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    Catalina Adventure Tours

    3.9 (386 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 6:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Catalina Adventure Tours

    Boat charters

    Catalina Adventure Tours Photos

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    Tiffany T.

    We had two great experiences with this company. I did the yellow submarine by myself while the rest of our friends snorkeled. I took the 10:15 and there were only 5 people on it. So much fun moving around and checking out the fish. The team was knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend! Then our group took the bison/island tour. The team was also very knowledgeable. Our driver really knew the road! Very bumpy ride but it was fantastic. We saw some bison in the distance and I saw a little fox. The airport stop at the top was fun. Nice break and cute shop! Customer service was also very helpful. I really enjoyed all experiences and appreciate what customer service helped me with. I would use them again on our next visit!

    Robert M.

    Yellow Submarine: Great crew, fish, and submarine. Launching fish food torpedoes was a lot of fun. Plenty of stops and time to check out the sea life, comfortable seating, nice clean windows and lots of different fish to put on a show.

    Fun tour. We appreciated Brad's narration. The kids enjoyed feeding the fish.
    Stephanie G.

    Fun tour. Brad did a great job narrating. The kids enjoyed feeding the fish. Easy to book and fun for the family.

    Jill G.

    We loved this adventure tour. It went around the island. A lot of turns on narrow roads. Our driver did a great job navigating. I felt very safe. The tour guide was knowledgeable & fun. He serenaded us along the way. Highly recommend them for an island tour.

    Ronald M.

    Just a heads-up. Unlike a similar submarine adventure we experienced in Maui back in 2008, which actually took us to a maximum depth of 143', this Catalina Island Yellow semi-sub, The Nautilus, never really dives below the surface. But is like the ride at Disneyland. Though unlike Disneyland, you will be viewing real sea life below the surface. And also unlike Disneyland, without a track. In 2016 we were here for my birthday weekend and rode the world famous glass bottom boat. A type of vessel that was first revealed here at Catalina Island over a century ago. But the submarine excursions are even a more thrilling experience. Be sure to purchase feed to be added to your viewing station, so you can experience firing the feeding torpedos to attract even more finned visitors past your porthole. The riders seen coming back in the video prior to our boarding, apparently had even a more remarkable experience than we. We only were fortunate enough to see a few garibaldi, numerous schools of perch, a few other species, and the group across the sub from us a cormorant and one sea lion. Whereas our returning predecessors sighted green sea turtles, schools of barracuda and a pod of dolphins. But the ride was an experience to be cherished, I had always wanted to see the vast kelp forests along our coast; the world's second fastest growing plant at over a foot per day. Only beaten by bamboo as the fastest. Don't pass this one up!

    Awesome tour thanks to Marcus and captain Andy !
    Bri M.

    The yellow submarine tour was amazing Marcus and Captain Andy are terrific ! I definitely recommend going on this tour very family friendly as well!

    Fish from the Nautilus!
    Michael J.

    We originally booked our tour on the Nautilus for our 6 and 2 year old, thinking they would have a good time. We didn't realize we would have an incredible time as well! Super cool! Tons of fish and the tour guides are awesome!

    Chris C.

    Just finished a submarine tour and I have to say--Brad and Dave made it one hell of a trip! Incredible experience from start to finish. The fish were so close, it made the whole thing even more unreal. Pro tip: bring cash so you can buy fish food and feed them during the tour--it's absolutely worth it. Great memories, an awesome crew, and a ride I won't forget anytime soon. Thank you both so much!

    Kathi Y.

    First off I would rate all their staff, especially the customer service at the front desk, 10 stars!! They are so nice, responsive and helpful!! I used the chat feature on their website and got a quick, helpful response. When I came to the tour desk the day of my tour they followed through with the commitment they made in the chat, which was very nice. We went on two tours through them - Catalina Island City and Scenic Mt Ida Tour (50 minutes) and Inside Adventure Tour (2 hours). I was concerned the second tour would be a repetition of some of the sites on the first tour but only one site was the same otherwise it was totally different. The city tour showed us around the city, gave the history and allowed photos at various scenic views. A great way to get an overview of the city and get some awesome pics in a nutshell. The inside adventure went much deeper. The tour guide (naturalist) was very informative and entertaining and it took us to parts of Catalina you don't normally see - the wildlife, trees, campsites, airport and more. The tour guide regaled us with history and trivia throughout the trip. He even sang an old song they used to sing to entertain people before all the modern inventions -- and he sang well. The drivers were good and made you feel very safe, especially Shelly on the inside adventure tour. The road was super narrow and winding but she handled it like a champ. I felt very safe in her hands. She was also good at sighting wildlife along the road. I highly recommend this tour company!!

