Get out onto the water in Oahu for an express sightseeing cruise, even if you just have an hour to spare. This glass-bottom boat tour is the perfect introduction to Hawaiian sea life, as the expert captain and crew help spot creatures like green sea turtles (honu), migrating whales, and dolphins. Unlike other catamaran cruises, this one lets you look underwater through clear magnifying port holes.

Explore the Pacific Ocean on a top-rated sightseeing cruise from Honolulu
See tropical fish and coral reefs without getting wet, thanks to clear viewing portals
Hear local Hawaiian legends and stories from the friendly captain and crew
Quick and easy option for families and first-time visitors to Oahu

What's Included

60-minute sightseeing cruise
Marine life viewing (dolphins, turtles, whales during the season
Experienced captain and crew
Canopy-covered deck for shade and comfort
Bottled water

Parking
Gratuity
Alcoholic beverages (guests may BYOB)
$1/hr Metered parking is available upfront

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats
1025 Ala Moana Blvd Slip F21, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA
Meet at the Kewalo Basin Harbor Slip F21 Look for the BIG RED SIGN **Car** - GPS: 1009 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813 - Harbor entrance near Ala Moana Blvd + Ward Ave - Boat is on front side of harbor near Ala Moana Blvd **Bus** - Take bus #19, #20, or #42 - Exit at Ala Moana Blvd + Ward Ave

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Kewalo Basin

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Waikiki Beach (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Most travellers can participate
We cannot accommodate power wheelchairs. There is one step across from the dock to board the boat
We recommend bringing infants in a car seat or hands-free carrier
Children must be accompanied by an adult
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:Where is the departure point for the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:We’re in the Kewalo Basin Harbor. Our address is 1009 Ala Moana Blvd Honolulu, HI 96814, slip F26. You can find us at the front of the harbor along Ala Moana Blvd, close to the entrance near Ward Ave.

Mar. 2021

Q:Do you provide hotel pickup for the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:No. You must make your own arrangements to meet us at the Kewalo Basin Harbor. There is plenty of cheap parking at the harbor, or you can take a taxi or app-based ride-share service like Uber and Lyft.

Mar. 2021

Q:Is there parking near the departure point for the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:Yes - There is metered parking available nearby.

Mar. 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time in order to check in.

Mar. 2021

Q:What kind of boat is used during the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:The Haleiwa Queen is a 50-foot power catamaran with glass viewing ports on the bottom so you can see what’s going on underwater without ever getting wet!

Mar. 2021

Q:Is the boat handicap accessible for the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:All passengers must take a step from the dock to the boat in order to board. Our crew can assist if needed — just make sure to arrive early! Walkers and collapsible wheelchairs can be brought on board. Motorized chairs or scooters are not allowed.

Mar. 2021

Q:Is the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise appropriate for pregnant women?

A:Yes, absolutely!

Mar. 2021

Q:Is there a restroom onboard during the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:Yes, there is a restroom on board.

Mar. 2021

Q:Should I worry about seasickness during the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:Our boat is very stable in the water, so we rarely encounter seasickness. If you’re worried about it or especially prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking your preferred brand of seasickness medication about two hours before boarding.

Mar. 2021

Q:What can I expect to see during the Waikiki Beach Sightseeing Cruise?

A:Expect to see local reef fish, turtles, eels, and living reef formations. You get spectacular views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the cityscape of downtown Honolulu. Sharks, dolphins, and whales may also be seen depending on the season.

Mar. 2021

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Dan_C

Seeing the Turtles, great boat ride, crew was very friendly, very fun, would highly recommend it to anyone including young and old.

Reviews

4.5

258 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 258 reviews

Fun Trip and Great Views

Donna_E, Sept 2023

Great trip! Loved seeing Waikiki from the water. The captain pointed out places of interest on the shore and provided lots of interesting information. Saw fish and turtles. The views were great!! Highly recommend for all ages.

Amazing experince

Rica_S, Sept 2023

Seeing dolphins and clear view of the diamond head mountain! Tour guides are knowledgeable and super friendly!

Fantastic

JIll_K, Sept 2023

The tour was fantastic. A must for all who come to Honolulu. Just a fantastic excursion. We saw a sea turtle, surfers and learned a little history. We really are very happy.

Great Family Fun

Tiffany_T, Aug 2023

Great experience. We got to see dolphins and other beautiful fish. It was perfect for little kids to be able to experience the ocean!

Great option for an easy afternoon after a long flight!

Terri_P, July 2023

We had a great time on the glass bottom boat. We chose this so the little kids & grandma didn’t have to get to snorkel. It was a great option. The kids had a lot of fun, especially seeing the sea turtles. Fun & nice crew. Kid friendly. Beautiful scenery.

We saw a lot of dolphins,...

Julie_G, July 2023

We saw a lot of dolphins, the weather was great, our captain and mate were very informative. We really enjoyed our time on the water.

Amazing boat ride

Wendy_R, July 2023

The boat ride was amazing! Perfect way to see the ocean and our captains we’re both helpful and funny by tell jokes throughout the tour! We especially saw dolphins which was amazing. Have a great time!

Awesome

Mariela_B, July 2023

We had so much fun on our boat ride. Jim was so nice and very imformative. Great time for everyone and the views from the ocean was beautiful.

Great captain with tons...

Rachel_S, June 2023

Great captain with tons of knowledge of the island! We saw dolphins, fish and sea turtles. Also learned about places to go and restaurants to try. The whole family had fun!

Fun experience

Sheila_E, June 2023

Saw some sea turtles and dolphins, as well as seeing Waikiki coast line from the sea. Great experience!

Sea

Jamie_B, May 2023

Captains were nice and professional. Boat was clean and operational. Didn’t really see much of any sea life on the tour.

Fun

Jawaunna_S, May 2023

My husband and I enjoyed this trip very much. This is our first time to Hawaii and the aailer was very knowledgeable about the area.

Not all of the floor of boat is glass

Rhonda_R, May 2023

It was misleading when they said it was a glass bottom boat. Only 4 small sections are glass. It was still interesting though.

We saw a school of fish a...

Ada_B, May 2023

We saw a school of fish a couple of turtles and the icing on the cake, a whale! The tour guides were wonderful. Would definitely recommend.

Best Adventure

Karen_M, May 2023

Such a great adventure to do!! Worth every penny, to get the best view would be standing in the very front. We were able to see turtles, fishies and dolphins! Will for sure do again

Glass Bottom Boat Adventure

Chrisine_B, May 2023

The tour guide was awesome! He was very knowledgeable. We experienced the unies, as well as spinner dolphins and the turtles.

Seeing the Turtles, great...

Dan_C, Apr 2023

Seeing the Turtles, great boat ride, crew was very friendly, very fun, would highly recommend it to anyone including young and old.

Just okay

NICOLE_B, Mar 2023

This was just okay. 1 hour total. Glass bottom is just for small sections where you see nothing. The time and money is better spent on a boat that can go further into the see for a longer time.

Don’t miss out!

Kelly_H, Mar 2023

We had an amazing time! Operators were friendly and laid back, the views were beautiful! Absolutely would recommend.

Very nice, knowledgeable...

Janna_W, Mar 2023

Very nice, knowledgeable captains, got to see sea turtles & fish. Highly recommended as it was a nice time on the water close up

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