Waikoloa: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise Anaeho'omalu Bay Views

Summary

Colorful reefs & sea turtles from Waikoloa glass boat ride

You’ll step right into Anaeho’omalu Bay’s clear waters for a glass-bottom boat cruise from Waikoloa, spotting sea turtles and bright reef fish with a local guide who knows every corner of these reefs. Kids will love peering through the windows while adults get caught up in stories about Hawaiian marine life. It’s peaceful, easygoing — you might even forget about your phone for a while.

What’s the experience like?

“Aloha, hop on!” That’s what Kaleo called out as we waded (yes, actually waded — the water was cool and kind of tickled my ankles) up to the glass-bottom boat at Anaeho’omalu Bay. I was juggling my sandals and trying not to drop my phone, but he just grinned and steadied the ramp. There was this salty breeze, not too strong, and I could hear some kids giggling behind me — apparently it’s always funny to watch grown-ups get their feet wet first thing.

The boat itself isn’t huge, which I liked; you can see everyone’s faces. We found a spot near one of the big windows and right away our guide, Malia, started pointing out these flashes of yellow and blue darting below us. She knew every fish by name — honestly, I forgot most of them except for the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (try saying that three times fast). At one point a green sea turtle floated by so close you could count the spots on its shell. The water was so clear it almost felt like we were floating above an aquarium, except it smelled like real ocean — sunscreen, salt, something sweet from someone’s bag.

Malia answered every random question people tossed at her (“Do turtles nap?” “What’s that coral called?”), never sounding bored. There was this moment when she paused mid-sentence because a school of tiny silver fish zipped past all at once — she just laughed and said they were showing off. I didn’t expect to feel so calm watching fish eat breakfast. Thirty minutes went by weirdly fast; I kept wishing we could stay longer just listening to the gentle slap of water under the hull.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Glass-bottom boat tour at Anaeho'omalu Bay

• Board glass-bottom boat in Waikoloa
• View reefs through boat windows
• Spot sea turtles and tropical fish
• Learn about marine life from naturalists
• Enjoy 30-minute boat cruise

Top questions

How long is the glass-bottom boat tour in Waikoloa?

The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Is there shaded seating on the Waikoloa glass-bottom boat?

Yes, there is shaded bench seating available on board.

Can infants or small children join the cruise?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Will I see sea turtles during the Anaeho'omalu Bay cruise?

You may see green sea turtles grazing among coral during the cruise.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on board.

Is walking through water required to board?

Yes, accessing the boarding ramp means walking through shoreline water that may be knee deep depending on ocean conditions.

Are marine naturalists present during the tour?

Yes, onboard marine naturalists answer questions and help spot unique Hawaiian corals and fish.

What’s included

Your day includes a 30-minute glass-bottom boat ride around Anaeho’omalu Bay with shaded bench seating throughout. A local marine naturalist guides you as you watch for tropical fish and green sea turtles gliding beneath your feet before returning to shore — just remember you’ll walk through some shallow water when boarding or leaving the boat.