Catalina Island 2-Hour Insider Adventure Tour

Name: Catalina Island 2-Hour Insider Adventure Tour
Price: 86 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.33 (394 reviews)

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

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

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.

Options

2 hour Inside Adventure Tour on Catalina Island

Reviews

4.33

394 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

267

Bring binoculars and a blanket
Amy G,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
We only saw bison in the remote distance. I recommend bringing binoculars for best viewing. Bring a blanket or dress warm on the tour since the change in altitude causes island breezes. It’s a bumpy ride too. Island history was very interesting though.
Exceptional Catalina Island Tour
Denise C,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour guide was exceptional. His knowledge of the island is exceptional. The scenery and the history were outstanding.
A different view of Santa Catalina Island
Lisa B,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
It can become chilly as you reach higher altitudes near the airport so bring a sweatshirt or jacket. The views are spectacular!
Wouldn’t go again
neliesj2838,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
The ride/scenery was nice. Caught a distant view of a few bison on our way up to the 1/2 way mark ( the airport ) but the driver only stopped for approximately 1 minute. On our way down, he didn’t stop at all when we saw the same group of bison. Also, when we were getting off of the truck, the driver stood about 2 feet from the bottom step and held out his tip jar. David (our tour guide) was funny and very well informed on the island’s history and some super random facts about it.
Disappointing experience.
Barbara B,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
We did not see any wildlife. We paid $86 for a bumpy nearly 2 hour jeep ride. The narration was only mediocre. It was too foggy to see the great views that were advertised. It was a disappointing experience. It was also uncomfortable to walk off the jeep to find the driver right in front of you holding out a tip jar. It is usually kept by the front of the bus/ jeep in my prior Viator trip/ excursion experience. I felt like I wasted my money with this tour. It did not deliver up to my expectations.
Enjoyable for both the nature (bison and fox) and historical tidbits
mixedgirl,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
David M was very knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting history and info about the nature of Catalina. We also saw a Catalina fox, and bison!
Amazing Tour, Disappointing Guide
Tori E,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour itself was absolutely amazing—beautiful, well worth doing, and something I would still recommend. However, our guide was extremely unprepared and lacked basic knowledge about what she was presenting. She struggled to answer simple questions and didn’t add much value to the experience. It honestly felt like she was guessing most of the time. I’m surprised she even knew her own name—Kelsey? Katie? With a more knowledgeable guide, this would have been a 5-star experience.
An amazing experience
Amna C,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour was amazing we got to see bisons foxes and dear! Our tour guide funny and sweet, we were able to learn many interesting facts. Will definitely do it again!
Nice 2 hour tour of the island
Robert S,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Drove us up to the airport, then back down the same route. Saw several bison but no other animals such as eagles, Catalina Fox etc. Would have liked a few more photo stops.
Buckle Up Buttercup
Catherine T,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
Our guide Sergio was fantastic and hilarious. If you go on this tour wear a sports bra; regardless if you’re male or female or think you don’t need one. There should be a disclaimer about how insanely bumpy the tour is. We did get to see a herd of buffalo and learn a bunch about the island. Lots of laughs. If you have back problems BEWARE. They should install handle bars on the back of each seat.

From US$86.00

4.33

(394 reviews)

Free cancellation

Check availability

Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour

Related Experiences

Operated by Catalina Adventure Tours

Catalina Island 2-Hour Insider Adventure Tour

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

Catalina Island

Admission Not Applicable

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.

Options

2 hour Inside Adventure Tour on Catalina Island

Reviews

4.33

394 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

267

Bring binoculars and a blanket
Amy G,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
We only saw bison in the remote distance. I recommend bringing binoculars for best viewing. Bring a blanket or dress warm on the tour since the change in altitude causes island breezes. It’s a bumpy ride too. Island history was very interesting though.
Exceptional Catalina Island Tour
Denise C,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour guide was exceptional. His knowledge of the island is exceptional. The scenery and the history were outstanding.
A different view of Santa Catalina Island
Lisa B,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
It can become chilly as you reach higher altitudes near the airport so bring a sweatshirt or jacket. The views are spectacular!
Wouldn’t go again
neliesj2838,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
The ride/scenery was nice. Caught a distant view of a few bison on our way up to the 1/2 way mark ( the airport ) but the driver only stopped for approximately 1 minute. On our way down, he didn’t stop at all when we saw the same group of bison. Also, when we were getting off of the truck, the driver stood about 2 feet from the bottom step and held out his tip jar. David (our tour guide) was funny and very well informed on the island’s history and some super random facts about it.
Disappointing experience.
Barbara B,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
We did not see any wildlife. We paid $86 for a bumpy nearly 2 hour jeep ride. The narration was only mediocre. It was too foggy to see the great views that were advertised. It was a disappointing experience. It was also uncomfortable to walk off the jeep to find the driver right in front of you holding out a tip jar. It is usually kept by the front of the bus/ jeep in my prior Viator trip/ excursion experience. I felt like I wasted my money with this tour. It did not deliver up to my expectations.
Enjoyable for both the nature (bison and fox) and historical tidbits
mixedgirl,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
David M was very knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting history and info about the nature of Catalina. We also saw a Catalina fox, and bison!
Amazing Tour, Disappointing Guide
Tori E,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour itself was absolutely amazing—beautiful, well worth doing, and something I would still recommend. However, our guide was extremely unprepared and lacked basic knowledge about what she was presenting. She struggled to answer simple questions and didn’t add much value to the experience. It honestly felt like she was guessing most of the time. I’m surprised she even knew her own name—Kelsey? Katie? With a more knowledgeable guide, this would have been a 5-star experience.
An amazing experience
Amna C,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour was amazing we got to see bisons foxes and dear! Our tour guide funny and sweet, we were able to learn many interesting facts. Will definitely do it again!
Nice 2 hour tour of the island
Robert S,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Drove us up to the airport, then back down the same route. Saw several bison but no other animals such as eagles, Catalina Fox etc. Would have liked a few more photo stops.
Buckle Up Buttercup
Catherine T,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
Our guide Sergio was fantastic and hilarious. If you go on this tour wear a sports bra; regardless if you’re male or female or think you don’t need one. There should be a disclaimer about how insanely bumpy the tour is. We did get to see a herd of buffalo and learn a bunch about the island. Lots of laughs. If you have back problems BEWARE. They should install handle bars on the back of each seat.