Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Badge of Excellence
Airlie Beach, Australia
- 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet on a glass-bottomed boat tour. Ideal for kids, grandparents, and non-swimmers, the experience promises uninterrupted views tropical fish, amazing coral, turtles, and other sea life at the reefs near Airlie Beach. Plus: learn about the marine ecosystem through on-board commentary.
- Hotel pickup from selected locations included
- Chill out and escape the heat on a shaded boat
- Enjoy expert insights into marine life and more from your guide.
- A fun and informative tour that’s suitable for the whole family
What's Included
- FREE Pick up from selected hotels (contact supplier to confirm time)
- 70 Minute guided Glass Bottom Boat Discovery Tour
- Funny and informative commentary about the reef
- Fully shaded vessel
- All safety equipment
- Restroom on board
- Parking Fees
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Shute Harbour
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Whitsunday Islands
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please read carefully to confirm pick up location and times
- Passengers must be fit and able to board / Disembark unaided.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Sandy_L
Wonderful experience, the pick up and drop of was an extra bonus, we saw amazing an abundance of beautiful coral, fish and the odd turtle popped his head up. The staff were friendly fun and very knowledgeable. Lovely way to experience Shute harbour and its stunning marine environment
Reviews
4.4
based on 348 reviews
Karen_S, May 2026
India was very informative and educational.
Beautiful weather and very relaxing seeing the coral up close and personal. Even the odd glimpse of a turtle or two.
Vicki_C, Apr 2026
A great experience. Everybody was friendly and very accommodating. Highly recommend this tour. The visibility was not great but that was due to the weather. Still got to see lots.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks so much for the 5 star review! We’re really glad you had a great experience and enjoyed the tour with our team. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, it’s great to hear you still got to see plenty out there. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon!
Richard_R, Apr 2026
Coral is great but glass has a reflection of people sitting opposite and boat structure, so you can’t take good pictures. I asked the crew, and they said only way to avoid reflection was putting phone on the glass, which, of course is impossible, because it’s too far down. Very disappointing to see coral but not capture its beauty. Guide was difficult to understand because of the speed of her talk into the mike.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed seeing the coral but we’re sorry to hear the experience was impacted by reflections in the glass and difficulty capturing photos, as well as the clarity of the commentary.
We also appreciate your comments about the guide’s delivery and will pass this on to our team for review, as we’re always looking to improve the guest experience both above and below the water.
Thanks again for your honest feedback and we hope you might consider joining us again for a smoother experience next time.
Donna_F, Apr 2026
A beautiful adventure with very knowledgeable guides.
We went to the wrong location and Craig was so helpful and waited for us.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks so much for your lovely review! We’re glad you enjoyed the adventure and had a great experience with our guides. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Craig as well, he’ll really appreciate it. Great to hear he was able to help you out and get you on board. Hope to see you again soon!
Magirinah_C, Mar 2026
Not much to see under the water
I would expect to see moral coral life and differrent species of fish
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for your feedback and we’re sorry to hear the experience didn’t meet your expectations.
Marine life can vary day to day depending on conditions, but we understand you were hoping to see more coral and a greater variety of fish. We really appreciate you sharing this and will continue working to improve the experience for our guests.
sue, Mar 2026
Great experience- India our tour guide was excellent I have a new appreciation for the coral reef she knew everything there was to know
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for your 5 star review!
We’re stoked to hear you had a great experience on the water with us.
India is incredibly passionate about the reef and it’s awesome to hear she helped give you a whole new appreciation for the coral reef and shared so much knowledge along the way.
We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to her. Thanks again for joining us and we hope to see you back out on the water again soon.
Wendy_L, Feb 2026
Debbie, a marine biologist, was very informative. The boat was great. Unfortunately, it had been raining previously so wasn't as clear as it might otherwise have been.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tour and found Danni's** insights as a marine biologist informative. She really loves sharing her knowledge of the reef and marine life.
We’re sorry the water wasn’t as clear as usual due to the recent rain, but we’re glad it didn’t stop you from having a great time on the boat. We hope to welcome you back on a sunnier day so you can see the reef at its absolute best!
Stephen_B, Feb 2026
All went very well we were picked up at the cruise port and transferred to Shute Harbour where we boarded the boat.
The young lady was very knowledgable about the different types of coral we saw as well as many different types of fish.
We also saw some turtles.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your lovely review!
We’re so glad everything went smoothly with your pickup from the cruise port and transfer to Shute Harbour. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the trip and that our crew member helped bring the reef to life by sharing information about the different corals and fish along the way.
Seeing turtles as well is always a special bonus, so we’re really happy you were able to spot some during your tour.
Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back if you’re ever visiting the Whitsundays again!