    Beach
    Steph T.

    Such an amazing trip! It was our first time going with my mom to the island and we didnt really know about the island, so getting the 2 hour tour was perfect. Sergio is such a great tour guide, he made the experience more entertaining and enjoyable. If you are getting a tour make sure you ask for Sergio!

    Hannah F.

    Such a fun under water adventure! Captain David took us to 3 spots rich with fish and kelp. Our tour guide Brad gave us the rundown of the local fish and got our fish food torpedoes ready to launch. It was an absolute blast! The ride was smooth, but the sub rocks a bit while it stops for fish feeding and viewing. Luckily, they have lots of paper bags just in case you're feeling queasy. Highly recommend!

    more fish
    Faith E.

    enjoyable. booked in advance came a bit early to check in & got the $12 fish feeding. pretty unique experience and fun. i'd recommend coming early so you can pick any spot you'd like. people in the boat can be inconsiderate so best to come before they do lmao

    Sandra F.

    Hands down the best experience at Catalina, it open your eyes to a new world. Marcus was wonderful, looking forward to coming back with our family.

    Aircraft hangar on Avalon

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    2 months ago

    my daughter and I had a wonderful trip. captain fletch and Brandon were very personable and knowledgeable. would definitely go again!

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    Dave was an awesome tour guide! We had the best time. Our kids are 6 and 2 and they loved feeding the fish. Highly recommend!

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Catalina Adventure Tours

    Review Highlights - Catalina Adventure Tours

    Our tour guide Brad gave us the rundown of the local fish and got our fish food torpedoes ready to launch.

    Mentioned in 65 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Catalina Island Company

    Catalina Island Company

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    On a one day visit to Catalina Island, there is so much to do, see and eat…read more To start, rent a golf cart or wear good walking shoes because this port is not too big for tourist exploration. There is also a "Circuit" ride share that will take you around the island for $2 per person. Coming in by tender from a cruise ship is great. The docking area is in town and so close to everything. I exited the tender and walked along the waterfront where I passed a few children's playgrounds with a pirate theme. Then on to where the golf carts are rented. I walked to the pier (Green Pier) where there are bathrooms and many small shops all hoping for the tourist business. They carry the typical port souvenirs. After a long walk on this short pier I got to the end where there is many people fishing with poles and the little set ups they will sell you for a few dollars and the bait too. There are plenty of benches to sit and watch the boat come in and out of the harbour. There is a small beach area that has lots of pretty colored little rocks along the shoreline. The walk to the round Casino Building is pretty much the end of the road before a mountainside resort. I passed by some waterfront restaurants that were even crowded on a cloudy day. My walk back to the tender was quick and the ride back to the cruise ship was also pretty nice and calm.

    Catalina island interior is the best place to experience nature without having to travel far. We…read morehave toured the interior quite a few times. We booked a tour once to see bisons but didn't get to see animals cause it was raining. The tours we went by ourselves were much better! We saw many wild animals including bisons! The interior vineyard is so beautiful. The trips were very enjoyable but a bit of too much sun for me. Wear sunscreen and a hat to prevent sun exposure! Keep in mind that it takes 20 years to be able to buy a real car on island. Only one golf cart is allowed per residence. There are no spaces for real cars and more golf carts in Avalon. Our family and friends live here so they have a real car to take us to interiors. Yes you will need a real car to do that! Avalon has enough restaurants and bars to hang out. Casino is also a movie theater to show older movies on certain weekend evenings. They offer tours of this historic casino too. They host NYE gala every year. Beach club is great for summer times. Museum is small but still worth taking a tour. Too bad the spa has closed down, we used to go there all the time. This island has so much to offer. It's the best place for a lot of fun just a ferry ride away!

