TourTruth score 7.1 out of 10
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Kailua-Kona Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour 50 min
TourTruth score 5.6 out of 10
Average
534 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Big Island of Hawaii
- 50 min
- Updated November 2, 2026
Explore Kona’s reef, coastline, and marine life on a 50-minute glass-bottom boat tour with live commentary from a naturalist guide.
About this tour
See Kona’s underwater world without getting wet on a 50-minute glass-bottom boat ride from Kailua Pier. Aboard Marian, a custom-designed 36-foot boat, you can watch colorful tropical fish and coral pass beneath the glass while a naturalist guide shares insights about the marine life around Hawaii’s Big Island.
The cruise also offers views of Kona’s coastline, mountains, and historic sights. Keep your camera ready: dolphins may appear, and seasonal whale sightings are possible. With live commentary, water and ginger ale, and a restroom on board, this easygoing outing suits visitors of all ages and physical fitness levels. It’s a chance for divers and snorkelers to learn more about the reef, while families can enjoy the underwater scenery together.
Your Kailua-Kona glass-bottom boat reef tour departs from the pier near the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Arrive early to park, walk to the boat, and check in before departure. Book your Kailua-Kona glass-bottom boat reef tour for a relaxed look at the island’s marine life from above the water.
Highlights
- Peer through the glass bottom at colorful tropical fish and coral
- Admire Kona’s coastline, mountains, and historic sights
- Watch for dolphins and seasonal whales
- Hear marine-life insights from a naturalist guide
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Restroom on board
- Live commentary on board
- Water and ginger ale
Not included
- Food and drinks other than the available cold water
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.62 / 5 · 534 reviews
Important information
- Departs from Kailua Pier on the Big Island of Hawaii, near the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona, HI
- Check in at the boat 10 minutes before departure; allow another 10 minutes to park and walk to the boarding point
- Meet midway down the pier on the left; look for blue and yellow flags on the boat mast
- Reconfirm your tour with the local supplier
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- The boat departs on time; arrive promptly
- Children must be accompanied by an adult; maximum two children or infants per adult
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; strollers and service animals are allowed
- Not recommended for guests extremely prone to seasickness
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Confirm you are booking on the Big Island of Hawaii
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The glass-bottom boat tour lasts 50 minutes.
Where does the tour depart from?
It departs from Kailua Pier on the Big Island of Hawaii, near the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.
When should I arrive?
Check in at the boat 10 minutes before departure and allow 10 minutes to park and walk to the boarding point.
Are children allowed?
Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult, with no more than two children or infants per adult. Infants must sit on an adult’s lap.
What can I see from the boat?
Look for tropical fish and coral, Kona’s coastline, mountains, and historic sights. Dolphins or seasonal whales may also appear.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.62 from 534 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.6.
Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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4.6
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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