
Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 95 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour worth booking?
Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour is a 0.8-hour experience in Catalina Island, United States, from $32 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 95 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (95)
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- From
- $32 per person
Step aboard the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage! Just beneath your feet, the boat has a glass floor so you can see Catalina’s crystal-clear water teeming with schools of fish while flashes of the vibrant orange garibaldi dart by. This 45-minute tour is an unforgettable way to experience Catalina’s marine life and perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants a front-row seat to the ocean, while staying above the surface. We've been taking curious Catalina visitors on journeys into Lover's Cove Marine Preserve for nearly a century. The first successful glass bottom boat was launched in Catalina in 1896!
What you get
About this experience
Step aboard the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage! Just beneath your feet, the boat has a glass floor so you can see Catalina’s crystal-clear water teeming with schools of fish while flashes of the vibrant orange garibaldi dart by. This 45-minute tour is an unforgettable way to experience Catalina’s marine life and perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants a front-row seat to the ocean, while staying above the surface. We've been taking curious Catalina visitors on journeys into Lover's Cove Marine Preserve for nearly a century. The first successful glass bottom boat was launched in Catalina in 1896!
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Catalina Island Company
See the bottom of the sea through the bottom of a boat on this narrated cruise through Lover's Cove Marine Preserve. You'll be mesmerized as you look at schools of colorful fish that often stop to look back at you.
40 minutes here
Catalina Island
Catalina Island
Green Pleasure Pier
Meet your captain at Float B
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Catalina Island
Line B Located on the left-hand side of the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Line B Located on the left-hand side of the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Santa Catalina Island Company
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos


What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 95 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
95 verified traveler reviews for Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Once in a lifetime experience
It was super fun and exciting! The tour guide on the boat was also very entertaining! Very much worth going to :)
via Tripadvisor
Good value for the money
Very nice ride. Got to see a lot of fish and some pretty sights of the bay. The tour guide was nice and friendly.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the ride and spotted some beautiful sights and marine life.
via Tripadvisor
Incredible open-air experience on vintage vessel
What a great experience! We would recommend it to anyone - we all learned and saw something new for the first time (like a rare sea turtle!) and some of us have been coming to the island for decades. Capt Carson was a fantastic guide. I’d skip the flashy semi-submersible any day for the open air, vintage coolness of the Moonstone. LOVED IT!
Response from the operator: Thanks for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience on the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back next time!
via Tripadvisor
Best trip EVER!!!
Coolest experience ever. Learned so much about the island and the marine world that surrounds the island.
Response from the operator: We appreciate your awesome review, Nicole!
via Viator
Fish!
Cora was an excellent Captain and tour guide. I especially loved their knowledge of the local species of fish in the area. I would definitely 10/10 recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your high star rating, Kim!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 33
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Santa Catalina Island Company, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.9.
See everything Santa Catalina Island Company runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Catalina Island.
How much does Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour cost?
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Prices start at $32 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Catalina Island usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour take?
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Plan for about 0.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Catalina Island is not rushed.
Is Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 95 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Catalina Island, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour?
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Around 33 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Catalina Island can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Catalina Island and add a light layer if any part of the 0.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Catalina Island within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Catalina Island?
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Catalina Island packages ferry transfers with glass-bottom boats, submarine and snorkel tours in Lover's Cove, zip lining, Avalon golf-cart tours and inland bison safaris. On Outty we rank every Catalina Island experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Catalina Food Tour, Catalina Island Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon, Haunted Catalina Walking Ghost Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Catalina Island?
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May to October, with the calmest crossings in summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Catalina Island?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour?
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Included: All Fees and Taxes. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour?
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Line B Located on the left-hand side of the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour?
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Across 95 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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