Top Catalina Island Sightseeing Tours

Experience Catalina’s rugged interior—the protected side of the island that few visitors get to see—on this nature tour. Traveling by custom-built safari vehicle for easy wildlife viewing, head to the Airport-in-the-Sky and get a chance to spot bald eagles, bison, deer and the endemic Catalina Island fox. Learn about the island’s history and ecology from your naturalist guide, and enjoy panoramic views of a Native American gathering site.

Explore Avalon on a GPS-guided audio walking tour that plays automatically as you walk. No groups, no schedules—just put in your headphones and go. Starting along the waterfront, you’ll follow a walkable route along the harbor, up to hillside viewpoints, and past key landmarks. Along the way, you'll visit places like the Green Pleasure Pier, the Tuna Club, and the iconic Catalina Casino, while hearing the stories behind Avalon’s rise as a seaside destination. Explore at your own pace—pause for a drink, take a detour, or linger at viewpoints. The audio resumes whenever you’re ready, so you can move freely without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime—it works offline and follows your location along the route.

See what lives in the Pacific waters surrounding Catalina Island on a 45-minute underwater cruise. As you sit comfortably in a climate-controlled cabin on board a large boat, you'll glide five feet (1.5 meters) below the surface to look for marine life in their natural habitat out of your own porthole. Along the way, listen to live commentary from a guide.

Discover the underwater world of Catalina Island during a 45-minute ride on a semi-submarine. The semi-sub allows you to view the marine life of Avalon Bay as you dive six feet (two meters) below the surface at Lovers' Cove. Stay dry as you get a close look at fish feeding around the submarine, then take in views of the island from your vessel's top deck during the return journey to Avalon.

Cars are mostly banned on Catalina Island, and trying to see the highlights of the island’s vibrant harbor area on foot is a recipe for blisters. On this express private tour, visit coastal Avalon by chauffeured golf cart, covering more sights in less time than you could on your own. Along the way, learn about the island’s history and unique lifestyles of its few thousand residents.

For those who want to explore Catalina Island's town of Avalon at their own pace, this private app-based self-guided audio tour is a great option. Download the app, then walk around town at your leisure; the commentary will play automatically as you hit each local highlight. The tour answers many questions and provides hidden facts about this exclusive island and town.

Discover the charm of Avalon on a guided tour that showcases the Catalina Islands' rich history and stunning views. Local drivers provide insights as you explore the picturesque town, making stops at scenic spots perfect for photo opportunities. This tour is ideal for families and friends looking to enjoy a relaxed day out while learning about the area's culture and heritage. - Experience Avalon’s history and culture with local insights - Visit scenic spots for exceptional views of the island - Perfect for groups, families, and friends to enjoy together - Relax and enjoy the ride with knowledgeable drivers guiding the way

Discover life under the surface of the Pacific Ocean on a glass-bottom boat tour from Catalina Island. Board your vessel in Avalon at Float B on the Green Pleasure Pier and enjoy views of colorful fish, coral, and other sea life while you sail. Listen to commentary from your captain about the local ecology and enjoy a relaxing time on this boating adventure.

Skip the usual sightseeing tours and see a different side of Avalon—the only town on Catalina Island—with this walking ghost tour. Meander through most of the small town, visiting highlights such as the Catalina Island Casino, while you learn why the island is allegedly haunted. Learn about the difference between spirits and ghosts, and see “proof” of paranormal activity.

Set out on the Pacific Ocean from Catalina Island on a 45-minute glass-bottom boat tour that explores Lover's Cove, a protected marine preserve. See the underwater world underneath your feet for a close experience of California's marine life. Check out the kelp forest, and sea creatures like garibaldi, kelp bass, leopard sharks, bat rays, moray eels, and perhaps a sea turtle if you're lucky. Departures are available throughout the day, which makes it easy to fit into your schedule.

In addition to being the only fish shaped golf cart on the island, we are also the only golf cart to hold large groups! Hop aboard our unique, fully electric "Gary the Garibaldi" golf cart for a fun, comfortable, and eco-conscious tour of Avalon. Enjoy breathtaking views, learn about the island's history, and capture stunning photos along the way. Our expert local guides will share fascinating insights about the island’s landmarks, what it's like to live on the island, and our distinctive Garibaldi-inspired bus provides the perfect backdrop for memorable snapshots. Our tour offers a one-of-a-kind sightseeing experience that showcases both Avalon’s charm and natural beauty. All passengers must be 8+ years old.

Get to know Avalon and its best viewpoints without risking foot blisters as you tour the city with ease by golf cart. Listen to in-depth explanations about Catalina Island’s history, culture and lifestyle as you trundle up the hills without breaking a sweat, pausing to admire the views as you wish, and discover lesser-known places most travelers miss.

The IMMERSED dome theater is excited to bring the incredible Butterfly Journey dome movie from K2 Studios to Catalina Island. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned theater with assigned seating and beanbag chairs available for a cozy viewing experience. Beautiful and delicate, yet unbelievably resilient, the butterfly is one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures. Follow the vast migrations of the Monarchs of North America and Blue Tigers of Australia in this incredible immersive journey. Narrated by Daisy Ridley.

