So, when deciding to take a holiday by the sea – Hawaii, Aruba, Cozumel or Barbados – and opting for watersports such as parasailing or sea kayaking, this literally influences the memories you make during your holiday. Some of the most popular packages include an Atlantis Submarine Expedition and a Traditional Boat Tour (sailboat cruise, catamaran, or glass-bottom boat). Both excursions offer stunning sea views, but they provide completely different experiences, atmospheres, and intensity.
Whether you prefer depth or atmosphere, accessibility or cost, this guide covers all the options so you can choose the tour that best suits your style.
What is an Atlantis Submarine Expedition?
Avoiding the stress of putting a price tag on your tour, Atlantis Submarine is a special engineering tour through the warmer waters that sees you venture all the way down into a real Coast Guard-certified passenger submarine. An Atlantis submarine sinks to depths of 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 meters) underwater, which is the opposite of glass-bottom boats or semi-submersibles, which remain at the surface.
A few highlights of the Submarine Experience:
As you descend into the marine life, natural reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and shipwrecks that live in the deep water, you’ll find Real Deep-Sea Submersion to be your dive.
- 100% Dry & Climate-Controlled: Air-conditioned and at normal surface air pressure, the interior cabin will keep you dry and comfortable throughout the dive.
- Ride in the large, circular Personal Viewports so you can enjoy unobstructed views of marine life, sea turtles, stingrays, and exotic fish.
- Lecture/Guided Marine Education: These tours feature knowledgeable co-pilots (captains) who guide tourists and explain local marine education, underwater geology, and vessel navigation and operation.
So what is a Traditional Boat Tour?
Traditional boat tours offer many types of surface craft in various sizes, from catamarans, trimarans, motorized yachts, and speedboats to traditional sailing schooners. These tours are not submarines; instead, they focus on open-air relaxation, enjoying coastal scenery, island hopping, and the water sports themselves.
- Open-Air Deck Living: Passengers use large decks and outdoor spaces to relax and rest while enjoying fresh ocean breezes, warm sunshine, and great views of the coastline, beaches, and sea cliffs.
- Hands-On Water Activities: For most surface boat trips, activities include guided shallow reef snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and jumping off the boat to swim.
- Social & Casual Atmosphere: Some older cruises will focus on a lounge or party atmosphere, typically providing music, open bars, fresh buffet meals, and tropical cocktails on board.
- Scenic Coastal Navigation: Great spots to view the island sunset, see breaching whales (seasonal), and take shots of iconic coastal spots up close and personal.
Detailed Head-to-Head Comparison
Without a strict tabular comparison, here is a breakdown of various travel segments along both.
- Depth & Underwater Perspective
Submarine Atlantis: May go to depths of 100 – 150 feet. It brings deep-sea marine life, coral formations, and historical shipwrecks to the forefront to be viewed by passengers who would not normally have access otherwise – just like certified scuba divers.
- Sightseeing Tour: Travels on the “free surface” of the ocean. Overhead viewing is limited to shallow surface snorkeling or passing through the glass-bottom viewing panels at depths of 10 to 30 feet.
- Interior Environment & Comfort
Atlantis Submarine: It has an enclosed, air-conditioned cabin, with comfortable seating in front of the viewports. It is great to get out of the tropics during hot weather, but it is a small space, and you access it via a 7-step vertical ladder.
- Traditional Boat Tour: Providing wide-open deck spaces, shaded areas, nets for trampolines, and outdoor seating. All you can do at leisure is wander around, lie in the sun, or retreat to the shady areas.
- Water Contact & Activity Level
No need for zero water contact with Atlantis Submarine! You’ll wear regular, everyday casual clothing and will not get wet inside or outside the vessel.
- Traditional Boat Tour: Very interactive. Visitors should wear swimsuits and come into the water to swim, jump in, and snorkel; at the same time, they can engage in water activities.
- Weather & Ocean Motion
After entering the water, it is incredibly smooth on the Atlantis Submarine. Most of the turbulence you would get on the surface of the ocean during a dive virtually doesn’t exist unless you dive into a very choppy area, making it great for people with a bad stomach for rough water.
- Traditional Boat Tour (weather dependent on the surface of the ocean). On windy, rough days, rockiness, spray, and possible seasickness are possible due to the waves and the swell.
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Knowing what to expect in each tour type goes a long way toward setting expectations.
Atlantis Submarine Expedition
Pros:
- Provides non-divers with safe access to ecosystems 100 feet underwater.
- 100% Dry environment (air-conditioned).
- Excellent underwater visibility with little to no wave.
- Very informative story about ocean conservation.
Cons:
- May be restrictive and uncomfortable for those with severe claustrophobia.
- Must have the strength to climb a steep, seven-step vertical ladder.
- Best overall time in the water – usually 45-60 minutes.
Traditional Boat Tour
Pros:
- Access to freestanding decks for outdoor enjoyment, or fresh sea air.
- Includes interactive stops for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports.
- Usually contains food, open bars, live entertainment, and extended travel time (2-6 hours).
- Ideal for sunset viewing, photography, and coastal sightseeing.
Cons:
- Very wind-sensitive and sea-dependent.
- Great for snorkeling, but you’ll need swimming skills.
- Wear appropriate clothing to protect your skin from the sun if you’ll be in direct sun.
- Let’s begin by determining the type of tour you should take.
- Between the two iconic ocean explorations, consider the needs of your travel party with the following considerations in mind:
If you choose an Atlantis Submarine Expedition:
- Someone in your family can’t snorkel, such as babies, older children, or senior citizens.
- You want to experience a rare, true bucket-list adventure in an authentic passenger submarine.
- Wishing to dive deeper into wrecks, artificial reefs, and beyond the standard snorkeler’s depths into underwater life.
- Comfortable living climate – cool and comfortable – away from the extreme heat of tropical sun and surface waves.
- You’re an outdoor person and love spending time outdoors in the sun, breeze, and swimming in the sea.
- You want an all-day or half-day social event with food, tropical drinks, and music.
- You are traveling in a snorkeling group and would like to enjoy the coast.
- You’re in the mood for a wild display of coastlines and sea cliffs or a tropical sunset on an island.
In the end
This can be a memorable ocean experience during a tropical vacation, whether you choose an Atlantis Submarine Expedition or a traditional boat tour.
The underwater video presentations provide a unique (dry) look at environments most non-divers don’t experience. In the meantime, surface yachts provide the traditional fun and the pleasures of an open-air yacht and first-class hands-on snorkeling experiences. What type is best is, naturally, up to you, depending on whether or not you delight in a swim or sailing!