Kona Glassbottom Boat — Attraction in Hawaii

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, so getting to the pier for the Kona Glassbottom Boat Tour was just a quick walk. We waited in line for a few minutes before getting on the boat.

The day we went, there was a mild storm, so it was rainy and the boat rocked quite a bit as we got on.

Our tour guide handed out ginger chews and ginger ale to help with the rocking, which really helped.

The boat tour lasts about 45 minutes and circles the bay near the hotel. Our captain sped to several spots known for attracting lots of fish, so we saw loads of tropical fish. During the ride, our guide shared some Hawaiian history and cultural facts.

She even pointed out where boogie boarding was invented—you can see it from the boat!

At the end of the tour, we docked back at the marina and got off the boat. It was amazing to see all the tropical fish and the coral reef right from the boat, without having to snorkel. My 9-year-old was thrilled, constantly pointing out different fish, and thought the tour was super cool.

The boat has large windows, great for watching the ocean floor and spotting various Hawaiian fish like angelfish, triggerfish, and butterflyfish. We even saw green sea turtles swimming by, which was a highlight.

To avoid seasickness, look out the window when the boat speeds up between stops—there’s not much to see then, and it might help you feel better.

The boat is open-air, so dress for the weather and don't forget sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.

If you often get seasick, you might prefer the Atlantis Submarine since you look forward rather than down. But if boats are usually fine for you, this tour is fascinating. It’s short, less than an hour, and you get to see a lot of marine life without...

Serendipity. We thought we had spread Mom and Dad's ashes last visit but no. After scheduling an impromptu visit to Hawaii for our birthdays, we found cremains in a box that Mom was sure was 'just his knees.' It didn't rattle and sure enough, there was more of Dad. We were stunned but decided he'd come with us by himself, as he was known to do, for one last trip. Because it was all unplanned, we initially could fit in a simple Kona Coast release. We were fine with that but Amy knew. And somehow Amy was able to fit in a return trip to Kahalu'u. The date just happened to be Dad's birthday AND mom and dad's anniversary. The voyage was pure magic! We were greeted by flying fish which sounded a bit like the hummingbirds Dad enjoyed, whirring over the water's surface. It was a very special release with music we chose for him, flowers, and the view he (they) enjoyed so much. He is now wholly with the red haired, blue eyed love of his life. Amy and crew, thank you for working so closely with us to make this happen. The photos, the conversation, pointing out historic landmarks, noting coordinates of release (that almost match the previous coordinates!), and sharing a very unique birthday visit with us. We'll be back yet again but, prayers up, simply to enjoy a tour and learn even more about the Kona waters, history, and landmarks. Much love from Mike and Cindy Forever in our hearts, release part two, 10/5/24, Robert L Cartmill 19* 34'...

We recently utilized Glassbottom Boat (GB) to do an Ash scattering and remembrance of my father. This was on a choppy February morning and the GB folks risked coming out of the harbor to pick us up at the pier so we could do the ceremony. This alone went above and beyond our expectations. Our little group also received a personal tour and explanation of the reef as we headed out to sea. Everyone was in awe of the colors and sights and our guide Amy answered our questions expertly. The extra choppiness of the water made a couple of us queasy and both Amy and the Captain regaled us with fun stories and remedies to make us feel better. They made a very emotional time a cherished memory. We were able to send the ashes and our plumerias out to sea in a fond farewell. The entire experience was magical. Amy rounded out the beautiful experience by sending us the GPS coordinates so we could go back and visit anytime. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. There is knowledge, caring, and reverence with these folks. I highly...