Glass Bottom Boat Ride in Redondo Beach: Sea Lions & Fish

The garibaldi, California's state saltwater fish, swims right past the viewing windows at eye level.

A glass bottom boat tour in Redondo Beach's King Harbor combines two views of the same water: you start on the main deck looking for sea lions and marine birds with the captain's narration of the harbor's history, then head downstairs to an underwater viewing room with 7-foot-wide windows where fish, including the California garibaldi, pass close enough to study. The 45-minute ride includes a Coast Guard certified captain and guide in English, lifejackets for all ages, and a route past the horseshoe pier and Portofino Hotel. Stairs to the viewing area are steep.

Step-by-step itinerary

Glass bottom boat tour in Redondo Beach

• Board boat at King Harbor
• View sea lions and marine birds
• Listen to harbor history from captain
• Go downstairs to underwater viewing room
• Observe fish through large windows
• See horse shoe shaped pier
• See Portofino Hotel

The experience

What makes this boat different from a standard harbor tour? The glass bottom. You spend the first part of the ride on the open deck, where the captain points out sea lions hauled up on the rocks and tells you the actual history of King Harbor and Redondo Beach instead of a script. Then you head downstairs (the stairs are steep, worth knowing) into the underwater viewing room, where the water-facing windows are seven feet wide and the fish are close enough that you stop looking for them and just watch what comes.

The garibaldi, California's official state saltwater fish, is what most people come to see, and it shows up. You'll see other varieties too, the kind that live in the harbor year-round. The boat stays in the harbor itself, so you're not fighting open ocean. The water stays clear enough that the viewing room actually works. The captain stays with you the whole time, so if something interesting appears, you get context instead of just a shape behind glass.

Forty-five minutes is short enough that it doesn't wear on small children, long enough that you're not rushed through the viewing room. Lifejackets are provided for kids. Adults get one too. If you have an infant, they sit on your lap. The boat is certified by the Coast Guard and the captain holds the credentials to match. Public transit gets you to Redondo Beach, and the harbor is walkable from there.

What’s included

• Coast Guard certified boat and captain.
• live guide in English.
• lifejackets for children and adults.
• the full 45-minute route through King Harbor including views of the horseshoe pier and Portofino Hotel.
• access to the underwater viewing room with 7-foot-wide windows.

Information

Lasts 45m, runs Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 start times, from US$ 35 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday and Friday: 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00Saturday and Sunday: 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30Another day? ›

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (under 13)

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.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Redondo Glass Bottom Boat

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to observe sea lions and underwater life from a stationary viewing room with stairs, rather than actively navigate the boat yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (under 13).

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 do you actually see from the glass bottom viewing room?

The garibaldi and other fish that live in King Harbor swim past the 7-foot-wide windows at close range. The captain is there to point out what's moving and explain what you're looking at.

How long does the whole boat ride take?

The ride is 45 minutes total. You spend the first part on the open deck looking for sea lions, then move downstairs to the underwater viewing room for the rest of the time.

Are there stairs, and how steep are they?

Yes, the stairs down to the viewing area are steep and not suitable for guests with mobility challenges or those uncomfortable with steep descents.

What's included with the ticket?

The ticket includes the Coast Guard certified captain and English-language guide, lifejackets for children and adults, and the full route through King Harbor past the horseshoe pier and Portofino Hotel.

Can I bring a service animal on the boat?

Service animals are allowed on board. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the ride.