Boston Harbor Marina is a beloved community boating destination in Olympia, Washington, offering protected moorage, sweeping water views, and easy access to the southern Puget Sound.
Boston Harbor Marina has served the Olympia community for generations, functioning as both a working port and a recreational hub along the southern reach of Puget Sound. The marina occupies a sheltered inlet that offers protection from the broader sound's chop, making it a practical and popular home base for local fishermen, crabbers, and weekend cruisers. The surrounding landscape is distinctly Pacific Northwest, with dense conifer forest framing the waterfront and the Olympic Mountains occasionally visible across the water on clear days. Visitors who come simply to walk the docks find themselves drawn into the rhythms of tidal life, watching boats come and go and scanning the water for harbor seals that frequent the area.
The small commercial cluster near the marina includes a general store and deli that has long served as a gathering point for the local boating community, offering provisions, fresh local seafood in season, and the kind of low-key atmosphere that feels genuinely rooted in place. Anglers target salmon, rockfish, and Dungeness crab in the surrounding waters, and the marina provides the infrastructure to support those pursuits through guest moorage and basic marine services.
Kayakers and paddleboarders use Boston Harbor Marina as a launch point for exploring the quieter inlets and conservation lands nearby, including tideflats and forested shorelines that see far less traffic than more developed parts of the sound. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and community-oriented, far removed from the bustle of larger marinas. For anyone seeking an authentic, unhurried introduction to life on the South Puget Sound, Boston Harbor Marina offers a genuinely rewarding place to spend a few hours or an entire day.
Visit during an early morning low tide to explore the rocky shoreline and observe herons, seals, and shorebirds feeding along the exposed flats.
Try the seafood offerings at the small store and deli near the marina, a longtime local stop for fresh Dungeness crab when in season.
Bring layers regardless of the season, as afternoon winds off Puget Sound can drop temperatures quickly even on clear summer days.
Launch a kayak or small paddlecraft from the marina to paddle toward Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area, a short and scenic route north.
Arrive on a weekday to secure easier parking and a quieter experience on the docks, as weekends draw recreational boaters from across Thurston County.
Bring up to six and enjoy a complimentary cocktail while you sail
Cruise Olympia’s harbor on a private 1-hour motorboat ride with a welcome drink
Sail at sunset on a classic schooner with cocktails or mocktails
Sail for 3 hours with up to 6 guests and a welcome cocktail or mocktail
Two-hour quiet morning sail with coffee, tea, and a welcome cocktail or mocktail
Sail a private 90-minute golden hour cruise with a captain