    Catalina Expeditions

    Catalina Expeditions

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    I'll be honest, I was a little nervous at first. The group before us came back and a woman jumped…read moreoff the hummer looking totally frazzled, yelling "WARN THEM!!" which....yeah, not exactly comforting. So if you're on the fence or feeling anxious, this review is for you. We had Andrew as our guide and he was awesome. Before we even got on the open air hummer, he was very upfront that the ride would be bumpy and gave solid advice on where to sit if heights make you uneasy. That actually made me more nervous at first, but it turned out to be totally fine. The hummer never gets that close to the cliff edge, and it always felt controlled and safe. The views are unreal!!!!!! seriously breathtaking. We were lucky enough to see 2 bison, 2 Catalina foxes, 2 does, and a young buck. The tour before us saw zero bison, so we were thrilled. We even got to see them up close, which was incredible. As for the ride itself, I didn't find it nearly as bumpy as people make it sound. There were a few spots where the height felt a little sketchy, but in a "whoa" way, not a "nope, I regret everything" way. All in all, I'd absolutely recommend this tour. Don't let dramatic exit speeches scare you off, you'll be glad you did it. There's blankets available on the hummer in case you get chilly. Tips: - bring cash. TIP YOUR DRIVER!!!! - secure your hat and hair, so hat doesn't go flying off

    Having Andrew as your guide made our entire experience, he was super knowledgeable and had us…read morelaughing the entire time!

    Catalina Tours - Scenic vista stopping point.

    Catalina Tours

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    My boyfriend and I went for a quick day trip to spend some time at the island since he had never…read morebeen. We booked the 50 minute Discover Avalon tour and we loved it! It was the perfect amount of time to get acquainted will a little bit of Avalon and hear a few fun facts. Our tour guide was Laura and she was so funny and knowledgeable! I highly recommend the tour. A small warning, the tour bus is open air and a bit bumpy, so if you have injuries or issues with rough rides, I would maybe reach out to Discover Avalon and double check if you are good to tour with them :)

    We took the bison expedition tour yesterday, Saturday, February 21, and had the absolute best…read moreexperience thanks to our guide, Andrew. From the moment we started, he was funny, warm, and incredibly engaging, while also being super knowledgeable and educational about the island and wildlife. What really stood out was how perfectly Andrew balanced the experience -- he knew exactly when to share great stories and facts, and when to let us simply soak in the sights, sounds, and beauty around us. He never rushed us and made sure we had plenty of opportunities for amazing photos and genuine wildlife sightings. We truly felt like we were seeing the island at its best. The tour felt safe, well-supported, and action-packed, without ever feeling overwhelming. You could tell Andrew genuinely cared about everyone having a great time and walking away with memorable moments. We also saw a fox and bison! Highly, highly recommend this tour -- and if you're lucky enough to get Andrew as your guide, you're in for a treat. Side note: when guides and drivers go above and beyond like this, please remember to tip. Andrew, if you ever read this -- thank you for such a fantastic experience. Hope your boss sees this and rewards you big time!

    Cape Canyon Tour - Cape Canyon Tour

    Cape Canyon Tour

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    Thank you Charles! This was Disney's Indiana Jones ride on a 2 hour steroid trip?! Learned so…read moremuch, loved the lunch break, the views?!? Worth every penny. You'll need a jacket and your camera, for sure, since you're in for some epic landscapes! You'll also likely get great wildlife sightings. We had two fox and one buffalo! Runs on time so feel secure in scheduling things around this tour. Overall, one-of-a-kind experience that is top-notch!

    SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…read more Indiana Jones here I come!!!!!!!!! Loved it! This was my first time off roading and it was another best things I ever did check mark on my bucket list! During this 4 1/2 hour tour you really get to see what the whole island has to offer. We sat in the far back seats which gave to the whole feeling of a bumby off roading experience!!! Some of the Things I saw: American Bald Eagle & Nest Wild Buffalo Airport in the Sky Scenic Beaches Middle Range The cutest Fox Camping Sites and Walking Trails *Beautiful Views like no other A sneak Peek at the Zipline Eco Tour Soon to Be Winery Our tour guide KIM has given the tours for the past 6 years. I think it is a great idea to reach the top at the airport and take a break... walk around and enjoy their great food. It was great the cater to the weather by offering blankets in front of your seats and a complimentary free water. A++++ You wont be disappointed on this one! + She gives you a discount card for Avalon Grille at the end of the tour or 15% off next tour

    Glass Bottom Boat Tour

    Glass Bottom Boat Tour

    (49 reviews)

    My kids love aquariums...and they love boats....so this seemed like a win-win, and it sooooo was!…read more We met the boat at the end of a small pier. The boat had an enclosed bench-seating area with all seats facing the center of the boat, which was made of glass and several feet below where we all sat. I was amazed by how clear the water was-even right next to shore. As we moved, our guide shared some local history and information about the marine life below us. We paused at several fish sanctuary locations, and the guide threw fish food into the water to attract more fish than we could count. The tour, which lasted an hour, was a delight for the whole family. All of the kids and kids at heart were thrilled by the many types of fish we saw. We were even fortunate enough to see a diving cormorant! The waves were not too bad on the day I went...even though my stomach usually gets queasy on smaller boats, this one didn't bother me. Maybe I was too entranced by the fish to notice. If I ever visit Catalina again and have time to do it, I'll be more than happy to go on this tour again. It was just long enough, and you never know what you'll see down there! Note--there is a public restroom at the beginning of the pier, but much of it was out of order, leading to some pretty long lines. Make sure you go before you get on the boat-no restrooms on board.

    I'm reviewing the Nautilus semisubmersible tour. First the good: You will see lots of fish…read moreparticularly opaleye, sea bass, and garibaldi, which is great if you like shooting videos with your cell phone. The not so good: It is a confined space and tends to be noisy inside. Also, why they charge for feeding the fish escapes me. They didn't used to do that!

    Love Catalina Island Visitor Center - Inside view

    Love Catalina Island Visitor Center

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    Located at the entrance of the Green Pleasure Pier on Catalina Island, the visitor center was…read moremanned by two friendly guides during our day visit to the island. Since we were part of the 4,000 people coming onshore from the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas, it was quite busy inside (assuming for the whole day) but the ladies seemed to be handling it with no problem. There are self-serve pamphlets for all the various attractions on the island. My brother's particular question was around getting info for the jet ski tour from Long Beach to Catalina. The guide explained that those originate from Long Beach, and that the jet ski tour guides here in Avalon provide one hour tours around the island. That was enough info to point us in the right direction, and we continued on our way.

    The worst visitor center I've ever entered in all my travels across the USA and even…read moreinternationally! This place should be embarrassed! Shortly after arriving on Catalina island, we discovered that we somehow didn't have a ticket back to the mainland. After trying to book a ticket back, and finding nothing but fully booked Catalina Express boats, I came to the visitor center assuming they would be able to help with methods of transportation off this island and back to the mainland. The answer I got from the woman working behind the counter was, "Here's a brochure. Scan the QR code. You can contact Catalina Express or take the helicopter, but I don't know their availability." What kind of answer is that?!?!?!?! Here, scan a QR code? Seriously?????? I even asked this lady about the airport and she couldn't even tell me when they close for the day. Couldn't even tell me if there were private planes or private jets that fly in and out of this airport. How can you be working at a visitor center and not be able to answer basic questions about the airport? I needed to get off this island! I was ready to pay $1,000 or more to get home at the end of the night. This lady was completely incompetent and offered zero help and clearly demonstrated she had zero knowledge. After leaving the visitor center, I had to call a family member on the mainland and have them help find me a ride off this island! Within 1 hour, I had a ticket on the 7:45 PM Catalina Express. So here I am sitting at home, back on the mainland writing this review.....no thanks to anyone on this island, especially nobody from the visitor center! ZERO stars!

    Catalina Adventure Tours - tours - Updated May 2026

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