Top 15 Things To Do in Des Moines, Washington

Nestled on the eastern edge of Puget Sound, Des Moines is a compact launchpad for short escapes and day-long explorations on protected water. Rentals range from human-powered craft for quiet paddles to small motorboats and pontoons that let you trace the shoreline, island-hop to Vashon or Blake Island, and fish or picnic on hidden coves. This guide focuses on getting you afloat with confidence—where to go, what to expect from the water, and how to plan trips that fit your comfort level and the tide.

Des Moines stretches along a soft, maritime edge of Puget Sound where promenades, a working marina, and low bluff trails invite slow exploration. Walking tours here are intimate—focused on tide-slick shoreline, jetliners drifting overhead, and a coastal community with a quiet maritime history. Expect flat boardwalks that lead to sandy coves, short cliffside stairs that reward you with bay views, and neighborhood loops that fold in casual dining and bird-filled lagoons.

Surfing in Des Moines is a different kind of saltwater story—less about long open-ocean walls and more about reading wind, tide, and a tidal basin that can unexpectedly throw usable waves. This guide frames the region's sound-surfing, wind-driven breaks, and nearby ocean options so you can plan sessions that match conditions and your level.

Des Moines pins a short, surprising ribbon of outdoor variety along the southern edge of Puget Sound. Hiking here is less about alpine summits and more about layered coastal experiences—bluff-top viewpoints, mossy ravines, intertidal shorelines and accessible greenways. This guide curates the top trail walks, beach-forays, and bluff scrambles within easy reach of town and Sea-Tac, ideal for day hikers, families, and anyone seeking quick nature escapes from the Seattle metro.

Tucked along the eastern edge of Puget Sound, Des Moines is a quietly confident launching place for sailors who want quick access to island hops, protected backcountry water, and the thrum of Seattle’s skyline on the horizon. From breezy afternoon day sails to twilight cruises that catch the low-angle light on marina pilings, the local conditions reward planning: predictable summer sea breezes, tidal rhythms that shape route choice, and a community of clubs and charters ready to match your ambition. This guide focuses specifically on sailing—learning where to go, when to go, what to pack, and how to pick the right experience whether you’re renting a daysailer, joining a racing fleet, or chartering an overnight passage into the islands.

Perched on the eastern edge of Puget Sound, Des Moines offers compact, intensely waterfront sightseeing: a marina-scape of moored sailboats, a long wooden boardwalk that frames ferry-light evenings, and low, rocky shorelines that reveal birds, seals, and tidal life. This guide focuses on guided and self-guided sightseeing tours—harbor strolls, short boat charters, kayak excursions, and accessible shoreline routes—that showcase the city’s coastal access and easy connections to the greater Seattle–Tacoma region.

Des Moines sits along the Puget Sound with a compact, maritime-minded downtown that rewards slow exploration. City tours here focus on salt-scented promenades, marina culture, coastal parks, public art, and the quiet rhythms of a working shoreline. Whether you're on foot, two wheels, or a casual guided stroll, the town's waterfront orientation makes for an approachable, outdoor-forward urban tour that pairs naturally with birding, short hikes, and marine-focused experiences.

Des Moines is a compact gateway to cold-water Pacific Northwest diving: short shore entries, quick boat runs into the central Puget Sound, and a coastline that hides kelp forests, reefs, and a surprising abundance of marine life. Expect chilly water, changing visibility, and dives that reward technical preparedness with up-close encounters with invertebrate life, eelgrass beds, and the occasional harbor seal. This guide focuses on scuba-specific planning—gear choices, seasonal patterns, access logistics, and local services to help you turn a day on the Sound into a vivid underwater afternoon.

Bus tours in Des Moines fold the shoreline, seabirds, and suburban Pacific Northwest life into a compact, discoverable route. These guided drives and shuttles range from short marina-and-beach circuits that highlight tidepools and waterfowl to longer coastal loops that connect to regional ferry terminals, trailheads, and Sea-Tac airport transfer points. For travelers who prefer to watch the landscape change from a comfortable seat—windows framing piers, salt-scented air, and patches of old-growth forest—bus tours here deliver local stories, transportation convenience, and easy access to adjacent outdoor experiences like beach walks, short hikes in Saltwater State Park, and birdwatching at estuarine wetlands.

Low-slung marinas, wide saltwater flats, and sheltered coves make Des Moines an unexpectedly satisfying spot for stand-up paddleboarding. Mornings are glassy, wildlife is abundant, and short outings can feel remote while staying a quick drive from the Seattle metro. This guide zeroes in on where to launch, what to expect from tides and wind, and how to shape SUP outings that balance calm bay paddles, exploratory point-to-point runs, and short coastal tours.

Framed by shallow eelgrass beds, sheltered mudflats, and an active marina, Des Moines is a compact but rich stage for low-impact exploration. Eco tours here focus on the tidal edge—bird migration, shellfish habitat, shore restoration, and the stories of people who steward the Sound. Guided strolls, kayak-based naturalist outings, and community science trips make it easy to connect with Puget Sound's fragile nearshore ecosystems without long travel from Seattle.

Des Moines sits at the edge of the Salish Sea where air meets water, and that meeting defines its best aerial adventures. From low-and-slow seaplane hops that trace the shoreline and islands to adrenaline-rich skydiving drop zones a short drive away, the area offers a compact menu of airborne experiences built on maritime light, shifting weather, and expansive water views. This guide focuses on how to pick the right airborne outing for your comfort level, what conditions matter most, and how these experiences pair with local land- and sea-based activities like kayaking, ferry island-hopping, and coastal hiking.