Yellow Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon

Catalina Island’s Avalon Bay is home to a unique underwater adventure unlike any other. Aboard the SS Nautilus, visitors can embark on a 45-minute semi-submarine tour that dives six feet below the surface, offering unparalleled views of the island’s vibrant marine life. With comfortable dry portholes and hourly departures, this tour provides a memorable experience for all ages. But what truly sets this expedition apart is the chance to witness the island’s captivating natural beauty from an entirely new perspective. For those seeking an unforgettable journey, the Yellow Semi-Submarine Tour promises to deliver an adventure unlike any other.

Good To Know

• 45-minute semi-submarine tour in Avalon Bay and Lovers Cove, with a maximum capacity of 48 travelers and hourly departures.
• The SS Nautilus semi-submarine features dry viewing portholes that provide an up-close look at the diverse marine life below the surface.
• After the underwater exploration, the tour offers scenic views of Catalina Island, including the historic Casino and Catalina Chimes Tower.
• Independent transportation to Catalina Island is required, with ferry services like Catalina Express and Newport Flyer available.
• The tour includes an English-speaking guide and an optional fish food purchase, but it is not wheelchair accessible and not recommended for those with walking disabilities.

Overview of the Tour

The Catalina Island Tour is a 45-minute semi-submarine experience that allows visitors to explore the underwater world of Avalon Bay and Lovers Cove.

The tour accommodates a maximum of 48 travelers and departs hourly from mid-morning until sunset, starting at $53 per person with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

The vessel, the SS Nautilus, is inspired by America’s first nuclear-powered submarine and dives six feet below the surface, offering dry viewing portholes to observe marine life.

After the underwater portion, the tour returns to Avalon, providing scenic views of the island from the top deck.

Exploring the SS Nautilus

Inspired by America’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the SS Nautilus is the centerpiece of the Catalina Island Tour. This unique semi-submarine takes visitors six feet below the surface, providing a dry and comfortable viewing experience.

• The Nautilus’ viewing portholes allow guests to observe the vibrant marine life and schools of fish that frequent the waters around Catalina Island.

• During the tour, travelers can purchase fish food to feed the curious creatures swimming by, adding an interactive element to the journey.

• After the underwater portion, the Nautilus surfaces, offering scenic views of the island as it returns to the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon.

Underwater Viewing Experience

As visitors board the SS Nautilus, they’re treated to a unique underwater viewing experience.

The semi-submarine descends six feet below the surface, allowing passengers to peer through dry viewing portholes. This provides an up-close look at the diverse marine life and schools of fish swimming in the waters around Catalina Island.

The viewing experience offers a comfortable and dry way to observe the vibrant underwater world, without the need for snorkeling or scuba diving gear.

While the depth may be relatively shallow, the perspectives afforded by the SS Nautilus offer a fascinating glimpse into the island’s thriving aquatic ecosystem.

Scenic Sights on the Return

Returning to Avalon from the underwater viewing experience, passengers are treated to scenic views of Catalina Island on the top deck of the SS Nautilus.

The semi-submarine surfaces, allowing visitors to take in the island’s natural beauty:

• Towering cliffs and rolling hills covered in lush greenery provide a picturesque backdrop.
• The clear, azure waters of Avalon Bay glisten in the sunlight, showcasing the island’s renowned coastal landscapes.
• Iconic landmarks like the historic Casino building and the landmark Catalina Chimes Tower come into view, offering a glimpse of the island’s rich history and architecture.

This final leg of the tour allows guests to appreciate Catalina’s stunning scenery from a unique vantage point before disembarking in Avalon.

Meeting Point and Transportation

The tour departs from the Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon, California. Travelers must make their own way to Catalina Island, as the tour does not include transportation. Several ferry services, like Catalina Express and Newport Flyer, provide transportation from the mainland.

Ferry Service	Departure Port	Travel Time
Catalina Express	San Pedro, Long Beach, Dana Point	60-75 minutes
Newport Flyer	Newport Beach	75 minutes

Guests must arrive at the Green Pleasure Pier at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Late arrivals will not receive any refunds. The tour operates on a fixed schedule, with departures every hour from mid-morning until sunset.

Tour Inclusions and Restrictions

The tour includes an English-speaking guide who provides commentary throughout the experience.

Guests can also purchase fish food during the tour, though this is cash-only.

However, the semi-submarine tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for those with walking disabilities.

• Fish food is available for purchase during the tour, but only cash is accepted.
• The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for those with walking disabilities.
• Infants aged 2 and under must be ticketed to join the tour.

Reviews and Feedback

According to the information provided, the Catalina Island Tour has an overall rating of 4.0 based on 351 reviews.

Positive highlights from guests include the friendly and knowledgeable crew, the fun fish feeding experience, and the comfortable ride.

However, some guests found the guide hard to understand, felt the fish variety was limited, and believed the experience was overpriced for the duration and scope.

Despite these critiques, the tour appears to provide a unique semi-submarine experience for visitors to observe Catalina Island’s marine life and scenic coastal views.

Booking and Pricing Details

The Catalina Island Tour offers various booking options and pricing details for travelers. The tour starts at $53.00 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure.

Travelers can choose from:

• Hourly departures from mid-morning until sunset, allowing for flexibility in scheduling.
• A maximum capacity of 48 passengers, ensuring a comfortable and intimate experience.
• The option to purchase fish food during the tour, adding an interactive element to the journey.

However, it’s important to note that the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for those with walking disabilities.

Travelers must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure, as late arrivals won’t receive refunds.

Things To Known

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, passengers cannot bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour operator only allows the purchase of fish food during the excursion, which must be paid for in cash.

Is There an Age Limit or Requirement for the Tour?

The tour has an age requirement that children must be accompanied by an adult, and infants 2 years and under must be ticketed. There is no specific age limit, but the experience may not be suitable for very young children.

Can I Purchase Additional Fish Food During the Tour?

According to the tour details, fish food is available for purchase during the tour, but it must be paid for in cash only. Guests can supplement the complimentary fish feeding experience by purchasing additional food if desired.

How Stable and Smooth Is the Ride on the Semi-Submarine?

The ride on the semi-submarine is reported to be quite stable and smooth. Guests indicate the vessel provides a comfortable experience, allowing them to observe marine life without feeling the ocean’s motion. The tour offers a pleasant underwater viewing experience.

What Should I Bring or Wear for the Best Experience?

To get the most out of the semi-submarine tour, visitors should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and bring a camera to capture the underwater marine life and scenic views. It’s also a good idea to bring cash for purchasing fish food during the tour.

Sum Up

The Yellow Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island offers a unique underwater adventure, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant marine life of Avalon Bay and Lovers Cove. With comfortable viewing through dry portholes and scenic sights upon return, this 45-minute tour provides a memorable experience for all ages. Departing hourly with a maximum capacity of 48, the tour’s ticket prices start at $53, making it an accessible option for travelers to Catalina Island.