Catalina Island

45 Minute Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon

Catalina Island, USA
Catalina Island Semi Submarine Undersea Tour
  • 45 minutes
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

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.
  • 45-minute semi-submarine tour of Catalina Island, from Avalon
  • Check out the underwater world without getting wet
  • Choose from a number of departures throughout the day
  • Popular activity with kids

What's Included

  • English guide
  • Fish food offered at additional charge during tour. Cash only.
  • Travel To Catalina Island is not included in ticket price. Tour is located on Catalina Island.
  • Transportation needed by Ferry to Island -Catalina express or Newport Flyer to get to Island.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Green Pleasure Pier, Avalon, CA 90704, USA

    Trip is located On Catalina Island, Avalon, CA. Separate transportation is needed for travel to Island. Local Ferry - Catalina Express. Long Beach, CA. The Nautilus departs from the end of the Green pleasure pier. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure you are on time. Thank you!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Ticket Redemption Point

Green Pleasure Pier, Avalon, CA 90704, USA

What To Expect

Take a trip down to six feet below the surface to explore the rich marine life of Lovers' Cove by boarding the semi-submersible SS Nautilus, inspired by America's first nuclear powered submarine. With guided tours departing hourly from mid-morning until sunset, there's a time that suits everyone's schedule.

Watch fish feeding right before your eyes, all from the comfort of your dry viewing porthole. Then, take some time to discover Catalina Island's undersea gardens. After coming back up to the surface, marvel at the stunning views of the island from the top deck of the submarine during your return to Avalon. Finish your adventure beneath the waves and return to shore at the end of the day.

Catalina Adventure Tours (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • 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
  • Not wheelchair accessible. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Your tickets will be held at the will-call window for collection on the day of the tour.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants (2 years old and under) must be ticketed on a USCG vessel; fare is free-of-charge but fees apply
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • 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.
  • Late Policy: The Nautilus expedition departs from only one location. If you arrive late, we are not able to provide you with a refund. Our tours are scheduled to provide you with the best experience possible, and we are not able to make any exceptions if you are late.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 48 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

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    Featured review
    Patricia_B
    Great experience! The staff meeting was professional , funny and kind. Would definitely recommend it!

    Reviews

    4.0
    271 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travelers.
    Showing 1-10 of 271 reviews
    Worth the trip for sure…
    Jason_S, May 2024
    We came early season, May, weather was perfect, not too hot. No crowds but the wind and cold water we passed on kayaks and instead stayed dry and had a great time underwater watching fish from the sub. Great host and perfect for families to go on an undersea adventure. I’d say fish are a guarantee and the kelp is beautiful.
    Great Trip
    Larry_N, May 2024
    It was a well done tour. We each were able to feed the fish right out of our own porthole. We saw hundreds of fish and beautiful kelp beds. On the way back in we stood on top of the mini sub and enjoyed the beautiful view.
    Fun down under!
    Jody_S, May 2024
    Our 4 year old daughter got to experience this fun excursion for the first time and loved it! Lai was our guide and he made it absolutely even better! So kind and fun!
    Better than imagined
    Kim_A, Apr 2024
    I didn’t know what to expect beforehand- but it was such a wonderful experience! Better than anything I could have imagined! Such an unforgettable moment - I’ll be retelling the adventure for years.
    I was expecting the...
    John_C, Apr 2024
    I was expecting the submarine to submerge deeper into the ocean, allowing to see a larger variety of sea life other than opal eye and kelp.
    Fun for the Whole Family
    Tim_B, Apr 2024
    A fun experience to get close and personal with the fish without getting wet! Definitely purchase the fish food so you can have the fun of seeing the fish in your window.
    Wonderful, I will do it again.
    Donna_D, Apr 2024
    The most memorable part was how the fish grouped together to eat the food that was pushed out. Also how clear the water was allowing us to see the fish a the plants that grow under water.
    It was a lovely...
    Marty_S, Apr 2024
    It was a lovely experience, especially with the sunlight reflecting off the kelp. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging.
    Unique up-close look at fish in Avalon bay
    Sandy_S, Apr 2024
    Seeing 3 kinds of fish respond to torpedoed fish food was great, just wish more kinds of fish. Nice to go topside at end. Line moved quickly.
    Wonderful Trip with Grands
    Vicki_W, Apr 2024
    We had a great time. It was hard to understand the guide but the fish were fun to see. I thought I would be claustrophobic but the sub was very roomy and lots of fresh air.
    Excellent for young
    Howard_H, Apr 2024
    Fish viewing massive numbers, very exciting for children. Recommended even if you have to buy fish foodstuffs
    Fun submarine ride with lots of fish!
    Navid_A, Apr 2024
    A very fun ride in the sub with my family. My teen daughter really enjoyed this ride and was excited at seeing a lot of fish. Definitely get the fish food add-on, it was a lot of fun to see the fish rush to the window to get the food. The crew were very friendly and informative. Definitely worth doing at least once.
    Submarine Fun!
    Amanda_R, Mar 2024
    You won’t be dissatisfied! Our guide was hilarious and told us some cool marine life facts. You can buy fish food ($20) super worth it.
    Fun and easy.
    david_a, Mar 2024
    Be prepared with $20 cash for fish food. Funny crew leader. Great view. Gotta do it once. Glad we did.
    Total immersion.
    Miguel_D, Mar 2024
    This is a wonderful experience for both kids and kids at heart. It gives you total immersion into the rarely glimpsed underwater works. Tour guests have the option to purchase fish feed that is ejected into the water eveyrime you press a button. After years of conditioning, the fish know it’s feeding time every the tour vessel comes their way. Releasing feed cases them to swarm in front of your window literally a few inches away from you.
    Super fun
    Joecie_R, Mar 2024
    I love this . We had so much fun and we got to feed the fish 🥰 . He took Venmo and zelle for the fish food to Buy but it’s best if you bring cash $20
    The Wonders Underneath the Waters
    Nancy_B, Feb 2024
    Best was when we were in the kelp beds along with hundreds of fish swimming by the windows. I was mesmerized! I was hoping to spot a seal/seal lion or a turtle, but not that day. When used, the poor PA system made it hard to understand what the crew was saying and the volume was not high enough too.
    Meh
    Carol_R, Feb 2024
    I loved seeing the fish. The trip was shorter than 45min. On top of the price of the trip, we were encouraged to buy fish food to attract the fish. Overall it was expensive and disappointing.
    Best single thing on Catalina you could do
    Gil_B, Jan 2024
    This sub made our trip. It was amazing. Everyone loved it and our driver was the best! The fish were crazy plentiful.
    See the fish at their eye level
    Karla_H, Jan 2024
    This was so cool. They have a button you can press to launch food that the fish will come right to the window for. $6 for four shots. Great fun for kids.
    ...

    From $53.00

    -You will not receive a refund if you cancel.

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