We recently took the 50-minute scenic island tour with Catalina Adventure Tours, and overall, it was a great experience! The tour does an amazing job of hitting the highlights around Avalon, sweeping you up past the historic Catalina Casino, Lover's Cove, and all the way up to the incredible vantage points near Mt. Ada. The time absolutely flew by-the 50 minutes went by so fast because the narration was engaging and the views of the harbor below were stunning. It's a fantastic, quick way to get a layout of the island and soak in some great local history. The only real downside to note is that you aren't able to actually get off the vehicle to stretch your legs or take photos. Every picture has to be snapped directly from your seat in the open-air safari truck. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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* Did the glass boat and submarine tour- and highly recommend both. *Apart from the fun adventure of viewing marine life, the tour guides on both the expedition were knowledgeable and shared the island history as well as marine life education (you learn a lot!) * if you have issues with closed spaces, I don't recommend the submarine adventure *Expect some steps for both rides. If you can't do even a few stairs at all with guard rails... then reconsider * On both tours you have the option to purchase fish food that brings sea life closer to the viewing window- cash only and so plan accordingly. *Fun for all ages read more

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We were going to try out the submarine, we accidentally went to the "yellow" submarine tour location to buy tickets and they were over $25 more each. Ticket! The Catalina tours on the green pier literally were so nice and so informative and cheaper for tickets for the same tour! The young people selling tickets to the yellow Sub at tvos location didn't even bother to tell us that the visibility would be horrible at the time we were hoping To go due to murky waters from storm In Mexico. We went to the Catalina tours and the employee gave us advice on waiting to go out due to storm and not to waste our money so we can enjoy it when it's nice weather. We highly appreciated the honesty and will definitely be checking them out next trip!! Get the Catalina app for scheduled tickets with them as well if needed :) yay for the red sub! read more

Great company; lots of excursion options. My family and I did the glass bottom boat and got to feed the fish. It was pretty awesome! We all enjoyed the experience. The staff was kind, knowledgeable and made it memorable. We even got to see a juvenile bald eagle! It was great! Highly recommend. read more

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. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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Our group of 12 took a tour of the island on a truck this past weekend. We had Tim as our tour guide. If they allowed us to give ten stars, I would give ten! Tim was so awesome. He taught us sooo much about the island's history, current status, wildlife, and even sang to us! He's so perfect at his job! Couldn't have asked for a better tour guide. Thank you, Tim!! read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - View from the top - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

Cute little excursion if you are visiting Catalina , where you view 3 areas where local fish school. 5 minute easy walk from the tender port. Found the vendor via Viator 12:45pm departure , be there by 12:30 , was a relaxed, comfortable 45 minutes cruise with a view below water level. Bought 3 fish food shots for $5. Weather in the 70's it was a cool experience checking out the fish. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Booth where you get a physical ticket outside - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

Amazing experience! A lot of fish and clear view of ocean depth. Makes you feel like you are part of the fish lol Just as advertised ! You get to purchase some food for the fish and you can shoot it out of your window cannon and you can have them all come to you . Recommend 10/10 and if you get seasick easy like me take some Dramamine to help just in case because it does get rocky at times . read more

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! read more

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Thank you, Sergio, our tour guide, for taking us through the island and sharing such informative and interesting Catalina history while showing us the beautiful views. A big thank-you as well to our driver for getting us there and back safely, I'm sorry I forgot her name! The wait time wasn't bad at all since we went during winter, and we were lucky to have a sunny day. We sat near the front of the vehicle, which was fine, but next time I'd sit more toward the middle since we were right in front of Sergio. The tour lasts about 50 minutes, and it's absolutely worth it, especially if it's your first time visiting Catalina Island. Highly recommend! read more

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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! read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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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. read more

