Rainforest And Beach Highlights

Seattle: Rainforest, Beach, and Olympic National Park Highlights runs through Max Travel Tours. Rated 4.8 across 134 reviews. Runs 12 hours 30 minutes. From $285.

Overview

This day trip from Seattle loops around the Olympic Peninsula with a guide, packing rainforest walks, a Pacific coast beach, a mountain lake and a ferry crossing into a single very long day. The listed running time is 12 hours 30 minutes, though several travellers reported the actual day ran longer, from the 07:00 start until well into the evening. It is built for people who have only one day for a park that normally takes several, and reviewers who booked it for exactly that reason said it delivered.

The route heads out from the meeting point on Westlake Avenue, with hotel or listed pickup points also offered. Stops include Aberdeen, the Quinault Rain Forest, Ruby Beach, the Hoh Rain Forest, Forks, Lake Crescent and Bainbridge Island. Entry tickets for the paid stops are included, as are snacks such as craft chocolate bars, almonds, pistachios, water and drinks. Lunch is not included.

One important seasonal note from the operator: from late June through August the Hoh Rainforest area is not accessible because of very long lines, and the group visits a similar rainforest area instead. The group is capped at 10 travellers. Anyone prone to motion sickness should know that the driving is long and winding, and one reviewer described the roads as bumpy in places.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in SeattleStart at 1901 Westlake Ave, Seattle at 07:00, or use a hotel or listed pickup point. Check the live booking page for your hotel.
2. Aberdeen stopA 30 minute stop in Aberdeen, free admission.
3. Quinault Rain ForestOne hour in the Quinault Rain Forest, admission ticket included.
4. Ruby BeachOne hour at Ruby Beach on the Pacific coast, admission ticket included.
5. Hoh Rain ForestOne hour in the Hoh Rain Forest, admission ticket included. From late June through August this stop is replaced by a similar rainforest area because of crowding at the Hoh.
6. Forks and Lake CrescentA 30 minute stop in Forks, free admission, followed by 30 minutes at Lake Crescent with admission included.
7. Bainbridge Island and returnA 30 minute stop on Bainbridge Island, free admission, before the tour ends back at the Seattle meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A day this packed needs some planning. Here is what travellers should know before booking.

• Very long day. The listed duration is 12 hours 30 minutes, but many reviewers said the day stretched beyond that, often past 9pm. Clear your evening and do not schedule anything afterwards, as one reviewer advised future travellers.
• Bring lunch money. Snacks and drinks are provided, including craft chocolate bars, almonds, pistachios and water, but lunch is not included. One reviewer praised an egg sandwich stop early in the trip, so there may be chances to buy food along the way.
• Trails and terrain. Reviewers described rainforest hikes with uneven trails and some elevation change, though one said the hikes were not too strenuous. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for forest paths and beach walking. Expect roughly 12,000 steps in a day, according to one reviewer's count.
• Winding roads. One reviewer mentioned lots of driving time on winding roads, and another described the roads as bumpy. If you get motion sickness easily, plan for it with remedies or seating choice. Several reviewers also noted that much of the day is spent driving between stops.
• Van seating. One reviewer described the vehicle as very packed and uncomfortable, with a bumpy ride. Another said the guide had to herd 8 adults from many places on a tight schedule.
• Cameras ready. The operator promises plenty of photo stops, and several reviewers mentioned their guide taking photos for solo travellers and the group. Bring a camera or a charged phone for the rainforest, the beach and the lake.

Common issues. This is a marathon day with heavy driving, and one reviewer felt the packed schedule made some stops hard to enjoy. The day can run over the listed duration, and on occasion the ferry ride back was cut, as one reviewer reported after the group fell behind schedule. One reviewer also found it hard to hear the guide commentary during drives. The operator notes the tour is not wheelchair accessible, requires a minimum number of travellers to run, and substitutes a similar rainforest for the Hoh from late June through August because of crowding.

How To Decide