Local entrepreneurs Brian and Elizabeth McCadie have introduced a new glass bottom boat experience in Islamorada, Florida Keys. Their vessel, Transparensea, operates from Robbie’s Marina and offers both daytime and nighttime tours for visitors interested in exploring local marine life.
Brian McCadie, who has spent years as a U.S. Coast Guard fishing charter captain, said the idea was to create an original activity in the area. Elizabeth McCadie has supported her husband in various business ventures at Robbie’s Marina and played a key role in launching this new service.
The Transparensea is a 46-foot open-air boat equipped with 16 window wells for underwater viewing, seating for up to 30 passengers, restroom facilities, and Seakeeper technology designed to minimize seasickness. The boat features an underwater lighting system that allows it to operate night tours—the first of its kind among U.S. glass bottom boats—giving guests views of sharks, turtles, coral formations, and squid illuminated beneath the water’s surface.
“Our goal was to create something families could enjoy after dark,” Brian McCadie said. “The lights make such a difference, and the sea life is more active at night—this is truly a one-of-a-kind experience in The Keys.”
Tours include narrated visits to notable coral sites such as Cheeca Rocks, Caloosa Rocks, and Alligator Reef. These trips aim to give participants close-up views of local marine environments while steering clear of crowded boating areas.
Transparensea operates every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Two-hour daytime tours depart at noon and 3 p.m., while night trips leave about 20 minutes after sunset. More information can be found on www.glassbottomtour.com or by calling 305-21-GLASS. Updates are also available on Facebook (@TransparenseaIslamorada) and Instagram (@glassbottomboat_floridakeys).