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Did the semi-submarine tour. Brad was our guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly! Highly recommend this tour! You'll see a lot of fish up close and personal :) read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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Tried two tours. First up, the interior excursion tour. Very impersonal from the start. Guides basically shun guests until the second the clock ticks over to the time the tour is supposed to start. Stopped at the airport and didn't tell guests how long they had to explore. Ended up being only ten minutes and then the driver honked at anyone not on board after 30 seconds of announcing they were leaving. Guide read from his journal on the way back instead of offering candid information. This was a seriously overpriced tour. Also took the submersible tour. If you're under 10 years old, this tour might be for you. Mostly narrated via a recording. Very gimmicky. After paying for the tour they try to get you to pay more for fish food. Water was very murky. Saw the same three types of common fish over and over. Stay away from this company, total waste of time and money. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Water was murky at best and featured the same 3 types of fish. - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

The staff was very friendly and kind. Our tour had to be re-booked because of a change in their schedule and they took care of rebooking us just to make sure we didn't miss the available spots. While we didn't see any bison or foxes lol it was nice to hear about the history of Avalon :) read more

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

Catalina Adventure Tours - Fun tour. We appreciated Brad's narration. The kids enjoyed feeding the fish. - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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!! read more

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

Catalina Adventure Tours - Awesome tour thanks to Marcus and captain Andy ! - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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! read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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Stay away from the Yellow Semi Submarine on Catalina Island. Not worth the money you paid to get on it, plus the main reason you see small fish is that you pay extra for fish food. They do nothing to accommodate you if for example a big fat ass rude girl pushes you off your seat, and politely ask to be moved away from the problem person. Asked for your refund, they ignore you knowing you will never come back. Rent a golf cart instead and enjoy your day exploring the island. PS Also don't rent the E-bike from the Catalina Flyer Express, because the bike runs out of battery if you go up a small hill. read more

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! read more

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We did the Nighttime Flying Fish and Undersea Adventure Cruise. I cannot say enough about this. It was so fun to see the sea lions and the flying fish. I thought maybe we would see one or two but we saw them the entire cruise. This cruise was not even on our radar until we heard them promoting it on our ferry ride over. I am so glad we did it. I highly recommend! read more

There was a group of about 10 of us who were celebrating a bachelorette party! We went on the semi-submarine and we all had such a great time! I honestly didn't know what to expect but I'm so glad we decided to do this excursion. Captain Dave was so knowledgeable and informative about all the sea life and made the whole trip fun and entertaining. I would suggest this excursion! read more

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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! read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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 read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - more fish - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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Here we are again.. Review based on customer service! When I called I had quite a few questions regarding the tours. Every single question was answered with Annette. I was answered with thorough explanations, extra things answered that I wasn't asking, I was asked if I understood or needed further explanation and assistance. The transaction was completed and the company was recommended to other travelers based solely on customer service and not on actually experiencing a tour with the company!! I needed to call back today, two days later, and add more people to the booking. Our booking was found immediately, and we were charged quickly, and email sent immediately showing the transaction!! A second booking is currently being considered with the company just because customer service is greatly appreciated!! CUSTOMER SERVICE WINS MY HEART EVERYTIME!! read more

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! read more

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Our group of 5 came to Catalina for the weekend to celebrate three birthdays in our family. On Saturday, we booked a glass bottom boat tour on the Sea View with Captain Andy and had the best time! We loved it so much, that we booked the nighttime flying fish tour on the same boat later that night- Captain Andy was there again with Co-Captain Dave. The nighttime tour exceeded our expeditions and we were screaming with joy the whole night as fish flew by and sea lions chased. The Sea View boat was extremely clean and comfortable, with lots of room to move around and great viewing no matter where you were. The crew/captains (especially Captain Andy) were very knowledgeable about the marine life and kept us fascinated on both trips. They were completely different experiences, even though they were on the same boat with the same captain. All of us agreed this was a must-do activity every time we are in Catalina and we hope to see Captain Andy again and learn some more. read more

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Tour guide Tim was very informative and Humorous. Also extremely patient with the young children who in no way wanted to be there. Come on people!!! Your screaming toddler ruins the whole experience for the rest of us. Can you say "BABYSITTER!!" I can only imagine that children under 5 are free and that's why your entire family participates. Perhaps tour companies should offer a "kid free" tour/zone. I've raised my share of children, and feel it's now my time to enjoy vacations/tours/adventures minus kids. Or, here's a thought, charge double for kiddos, and I'm positive those families will find an alternative place to "store" their children. read more