Shala_J, Feb 2026
The experience was ok but a steep price for a family at $300 and didn’t see anything but coral and fish.
Attempts were made to find turtles, and even after not seeing any, the commentator mentions how “turtles are literally everywhere”… except for where we were apparently.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
We’re glad you were able to see the coral and fish during the trip, as that’s exactly what our glass bottom boat experience is designed to showcase. The reef and its fish life are usually the highlights of the tour.
We’re sorry you didn’t get to see any turtles on your trip. They can be a little unpredictable. They’re fast and sometimes like to play a bit of peekaboo around the reef, and sightings really come down to timing and a bit of luck. That’s the nature of wildlife in its natural habitat, and it’s also what makes those moments when they do appear so special.
Thanks again for joining us, and we hope you still enjoyed experiencing the reef from the boat.
Susan_R, Jan 2026
Great viewing and wonderful commentary. So pleased we did this little cruise with our infant daughter. Be aware the Airlie beach hotel pick up is at the bus stop in front of the hotel parking area on Coconut Grove on the eastern side.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re thrilled you loved the glass bottom boat tour. Those ocean views never get old. Come back anytime!
Julie_B, Jan 2026
I recently did this cruise with my mother whilst on a Royal Caribbean cruise that stopped in Airlie Beach, and it was very disappointing. It was an overcast day, and there had been a shower or two in the morning. There had also been a cyclone cross land near Airlie Beach the week before, so I had contacted the company to ensure the tour was still going ahead. They assured me everything was fine, and the trip was going ahead. But unfortunately, the water was so cloudy from recent weather events on the day, that you could barely see any coral, let alone any fish or sea life. I appreciate that no one can control the weather, but I feel that the poor visibility should have been explained, an alternate option made available and/or a refund offered . None of these things happened, so we expected to get what we paid for - and did not! My mother had not been on a holiday for a number of years due to caring for my father who had dementia and had recently passed away, so she was so looking forward to this tour - but sadly was bitterly disappointed.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re truly sorry the tour didn’t meet your expectations, especially knowing how much your mother was looking forward to it after such a long awaited holiday.
Unfortunately, recent weather and cyclone conditions affected water clarity more than anticipated, which is beyond our control, but we completely understand how disappointing this must have been. We really appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve communication for future guests.
We hope to have the chance to welcome you both back under better conditions.
Michael_D, Jan 2026
This is a really nice outing for all of the family including young children. We found the tour very insightful, with lots of information shared by our guides. Certainly something we would recommend to anyone spending a few days in and around Airlie Beach.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Cheers for the great review! The underwater views really make this tour special and our guides definitely know their stuff. So happy you and your family enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour!
Julie_F, Jan 2026
We went on a rainy day on a pre booked cruise shore excursion, the water was very cloudy, we could hardly see the coral and over an hour we only saw about 15 fish, not the tour operators fault but several tours had already run that day and it would have been nice to have been given the option to cancel. The commentary was good but it was mainly about fish that we didn’t see. I paid for 5 people and it was really dissapointing.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry the tour didn’t quite meet your expectations. Visibility can change quickly with tides and rain and sometimes earlier tours see better conditions, which is why we went ahead.
Marine life is always unpredictable. While we love seeing fish and turtles, they like to do their own thing.
Excursions booked through cruise ships are managed by the ship and we only cancel if conditions are severe or unsafe.
We really appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back on a clearer, more colourful day!
Dianne_S, Jan 2026
Great way of seeing all the coral Species and you get to see some fish. You get a tour as well and get to explore the Island too.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thanks so much for the great review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed seeing the coral species, spotting some fish and exploring the island with us. It’s always great to hear our guests had a memorable adventure and we hope to welcome you back for another tour soon!
FRAZER_M, Dec 2025
Enjoyed commentary and seeing coral.
Not that much to see otherwise and seemed expensive for what it was.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the commentary and seeing the coral.
We understand your thoughts regarding the overall experience and value and we’ll take your comments on board as we continually look for ways to improve our tours. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Trevor_M, Dec 2025
Great time crew very knowledgeable can highly recommend ,we caught the bus from our accommodation the driver was great
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We appreciate your wonderful review!
It’s great to hear you enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour and the crew. Thanks for coming along and hope to see you back onboard soon.
Amber_C, Dec 2025
Was amazing to see the coral and life within it without having to get wet! We seen two turtles and the staff were amazing.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks a million for the 5 stars! We’re thrilled you had such a great time on the tour. The underwater views are pretty special and we’re so happy you got to enjoy them with us! Hope to see you onboard again soon.
