Here’s how you can stay cool outdoors when that intense heat wave hits Seattle

By

Seattle Times news assistant

A record breaking heat wave will usher in the official start of summer and you may be wondering what you can do to stay cool. Seattle is the first major city to vaccinate 70% of its eligible population, and many COVID-19 restrictions have been eased while recreational opportunities have expanded.

But we’re still cautiously emerging from a pandemic, so it is a good idea to be careful when evaluating your outdoor activities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that the coronavirus can spread through recreational waters. We’ve rounded up a few options to help you escape the heat and stay cool in and out of the water in the Seattle area.

Many beaches, pools, and watercraft rentals may have restricted hours or operations when they come out of pandemic mode.

Natural waterfronts

visit Alki beach and Golden Gardens for a rocky beach getaway. You can get takeaway food and enjoy a picnic for a tastier experience.

visit Point Ruston for a water experience with bike rentals and a splash park.

Dine by the water on some of Seattle’s top outdoor dining terraces. Also visit the Edmonds Waterfront with two new restaurants on the water.

Outdoor recreation

Rent a wooden boat from the Center for Wooden Boats on Lake Union or Cama Beach Wednesday to Sunday 11 am-7pm (last boat at 5:45 pm). Their public peapod program offers free one-hour rowboat rentals for groups of five or fewer.

Rent a donut boat at Unionsee. These donut-shaped boats come with a large umbrella, the perfect addition to protect you from the sun. Reservations can be made online.

You can even use one of several new apps to get on the water and rent a boat in the Seattle area.

If you don’t want to be responsible for driving a boat yourself, consider a cruise. Seattle Water Tours is running ice cream cruises starting June 19th. The departures are at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. 2

Rent a kayak or paddleboard from the Agua Verde Paddle Club or a number of other watercraft rentals in the area. You can also Book a paddle tour through South Lake Union, the Portage Bay houseboat district, or the shady Washington Park Arboretum. You can also rent equipment from the University of Washington’s Waterfront Activities Center.

Or, Paddle board and kayak on Lake Washington with rental in Juanita Beach Park. Issaquah Paddle Sports offers paddle board and kayak rentals on Lake Sammamish. Do you want a faster adventure? Jet skis hire on Lake Washington could be the activity for you.

Go fly fishing in the Puget Sound. Emerald Water Anglers, a fly fishing shop in West Seattle, offers guided excursions (a boat trip and a hiking and wading trip) and courses for beginners and experienced anglers alike. Course enrollment comes with gear for the day, including the 9-foot reel, which offers a naturally socially distant experience.

Water parks and pools

Wild Waves theme and water park opens for the season on Friday June 18th. The park features a new wave machine, a birthday spot on the lake, a mobile app for ordering food, diving movies, rides and more. Park visitors can buy season tickets or day tickets online.

West Seattle Outdoor saltwater pool opens June 19th. The pool is open for lap and recreational swimming with a reduced capacity and has a “giant tube slide”. Classes can be found online.