Typically 9:30 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Day reef tour
Coral heads, sea turtles and schooling fish in full daylight, with a naturalist narrating the whole way out on the reef.
- About 2 hours
- $75 adults, $60 ages 5 to 17, under 5 free
Our tours, side by side
Every trip is about two hours aboard the same boat with the same naturalist guides. Here is how they differ, so you can pick the one that fits your group.
Compare the tours
| Day reef tour | Night reef tour | Bayside and sunset cruise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you see | Reefs like Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef and Caloosa Rocks: corals, sea fans, tropical fish, sea turtles, eels and the occasional shark or dolphin. | Nocturnal reef life under the lights: moray eels, octopus, spiny lobster, squid, crabs, nurse sharks and sea turtles. What shows up is up to the reef. | Turtle grass beds, mangrove shorelines, dolphins, manatees, iguanas, wading birds and the occasional lobster. |
| When it runs | Typically 9:30 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm | Starts with the sunset | Late afternoon into sunset; midday bayside trips on windy days |
| How long | About 2 hours | About 2 hours | About 2 hours |
| Price | $75 adults, $60 ages 5 to 17, under 5 free | $75 adults, $60 ages 5 to 17, under 5 free | $50 ages 5 and up, under 5 free |
| Best for | Families, first-timers, anyone who wants the reef without getting wet | Sunset lovers, couples, curious kids, anyone who has seen the reef by day | Sunset lovers, windy days, guests who want the calmest ride |
| Weather | Needs reef conditions. On windy days we switch to the calm bayside route and tell you ahead of time. | Runs only when the reef is reachable. It does not switch to a bayside trip. | Runs in most wind, since the bay stays calm when the ocean side does not. |
| Book | Check availability for the day reef tour (opens booking site) | Check availability for the night reef tour (opens booking site) | Check availability for the bayside and sunset cruise (opens booking site) |
Schedules and prices shown at booking are the live, final ones. Prices here are as listed in September 2026; taxes and fees are added at checkout.
Tour details
Starts with the sunset
Night reef tour
Starts with the sunset from the water, then the reef after dark under the boat’s underwater lights. Eels, octopus and lobster come out to hunt.
- About 2 hours
- $75 adults, $60 ages 5 to 17, under 5 free
Late afternoon into sunset; midday bayside trips on windy days
Bayside and sunset cruise
Calm water on the Florida Bay side: dolphins, mangroves, manatees and a Keys sunset. It is also our plan B when the reef is too rough.
- About 2 hours
- $50 ages 5 and up, under 5 free
Choosing a tour
What is a glass-bottom boat tour?
A boat trip where you watch the reef through windows built into the hull, so you see coral and fish below without swimming. The Transparensea has 16 glass viewing windows and a guide who narrates what passes underneath.
Should we do the day tour or the night tour?
Pick the day tour for bright colors and your first look at the reef, and the night tour to see what comes out after dark under the underwater lights. Plenty of guests do both and see different things each time. Compare the tours.
How long is the tour?
About two hours on the water. FareHarbor lists the reef tours at 2 to 2.5 hours, and the booking calendar shows the exact length for your date.
What is a Seakeeper?
A gyro stabilizer mounted inside the boat. A flywheel spinning at up to 9,750 rpm in a vacuum-sealed sphere pushes back against the rocking motion waves cause, automatically and without anything hanging off the hull. Seakeeper rates it at up to 95% less roll at anchor, at drift and at low speeds.
How many people are on the boat?
Never a full load. The Coast Guard certifies the Transparensea for 49 passengers, but we keep it to about 30 so everyone has room to move around and get to the glass.
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.