Jane_S, Dec 2025
It was magic. Saw lots of coral, fish and turtles. Lucy loved feeding the fish. Pick up service was great
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour. There’s nothing better than seeing those smiles when the ocean comes to life beneath you. Hope to welcome you back again soon!
Daniel_S, Dec 2025
In my opinion not really worth the money compared to other glass boats I have experienced at the Great Barrier Reef. The design of the boat with the two rather narrow flat windows in its middle does not allow to see many fish particularly nothing in slightly deeper water. Other than this nice people and good organisation.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are glad you found our team friendly and the organisation smooth. We’re sorry the boat’s viewing windows didn’t meet your expectations — your comments will help us improve for the future. We hope to see you onboard again for another chance to provide an even better experience.
Brett_D, Dec 2025
Friendly and knowledgeable staff, we had a great time. Would definitely recommend heading for a look.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a great time and enjoyed our staff. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another visit soon.
Shelley_K, Dec 2025
The crew were very friendly and the commentary was very informative. Staff went out of there way to accommodate.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks so much for the 5 star review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour. It means a lot to us that you took the time to share your experience and we hope to see you out on the water again soon!
Mariana_T, Nov 2025
It was great pick up drop off all on time! Loved all the knowledge learnt on the boat and liked being able to ask questions. Great experience
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your Glass Bottom Boat experience! It means a lot to us, and we’re thrilled you had such a great time!
We hope to welcome you back onboard again soon.
Stephanie_C, Nov 2025
We loved seeing the coral and fish up so close and the 2 hosts were fantastic, thank you boys!!! The boat has toilets, snacks, alcohol and soft drinks.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks a ton for the amazing review! We’re so happy you had a fantastic time on our Glass Bottom Boat and can’t wait to see you back for more fun!
Claire_H, Oct 2025
It
It was a very informative and friendly trip. Well organised and well worth doing. Plenty of shade available
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We’re thrilled you had a great time with us and
really appreciate your support. Hope to see you back out on the water again soon!
Jesse_C, Oct 2025
If your going book make sure it’s a good time. Cause we book when it was a full moon which normally means high ties & more water movement which means you don’t get to see much cause the water is murky
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback! You’re absolutely right, conditions like full moons and high tides can sometimes stir up the water and affect visibility. We always do our best to pick the clearest spots on the day, but nature definitely likes to keep us on our toes!
We really appreciate you taking the time to point that out for future guests and we hope you’ll join us again when the water’s calm and crystal clear.
Helen_D, Oct 2025
Windy day. No fish out. Nice coral. Was expecting to see lots of fish. Wanting my grandkids to experience the fish on the reefs as too young to snorkel. But on our day sadly not.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We’re really sorry to hear the conditions weren’t ideal on the day of your tour. The wind can definitely make a difference to visibility and fish activity. While we can’t control the weather or wildlife, we completely understand how disappointing that must have been, especially when bringing your grandkids along to see the reef.
We’re glad you still enjoyed the coral and we hope you’ll join us again another day, when the conditions are calm, the fish are usually out in full force!
Chitra_S, Sep 2025
Wonderful experience. The boat is very big and the kids enjoyed the travel. The tour operator person (a lady) who talked about the reef in the hand mike which was awesome. If you are a coral and reef lover you will enjoy the trip. Punctuality in picking up from the pick-up spot was good as well.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you and your family had such a great time on the tour and that the kids enjoyed the boat ride. Our crew love sharing their knowledge about the reef, so it’s fantastic to know the commentary made the experience even more special. We’re also glad the transfers ran smoothly for you. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
teena_s, Sep 2025
Great introduction to our beautiful Whitsundays ! Great commentary with plenty of room to move around. Really friendly crew☀️
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and found it a great introduction to the Whitsundays. Our crew love making the experience fun and welcoming, so it’s wonderful to hear their commentary and friendliness made your trip even better. We hope to see you again on your next visit!
Sandy_L, Sep 2025
Wonderful experience, the pick up and drop of was an extra bonus, we saw amazing an abundance of beautiful coral, fish and the odd turtle popped his head up. The staff were friendly fun and very knowledgeable. Lovely way to experience Shute harbour and its stunning marine environment
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour, from the smooth pick up and drop off to seeing the coral, fish and even a curious turtle! Our crew love sharing their knowledge and passion for the marine environment, so it’s wonderful to hear they made your experience fun and memorable. We hope to welcome you back to explore more of Shute Harbour soon!
Krowbotham, Aug 2025
Very knowledgable guide and enjoyable way to spend an hour learning about the reef. Great photo opportunities.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your great review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed learning about the reef and found plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Our guides love sharing their knowledge and it’s wonderful to hear it made your tour enjoyable. We hope to see you back for another adventure soon!
Likely to Sell Out
From $72.94
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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