There’s seeing Avalon… and then there’s experiencing it. On this private two-hour golf cart adventure, you’ll explore Avalon, Catalina Island’s largest city, with a year-round local who truly loves sharing it. Expect sweeping hilltop views, sparkling harbor panoramas, hidden streets, and scenic overlooks that make you reach for your camera. When the light is perfect or a view deserves a pause, we stop. No rushing. No monotone script. Just real stories, real island insight, and a guide who brings the place to life. This experience blends the must-see highlights of Catalina Island with the hidden gems many visitors miss. Relaxed but never boring, informative but never rehearsed, and entirely private, it revolves around you. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll leave with memories that stay long after the ride ends. If you’re going to explore Avalon, make it the kind of tour you’ll still be talking about when you get home.

Enjoy Avalon without getting lost! Make the most of your golf cart with a scenic GPS-guided audio route. Golf cart NOT provided. Explore Avalon with a locally designed GPS route that takes you through the island’s most scenic viewpoints and photo stops. Unlike a traditional guided tour, this is a flexible driving route with short, engaging audio stops that give you just enough context to enjoy what you’re seeing—without slowing down your experience. Created by longtime Avalon locals, the route is designed to help you see more of the island in less time, with clear directions and quick insights along the way. No paper maps, no confusion—just an easy way to explore Catalina’s most iconic scenery at your own pace. What You’ll Experience: -Scenic GPS-guided driving route -Quick audio stops at key viewpoints -Hidden gems and must-see photo locations -Local insights and fun facts along the way -Flexible self-paced exploration

More than 15,000 happy guests and counting! Experience the oceans like never before! This truly unique immersive experience takes you on a thirty minute virtual "scuba dive" through the world's oceans. Our flagship experience and fan favorite. Our debut short film, was shot in nine countries across three oceans and a sea, featuring over forty marine species. This immersive movie lets you virtually dive into Catalina’s kelp forests, encounter giant sea bass, humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, bull sharks, schools of fish, playful sea-lions, underwater caves, and more. All footage was filmed underwater in 360 degrees by our team and collaborators, captured on real dives around the world.

Guided by John Boraggina, former museum curator, this tour goes beyond the typical route—shaped around your interests, whether that’s hidden history, stunning viewpoints, or local stories passed down through generations. Whether it’s your first visit or a place your family has loved for years, each tour is thoughtfully customized to create a one-of-a-kind experience just for you.

See Catalina Come Alive After Dark! Experience Catalina’s coastline after dark aboard the Sea View Glass Bottom Boat on this 55-minute nighttime adventure cruise. Cruise through Lover’s Cove and along Avalon’s scenic coastline in search of Catalina’s famous flying fish. Powerful all-around lights illuminate the ocean, creating an unforgettable nighttime flying fish experience unlike anything else on Catalina Island. Along the way, keep an eye out for playful sea lions, lobsters, bat rays, and other fascinating nighttime marine life that come alive after sunset. With open-air family-style seating, coastal views, and underwater viewing all in one ride, this unique evening cruise offers an unforgettable Catalina adventure for all ages. 1. Immersive Undersea Viewing Windows: Get eye-to-eye with sea lions and towering kelp forests through your dedicated below-the-surface viewing ports. 2. Powerful Ocean Illumination 3. Coastal Scenic Cruise

Tour the historic Village of Avalon with our local historian. Together you will walk through Avalon while exploring the spooky history and paranormal mysteries of Catalina. Learn the difference between a spirit or a ghost. Understand why Catalina is so haunted, and why our guide has proof of the other side. This is the only Ghost Tour on Catalina and has been voted one of the Top Ten Ghost Tours in The Country from USA TODAY.

Experience the thrill of soaring 600 feet (183 meters) above sea level, across multiple high-speed ziplines on this incredible Catalina Island zipline eco-tour. After a safety briefing and equipment fitting, cruise along 1,100 lineal feet (335 meters) of line and fly some 300 feet (91 meters) above scenic canyon floors. Reach speeds of 40 mph (64 kph) as you take flight on this epic adventure, ideal for daredevils and thrill-seekers. Note: all zipline participants must be at least 55 inches (140 cm) tall and weigh between 80 and 240 lbs (36 and 109 kgs)

Created by locals who live here, this is not your typical walking tour. Explore Avalon with locals through a GPS audio walk that blends history, hidden gems, storytelling, music, and humor. Discover Avalon through the voices of 3rd-generation islanders who know its stories, secrets, and soul. This self-guided GPS audio walking tour brings Catalina Island to life through engaging storytelling, music, and lighthearted humor you won’t find on typical tours. As you walk at your own pace, your phone becomes your personal guide—unlocking location-based stories, historical insights, and hidden spots that most visitors walk right past. Designed for curious travelers who want more than just facts, this immersive experience turns Avalon into a living storybook. What You’ll Experience -Stories from longtime Avalon locals -Hidden gems and lesser-known island history -Music, humor, and engaging storytelling -GPS-guided walking route on your phone -Flexible self-paced experience (~1 hour)

Venture out from Avalon into the Catalina Channel on a sturdy Ribcraft boat for an adrenaline-fueled one-hour tour. Look for dolphins and sea lions in the Pacific Ocean and along the coast, and learn about Catalina Island's history and landmarks from your knowledgeable guide. Expect a fast, fun and informative ride that offers another perspective on the natural beauty of Catalina Island.

If you’re looking to see California’s Santa Catalina Island, but also want to add some excitement to your day, try this Santa Catalina Island Race and Mystery Experience from Avalon. This experience is perfect for people who enjoy solving clues, as it sends you around the island to sightsee while you play and go on a fun, interactive mystery adventure.