Eilat: 2-Hour Glass-Bottom Boat Tour

The best part of this Eilat boat trip is the two-meter-underwater viewing deck. You can watch Red Sea fish and coral through the glass without changing into swimwear, carrying snorkeling gear, or even getting your feet wet. The three-deck Jules Verne also gives you shaded seats, a sun deck, and a snack bar.

I like the easy two-hour format and the mix of sea life with views of the Coral Reserve, military port, and Jordan border. At $24 per person, it is a fair way to get on the water. The main caution is communication: one verified customer reported that the tour was not in English and that the music was unpleasant, despite English being listed as an available language.

Key points to know before you book

• Two meters below the surface: The lower deck puts you close to the underwater action while you stay dry.
• Departure from Hananya Beach: Look for the Jules Verne boat on the beach rather than a separate office.
• A full two-hour cruise: You get time for both marine viewing and a broad ride around the Gulf of Aqaba.
• Several decks to choose from: Shaded seating suits relaxed viewing, while the sun deck offers open-air time.
• English and Hebrew listed: Commentary is available in both languages, but delivery may vary.
• $24 with food and drinks extra: The price covers the cruise, not anything from the onboard snack bar.

What the Eilat glass-bottom boat actually offers

This is a sightseeing cruise with an underwater viewing room, not a snorkeling trip or a scuba excursion. That distinction matters. You are paying for a calm look at the Red Sea from a boat, along with a ride around the Gulf of Aqaba.

The Jules Verne has three decks. Its lower deck is positioned two meters underwater, where glass panels let you look down and out at fish and coral. From there, you might see different species of Red Sea fish moving through the water, as well as coral formations below the boat.

The view depends on conditions and timing, so I would not treat this as a guaranteed wildlife show. Fish do not punch a clock for tour schedules. Still, the underwater deck gives you a real chance to see marine life in a way that is simple and family-friendly.

You can also move between the decks during the cruise. The shaded seating is useful in Eilat’s strong sun, while the sun deck gives you a more open view of the coast and bay. If the underwater windows become crowded, having several levels gives you somewhere else to sit while you wait for a clearer look.

Boarding at Hananya Beach and finding the Jules Verne

The meeting point is Hananya Beach. Look for the Jules Verne boat on the beach. This is a useful detail because the meeting point is tied to the vessel itself, not described as a hotel pickup or a transport terminal.

Give yourself enough time to locate the boat before departure. The supplied details do not state a check-in window, transfer service, or exact pier number, so you should not expect a shuttle to collect you from your hotel. You need to make your own way to Hananya Beach.

Once aboard, you can choose among the three decks. The lower deck is the main reason to book this particular cruise, but the other levels matter too. If you want to sit in the shade, choose covered seating. If you want fresh air and a broad view of the bay, the sun deck is the natural choice.

The boat’s layout also makes this a practical option for people in your group who do not all want the same thing. One person can watch the sea life below, another can sit in the shade, and someone else can enjoy the sun deck. The information provided does not specify accessibility arrangements, so contact the operator if you need that detail.

The underwater viewing deck at two meters

The lower deck is located two meters underwater, giving the cruise its main appeal. You sit inside the boat and look through the glass at the Red Sea below. For many people, that is enough marine viewing without the planning and physical demands of a water activity.

This setup suits you if you are not comfortable swimming, if you prefer to stay dry, or if you are traveling with someone who does not want to snorkel. It also gives children a clear reason to stay interested during the ride, though unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The activity must be taken with an accompanying adult.

The windows show you a close view of the water below the hull. You might spot fish and coral, but the exact quality of the view can change. Reflections, sunlight, water conditions, and the number of people gathered at the windows all affect what you see.

I would treat the underwater deck as a chance to observe, not as a substitute for entering the sea. If you want long, close contact with coral, this is not the right type of outing. If you want a low-effort introduction to the Red Sea, it makes good sense.

A two-hour route around the Gulf of Aqaba

The cruise lasts two hours, which gives the trip room to be more than a quick look through the glass. You can spend part of the time below the surface, then return to the upper decks for views across the Gulf of Aqaba.

The route includes sights connected with Eilat and the bay. You can expect to see the Eilat Coral Reserve, a key point of interest for anyone curious about the area’s marine environment. Seeing the reserve from the water gives you useful context for the coral and fish viewed through the boat’s windows.

The cruise also passes the military port. That adds a working coastal view to the trip. You are not only looking at nature, but also seeing how different parts of the bay are used. The military port is a sight from the boat, not a stop for a visit, so keep your expectations focused on viewing.

Another listed sight is the Jordan border. This is one of the more unusual features of the route because the Gulf of Aqaba brings several national borders into a small area. From the boat, you get a sense of the bay’s geography without needing a separate land excursion.

The route is described as a cruise around the bay, not a series of shore landings. You remain aboard for the experience. That makes the schedule straightforward, but it also means you should not book it expecting time on a beach or at the Coral Reserve itself.

