
Catalina Summit and Bison Safari
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 502 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Catalina Summit and Bison Safari worth booking?
Catalina Summit and Bison Safari is a 2-hour experience in Catalina Island, United States, from $89 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 502 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (502)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $89 per person
Spectacular canyons, a scenic coastline, and an unspoiled countryside alive with native plants and wildlife will take your breath away on this two-hour guided eco-land excursion. As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Naturalist onboard enriches experience with wildlife and inside knowledge of the areas visiting during the tour.
What you get
About this experience
Spectacular canyons, a scenic coastline, and an unspoiled countryside alive with native plants and wildlife will take your breath away on this two-hour guided eco-land excursion. As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Naturalist onboard enriches experience with wildlife and inside knowledge of the areas visiting during the tour.
What's included
Included
- Tour on custom built safari vehicle designed for amazing viewing in comfort.
- Onboard naturalist providing wildlife and historic details throughout the tour.
Not included
- Travel To Catalina Island is not included. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island.
- Transportation needed by Ferry to Island -Catalina Express or Newport Flyer to get to Island.
What you'll see and do
Catalina Island
As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Have the chance to encounter wildlife such as bison, deer, bald eagles, ravens, or even the Catalina Island fox. There is a photo opportunity around every turn as we climb to the Airport-in-the-Sky. At this stop, visit the Nature Center and peer down at one of Catalina’s original Native American gathering sites. The fee to the Catalina Island Conservancy directly supports the preservation of the animals, endangered species, and endemic plants on Catalina Island. Tours leave from The Cabrillo Mole. **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.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Catalina Island
Welcome to Catalina! We are conveniently located at Catalina Avenue and 3rd Street. Walking Directions from the Green Pleasure Pier: Walk up Catalina Avenue approximately 1 block. Our tour departure area will be on your right, right after Chet’s Hardware and 3rd Street
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Welcome to Catalina! We are conveniently located at Catalina Avenue and 3rd Street. Walking Directions from the Green Pleasure Pier: Walk up Catalina Avenue approximately 1 block. Our tour departure area will be on your right, right after Chet’s Hardware and 3rd Street
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 21 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Catalina Adventure Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please have your QR code ready for 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.
- 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.
- TRAVEL TO CATALINA IS NOT INCLUDED. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island.
- Children Under 5 will need a car seat to join tour. We do not provide car seats.
- We cannot store or hold wheelchairs, strollers or luggage.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 499 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
499 verified traveler reviews for Catalina Summit and Bison Safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A fun trek!
David and Abram were great guides. We had a wonderful (if bumpy) ride through a huge chunk of the island. The tour was informative and we got to see some bison from a distance. The airport in the sky was amazing. The bus was comfortable and David was fun to listen to and very engaging.
via Viator
Fun way to see the island...
Fun way to see the island and a beautiful sunset. Bonus was all the seals and wildlife Smaller boat, so make sure you wear something warm and can handle some sea spray.
via Viator
We learned so much and had a fantastic time
This was an awesome experience! We learned so much about the history, geology, flora, and wildlife of our beautiful Catalina Island. Carly was our tour guide and she was absolutely awesome! We have been coming to this island for so many years and have never gotten the chance to see the interior. We were lucky to see a herd of Bison and the views were incredible. Thank you for the great tour!
via Viator
Great tour of the island
This was a great tour of the island. While there are never any guarantees that you will see the islands wildlife, we did see the fox, bison, and deer. Our guide had great stories to tell as well. We had a wonderful time. Strongly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Great views
The views were amazing. Guide also great. Only complaint I wish they’d made a couple stops to take photos Worth the cost imo
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $89 to $100
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 176
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Catalina Adventure Tours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.2.
See everything Catalina Adventure Tours runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Catalina Summit and Bison Safari: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Catalina Island.
How much does Catalina Summit and Bison Safari cost?
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Prices start at $89 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 Summit and Bison Safari take?
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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 Summit and Bison Safari worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 502 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Catalina Island, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Catalina Summit and Bison Safari?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Catalina Summit and Bison Safari suitable for kids and families?
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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 Summit and Bison Safari?
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Around 176 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Catalina Summit and Bison Safari 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, Haunted Catalina Walking Ghost Tour, Catalina Island Zip Line Eco 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.
What is included in Catalina Summit and Bison Safari?
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Included: Tour on custom built safari vehicle designed for amazing viewing in comfort; and Onboard naturalist providing wildlife and historic details throughout the tour. Not included: Travel To Catalina Island is not included. Transportation needed by Ferry to Island; and Transportation needed by Ferry to Island -Catalina Express or Newport Flyer to get to Isla. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Catalina Summit and Bison Safari?
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Welcome to Catalina! We are conveniently located at Catalina Avenue and 3rd Street. Walking Directions from the Green Pleasure Pier: Walk up Catalina Avenue approximately 1 block. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Catalina Summit and Bison Safari offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Catalina Summit and Bison Safari?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Catalina Summit and Bison Safari wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: We cannot store or hold wheelchairs, strollers or luggage. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Catalina Summit and Bison Safari if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Catalina Summit and Bison Safari?
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Across 502 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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