
Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour worth booking?
Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour is a 0.3-hour experience in Catalina Island, United States, from $252 per person. It scores 35 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 35 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 0.3 hours
- From
- $252 per person
See the best of Catalina on this all-encompassing aerial tour over California's island escape! Depart from Pebbly Beach for a 20-minute exploration into the mostly untouched natural beauty of the 22-mile-long island sanc
What you get
About this experience
See the best of Catalina on this all-encompassing aerial tour over California's island escape! Depart from Pebbly Beach for a 20-minute exploration into the mostly untouched natural beauty of the 22-mile-long island sanctuary featuring a rugged interior and cliffs rising from the ocean.
What's included
Included
- 20-minute helicopter flight
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
Flyover the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, the historic Catalina Island Golf Course, and the island’s highest peak, Mount Orizaba as you descend past Catalina Bay.
Pass by without stopping
Catalina Island
Depart from Pebbly Beach into the mostly untouched natural beauty of the 22-mile-long island sanctuary featuring a rugged interior and cliffs rising from the ocean.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Catalina Island
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
DO NOT REMOVE
Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour
Important Information: You must be at the departure point at least 30-minutes prior to the flight time listed below.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Maverick Helicopters California
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
- Due to comfort and weight / balance of the aircraft, passengers weighing over 300 lbs (136 kg or 21 stone) will be required to purchase an additional seat. This is payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the tour.
- The total combined passenger weight (including pilot) cannot exceed 1170lbs (530kg)
- There is a maximum capacity of seven (7) people per helicopter, plus your pilot.
- Per FAA Regulations, original government issued photo ID such as a REAL-ID compliant driver's license or a valid passport is required for all travelers over the age of 18. Photocopies or digital IDs are not accepted. Any guest arriving without original, government-issued identification will be denied check-in, and no refunds will be issued for any guest in the reservation.
- Minimum of 4 people are required for this activity to take place. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- Helicopter seating is based on legal weight & balance limits and will be assigned after check-in. Maverick Helicopters does not guarantee seating next to or in the same row of the rest of the party.”
Photos



Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Epic Experience!!
Absolutely Amazing experience that I would Highly recommend!! My husband & I (flying with a family of 3) enjoyed this experience in celebration of my birthday. Chris, the pilot, was Great! He shared lots of interesting details of the island & helped to find a bison for us to check out. The views were like no other. Epic experience!!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $252 to $319
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 35
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Catalina Island.
How much does Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour cost?
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Prices start at $252 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Catalina Island usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour take?
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Plan for about 0.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Catalina Island is not rushed.
Is Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 35 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Catalina Island, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Catalina Island can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Catalina Island and add a light layer if any part of the 0.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Catalina Explorer Helicopter Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Catalina Island within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Catalina Island?
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Catalina Island packages ferry transfers with glass-bottom boats, submarine and snorkel tours in Lover's Cove, zip lining, Avalon golf-cart tours and inland bison safaris. On Outty we rank every Catalina Island experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Catalina Food Tour, Catalina Island Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon, Haunted Catalina Walking Ghost Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Catalina Island?
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May to October, with the calmest crossings in summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Catalina Island?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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