Commentary, music, and the language question

The captain provides commentary during the cruise, and Hebrew and English are listed as the available languages. That should help you understand the sights and the route, especially when the boat passes the Coral Reserve, military port, and Jordan border.

Still, I would keep one point in mind. A verified customer rated the experience poorly after finding that the tour was not conducted in English and that the music was horrible. Another recent rating described the trip as pretty good, while a separate short reaction called it very nice. Taken together, the practical lesson is simple: English is advertised, but the amount and quality of English commentary may not be consistent on every departure.

If clear narration is important to you, confirm the language before boarding. You should also be ready for music as part of the onboard atmosphere. This may be harmless background sound for some people, but it can affect your enjoyment if you want a quiet nature cruise.

The overall rating is 4.1 from 81 reviews, which points to a generally positive experience with some unevenness. I would book it for the boat, the underwater deck, and the bay views first. I would not book it solely for a detailed guided talk in English unless that point is confirmed.

Seating, shade, and what to bring

The boat includes shaded seating, a sun deck, and a snack bar. These features give you choices during the two-hour ride. Shade is valuable during a sunny cruise, while the sun deck is better for open views and photographs.

Food and drinks are not included in the $24 price. The snack bar is onboard, but you should budget separately if you want anything from it. The supplied information does not list the menu or prices, so do not assume a meal or complimentary drink comes with your ticket.

For a comfortable outing, I would bring sun protection and a camera or phone for the upper-deck views. The trip is on the water, and the boat has outdoor seating, so a hat or sunscreen is sensible. These are general practical choices, not included services.

The lower deck is the place to focus if marine life is your priority. The upper decks are better for the feeling of the cruise itself, the coast, and the bay. You can make the trip more enjoyable by treating the boat as both a viewing platform and a short sea ride, rather than staying in one place for the full two hours.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I think this tour works best for first-time visitors to Eilat who want a simple look at the Red Sea. It also suits families with accompanied children, couples who want a short boat outing, and anyone who prefers not to swim or snorkel.

It is a particularly good fit if people in your party have different comfort levels around the water. You can remain dry, sit in shade, walk to the sun deck, and return to the underwater windows when the view looks promising.

The trip is less suitable if you want an active marine adventure. There is no snorkeling or swimming included, and the listed inclusion is the two-hour cruise. It may also disappoint you if you expect a highly polished English presentation, since one customer specifically found the English service lacking.

The cruise can also work as a gentle break from land sightseeing. Two hours is long enough to feel like a proper outing, but short enough to fit into a day that includes other Eilat plans. Starting times vary, so check availability when you choose your date.

Is $24 a fair price?

At $24 per person, I consider this a reasonable price for a two-hour boat ride with a dedicated underwater viewing deck. You are getting more than a short harbor loop because the cruise includes several bay sights and time to look for marine life.

The value depends on what you want from the water. If you compare it with a snorkeling trip, the price may seem less attractive because you do not enter the sea. But if you want comfort, shade, and a dry way to see fish and coral, the boat fills a different need.

Food and drinks cost extra, and there is no listed hotel transfer or other added service. I would judge the price on the cruise itself. The best value comes when you use all three decks and take time to enjoy both the underwater view and the Gulf of Aqaba route.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later reduce the risk of fitting the trip into a changing schedule. Those terms are helpful, especially when you are deciding around weather or other plans, but check the exact available departure when booking.

Should you book the Jules Verne cruise?

Book this tour if you want a dry, easy introduction to Red Sea marine life and like the idea of combining fish and coral viewing with a cruise past the Coral Reserve, military port, and Jordan border. At $24, it is a sensible choice for a two-hour outing, especially if your group includes non-swimmers.

Think twice if your main goal is snorkeling, long underwater observation, or a guaranteed English talk. The advertised languages are Hebrew and English, but the negative language feedback means I would confirm the commentary before paying if that matters to you.

For most people, the decision comes down to expectations. See it as a comfortable sightseeing cruise with a special underwater deck, not as a full reef expedition. With that in mind, I would book it for a relaxed look at the Gulf of Aqaba from Hananya Beach.

FAQ

How long is the Eilat glass-bottom boat tour?

The cruise lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $24 per person.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is Hananya Beach. Look for the Jules Verne boat on the beach.

What can I see from the boat?

You can look for different species of fish and coral through the underwater viewing area. The route also includes views of the Eilat Coral Reserve, military port, and Jordan border.

How far underwater is the viewing deck?

The lower viewing deck is located two meters underwater.

Do I need to swim or get wet?

No. The glass-bottom boat lets you view the underwater world without getting your feet wet.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. A snack bar is available on the boat.

Is commentary available in English?

Hebrew and English are listed as the available languages, with commentary provided by the captain. One verified customer reported that the tour was not conducted in English, so confirm the language before departure if this is important to you.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.