and most importantly, would get us out on the water. This totally met and exceeded all expectations! Initially when I called, whoever I spoke with said they would open up the books for the day that I wanted since they usually don't have enough interest to open them up during the week. He also said we would be able to bring food on, and since it was a large enough group he would charge us $23 per person and it could be just us. When I called back to actually book the adventure, and I wanted to confirm details, I was no longer able to bring food, and it would be possible other people would join us on the trip. While this was a little disappointing, I understood, as they are running a business, and I wanted to respect the business. Going on the boat was so much fun! They give you pirate vests to wear, and we brought our own pirate hats. They were very engaging to be around, and made sure that the kids that were there had as much fun as possible. If you're looking for something fun and unique to do in the Seattle area, this is a great option, and well worth the price!

Looking for something out of the norm to do with the kids? A pirate cruise may be the answer. Went with 6 kids ages 5-16. The teens had fun but that was more from watching the excitement of the younger ones. We purchased our tickets through Groupon. Once aboard the ship each person received their pirate name. The kids mopped the deck, practiced firing the cannons (shot water), found the treasure map and shot the cannons at in unruly pirate who stole our treasure to win it back. The crew members dressed their part and were super funny. The trip was 1.5 hours. There are bathrooms on boards and a small smack/gift shop. If you have kids or grandkids they'll love it. Maybe find a different adventure for teens unless going as a whole family group.

We had a fantastic time with Emerald City Pirates. Great captain and crew! We can't wait to take our kids for a cruise sometime. We did the adult boat tour, really great stuff! Definitely worth an evening out in the city!

We had a fantastic time on board the Queen Anne's Revenge this afternoon. The pirates were very welcoming and entertaining.

What a fun time! I was hired to photograph a party on this boat today, but it was so much fun I felt like it wasn't even work! The captain and crew know how to make sure everyone is having fun while also being safe while cruising the beautiful waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington. Next time you have a party and want to celebrate with the best pirates in Seattle, then contact these guys!!

An excellent experience! The crew really gets into the spirit and makes things fun for the whole family! Things to know: There IS a bathroom on board, as well as a small selection of snacks/drinks for sale. You can also buy pirate gear on board if you don't add on when paying for your tickets online. Everyone is offered a pirate vest and bandana for the duration of the cruise. Also, check Groupon for discounts! Finally, I wish I'd had some cash on hand to tip the crew, but it didn't occur to me. I recommend bringing some bills to do so because the crew does a great job!!

Great family fun!! We took our 7 and 5 year old on this cruise. They loved it! The pirates assigned each person a "pirate name". We bought the additional pirate hats, sword, eye patch and bandana. The pirates involved all the kids in a fun treasure hunt, limbo contest and water cannon fight! The pirates are funny, and the cruise around Lake Union was beautiful. Light snacks available for purchase for kids and beer available for parents too. Highly recommend!

We land lovers had a great time with our six year old twin scallywags. The crew was festive, fun. Marauding Lake Union on a sunny day...what else could ye ask for? ...warning though, our kids are still insisting that we call them their 'pirate' names.

Amazing experience!!! My best friend and I brought our 6 kids on one of their trips and I were very impressed with the friendly, fun staff! Our kids range from 4 to 9 years old and all had a blast! Highly recommend! (The views were great too!)

Great experience all around! We've been on Lake Union on many different tours and this is hands down one of the best excursions. We had a blast with a super friendly, energetic, and incredibly accommodating crew who were great with our kiddos. We will absolutely do this again!

Great tour with a fun crew! Bring your pirate spirit along as you'll be shouting at passing vessels.

Was a great time. These guys were so entertaining and really had the pirate theme down. My kids had such a blast (3 and 5). We had to play pirate at home the rest of the day. We will most assuredly book another trip with these guys.

We took all the kids out and they had a blast. Seriously, so much fun. The crew was amazing and pretty funny. It's dog friendly too, which is awesome. If you want a way to get out on the water and get some great views of Seattle and let your kids have a blast at the same time this is a must do. The crew is great with kids, too. Recommended.

We went on one of the family pirate cruises and the kids loved it. Wonderful outing for a birthday party or other special event! The captain and crew made the cruise fabulous and really engaged the kids and made sure that they had loads of fun. For the parents, it was also a nice cruise of Lake Union. Highly recommended!

