Catalina Island Glass Bottom Boat: Underwater & Coastal Views

Watch fish swim beneath you through glass while the kelp forest and Avalon's coastline frame the view above.

A 55-minute glass-bottom boat tour in Lover's Cove, a protected marine reserve off Catalina Island, lets you see fish and kelp forests through underwater viewing windows while staying dry in open-air family seating. A live naturalist guides the cruise. An underwater camera streams live to onboard screens. You can feed the fish from your seat and bring your own food and drinks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Underwater and coastal adventure cruise

• Board the Sea View Glass Bottom Boat
• Enjoy narrated tour of Lover’s Cove
• View marine life through glass bottom
• Feed fish from seat feeders
• Take in 360-degree coastal views
• Watch live underwater camera on screens
• Bring and enjoy own food and drinks

The experience

What makes this different from a standard sightseeing cruise is the glass bottom itself. You're watching two worlds at once. The boat stays in Lover's Cove, a marine protected area known for clear water and abundant fish, so the view below stays consistent and vivid. Above deck, you get 360-degree views of Catalina's coastline and Avalon. The seating is family-style booths, which means every seat faces both the water and the glass panels, so no one ends up with a blocked view or stuck facing the wrong direction.

The live naturalist talks through what you're seeing as it happens: the fish species, the kelp forest structure, the ecology of the reserve. An underwater camera mounted on the boat feeds a live stream to big screens onboard, so you can watch close-ups of fish behavior on the screens while also looking straight down through the glass. Feeding the fish from dispensers at each seat turns passive watching into something interactive. Fish food is available for a small additional charge onboard. The whole experience runs 55 minutes, which is long enough to see the reserve without feeling rushed, but short enough to fit into a day that includes other Avalon activities.

Bring your own food and drinks if you want to eat during the cruise. There's no concession onboard, but the open-air setting and the view make it a natural place to have a snack. Infants sit on an adult's lap and need a ticket. Service animals are allowed. Public transportation options run nearby if you need them to reach the boat.

What’s included

• 55-minute cruise in Lover's Cove marine protected reserve.
• underwater viewing windows and 360-degree coastal views.
• live naturalist guide in English.
• underwater camera with live streaming to onboard screens.
• family-style booth seating.
• option to feed fish from your seat (fish food available for additional charge onboard).
• permission to bring your own food and drinks.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDepartures at 11:30, 12:35, 13:40 and 14:50Last departure this season: 26 Dec

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 54 years) · Senior (55 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 48

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 2.50

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Catalina Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?The boat stays in one protected cove for the full 55 minutes, so there's no travel time or multiple stops. You're watching and feeding fish the entire time, which works well for families with young children, older travelers, or anyone who wants to see marine life without a long itinerary or physical demands.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

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 will I actually see through the glass bottom of the boat?

Lover's Cove is a marine protected reserve with clear water, vibrant kelp forests, and abundant colorful fish. The glass panels let you watch fish swim below while the naturalist explains what species you're seeing and how the ecosystem works.

Can I feed the fish myself, or is it just a demonstration?

You feed the fish yourself from dispensers at each seat. Fish food is available for a small additional charge onboard, so it's optional. You can watch without feeding if you prefer.

How long is the cruise, and does it go anywhere else besides Lover's Cove?

The cruise is 55 minutes and stays in Lover's Cove, a protected marine preserve. The boat doesn't travel to other spots. The focus is on the underwater viewing and the coastal scenery of Avalon and Catalina from the same location.

Is there food and drink available on the boat?

No food or drinks are sold onboard. You're welcome to bring your own food and beverages to enjoy during the cruise, and the open-air seating makes it comfortable to eat while you watch the water.

Will I get wet on this tour?

No. The glass-bottom boat keeps you dry. You're viewing the underwater world through windows while sitting in open-air family-style booths, not entering the water.