Catalina Island 2-Hour Inside Adventure Tour

4.34

4.3(449 reviews)

2 hours

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 8 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Spectacular canyons, a scenic coastline, and an unspoiled countryside alive with native plants and wildlife will take your breath away on this two-hour guided eco-land excursion. As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Naturalist onboard enriches experience with wildlife and inside knowledge of the areas visiting during the tour.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

You MUST arrive 15 minutes prior to boarding to check in. We leave promptly at the scheduled time and cannot wait. When booking travel to the island please make sure to give enough time from arrival to island to get to tour departure location.

We are located on Catalina Island, You must secure transportation to the island to take the tour. There are no refunds if you miss the tour.

TRAVEL TO CATALINA IS NOT INCLUDED. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island.

Children Under 5 will not be able to participate in the tour.

What To Expect

Catalina Island

As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Have the chance to encounter wildlife such as bison, deer, bald eagles, ravens, or even the Catalina Island fox. There is a photo opportunity around every turn as we climb to the Airport-in-the-Sky. At this stop, visit the Nature Center and peer down at one of Catalina’s original Native American gathering sites. The fee to the Catalina Island Conservancy directly supports the preservation of the animals, endangered species, and endemic plants on Catalina Island. Tours leave from The Cabrillo Mole. **we highly suggest you secure transportation to Catalina island prior to booking tour to confirm you can get to the tour as the boat to the island sells out quickly. Catalina Express or Newport Flyer for your transportation needs.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

2 hour Inside Adventure Tour on Catalina Island

What‘s Included

Tour on custom built safari vehicle designed for amazing viewing in comfort.

Onboard naturalist providing wildlife and historic details throughout the tour.

Travel To Catalina Island is not included. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island.

Transportation needed by Ferry to Island -Catalina Express or Newport Flyer to get to Island.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.34

449 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

305

Fantastic trip
rsbrindle,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jay, the guide was very helpful and provided a lot of information about the background of the island and helped make the tour enjoyable.
No real adventure.
Bob H,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
After traveling for one hour on an unpaved and very very bumpy mostly uphill winding road we saw one bison and one fox. The highlight of the trip was the rest stop at the airport. The return trip was on the exact same road. Also it was ten degrees cooler at the top of this mountain road. We noticed that other tour groups were given blankets.
Nothing to see on a terrible ride
mark l,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Imagine the worst road you've been on for 2 hours. I had a headache by the end. To see what? Scrub bush, scrub bush, dirt, scrub bush. NOTHING. It was in the low 70s in Avalon but halfway up it got COLD and miserable. Did I mention there's nothing to see? What a waste of time and money.
Memorable Experience
Jennifer C,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Not only did we get to see all the beauty of Catalina Island, we got to learn all the history. We were lucky enough to see a group of bison from afar and on the way back one up close. They take you all the way to the airport on top of the mountain with beautiful amazing views. You get about five minutes to walk around on the top before you head back down. We learned a lot about the history from the tour guide. Overall, this was an amazing experience.
If you like to hear about...
ANGELO C,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
If you like to hear about the history of the island this is good. If you just want to see the scenery the shuttle to the airport is your best bet.
Great look at undeveloped Catalina.
S2136DGcatheriner,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It was a wonderful tour. Our guide, Sergio, was very knowledgeable and personable.
Sergio did a great job...
Francesca J,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Sergio did a great job narrating the tour and grasping our attention the whole time. The tour guides disclosed all expectations.
The Tour Jeep driver was...
Patrick F,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The Tour Jeep driver was very caring and informative. Also the Tour Jeep narrator was very friendly, knowledgeable and caring of Catalina Island! She made it a very enjoyable and interesting experience! We would definitely recommend Viator to our family and friends!
La Isla Catalina!!!
Day R,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
I was unsure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised at the VAST knowledge or BOTH our driver (Terrence) and tour guide (Jaylon). I felt as if we were on an African safari because of the vehicle that we were in and the bumpy ride; which made it all the more fun. I was in awe learning absolutely EVERYTHING about Catalina Isle and how it even came to pass. The many hands that it changed from to now being solely operated by a conservancy. Every question that popped into my mind was immediately answered by Jaylon. I was more impressed by HIM as this was is first tour that he narrated! Although we didn’t see any foxes we DID see two large bisons by the reservoir AND a beautiful young buck. I was unaware that the tour included a trip up to “the airport in the sky”. The views/vantage points heading up the road were absolutely AMAZING. One thing that was amazing to learn was the reason that the many many eucalyptus trees that line the road were planted. If you are a nature buff and appreciate God’s beauty, then this is the excursion for you!!!
Beautiful Trip into the Catalina Preserve.
cahastings76,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was great after we found the pickup location. It was not at the address that was sent to us and we were almost late rushing to the new spot. Timothy and Sergio took great care of us.

