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
Day reef tour: Islamorada’s reef from a glass-bottom boat
Two hours over the living coral reef with a naturalist guide. You stay dry and comfortable in the shade while the reef slides by under your feet.
- About 2 hours
- $75 adults, $60 ages 5 to 17, under 5 free
- Typically 9:30 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
- Seakeeper stabilized
Live times and open seats are on the booking calendar. Prefer to talk? (305) 214-5277
At a glance
- How long
- About 2 hours
- When
- Typical departures are 9:30 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. The booking calendar shows the real times for your date.
- Check-in
- 30 minutes before departure at World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina, 81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Best for
- Families, first-timers, anyone who wants the reef without getting wet
- Weather
- Needs reef conditions. On windy days we switch to the calm bayside route and tell you ahead of time.
- Stability
- Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, rated by Seakeeper at up to 95% less roll at anchor. How it works
Live availability
Check dates and book
Pick a date to see open seats and departure times.
Why the Transparensea
What makes this boat different
- Stabilized by
Florida’s only Seakeeper-stabilized glass-bottom boat
Up to 95% less roll at anchor (Seakeeper’s rating)
A gyro stabilizer that pushes back against rocking exactly when we stop over the reef. Steadier view, happier stomachs.
How the Seakeeper works Starts with the sunset
The night tour begins with sunset from the open deck, then lights up the reef after dark.
Learn more: Starts with the sunsetNever a full boat
Certified for 49, we keep it to about 30, so there is room to move and everyone gets time at the glass.
A plan B before cancelling
Too windy for the reef? We run a calm bayside tour instead, and tell you ahead of time.
Learn more: A plan B before cancellingOpen air, full shade
Sea breeze on an open deck with a full roof overhead and a restroom on board.
Bring snacks and drinks
You are welcome to bring your own. Soda and bottled water are sold on board too.
What you’ll see
Coral, turtles and the fish that live there
We run about 4 miles out to the reef line. Depending on conditions, that might be Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef, Caloosa Rocks or another spot the captain picks for the best visibility that day.
Down below, 16 glass viewing windows put the reef right under you: corals, sea fans, schools of tropical fish, eels and sea turtles. Guests have also spotted sharks and dolphins. The reef is wild, so every trip is a little different.
Your guide narrates the whole way, pointing out what is moving below and answering the questions kids (and adults) come up with.
What to bring
- Camera or phone for photos through the glass
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Gratuity for your tour guide
Soda and bottled water are sold on board, and there is a restroom. Full visit checklist
Questions about this tour
Do I need to know how to swim?
No. You stay on board and dry the whole time. There is no swimming or snorkeling on any of our tours; you watch the reef through the glass.
What will we see on the reef?
Corals, sea fans, schools of tropical fish, eels and sea turtles are regulars. Guests have also seen sharks, rays, lobster and dolphins. It is a wild reef, so every trip is different.
How far out is the reef?
About 4 miles offshore. The captain picks the spot with the best conditions that day, such as Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef or Caloosa Rocks.
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.
How much does it cost?
Day and night reef tours: $75 for adults (18+), $60 for ages 5 to 17, and free for kids 4 and under. The bayside and sunset cruise is $50 for ages 5 and up, free under 5. Taxes and booking fees are added and shown at checkout before you pay.
What happens if it is too windy for the reef?
The captain makes the call based on real-time conditions. When it is too rough to run the 4 miles out to the reef, we take the tour bayside instead: two hours in calm water looking for dolphins, manatees and wildlife in the mangroves. If wind is forecast for your date, our team reaches out ahead of time, so you never find out for the first time at the dock.
Will I get seasick?
Much less likely than on most boats. The Transparensea is the only Seakeeper-stabilized glass-bottom boat in Florida. Seakeeper says its gyro eliminates up to 95% of boat roll at anchor, at drift and at low speeds, which is exactly when we are stopped over the reef. No boat can promise that nobody feels any motion, so if you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever usually works for you. How the Seakeeper works.
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.
Is the tour good for young kids?
Yes. Kids can see the reef through the windows without swimming or snorkeling, and children 4 and under ride free. Our guides love questions from kids.
Where do we meet the boat?
At World Wide Sportsman Bayside Marina (at Bass Pro Shops), 81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. See directions and parking.
When should we arrive?
Check in 30 minutes before your departure time.
See all FAQs or read how to plan your visit.
Other ways aboard
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
Book the day reef tour
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.