Glass Bottom Kayaking: Anna Maria Island Clear Kayak

See straight through the kayak to the seafloor

Glass bottom kayaking on Anna Maria Island puts you in a completely clear tandem kayak to watch sea life through the hull as you paddle. The tour runs about 75 minutes at an easy pace, with a guide leading the search for manatees, dolphins, starfish and shells. Life jacket and paddle are included. Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Viewing marine life is a bonus, not a guarantee.

The experience

You're paddling in a kayak made almost entirely of clear material: the hull, the sides, even the bottom are transparent. That means as you sit in the boat, the ocean floor and everything moving across it is visible directly beneath you without leaning over the edge or putting your face in the water. The guide leads a slow, easy paddle through the shallows around Anna Maria Island, stopping to point out what's moving below: starfish, conchs, small fish, and if the conditions align, manatees or dolphins. Wear something you don't mind getting wet, because water will splash in and the kayak itself is open to the elements.

Most kayaks on the tour are tandem (two-person), though solo kayaks are available if weight distribution requires it. Tandem kayaks have a 425-pound capacity. Solo kayaks max out at 350 pounds. If you're concerned about weight, notify the operator 24 hours before your tour and larger-capacity boards can be arranged. You'll need to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled launch time, so if you've booked the 10am departure, plan to be there at 9:45am. The tour itself lasts about 75 minutes of paddling and looking.

The operator offers day tours, sunset tours, and a night LED tour (the most popular option). Tour times and location can shift due to traffic, weather or other circumstances, and you'll be notified by text and email if that happens. The booking is processed through the booking platform, not directly with the tour company, so any refunds related to weather cancellations go through the booking platform's system. A live English-speaking guide is included, and children as young as 5 are welcome.

What’s included

• Life jacket and paddle.
• use of a completely clear tandem or solo kayak.
• English-speaking guide leading a slow-paced search for sea life around Anna Maria Island.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fun Florida Tours

Is this one for you?Book the day tour if you want bright light to see through the clear hull clearly, or the night LED tour if you prefer fewer crowds and the novelty of paddling in darkness with underwater lighting. The tour suits anyone comfortable getting wet and able to sit in a kayak for 75 minutes. Children from age 5 are welcome, and the pace is easy enough for all fitness levels.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's it like to paddle a completely clear kayak?

The hull and sides are transparent, so you see the seafloor and marine life directly beneath and around you as you paddle. Water does splash inside the open kayak, so expect to get wet.

Will I definitely see manatees or dolphins on this tour?

Viewing marine life is listed as a perk of the tour, not a guarantee. The guide will search for seashells, starfish, conchs and other sea life, and manatees or dolphins may appear, but sightings depend on conditions and what's in the water that day.

How long is the actual paddling time?

The tour runs about 75 minutes total. Arrive 15 minutes early (so 9:45am for a 10am start), and the paddling itself takes roughly an hour and a quarter at an easy pace.

Can I do this tour solo, or is it always a two-person kayak?

Most kayaks are tandem (two-person), but solo kayaks are available depending on the group size and weight distribution. If you need a solo kayak or have weight concerns, notify the operator at least 24 hours before your tour.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear something you don't mind getting wet: water splashes into the open kayak. Life jacket and paddle are provided. The operator recommends arriving in clothes suitable for water contact.

Are there different tour times to choose from?

Day tours, sunset tours, and night LED tours are all offered. The night LED tour is the most popular option. Exact times may shift due to traffic or weather, and you'll be notified by text and email if changes happen.