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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. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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The experience that I and my friends had was transcendent. Both our crewman-- one was Captain Andy and the other was a gentleman with an amazing beard who wanted to sail the world. They were just more than kind. Both were so present. I can't imagine hiring two employees who could do a better job-- taking us to specific spots to us the fish, taking the boat out farther, and to other spots on the island, even giving restaurant recommendations. Just completely attentive, and really seemed like two people who enjoy what they do. What an experience. It was a highlight for all of us friends, who were out there on the 4th of July. I highly recommend this! read more

The tickets are quite pricy but it honestly feels worth it for the memorable experiences with my family and friends. These businesses I suppose need to be pricy in order to survive being on an island. We got a package deal of both a land and underwater tour. The land tour had us on a bus(?)/van(?) that took us around the island on trails we would have no other way of accessing as tourists. We got to see some bison and some may have also seen a fox. The experience was led by a super charismatic guide who himself is a treasure of this island. For the underwater tour, we entered a submarine that gave you the option to buy fish food to shoot as a torpedo to the fish. I loved this experience as it was like being inside an aquarium. My motion sickness wanted to take me out but I had a fantastic time regardless. This was a lesson for me, that I will be willing to spend the money for a good experience. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Look at these beauties, the opal eyes - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

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Brad was such a great host. My family of 4 was treated exceptionally well. We did the 12:45 tour, and he did a great job of telling us what we were seeing while we fired our fish food torpedoes! My family enjoyed it so much, there's already talk of another adventure, and we just got off their sub. Great value. Great tour. Great staff. 10/10 recommend! read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - The Nautilus: our ride to adventure! - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

Everything from the front office to the amazingly talented doctors they made all I had done a breeze there for me !!!! Thank you again

absolutely loved this tour! took the kids over to Catalina for a day trip and this was an activity I had planned. Make sure to get there before the boarding time so you have time to get a window seat. Take cash so you can buy fish food- you won't regret it!! basically get to launch fish food from the sub and it attracts all the fish, such an amazing experience. It is a small enclosed sub, submerged 6ft under, and warm inside. Purchase tickets in advance so you don't run the risk of them selling out and you can pick your preferred time :) read more

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I highly recommend this great two hour inside adventure tour. Our tour guide Sal was amazing. He was humorous and knowledgeable and had a great personality. There was so much to see and the time went by so fast, but it was a great view of the interior of Catalina between Avalon and the airport with lots of great views, and we even saw a bison in the distance read more

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The submarine was fantastic! Lots of fish and kelp to see. I am a bit clostrophobic and with all the windows and cool air I was very comfortable. For an extra fee, you can feed the fish which I loved. Brad, the captain made the experience that much more enjoyable with his knowledge and friendly attitude. Highly recommend! read more

Not too shabby! I mean, the kids will have a blast! The fish food torpedoes are fun to launch. It's much much better than a glass bottom boat ride. This adventure really has a lot of fish and the viewing glass is large. The school of fish and Garibaldi sightings is amazing. I'd recommend an afternoon ride because you want the sun to be out! Passing through the kelp forest is really neat. I thought I'd be claustrophobic inside but it's not like that, very roomy and not stuffy. The last part of the ride is fun as you are outside and on top of the submarine. Do not buy the ticket at the green pier booth, they charge a bit more compared to just booking it online through the Nautilus site. The whole thing is less than 45 min. If you have kids under 10 years old, try it out! read more

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There are plenty of times to book online for this tour and booking was easily online. We enjoyed being able to see some fish underwater. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The boat was a bit rocky in the beginning and end of our tour but otherwise a smooth experience. I'd recommend taking Dramamine beforehand if you get nauseous easily. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California

We thought it was well worth the money to see fish underwater. We were bummed out cause we didn't have cash to buy fish food. Although, we still saw a ton of fish. It was a fun experience and the attendant was very nice. read more

Catalina Adventure Tours - Tours Near Me - Avalon, California