Glass Bottom Boat Tour: Marine Reserve Exploration
4.4
44 Ratings
Leigh

Explore New Zealand’s first Marine Reserve on a 45-minute glass bottom boat tour. Enjoy 360° views of ocean life, caves, and stunning scenery.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Goat Island Marine Reserve - WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO SEE?
    As an open reserve, with no barriers restricting marine life from entering or leaving, the species observed can vary daily.
    Weather and sea conditions also influence the movement of marine life through the reserve, so each visit offers a unique experience!
    Fish residing in the reserve include…
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What's Included
  • Licensed Guide
What's Not Included
  • Tea and coffee
Additional Information

Experience the unique Glass Bottom Boat in the Reserve, offering an enlightening and educational 45-minute tour in New Zealand’s first Marine Reserve. Step aboard the specially designed Glass Bottom Catamaran for an all-encompassing 360-degree view of the breathtaking ocean, caves, and scenic landscapes. Discover the vibrant underwater fish life without getting wet! This is a tour unlike any other.

Location
Goat Island Marine Reserve
On the beach at Goat Island. Check in desk is on the beach.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(44 Ratings)
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1 star
Nzhols
Mar 18, 2026
Brilll - Brilliant trip. Great experience. Saw lots of fish. Commentary excellent. Highly reccomend this
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amandafz7677cc
Feb 23, 2026
Great for a school trip! - We recently took a school group to the Goat Island Marine Reserve and were lucky enough to enjoy the Glass Bottom Boat (GBB) tours. The weather was perfect, and the experience exceeded our expectations. The GBB team were friendly, organised, and highly informative. Their engaging commentary helped our students connect with the marine environment, and they loved every moment. It was a great opportunity for students to observe the marine life up close. The organisation before the trip was excellent, with clear communication that made coordinating our group seamless. Overall, GBB’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and commitment to providing an educational experience made this an outstanding trip, and we would highly recommend them. Special shout out to Robyn and Amelie too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
647janeyg
Jan 30, 2026
Excellent fun experience! - Absolutely awesome!! I took my daughter and 8 year old grandson and we absolutely loved it. Such friendly knowledgeable crew and a wonderful tour of Goat Island. Plenty of fish to see. We’ll be doing it again for sure :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jomp8324jp
Jan 28, 2026
Goat Island tour - My partner and I had a fabulous tour around goat Island, and we enjoyed seeing lots of fish through the glass bottom boat. And a friendly wealth of information from the guides and the captain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johebditch
Jan 8, 2026
Fantastic knowledge filled experience - Fantastic experience. Great knowledgable and friendly staff. No question was ignored. Also not afraid to say if didn’t know something. Considering how busy it was on the beach well organised getting on and off the boat. Everyone had a view below the boat. Thank you for a great experience. Worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_m
Dec 1, 2025
Very knowledgeable guide,... - Very knowledgeable guide, lots to see but unfortunately not that many fish, still a beautiful place and would go again
Review provided by Viator
W
Jan 28, 2026
a short boat ride around goat Island. The captain Robin and crew Samantha were wonderful. Loved it lots of fish. - Loved our glass bottom boat tour. It’s a short trip around goat Island, the captain Robin, and the crew. Samantha were very knowledgeable. We saw lots of fish and the timing of the boat ride was perfect. Would recommend going on a hike up the hill afterwards and then a swim makes for a wonderful day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passport64449687028
May 7, 2025
Good trip for winter months - Nice trip especially in the months it's too cold to snorkel or for those who can't. We saw stingrays and lots of fish - snapper etc It also went around the island to view the caves. We stopped as a break on a long journey north and it was a great way to break up the travel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trdstjean
Feb 21, 2026
OverPacked and Uncomfortable - A tour of the goat island in a glass floor boat. Seating uncomfortable because the boat is overpacked; glass floor is not anti reflection coated so one has frequent reflection of neighboors hats, faces and garments; back seats have little visibility because they overlook the small side of the glass rectangle; waters are dark and boat has not undersea lighting equipment; fish other than snappers are rare if any; it's a tourist trap.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thierry_d
Feb 19, 2026
OverPacked and Uncomfortable - A tour of the goat island in a glass floor boat. Seating uncomfortable because the boat is overpacked; glass floor is not anti reflection coated so one has frequent reflection of neighboors hats, faces and garments; back seats have little visibility because they overlook the small side of the glass rectangle; waters are dark and boat has not undersea lighting equipment; fish other than snappers are rare if any; it's a tourist trap.
Review provided by Viator
Check Availability
From $29
From $29
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).