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Catalina Island Semi-Submarine: Underwater Viewing Adventure
4.3
465 Ratings
Avalon
Dive into Catalina’s underwater world on the SS Nautilus semi-submarine. Experience marine life up close without getting wet. Book your adventure now!
Dive into Catalina’s underwater world on the SS Nautilus semi-submarine. Experience marine life up close without getting wet. Book your adventure now!
Duration:
45 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Catalina Adventure Tours - 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…
- Catalina Adventure Tours - 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. **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.
What's Included
- English guide
- English guide
What's Not Included
- 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.
- 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.
Additional Information
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…
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.
- 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.
Location
Green Pleasure Pier
Welcome to Catalina! Find us at the Green Pleasure Pier. Check in at our booth at the end of the pier—our ride boards just behind it! Bring your sense of adventure!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(465 Ratings)
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Edward_k
Jul 26, 2025
Fun ride through the bay... - Fun ride through the bay to see some of the local fish. The crew were knowledgeable about the same life and shared a lot of good information. Good option for people that cannot scuba dive or snorkel to see local sea life.
Review provided by Viator
Lude_r
Jul 24, 2025
Catalina excursion 2025 - Great experience with a knowledgeable crew. My 7yr old son really enjoyed it. The guide was courteous and answer all our questions.
Review provided by Viator
Companion14375852484
Jul 22, 2025
- It was way more fun than I expected, the”sub”wasn’t too crowded (early sailing), and once we were underway the fish were crazy. They obviously knew it was feeding time and could block the window after the “fish chow torpedoes “ launched. We saw a wide variety of fishes and they followed the boat with their tongues hanging out. It was fun! The underwater vegetation was also impressive!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G194jzkristenm
Jul 18, 2025
Good experience for the family - The submarine was so much bigger than I thought it’d be, and very clean. We took our three year old and she LOVED it. Perfect way to see natural sea life from a comfortable space. Our captain was Dave & I *think* the tour guides name was Brad (?). Apologies we can’t remember exactly, but they were both great! Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher
Jul 15, 2025
Totally AMAZING! - It was RAD! You definitely should include this on your trip when you visit the island on this AWESOME SUBMARINE, It was AMAZING. The kids loved it and we did to, WOW!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richardcw9102gt
Jul 14, 2025
Great undersea viewing experience - Absolutely wonderful. The vessel was comfortable and clean, the views of fish and kelp were abundant and beautiful, and the guide Marcus was informative and fun. And the ride was smooth (thanks Captain Andy).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kris_t
Jul 15, 2025
Fish very cool. Brad very not. - Pretty neat way to see the local wildlife. The cost was on the high end but reasonable, but high pressure upselling of fish food once on the ride was off putting. The host of our tour was Brad, and he was incredibly obnoxious with the food sales and instructions, and unforgivable in his rude handling of a situation with someone who spoke English as a second language. Even when the man said as much, he snapped back, told he could "ride on top" and was super rude and dismissive.
Review provided by Viator
Mariaelena_d
Jul 13, 2025
It’s nice but felt that... - It’s nice but felt that it’s not long enough. And for solo traveler like myself, a little help with pictures or videos from whoever is downstairs would be very much appreciated.
Review provided by Viator
Carrie_p
Jul 17, 2025
Really cute! - It was nice. I would say better for younger children. My kids are teenagers. The host is very knowledgeable. The best part for me was when we went up top and rode the rest of the way in. The water is so beautiful.
Review provided by Viator
Yuky_y
Jul 28, 2025
Super disrespectful crew... - Super disrespectful crew member who treated us like we were the problem from the start — ignored our questions, spoke down to us, and acted like basic courtesy was too much to ask. What’s worse is that this isn’t an isolated incident; multiple reviews have mentioned him by name, and yet the company continues to do absolutely nothing. It’s honestly baffling that someone so consistently rude is still representing a tour that markets itself as a premium experience. If you’re thinking about booking this submarine trip, just know your “once-in-a-lifetime” memory might come with a side of humiliation and silence from management.
Review provided by Viator
