View harbor sea lions and colorful fish through large underwater windows on a 45-minute cruise from Redondo Beach Pier
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45 minutes
USCG captain, life jackets
Step aboard the only glass bottom boat in the South Bay and cruise through King Harbor at the Redondo Beach Pier on a 45-minute wildlife tour. The boat's underwater viewing chamber puts you inches from the fish and marine life that live beneath the harbor, while the open top deck brings you face to face with the California sea lions that haul out on the docks and rocks nearby.
The boat departs from the boardwalk at the Redondo Beach Pier, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and fresh fish markets. After the tour, you are steps away from everything the pier and International Boardwalk have to offer.
The boat stays within the calm, protected waters of King Harbor inside the breakwall. The ride is smooth and suitable for guests who are prone to seasickness. Maximum capacity is 19 passengers. Children under 90 pounds must wear a provided life jacket and be accompanied by an adult. The staircase down to the underwater viewing chamber is steep and not wheelchair accessible. Drones are not permitted on public trips. Well-behaved, calm pets are allowed. There is no restroom on the boat; restrooms are available at the Redondo Beach Pier before and after the tour. The boat has been operating for over 20 years, was built in 1995, and is annually inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard.
This is a typical itinerary for this glass bottom boat tour. The exact route within the harbor and the wildlife you see will vary by day and season.
Meet your captain at the dock on the boardwalk at the Redondo Beach Pier, next to the pedal boat rentals in King Harbor. After a quick safety briefing and welcome aboard, the boat pushes off into the calm, protected waters of the harbor.
The tour begins on the open top deck as the captain steers through King Harbor, the sheltered marina at the base of the Redondo Beach Pier. The harbor's breakwall keeps the water calm, making for a smooth ride with no ocean swell. The captain points out landmarks along the pier and boardwalk and shares the history of Redondo Beach, from its origins as a shipping port in the 1880s and the construction of the first wharf in 1889, through its years as a surf culture hub and the pier's modern reconstruction in the 1990s. As the boat moves past the docks and rock formations inside the harbor, you will see California sea lions hauled out on the platforms, sunbathing, barking, and diving into the water around the boat. The captain explains the sea lions' behavior, their population in the harbor, and their role in the local ecosystem. Seabirds, including pelicans, cormorants, and gulls, are common sights along the harbor's edges.
After circling the sea lion areas, the captain invites guests to descend the staircase into the boat's underwater viewing chamber. Built into the hull, the chamber has large 7-foot-by-2-foot windows on either side that sit below the waterline, giving you an unobstructed view of the marine life swimming just inches away. The harbor's rocky structures and pilings create habitat for a variety of fish species. Garibaldi, the bright orange fish designated as California's state saltwater fish, are among the most common and vivid sights. You will also see calico bass, sand bass, opaleye, smelt, perch, and occasionally stingrays or octopus moving through the rocks. The captain narrates from above, identifying species and explaining the ecology of the harbor. The underwater viewing portion typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes, with time to take photos and watch the fish from the benches inside the chamber.
The boat returns to the top deck viewing for the final minutes of the cruise, with a last pass near the sea lions and a view of the Redondo Beach Pier from the water. The captain offers local recommendations and answers final questions before docking back at the boardwalk.
Pass-by highlights include: The Redondo Beach Pier and International Boardwalk from the water, sea lion haul-out areas on the harbor docks, pelicans and cormorants along the breakwall, and the King Harbor marina.
Full refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before departure. Full refund or credit provided if the operator cancels due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Trips may be rescheduled up to 4 hours before the start time.
Sea lions, seabirds, and a variety of fish in the underwater viewing room.
The vessel is U.S. Coast Guard inspected and operated by licensed captains; life jackets are provided for all guests.
Sharks and dolphins are rare inside the harbor; you may spot rays or octopus, but mermaids remain elusive.
181 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Park in any of the pier parking lots and walk to the middle of the boardwalk, next to the pedal boat rentals on the dock in King Harbor. The boat is docked on the boardwalk at the Redondo Beach Pier.
The Redondo Beach Pier has stood at the edge of the South Bay since 1889, when the first wharf was built to move timber from ships to trains. Over the decades, the pier has been destroyed by storms, rebuilt, used as a backdrop for television and film, and reconstructed in its current reinforced-concrete form in 1995. Today the pier and the International Boardwalk next to it hold more than 50 restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, and King Harbor at the pier's base is home to roughly 1,400 boat slips, kayak and paddleboard rentals, sport fishing operations, and this glass bottom boat tour. It is the only glass bottom boat ride in the South Bay, and it departs directly from the boardwalk at the Redondo Beach Pier.
What makes this tour distinctive is its combination of topside wildlife viewing and the underwater chamber built into the hull. On the top deck, you get close enough to California sea lions to hear them bark and watch them dive off the dock platforms. Below deck, 7-foot-wide windows put you inches from garibaldi, calico bass, stingrays, and other species that live among the pilings and rocky structures of King Harbor. The captain, a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed local with decades of experience in the South Bay, narrates both portions with a mix of marine biology, Redondo Beach Pier history, and local stories that keeps the tour engaging for adults and children alike. Younger guests are often invited to wear the captain's hat and take a supervised turn at the helm, a detail that families consistently mention as a highlight.
This tour works well for families with children of any age, couples looking for a short and easy activity near the Redondo Beach Pier, visitors to the South Bay who want to see marine wildlife without venturing into open ocean, and locals who have walked the pier many times but never seen it from the water. At 45 minutes, the tour fits easily into a half-day at the pier and leaves time to explore the boardwalk, grab a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants, or rent a bike and ride the coastal strand afterward.
Captain Jake clearly makes this tour special. Reviewers consistently praise his warmth, humor, and ability to engage everyone from kids to adults. He's known for letting children steer the boat and pose in his captain's hat, creating memorable moments that families rave about. His knowledge of Redondo Beach history and local marine life adds educational value without feeling like a lecture, striking a nice balance between entertainment and learning. The 50-minute tour offers more than you might expect. Beyond viewing fish through the glass bottom, you'll likely spot sea lions up close and hear fascinating stories about the harbor's past. The ride is smooth and comfortable, making it suitable for all ages without concerns about seasickness. It's an easy online booking process, and the experience consistently delivers value. Locals and tourists alike call it a hidden gem at the pier, perfect for filling an afternoon with something genuinely enjoyable rather than just another typical activity.
One of the best boat rides. They were friendly and my son enjoyed it so much he wants to go back already.
Samantha Barajas
March 25, 2026
One of the best boat rides. They were friendly and my son enjoyed it so much he wants to go back already.
Samantha Barajas
March 25, 2026
