Catalina Island Zip Line: 5 Lines, 1,100 Feet & Canyon Views

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Duration2h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Five Lines Across a Canyon: What 1,100 Feet of Zip Line Feels Like

You'll zip across five lines in Descanso Canyon, dropping from 600 feet and hitting speeds near 40 mph, with trained guides managing all equipment and transitions. The tour takes two hours total, includes a safety briefing and liability waiver at check-in, and covers close to three-quarters of a mile across the canyon. You'll need closed-toe shoes, long pants, and to meet height (55"+) and weight (80–240 lbs) requirements — the guides check both at arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zip line tour over Descanso Canyon

Prepare for two hours of zip lining
Start 600 feet above Descanso Beach Club
Zip across five lines over canyon
Enjoy views of Pacific Ocean
Travel at speeds up to 35 mph
Listen to guides share island facts

The Experience

"You're going to feel the wind change about halfway through the second line," one of the guides told us before we clipped in. That kind of detail — the small thing nobody mentions until you're already up there — is what stays with you. Catalina Island's zip line eco tour starts 600 feet above Descanso Beach Club, and the first thing you notice isn't the height, it's how quiet it gets once you're moving. Five separate lines carry you across Descanso Canyon, the longest one stretching 1,100 lineal feet, and you're covering close to three-quarters of a mile total. The guides handle all the gear and the transitions; you just clip, step off the platform, and let gravity do the work.

The speed builds gradually. Early lines move around 35 mph, but the canyon floor drops away as you go, and by the time you're 300 feet above the rocks, the air pressure changes enough that you feel it. The guides share facts about Catalina's flora and fauna as you move between platforms — more than 60 plant and animal species live only on this island — but honestly, the information lands better after you've landed than while you're suspended. The whole thing takes about two hours from check-in to finish, and that includes the safety briefing, the liability waiver (required, signed before you start), and the short hikes between platforms. It's not a casual stroll, but the guides are trained and the equipment is their responsibility, not yours.

What matters before you book: you need to be at least 55 inches tall, weigh between 80 and 240 pounds, and be comfortable with stairs and short hikes. Close-toed athletic shoes are required — they'll rent you shoes if you don't have them — and long pants or long shorts are the dress code. Hair needs to be tied back, dangling earrings off, and anything loose stored in a locker. The tour won't run in heavy wind or thunderstorms, but cold or light rain doesn't stop it. If you're under 18, a legal guardian has to sign the waiver at check-in. Children under 7 can't go; kids 7–9 need an adult zip liner with them the whole time; anyone 10 and up who meets the height and weight requirements can ride solo.

What’s included

Your tour includes all taxes, fees, and handling charges, a trained guide for the entire two hours, and all safety equipment (helmet, harness, trolley).
The guide shares facts about Catalina's endemic plants and animals as you move between platforms.
Shoe rentals are available if you don't have close-toed athletic shoes.
You'll need to arrive 20 minutes early for check-in, safety briefing, and the liability waiver.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Santa Catalina Island Company

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the adrenaline of a long zip line without arranging your own transport or safety gear — the guides handle the equipment and the transitions, so you just clip in and move. The two-hour format fits a half-day itinerary, and the fixed schedule means you know exactly when you'll be done.