Top 15 Things To Do in Des Moines, Washington
A salt-scented slice of Puget Sound, Des Moines sits where marina masts meet shoreline trails. This compact waterfront town is an easy day-trip from Seattle and Tacoma and delivers an outsized mix of water activities—boat tours, kayak outings, SUP mornings, and seasonal scuba—alongside breezy walking tours, city-side hiking, and low-key sailing. Use this guide to pair quick shore-based experiences with longer paddles, evening sails, and eco-focused outings that put the Sound’s rich marine life front and center.
Top 15 Things To Do in Des Moines
Ranked by number of available trips • Each activity type links to all experiences
Why Des Moines Belongs on Your Puget Sound Itinerary
Settle into the small-town rhythm of Des Moines and you’ll find a shoreline that’s both playground and classroom. Mornings often begin with paddlers carving glassy wakes—kayak and SUP tours slip quietly past pilings and eelgrass beds, where seals and foraging birds cluster around tidal channels. By mid-morning the marina hums: boat rental counters assign dinghies and pontoons, sailing skippers prep rigs, and sightseeing tour captains brief guests on local lore. The immediate draw is water—boat tours, kayak trips, sailing lessons, and seasonal scuba excursions all launch from town—but the experience is about balance: short walking tours along the pier, a stretch of bluff trails at Saltwater State Park, and casual beachcombing at Redondo are perfectly paced bookends to a day on the Sound.
There’s cultural texture here, too. Des Moines blends maritime history with a quietly ambitious food scene—harbor-side cafes and fish markets serving the day’s haul—so an afternoon paddle can segue into a seafood dinner with waterfront view. For travelers who like to layer activities, the region answers: pair an eco tour focused on orca and seabird ecology with a late-afternoon city tour or bus-run to nearby points of interest, or swap a guided kayak outing for a self-guided boat rental and discover tide pools at low water. Air activities—paragliding and sightseeing flights—surface periodically in regional offerings, giving a high, cinematic vantage on the low-lying marshes and urban edges.
Practically, Des Moines is deceptively convenient. Sea-Tac is minutes away; transit links and local outfitters make half-day adventures realistic for travelers on tight schedules. The town also serves as a mellow alternative to busier waterfronts: crowds concentrate on summer weekends, but weekdays and shoulder seasons reward early risers who want close encounters with waterfowl, quiet coves for SUP practice, or a low-commitment scuba refresher. For anyone chasing a compact but varied coastal itinerary—hiking nearby bluffs, booking a sailing lesson, trying a guided kayak or scuba trip, or sampling an eco tour—Des Moines offers a logical, delightful hub.
Access is the practical advantage: multiple launch points and rentals mean you can improvise. If the wind picks up, swap a kayak for a sheltered bay SUP session or board a short sightseeing tour that doubles as a wildlife-watching trip. Outfitters handle permits, gear, and basic instruction, so beginners can test kayaking, SUP, or a calm-conditions dive with confidence.
Seasonality and conditions matter. Late spring through early fall gives the best window for warm-water paddles, sailing lessons, and boat tours. Winter brings storm-swirl spectacles and fewer crowds—an atmospheric time for shoreline walks, tide-pool study, and off-season rates—but check forecasts and tide charts and favor guided trips if you’re diving or venturing into open water.
Best Time to Visit
Best Months
Weather Notes
Late spring through early fall offers the mildest conditions for paddling, sailing, and boat tours. Expect cool mornings, breezier afternoons, and occasional marine layer. Winters are wetter and windier—great for stormwatching and quiet hikes but less reliable for small-craft activities.
Peak Season
July–August weekends draw the largest crowds to the marina and beaches; book rentals and tours in advance.
Off-Season Opportunities
Fall and winter weekdays deliver lower lodging rates and quieter parks; guided eco tours and scenic drives can be especially atmospheric.
Choose Your Adventure Level
Beginner
Short, guided outings in sheltered bays and gentle walking tours. Rentals and lessons reduce the learning curve.
- Introductory SUP session in a protected cove
- Guided kayak tour around marina pilings and eelgrass beds
- Short walking tour of the pier and waterfront parks
Intermediate
Longer paddles, independent boat rentals, and guided wildlife-spotting tours that require basic navigation and tide awareness.
- Self-guided kayak or boat rental to nearby coves
- Sailing lesson leading to a short coastal cruise
- Half-day eco tour focused on seabirds and intertidal habitats
Advanced
Open-water crossings, multi-day trips, technical scuba dives, and air activities requiring specialized skills or certification.
- Full-day sail into Puget Sound with navigational planning
- Advanced scuba dives on local wrecks with certified operators
- Air activities or scenic flights for broad aerial reconnaissance
What to Bring
Essential
- Waterproof layers and a wind shell for shifting Puget Sound conditions
- Daypack with snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit
- Non-slip water shoes or reef sandals for beach and boat transitions
- ID and any certification cards for scuba or rental paperwork
- Sunscreen and polarized sunglasses
Recommended
- Dry bag for phone and layers during paddling or boat rental
- Light neoprene top in cooler months or for extended SUP/kayak sessions
- Tide chart or app and a local map of launch points
- Binoculars for birding and marine-life spotting
Optional
- Compact camera or action cam with float tether
- Portable shore lunch kit for picnics on quiet beaches
- Wetsuit for cooler-season scuba or surf sessions
Insider Tips & Local Knowledge
Check tides, local weather, and operator status before heading out; many activities depend on calm conditions or commercial schedules.
Aim for early launches to catch calmer glass mornings on the Sound and to avoid afternoon wind gusts. If the wind builds, pivot to shoreline activities—Saltwater State Park’s bluff trails and Redondo’s boardwalk are rewarding alternatives. For wildlife viewing, hire a short eco tour: guides know where seals, cormorants, and seasonal forage lines concentrate. Book scuba and specialized boat tours in advance during peak months, and consider midweek rentals for quieter waters. Finally, respect intertidal habitats—stick to marked paths to protect eelgrass beds and tidepools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a kayak or boat in Des Moines without a reservation?
Yes—there are walk-up rentals, but availability is limited on summer weekends. Reserve ahead for specific times or multi-hour rentals.
Is it safe to scuba near Des Moines?
There are local dive operators who run guided shore and boat dives; visibility and conditions vary seasonally. Use a guide if you’re unfamiliar with cold-water diving or local currents.
Are there places to surf or is the water strictly calm?
Des Moines faces Puget Sound and rarely has ocean-style surf; however, certain wind and swell combinations can create surfable conditions, and nearby outer-coast locations offer better waves. The area is stronger for sailing, SUP, and protected paddling.