West Bay Marina, known locally as “Olympia’s Friendliest Marina,” sits on West Bay with sweeping views of the state Capital Building, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. Originally built in 1961 and rebuilt in 1995 after burning to the ground, the marina now offers 400 slips, 100 of which are covered, along with an active liveaboard community and a family-friendly restaurant and bar on site.
Beyond permanent moorage, West Bay Marina is home to Tugboat Annies’ Kayak Rentals, giving day visitors a chance to get out on Puget Sound without owning a boat. The kayak fleet includes both single and double kayaks, along with life jackets in a range of sizes, and paddlers can explore the log booms just outside the marina where harbor seals often lounge in the sun, head toward Priest Point Park, or paddle all the way into downtown Olympia for ice cream. Kayaks are available seasonally, typically closing for the winter and reopening in spring.
A popular weekend option pairs the kayak rentals with breakfast at Tugboat Annies, letting guests kayak first and eat after, or eat first and paddle afterward, all wrapped into a single package. The marina also hosts weddings and events in its Viewpoint room, giving it a role beyond just boat storage and rentals in the local Olympia community.
For boaters looking for permanent moorage on West Bay, or visitors wanting to rent a kayak and grab breakfast with a view of the Capitol dome, West Bay Marina offers a quirky, welcoming spot on Olympia’s waterfront.