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Related Experiences

Operated by Catalina Adventure Tours

Catalina Island 2-Hour Inside Adventure Tour

4.34

4.3(449 reviews)

2 hours

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 8 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

We are located on Catalina Island, You must secure transportation to the island to take the tour. There are no refunds if you miss the tour.

TRAVEL TO CATALINA IS NOT INCLUDED. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island.

Children Under 5 will not be able to participate in the tour.

What To Expect

Catalina Island

Admission Not Applicable

Options

2 hour Inside Adventure Tour on Catalina Island

What‘s Included

Tour on custom built safari vehicle designed for amazing viewing in comfort.

Onboard naturalist providing wildlife and historic details throughout the tour.

Travel To Catalina Island is not included. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island.

Transportation needed by Ferry to Island -Catalina Express or Newport Flyer to get to Island.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.34

449 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

305

Fantastic trip
rsbrindle,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jay, the guide was very helpful and provided a lot of information about the background of the island and helped make the tour enjoyable.
No real adventure.
Bob H,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
After traveling for one hour on an unpaved and very very bumpy mostly uphill winding road we saw one bison and one fox. The highlight of the trip was the rest stop at the airport. The return trip was on the exact same road. Also it was ten degrees cooler at the top of this mountain road. We noticed that other tour groups were given blankets.
Nothing to see on a terrible ride
mark l,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Imagine the worst road you've been on for 2 hours. I had a headache by the end. To see what? Scrub bush, scrub bush, dirt, scrub bush. NOTHING. It was in the low 70s in Avalon but halfway up it got COLD and miserable. Did I mention there's nothing to see? What a waste of time and money.
Memorable Experience
Jennifer C,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Not only did we get to see all the beauty of Catalina Island, we got to learn all the history. We were lucky enough to see a group of bison from afar and on the way back one up close. They take you all the way to the airport on top of the mountain with beautiful amazing views. You get about five minutes to walk around on the top before you head back down. We learned a lot about the history from the tour guide. Overall, this was an amazing experience.
If you like to hear about...
ANGELO C,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
If you like to hear about the history of the island this is good. If you just want to see the scenery the shuttle to the airport is your best bet.
Great look at undeveloped Catalina.
S2136DGcatheriner,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It was a wonderful tour. Our guide, Sergio, was very knowledgeable and personable.
Sergio did a great job...
Francesca J,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Sergio did a great job narrating the tour and grasping our attention the whole time. The tour guides disclosed all expectations.
The Tour Jeep driver was...
Patrick F,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The Tour Jeep driver was very caring and informative. Also the Tour Jeep narrator was very friendly, knowledgeable and caring of Catalina Island! She made it a very enjoyable and interesting experience! We would definitely recommend Viator to our family and friends!
La Isla Catalina!!!
Day R,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
I was unsure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised at the VAST knowledge or BOTH our driver (Terrence) and tour guide (Jaylon). I felt as if we were on an African safari because of the vehicle that we were in and the bumpy ride; which made it all the more fun. I was in awe learning absolutely EVERYTHING about Catalina Isle and how it even came to pass. The many hands that it changed from to now being solely operated by a conservancy. Every question that popped into my mind was immediately answered by Jaylon. I was more impressed by HIM as this was is first tour that he narrated! Although we didn’t see any foxes we DID see two large bisons by the reservoir AND a beautiful young buck. I was unaware that the tour included a trip up to “the airport in the sky”. The views/vantage points heading up the road were absolutely AMAZING. One thing that was amazing to learn was the reason that the many many eucalyptus trees that line the road were planted. If you are a nature buff and appreciate God’s beauty, then this is the excursion for you!!!
Beautiful Trip into the Catalina Preserve.
cahastings76,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was great after we found the pickup location. It was not at the address that was sent to us and we were almost late rushing to the new spot. Timothy and Sergio took great care of us.