Pioneer Adventures Glass Bottom Boat Tour (Family, 2 adults + 2 children)

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A 70 minute discovery tour of Airlie Beach's coral reefs, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Get up close to vibrant hard and soft coral and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish through the glass bottom of the boat.

Days

70 minutes

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 37

Start / finish

Shute Harbour / Shute Harbour

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Shaded glass bottom boat, with free pick-up around Airlie Beach

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Pioneer Adventures Glass Bottom Boat Tour (Family, 2 adults + 2 children)

View map

Included experiences

Airlie Beach reefs — coral viewing through the glass bottom
Reef wildlife — fish, turtles and rays
Guided commentary on the reef ecosystem

Pioneer Adventures Glass Bottom Boat Tour - (Family 2A/2C)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

GETTING THERE: AIRLIE BEACH TO SHUTE HARBOUR

Unless you drive yourself, the courtesy bus collects you from your stop around Airlie Beach or Cannonvale. The tour starts with a photo stop at Lions Lookout, high above the water, where Shute Harbour and the Whitsunday islands spread out in front of you. Shute Harbour, about ten kilometres east of Airlie Beach, is a sheltered harbour ringed by the hills of Conway National Park, and its marine terminal was rebuilt after Cyclone Debbie wrecked the old one in 2017. At the jetty you board Bottoms Up, a boat custom built for reef viewing: fully shaded, with a licensed bar and two toilets.

ON THE WATER: THE REEFS AROUND SHUTE HARBOUR

You cruise out past the islands around the harbour to the reefs, and the reef slides by beneath the glass floor, so nobody needs to swim or even get wet. Look for branching hard corals and big rounded boulders of coral, soft corals swaying in the current, and schools of reef fish darting in and out. Keep an eye out for turtles and rays too. These waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, created in 1975 to protect a reef system that runs about 2,300 km down the Queensland coast.

THE STORY BELOW THE GLASS

Your guide keeps up a running commentary, as funny as it is informative, on how the reef works. Coral is an animal, not a rock or a plant: each colony is built by tiny polyps that share their bodies with algae, and that partnership gives the reef most of its colour. The Whitsunday Islands take their name from the passage Captain James Cook sailed through in June 1770, believing it was Whit Sunday. There are 74 islands in the group, and most of them are national park.

BACK TO THE JETTY

After about 70 minutes you're back at the marine terminal, and if you came on the courtesy bus, it takes you back to Airlie Beach or Cannonvale.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: The tour departs from Jetty 3 at Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. If you don't want a pick-up, meet at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal building 15 minutes before departure.
Departure time: Pick-ups run 20 to 45 minutes before departure from Big 4 Adventure Whitsundays Cannonvale, Mantra Club Croc, Nomads Backpackers, the Airlie Beach Hotel bus stop, Port of Airlie, Club Wyndham, Whitsunday Vista / The Sebel, Tasman Holiday Park, Discovery Park and Big 4 Eco Resort.
Please note: This family rate is for groups of 2 adults and 2 children only.
Cancellation: No refunds within 24 hours of departure.

What to bring

Camera
Water bottle
Sunscreen

What is included

70 minute Airlie Beach glass bottom boat tour
Guided commentary about the reef
Fully shaded vessel
All safety equipment
Courtesy pick-up from Cannonvale and Airlie Beach stops

Not included

Drinks — these can be bought on board

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

I loved the daytime glass bottom boat. Seeing the tropical marine life was fascinating and the crew's commentary taught me a lot about coral and the reef. Great for all ages.

Daragh McNicholas Verified· Travelled 31st August 2026

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(5/5)

The glass bottom boat let us see the coral and fish up close, and the crew talked about the reef ecosystem and local history. My booking info didn't give a pick-up time so I had to ring that morning, but the calm cruise itself was excellent.

Zijie Li Verified· Travelled 17th June 2025

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