Dolphin and Sea Lion Tour of Catalina Island
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
Explore the captivating marine life of Catalina Island on this Dolphin and Sea Lion Tour. Set sail from Avalon on a six-passenger boat to encounter playful Common Dolphins and majestic sea lions in their natural habitat. During whale migration season, the tour also ventures to spot Grey, Blue, and Fin Whales, along with other coastal wildlife like Harbor Seals and resident Bald Eagles. With a dedicated Captain on board, the adventure promises an engaging experience filled with local insights and wildlife spotting. Ideal for families and nature lovers alike, this tour lasts up to one hour and is suitable for ages 4 and up.
- Up to 1-hour tour searching for dolphins and sea lions
- Maximum capacity of 6 passengers for a personalized experience
- Opportunity to see various whale species during migration season
- Departure from Avalon, accommodating small bags and cameras
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Catalina Island
This Catalina Island dolphin and sea lion excursion takes full advantage of Catalina Island’s abundant wildlife and scenic coastline. Our six Passenger boat will take you from Avalon out into the Pacific Ocean in search of our favorite species, the Common Dolphin. During whale migration season we will also travel out to the local hang out for the whales as they migrate through the nutrient rich waters of Catalina Island. Frequent visitors to our coast include Common Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin, Grey Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, resident Bald Eagles, and sometimes even a Buffalo along the coastline. Although we cannot guarantee we will see dolphins on each trip, we can guarantee the Captain will work his hardest to locate them and use all of our local connections to find their whereabouts!
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Life Jackets
Information about Catalina Island and its Sea Life
Tips (Gratuity Appreciated)
Snacks
Options
Dolphin and Sea Lion Tour of Catalina Island
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome!
Chase R,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience! Carson was amazing & so knowledgeable about where to go! So many dolphins and sea lions & took us to secret spots along the coast. 10/10
Lots of Sea Lions and Dolphins
Mick M,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. Don’t take long to see Dolphins and Sea Lions. Spent the majority of time with them.
Dolphins were so playful!
Elaine W,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00You definitely see the sea lions on a buoy in the ocean which was fun and we saw the most dolphins I’ve ever seen on a tour like this! The ride out and back was super fun too as it was a little speed boat with just our family! Only downside is I wish we had more time to stay around those dolphins … loved this tour!
Exceptional in every way...
Justine S,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Exceptional in every way - our captain was just the best and found us a huge pod of dolphins to watch. I've never anything like it and feel so very fortunate to have booked with your tour!! 10 out of 10!!
Fantastic day with dolphins all around
Denys S,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing! We had a beautiful experience in a sunny day seeing so many dolphins all around us, truly fascinating; we took so many pictures and videos. I was celebrating my birthday and this was the best gift. The guy was really nice and he played so very good music. Totally recommend 100%
Wonderful!!
Lori S,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I were the only two passengers so we had a private tour! The vessel was a very comfortable fishing boat. Our guide is a second generation local fisherman and does harbor patrol in addition to these tours. He was personable and provided a lot of interesting information. It was exhilarating and beautiful experiencing the island from the fishing boat. We were able to get very close to entertaining sea lions sunning and jumping on and off a buoy. They were much more active than sea lions I’d previously seen on piers or beaches on the West Coast. I thought more sea lions would be meh… but I was pleasantly surprised! We also got very close to a lot of dolphins. I expected to be disappointed if we didn’t see whales, but we were more than satisfied without any whale sightings! It was a memorable experience and good value.
Saw a whale!
Sandra H,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun tour. Got close to sea lions sun bathing on bouy. No dolphins today, but did see a whale. Great experience. Aiden was our captain.
Outstanding dolphin and sea lion adventure
Camper41857597647,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The skipper, Frank, did an outstanding job getting us up and close to pods of common and Risso’s dolphins as well as numerous sea lions. It was a perfect thing to do on a perfect Catalina day. Frank was very knowledgeable and took extra care to drive the boat safely and to make our outing wonderful. The dolphin pods were close to the boat in many occasions. Wonderful time and memories!
Lots of sea lions! No...
Marcy M,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We saw lots of sea lions, which was fun. Unfortunately we didn’t see any dolphins—maybe it was just an off day, but the guide didn’t really mention anything about it. The front staff was friendly and helpful, although there seemed to be some confusion with the boat at the pier when we were waiting to board. Overall it was a decent experience, but for the price for a family of five it felt a little disappointing.
Captain Aidan is awesome!
Erin B,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Could not have been a better experience! Absolutely amazing captain Aiden is the best! We are going to bring friends and family to do this anytime we can
From US$74.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Catalina Xtreme Parasail