New Zealand Glass Bottom Boat Tour: 45-min Marine Cruise

See the underwater reserve without entering the water

A 45-minute glass bottom boat tour of New Zealand's first marine reserve, where you cruise in a custom catamaran with 360-degree views of the ocean floor, caves and marine life. An eco-guide narrates what you see through the glass hull as the boat moves through an open reserve where species change daily based on weather and sea conditions. The tour includes access to caves only reachable by boat, including the famous Key Hole formation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Glass Bottom Boat Tour and Cave Exploration

• Board custom glass bottom catamaran
• View marine life through glass bottom
• Cruise to back of Goat Island
• Explore caves including Key Hole

The Experience

Forty-five minutes on the water means you get the underwater world without the wetsuit. The catamaran has a glass bottom that runs the full length, so every seat looks down at the reserve floor. Fish living here include giant snapper, blue maomao, eagle rays and stingrays; on some days dolphins, orca, whales or seals move through. Because the reserve has no barriers keeping marine life in or out, what you see shifts with the weather and the season -- the guide will tell you what's moving through on the day you go.

The boat cruises to the back of Goat Island to explore caves that are only accessible by water. Several caves open up along the route, and the famous Key Hole formation is a stop most visitors never reach any other way. The guide is an eco-specialist who knows the reserve and can explain what's moving past the glass and why.

What’s included

Eco-guide narration throughout the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Glass Bottom Boat

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Goat Island Marine Reserve, so you don't need a car to reach the water -- if you're staying nearby or without transport, the location settles the logistics of getting there. The 45-minute duration fits into a morning or afternoon without eating the whole day.

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Top questions

What fish and marine animals might I see on the glass bottom boat tour?

The reserve is home to giant snapper, blue maomao, parore, red moki, goatfish, leather jackets, sweep, silver drummer, spotties, marble fish, eagle rays and stingrays. Dolphins, orca, whales and seals pass through on some departures, and the reserve also has kina, kelp, seaweeds, sponges and anemones. Birds include pied shags, red-billed and Dominican seagulls, blue penguins, reef herons, terns, gannets and petrels.

Can I bring food and drink on the boat?

Water is the only beverage allowed on the boat. No other food or drink can be brought aboard, and there are no facilities at Goat Island Marine Reserve, so plan accordingly.

What are the caves like on this tour?

The boat takes you to several caves at the back of Goat Island that are only reachable by water. The famous Key Hole is one of the main stops, and few people get to see these formations any other way.

How long is the glass bottom boat tour?

The tour runs 45 minutes from start to finish, including the cruise through the reserve and the caves at Goat Island.

Is the tour suitable for infants and small children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants are required to sit on an adult's lap during the cruise. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and service animals are allowed.