SS Nautilus semi-submarine tour: Catalina Island undersea gardens

Six feet underwater without getting wet: the SS Nautilus explores Avalon Bay's marine sanctuary

The SS Nautilus is a semi-submarine tour departing from Green Pier in Avalon that takes you six feet below the surface of Catalina Island's undersea gardens for 45 minutes. You stay dry the entire time, watching schools of fish and the marine landscape through viewing portholes. The tour includes an English-speaking captain and crew. Fish food is available for an additional charge if you want to trigger feeding activity at your porthole. Tours run hourly from mid-morning until an hour before sunset, year-round weather permitting.

Step-by-step itinerary

Semi-submarine tour of Catalina Island

• Board the SS Nautilus at Green Pier
• Explore undersea gardens at 6 feet depth
• Use torpedo buttons to feed fish
• Enjoy harbor views from top deck
• Return to marina

The experience

The SS Nautilus is designed after America's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, but built to keep you comfortable and dry while exploring. The vessel departs from Green Pier and heads to Lovers' Cove, a marine-preserved sanctuary in Avalon Bay. For 45 minutes, you descend six feet underwater and watch through custom portholes as fish and the seafloor come into view. The captain and crew navigate the route and point out what's happening around you.

If you want to interact with the marine life, you can purchase fish food and use the custom torpedo buttons to fire it out into the water, creating a feeding response right in front of your window. On the return journey, you spend time on the top deck watching the harbor views as you head back to the marina. Tours leave hourly throughout the day, so you can pick a departure time that fits the rest of your Catalina schedule. You'll need to arrive 15 minutes early to check in. The boat leaves on time and cannot wait for late arrivals.

Getting to Catalina Island itself requires a separate ferry booking: Catalina Express and Newport Flyer both serve the route from the mainland. Plan your ferry arrival with enough buffer time to reach Green Pier for your tour departure, since ferry schedules can fill up quickly. Once you're on the island, the submarine dock is your meeting point.

What’s included

• 45-minute semi-submarine tour of Avalon Bay's undersea gardens.
• English-speaking captain and crew guiding the exploration.
• viewing portholes positioned six feet underwater.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 10:15, the last at 16:15Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 54 years) · Senior (55 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Catalina Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?You board the semi-submarine as a passenger and watch the marine life and seafloor pass by your porthole: no swimming, no diving experience needed, and you stay completely dry the entire time. This suits anyone who wants an underwater view without the physical demands or preparation of snorkeling or scuba, and it works for families with young children and infants as long as they're accompanied by an adult.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly can I see through the viewing portholes on the SS Nautilus?

The semi-submarine descends six feet underwater into Avalon Bay's marine gardens, where you watch schools of fish, the seafloor, and the undersea landscape through custom viewing portholes. If you purchase fish food, you can trigger feeding activity directly in front of your window using the torpedo buttons.

How long is the entire tour, and when do boats depart?

The tour lasts 45 minutes total. Boats depart hourly from mid-morning until an hour before sunset, year-round, weather permitting. You must arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time to check in.

Do I need to book transportation to Catalina Island separately?

Yes. The tour is located on Catalina Island, so you'll need to arrange your own ferry passage beforehand using Catalina Express or Newport Flyer. Ferry schedules can sell out quickly, so book your island transportation before confirming your submarine tour time.

Is the fish food included, or is it an extra cost?

Fish food is offered at an additional charge during the tour and is cash only. It lets you create a feeding response from the fish at your porthole, but it's entirely optional.

What should I know about accessibility on the SS Nautilus?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and due to uneven surfaces, it is not recommended for those with walking disabilities. Service animals are allowed on board.