Oahu: Glass Bottom Boat Cruise & Diamond Head with Marine Life

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration1h

GroupUp to 49

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

See the Ocean Floor Without Getting Wet

You board at Kewalo Basin and spend an hour looking down through glass into tropical reefs and a shipwreck off Oahu's South Shore. Honu, reef sharks, dolphins and schools of fish appear when conditions allow. The canopy keeps sun off, water is included, and you get photos to take home. No swimming, no gear needed, one step to board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waikiki Beach Glass Bottom Boat Cruise

Arrive 20 minutes early
Locate Kewalo Basin Harbor Slip F21
Park or take bus to harbor
Board glass bottom boat
Cruise along Waikiki Beach
View marine life through glass bottom
Enjoy Diamond Head views from water

The Experience

Hands grip the rail as the boat pulls away from Slip F21 at Kewalo Basin Harbor, and then you realize—you're looking down through glass into water so clear it barely seems there. The 60-minute cruise heads toward Lē'ahi (Diamond Head), and the whole point is what's underneath: live tropical reefs, a shipwreck, and whatever marine life decides to show up that day. Honu (sea turtles), eels, reef sharks, dolphins, schools of fish that move like one organism—all visible from the deck without you having to suit up or jump in. The captain and crew know the route and the conditions, so they position the boat where the light hits the reef right.

The glass-bottom viewports are the whole thing here. You stand or sit on the canopy-covered deck—which matters because Oahu's sun is direct—and look straight down into the Pacific. It's not snorkeling, which means no salt in your sinuses, no fighting current, no kids getting tired. Families bring infants in carriers, convention groups book it for team outings, school groups use it for field trips. The crew hands out complimentary photos at the end, and bottled water keeps you hydrated during the hour. One step up from the dock to board, so it's accessible for most people, though power wheelchairs won't fit and you're not swimming on this one—it's strictly a viewing tour.

Getting there is straightforward. Drive to 1009 Ala Moana Blvd and park in the metered lot upfront (a dollar an hour), or take bus #19, #20, or #42 from Waikiki and walk to the boat. Arrive 20 minutes early so the crew can get you settled. The reef and the shipwreck are always there, but the animals aren't guaranteed—conditions change, and the ocean doesn't perform on schedule. That said, the captain knows where to look, and most days you'll see something.

What’s included

Your 60-minute glass-bottom boat cruise includes a canopy-covered deck for shade, bottled water, complimentary photos, and an experienced captain and crew who navigate toward Diamond Head and the tropical reefs and shipwreck below. The boat departs from Slip F21 at Kewalo Basin Harbor.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats

Is this one for you?Right for families, groups, and anyone who wants to see Oahu's marine life and reefs without getting in the water. Plan for a full hour on the boat with one step to board, and know that animal sightings depend on ocean conditions rather than guarantee.