Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour in Catalina Island
Catalina Island, United States

Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour

Outty Ranking 63 4.5 · 93 traveler reviews0.8 hoursFrom $32

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$32
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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.5/5

Based on 93 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 93 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 (93)
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 b

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

    1. 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

    2. Catalina Island

      Catalina Island

    3. 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

    Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour in Catalina Island, photo 2Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour in Catalina Island, photo 3

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 91 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    91 verified traveler reviews for Glass Bottom Boat: Catalina Island Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    70
    4 star
    9
    3 star
    6
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    6
    Sort
    Kim_P · August 2026

    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!

    via Viator

    Carol_B · August 2026

    Nice ride

    It was a relaxing ride, lots of fish, nice explanation of what we were seeing as well as some history of the area.

    Response from the operator: We appreciate your rating and are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage!

    via Viator

    Jay_R · August 2026

    Great visibility, easily...

    Great visibility, easily able to see all sorts of sea life. Narrator a bit hard to hear at times but otherwise very good

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your review and your feedback regarding narration! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the visibility and had the opportunity to see a variety of marine life during your tour.

    via Viator

    Pioneer490411 · August 2026

    Great Experience

    A great experience to see the fish and marine life through the glass bottom boat. Plus, nice to see Avalon and the area from a boating perspective.

    Response from the operator: Thanks for the fantastic review, Don! We're thrilled you enjoyed the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage and the views of Avalon. Hope to see you again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    Curiosity32414281882 · August 2026

    Awesome adventure

    Very interesting and guide knowledge was very well done

    Response from the operator: We're glad to hear you had a fun and interesting trip on the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage! Thank you for the wonderful feedback.

    via Tripadvisor

    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

    Why this scores 63

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)66
    Review evidence (18% weight)71
    Booking momentum (14% weight)65
    Value for money (12% weight)83
    Listing quality (10% weight)79
    Local standing (8% weight)38
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 93 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

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