The "Looking Glass" is a 19 passenger USCG inspected semi-submersible underwater viewing boat. It has over 6 tons of lead to sink the lower viewing area which has two seven foot long underwater picture windows. Built by "Sub Sea Systems" in Sacramento, California and launched in 1995 under the name "Ava Mahalo Lani" the vessel spent the first part of her life in Hawaii. From Hawaii she traveled to Catalina and was renamed "Looking Glass". In early 2005 she was purchased by Chaffin & Reeves Inc. After a refit she was put into service to replace the submarine replica "S44" in Redondo Beach. "S44" was a popular attraction in Redondo Beach but as a uninspected vessel it was only allowed to carry 6 passengers. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a map to find us.
September 2007 we are seeing lots of small rays, Opal Eyes, Smelt and Calico Bass! If you are a scuba diver you might be disappointed by our current show. However, if you have kids or have never dove you are still in for a treat!
This photo of a smelt run taken July 23, 2005 aboard the "Looking Glass"
NOTE: The below photo was taken October of 2006. As you can see the fish are starting to recover and grow since our last red tide!
Reservations are available before Noon (1st come 1st served in afternoon)
For more info Call CaptainCasey @ 310-909-3179
or email Captain Lloyd
We are located on the International Boardwalk right next to the pedal boat rentals.
Local Links:
Kayak Rentals - Right next to the Glass Bottom Boat
Outrigger Canoe Tours - Right next to us!
Gondola Amore' - Romantic Harbor Cruises!
Kegs - A local pub with great Philly Cheese Steaks just 150 feet south from our sub!
Kona Koffee - Need to wake up? This coffee house is just 150 feet north of us!
Ocean Racer - If you find the sub too slow this will wake you up!
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce - Check out the Town!
Redondo Beach Marina - Our home in So Cal!
South Bay Sailing - Take sailing lessons with Capt. Wes right near us!
Toy Box - If "Lookingglass" is too slow for you rent a jet ski here!
Other Links:
Sub Sea Tours - Visit our sister ship "Seaview" in Morro Bay!
Sub Sea Systems - The builder of our SSV "Looking Glass"
S44 Replica - The 42' pre WWII replica submarine built by Capt. Lloyd
Map:
Note: The Red Star is the entrance of our parking lot. If you park in this lot (not the parking structure) bring your ticket stub and we can get you 2 free hours of parking. We are south of the parking lot next to where the sub arrow is pointing. For dirrections from your house to us on Map Quest click here.