Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Seattle residents will be able to skip the usual ferry-and-drive slog to Poulsbo and instead sail straight into the heart of downtown. FRS Clipper's new Poulsbo Express will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, 2026, giving visitors a direct water route to the Kitsap Peninsula town just in time for the holidays.
According to the Poulsbo Express website, the Emerald Clipper departs Seattle's Pier 69 at 10 a.m. and makes the crossing through Puget Sound and Agate Pass in about 90 minutes each way, dropping passengers in downtown Poulsbo. The boat normally runs whale-watching excursions in Puget Sound and sometimes enters Kitsap waters, but for the holiday season it will be dedicated to this one round trip per operating day. Round-trip fares start at $99 per person, with the site noting the experience is sold only as a round trip — one-way tickets are not available.
A New Direct Route to Poulsbo
The new service gives travelers a direct water route from Seattle to Poulsbo.
Nik Coutinho, FRS Clipper's sales and marketing director, told the Kitsap Sun the service is meant to be a complete holiday day trip rather than simple transportation between the two cities. Per the Kitsap Sun, the schedule is designed to eliminate the need for families to book hotel accommodations, since passengers get roughly five hours to explore before the Emerald Clipper departs Poulsbo at 4:30 p.m. and arrives back at Pier 69 around 6 p.m.
Sailings Timed to Local Holiday Events
The first sailing on Nov. 27 coincides with Poulsbo's annual tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving, according to the Kitsap Sun. FRS Clipper has said the broader schedule aligns with holiday events happening on different weekends throughout the season, and Kitsap Daily News reports that holiday programming will vary by weekend so visitors can coordinate trips with seasonal community events. Each sailing is expected to include festive music, themed food and drinks, and holiday activities for the family, the outlet notes. A separate Julefest sailing on Dec. 5 will follow a different schedule, though exact times for that trip have not been detailed.
Visitors hoping to track Poulsbo's full slate of seasonal happenings can check the city's community events calendar, which lets users filter listings by event type and audience and subscribe to notifications.
Parking and Local Welcome
Travelers driving to catch the boat can get free parking validation at Seattle's Bell Street Pier Garage, per the Poulsbo Express site. On the Poulsbo side, paid parking is available in the Downtown Anderson Parkway Waterfront Lots from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. The City of Poulsbo's parking page notes that the fee applies specifically to the Anderson Parkway Waterfront Parking Lot, while many other downtown areas remain free, and advises visitors to follow posted signs and parking maps.
Poulsbo Mayor Ed Stern said the city welcomes the FRS Clipper excursions for the 2026 holiday season, according to the Kitsap Sun. Per Stern, Poulsbo and FRS Clipper plan to partner in creating a memorable holiday season for residents and guests alike. Tickets and the full sailing schedule are available online through the Poulsbo Express website.
