Plan your visit
The practical stuff, all in one place. If anything here is unclear, call us at (305) 214-5277.
1. Check in 30 minutes early
Meet us at World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina (at Bass Pro Shops), 81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. Park, then walk through the arches down to the waterfront dock, where there is a check-in kiosk. Our attendant checks you in 30 minutes before departure, and boarding begins about 10 minutes before we leave.
2. Pick your time
Day reef tours run at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, and we add a 9:30 am trip on busy days when the other day trips book up. The night tour departs 15 to 30 minutes before sunset, which moves with the season, so you watch the sunset from the water and reach the reef after dark. The bayside and sunset cruise goes out in the late afternoon. Your confirmation and the booking calendar show the exact time for your date.
3. What to bring
- Camera or phone
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Gratuity for your tour guide
- Snacks and drinks, if you like: you are welcome to bring your own
Soda and bottled water are also for sale on board. There is a clean restroom and full shade.
4. If the weather turns
The captain decides each departure based on real-time conditions. When weather moves a trip from the oceanside reef to the bayside, we contact you and offer the calm bayside trip or a full refund; if you take the bayside trip you get a partial refund of the difference, because Bayside Eco-tours are $50 per guest (ages 5 and up). If we cannot run at all because of weather, you get a full refund or credit. How windy days work
5. Changes and cancellations
Cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice and we will give you a full refund or credit. If we cancel for weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you get a full refund or credit too. If weather moves your trip from the oceanside reef to the bayside, we contact you and offer the bayside trip or a full refund; guests who take the bayside trip get a partial refund of the difference, because Bayside Eco-tours are $50 per guest (ages 5 and up). No-shows are charged the full price. To cancel or ask about a cancellation, call (305) 214-5277 or email info@glassbottomtour.com.
Gift cards
Give someone a trip over the reef. Gift cards are sold through our booking page.
Buy a gift card for gift cards (opens booking site)Staying in Key Largo? Glass bottom boat tours nearby in Islamorada
If you are staying in Key Largo, our glass-bottom boat tours leave from Islamorada, at World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina (at Bass Pro Shops), 81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. That is at mile marker 81.5 on the Overseas Highway, on the bay side. Coming from Key Largo you are heading south, so the marina is on your right.
Do you run glass-bottom boat tours from Key Largo?
No. All of our tours leave from World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina (at Bass Pro Shops), 81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. If you are staying in Key Largo, head south on the Overseas Highway (US-1), and the marina is on your right at mile marker 81.5. Directions and parking.
Which tours can we take if we are staying in Key Largo?
All three leave from the same marina in Islamorada: the day reef tour (12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, plus 9:30 am on busy days), the night reef tour (departs 15 to 30 minutes before sunset) and the bayside and sunset cruise (late afternoon). Check in at the kiosk on the waterfront dock 30 minutes before departure. Compare the tours.
Visit FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice and we will give you a full refund or credit. If we cancel for weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you get a full refund or credit too. If weather moves your trip from the oceanside reef to the bayside, we call you first and offer the bayside trip or a full refund: guests who take the bayside trip get a partial refund of the difference, because Bayside Eco-tours are $50 per guest (ages 5 and up). No-shows are charged the full price. To cancel or ask about a cancellation, call us at (305) 214-5277.
What if I don’t show up?
No-shows are charged the full price, so if plans fall apart, call us at (305) 214-5277 and we will sort it out. One more thing worth knowing: every tour needs a minimum of 6 paying guests to run. If we have to cancel for that reason, it is covered by our cancellation policy, so you get a full refund or credit.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes. Gift cards are sold through our booking page: buy a gift card.
What happens if it is too windy for the reef?
The captain makes the call based on real-time conditions. When weather moves your tour from the oceanside reef to the bayside, we contact you first and offer the bayside trip or a full refund. The bayside version is two hours in calm water looking for dolphins, manatees and wildlife in the mangroves, and because Bayside Eco-tours are $50 per guest (ages 5 and up), guests who take it get a partial refund of the difference. If we cancel for weather or other unforeseen circumstances instead, you get a full refund or credit. You never find out for the first time at the dock.
Is there a bathroom on board?
Yes, there is a clean restroom on board, down a set of stairs.
Can we bring snacks and drinks?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks along. Soda and bottled water are also for sale on board.
Can I bring my dog?
Well-behaved animals are welcome aboard, as long as no other guests have an issue.
Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
Boarding means walking down the dock and taking stairs to the boat, and whether those stairs go up or down depends on the tide. Our crew is glad to lend a steady hand getting on and off, but for everyone’s safety they cannot carry personal items or lift guests, so guests who need extra help are welcome to bring a companion. The restroom on board is also down a set of stairs. Our accessibility page has the full picture, and you can call us at (305) 214-5277 to talk it through before you book.
Where do we meet the boat?
At World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina (at Bass Pro Shops), 81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. Park there and walk through the arches down to the waterfront dock, where there is a check-in kiosk. See directions and parking.
Do you still leave from Robbie’s Marina?
No. The Transparensea now departs from World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina at 81576 Overseas Highway. Some older listings and reviews still mention Robbie’s, so please double-check the address before you drive.
When should we arrive?
Arrive with time to park and check in: our attendant is at the kiosk on the waterfront dock 30 minutes before departure, and boarding begins about 10 minutes before we leave.
Ready to see the reef?
Pick a date on the live calendar. Prices, times and open seats shown there are the final word.
Trouble booking? Call us or email info@glassbottomtour.com.