Yellow Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon
Description
Come aboard Catalina Island's newest semi-submarine, the SS Nautilus, and enjoy a deep sea adventure 1,000 leagues beyond your imagination. The main attraction of this unique vessel allows six feet underwater viewing while staying dry so eager seafarers can get up close and face-to-face with schools of fish anticipating treats fired away from custom designed fish food torpedo buttons. Designed after America's first nuclear powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, the 45-minute journey is the destination itself as our captain and his crew ventures out on an exploratory mission to the undersea gardens of Avalon Bay.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore the Catalina Island's amazing undersea gardens by venturing on an exploratory mission aboard the semi-submersible SS Nautilus. Designed after the USS Nautilus, America's first nuclear powered submarine, this 45-minute 6-feet underwater journey departs from the Green Pier and will cruise to a marine preserved sanctuary known as the Lovers' Cove. Equipped with torpedo buttons, adventurers can create a feeding frenzy right from their viewing porthole for an additional charge. On the way back to the marina, enjoy breathtaking harbor views on the top deck of the submarine. Weather permitting, undersea garden tours depart hourly year round from mid-morning until an hour before sunset. Note: 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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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
- Not wheelchair accessible. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
- 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
- Infants (2 years old and under) must be ticketed on a USCG vessel; fare is free-of-charge but fees apply
- 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.
Reviews(602)
Very easy to find the meeting location. We arrived by ferry from Long Beach, and it is on the very recognizable green pier in the center of Avalon. I do not know where cruise ships tender to, but I think it would be easy to get to from there as well. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the sea life local to the area. We saw a TON of fish, a sea lion, and even a sea turtle! Of course, experiences vary, but it was a highlight of our entire vacation. Please note: there is the opportunity on board to purchase separately fish food to fire out into the water to attract fish - cash only and ranges from I think $3-25, depending on how many shots you want to fire. I would recommend doing that, though, as it brought a ton of fish over - totally worth it, but just factor that into your cost up front.
It was awesome - definitely something to experience. Gliding high above the waters was peaceful and beautiful-
We stayed at the lodge, so it was very easy and convenient to just walk down to the boat. This type of cruise is the perfect way to see nature close with an expert guide. Especially interesting if you are a birder.
Excellent views. Engaging host. Fun experience all around. Beautiful fish and kelp, and pressing the button to feed them was amazing, to see them flock to the window. Great dry alternative to snorkeling ;)
We thought it was awesome and totally enjoyed the tour
Enjoyed the fish watching and the ride. Got to return topside and great view of the harbor. Highly recommended.
This was a great experience. Had fun looking at the fishes under water and the guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Would definitely do this again
Feed the fish and they will come! Guide was great , a real entertainer…. We saw many different types of fish in the kelp forest right here. It’s a short trip, and youfeel like you’re completely underwater.
Super fun. Saw tons of fish. Highly recommend this experience. Very knowledgeable staff. Even saw scuba divers
Not 45 min- it’s about 30 min. Highly overpriced. You will see 3 types of fish. Guide on board heavily pushed paying extra cash to feed fish in 3 of their stops and was audibly disappointed if people didn’t choose this option. He was rude about it. The tour was hyped on the Catalina Ferry but would not recommend for the price.