I reserved the boat for a team event on the last day of our offsite. It was the BEST event and crew we could have asked for. The pirates were professional, but hysterical and gave us each a pirate name. Some of these have stuck and we still use it back in the office. Just way too much fun!! I highly recommend Emerald City Pirates for a work event or a private party. I'll be booking again when I'm back in the Seattle area. Extremely professional, very easy to work with and honestly the most fun our stuffy office staff has had together!!

We had a wonderful time today on the cruise. My kids who are 5 and 9 in age were fully engaged and having a blast! They have not stopped talking about how fun it was. The crew was great, so nice and friendly. My husband and I had fun with the kids and are excited to try the 21+ cruise sometime. Reasonable priced family fun that I highly recommend!

Great experience and staff! Went on the pirate boat cruise for a friend's birthday, dressed as pirates of course, and the staff was very accommodating and entertaining. The pirate boat also accommodates catering quite nicely! Definitely will do this again!

My husband and I took our grandkids on this boat ride and were amazed to see all of the great activities. Food and beverages were great as well!

My husband and I took our 2.5 year old son today and we loved it! Parking was easy even on a weekend. No lines or crowding for the boat, it was spacious. The crew does an awesome job balancing activities to do and time to just watch seaplanes land, boats go by, etc. Kids of all ages were there enjoying it. Great way to cruise Lake Union whether you live in SEA or are visiting. Highly highly recommend this!! We will do it again next year.

I chose Emerald City Pirates' adults-only (21+) cruise for a group of ~20 friends after seeing the boat (Queen Anne's Revenge) sailing around on Lake Union. We got discounted tickets with a big group and the price was very reasonable. The crew was not only extremely professional but committed to the pirate theme the entire time. There's a little bar with drinks/snacks and a bathroom on board, a viewing deck, water cannons, fun games with prizes (limbo, costume and name contests), music, and more. The cruise combined sailing on beautiful Lake Union with a fun casual party atmosphere and the silliness of pirates. This was the perfect Seattle experience (and I've lived here for over a decade). If you're going to cruise around Lake Union, why not do it on a pirate ship? We had the BEST time! HIGHLY recommended!

Took our son on a cruise for his birthday. What a great experience for our kid who's obsessed with pirates! It was the perfect amount of time with tons of activities to keep children entertained. Love how there are adult beverages for us parents to enjoy as well. The owner is awesome and extremely accommodating - always happy to answer any of my questions. Highly recommend!

We booked a private charter for our daughter's birthday party. The whole thing was a great experience. Their communication was quick, clear, and detailed. The captain and whole crew were incredibly nice and accommodating - great to work with. The crew managed 17 mostly 3-4 year olds and everyone had a fantastic time. The kids absolutely loved it! It was a memorable and special time. I would definitely recommend booking a party with Emerald City Pirates.

Ye must partake in yonder adventure! What a fabulous family fun day, an absolute must for all the young and young at heart. The ship is fabulous, decked out in Disney-quality pirate theme. Our 3 scurvy scalliwags loved it! Highly recommended, and a definite do-over for our crew

Celebrated my (adult) birthday and it was so fuuuun! The crew was great and lively and really had great energy on the boat.

We had such a fun time on the boat, highly recommend to anyone looking for something new and exciting! The staff was great and they were in character the whole time. Pricing is fair and the boat can accommodate very large parties as well. Will be booking again!

We had SO much fun on the family treasure cruise. The kids loved all the activities and the 1.5 hours flew by. Great value! They sell snacks and drinks on the boat and there's a bathroom on board too. We were worried our littles would get too much sun but it was exactly the right length of time. It was super entertaining and there was never a moment where we wondered "what's next", it was so much fun. There's a little cafe at the MOHAI next to where the boat leaves that sells sandwiches and salads and beer and wine, our group grabbed drinks there beforehand. There are benches in the shade surrounding the museum where you can wait for the boat. It was HOT when we were on the boat and the kids needed to cool down, turns out there's a long path of water sprayers/fountains that the kids can run through in the park right across from where the boat docks. Awesome family day out, totally worth the drive for us (from Everett.)