Catalina Island Bison Expedition in Catalina Island
Catalina Island, United States

Catalina Island Bison Expedition

Outty Ranking 73 4.8 · 235 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $110

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$110
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Outty Ranking

73/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 235 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Catalina Island Bison Expedition worth booking?

Catalina Island Bison Expedition is a 2-hour experience in Catalina Island, United States, from $110 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 235 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
73 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (235)
Duration
2 hours
From
$110 per person

Head out for an exciting expedition through favorite grazing grounds of Catalina’s American Bison, which are descendants of a small herd that was left on the island by a movie crew in the 1920s. This tour also passes thr

What you get

    About this experience

    Head out for an exciting expedition through favorite grazing grounds of Catalina’s American Bison, which are descendants of a small herd that was left on the island by a movie crew in the 1920s. This tour also passes through Middle Ranch and up Cape Canyon to a scenic overlook on Black Jack Mountain, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of rugged canyons and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

    What's included

    Included

    • Driver/guide
    • Live commentary on board

    Not included

    • Lunch
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Head out for an exciting expedition through favorite grazing grounds of Catalina's world famous bison, which are descendants of a small herd that was left on the island by a movie crew in the 1920's. This tour also passes through Middle Ranch and up Cape Canyon to a scenic overlook on Black Jack Mountain.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Catalina Island

    Check in at the Plaza Booth located in the middle of the parking lot.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Check in at the Plaza Booth located in the middle of the parking lot.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Santa Catalina Island Company

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Children must be at least 5 years old to participate
    • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints, back problems, pregnant women, or those with any serious medical condition
    • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
    • Departures Daily weather permitting
    • Please check your email through Viator for your confirmation number and tour information

    Photos

    Catalina Island Bison Expedition in Catalina Island, photo 2Catalina Island Bison Expedition in Catalina Island, photo 3Catalina Island Bison Expedition in Catalina Island, photo 4Catalina Island Bison Expedition in Catalina Island, photo 5

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 225 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    225 verified traveler reviews for Catalina Island Bison Expedition. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    198
    4 star
    12
    3 star
    6
    2 star
    4
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    Carolyn_L · August 2026

    Incredible fun!

    Had a great time trekking through Catalina with Andrew! Super personable and seems to know everyone here. We saw some bison along the way, but the true stars are the views, the twists and turns and yes, a bit of bouncing around. Loved the epic sound track that came along with the ride. Thanks for sharing this beautiful island with us.

    via Viator

    70lynneb · August 2026

    Disappointed

    It was basically an informative truck tour of the land. Nothing to see though. We saw a few bison wayyyyyyy off in the distance. You needed to zoom in to see them. Thats it. No other wildlife or lush vegetation except for cactus. The stop at the top with a little gift shop could have lasted longer (8 minutes) didn't allow for any time to shop except for a much praised cookie that was just ok. The guide was very knowledgable about the history of Catalina but never took a breath to just quietly look for bison so that was a little stressful. So yeah, if you’re looking for a jeep ride thru the hills with a history of Catalina, you’ll like this tour.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your insights and are sorry to hear the Bison Expedition experience didn’t meet your expectations. We’re always looking to improve, and your comments will help us enhance future tours.

    via Tripadvisor

    Adam_S · August 2026

    Worth it.

    Great ride — Michael was awesome! Saw one buffalo really up close and then we stopped at the Catalina airport. Super cool! Took about 2.5 hours and reasonably priced.

    via Viator

    heartman4ever · August 2026

    Fun tour, but only going to be bison viewing for a little while longer

    Enjoyable two hour tour of the island accessing inland areas not normally available to typical tourists. Lots of information and insights into Catalina history and culture. If you are planning to go to see the bison, better go soon, The Catalina Conservancy has sterilized the female bison over a decade ago (apparently accidentally) so the remaining herd are not breeding and will not be replaced. The number of animals has dwindled from a high of over 600 to about 80 as of now. No doubt it was easy to find them a long time ago but harder to spot them now as the herd fades away. We did see one fairly up close near the end of the tour and that was great. Some of the bison are quite old so once they are gone the tour will need to change its name!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the Bison Expedition and gained insights into the island's history. We appreciate your thoughtful observations and hope to see you again for more adventures!

    via Tripadvisor

    Travelingcharly · August 2026

    Fun trip

    Great trip! Saw 3 buffalo. Rob was a wonderful guide.

    Response from the operator: We're thrilled to hear you had a great tour and spotted some bison! It's wonderful to know that Rob made your experience memorable. Thank you for sharing your kind words!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $110 to $125
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    82
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 73

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)85
    Booking momentum (14% weight)82
    Value for money (12% weight)65
    Listing quality (10% weight)69
    Local standing (8% weight)71
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Catalina Island Bison Expedition: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Catalina Island.

    How much does Catalina Island Bison Expedition cost?

    +

    Prices start at $110 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 Island Bison Expedition take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 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 Island Bison Expedition worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 235 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Catalina Island, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Catalina Island Bison Expedition?

    +

    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 Island Bison Expedition suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Catalina Island Bison Expedition?

    +

    Around 82 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?

    +

    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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Catalina Island Bison Expedition start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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