THE OFFICIAL TOUR OF CATALINA'S WILDLANDS
SEE THE WILD SIDE OF CATALINA
Ride into Catalina Island’s protected interior on the official Conservancy Eco Tour, led by expert naturalists who know the land, wildlife and restoration work shaping the Island’s future. Other tours show you Catalina. The Conservancy Eco Tour helps you understand it.
Book Your Adventure NowCatalina Island Conservancy Eco Tour
Go beyond Avalon. Explore the Island on the Official Tour of Catalina’s Wildlands.
Explore Catalina Island’s protected wildlands on the official Conservancy Eco Tour. Led by expert naturalists, this open-air adventure takes you into rugged interior landscapes, scenic overlooks and rare habitats that most visitors never experience.
Along the way, you may see Catalina Island foxes, bald eagles, bison, native plants, sweeping canyons and unforgettable views of the Island’s interior and coastline. Your guide will share the stories behind the land — from Catalina’s natural history to the restoration work helping protect the Island from drought, wildfire and habitat loss.
Every ride supports the Catalina Island Conservancy’s nonprofit mission to care for the Island’s wildlands, wildlife and rare species found nowhere else on Earth.
Tour length: About 2 or 3 hours, depending on ticket selection
Departure: Trailhead Visitor Center, 708 Crescent Ave., Avalon
Questions or private tours: 310-510-2595 ext. 0
Sunset Eco Tour
See Catalina’s wildlands at golden hour.
End your day with a two-hour, naturalist-led ride through Catalina Island’s protected interior as the sun sets over the Pacific. Travel by open-air vehicle along scenic mountain roads to possible destinations such as Airport in the Sky, Ben Weston Overlook and remote canyon viewpoints.
Along the way, look for evening wildlife, including Catalina Island foxes, bison and birds moving through the wildlands. Approximately two hours.
Dress in layers. Temperatures can cool quickly after sunset.
Wildlands Discovery Tour
A perfect introduction to Catalina’s wild side.
Go beyond Avalon and discover the Catalina most visitors never see. This two-hour, naturalist-led eco tour travels through protected wildlands, rugged canyons, rolling hills and scenic overlooks, with access to areas off-limits for other tours.
Along the way, your guide will share stories about Catalina’s natural and human history, habitat restoration work and the native plants and wildlife that are found nowhere else on the planet. Depending on the route, you may visit places such as Airport in the Sky, known for its famous cookies, or Middle Ranch, where you can see conservation work in action.
Keep watch for Catalina Island foxes, bald eagles and bison, and take in sweeping coastal views along the route.
Choose this tour for a fun first look at Catalina beyond Avalon and into the 42,000+ acres of wildlands protected by the Conservancy. Approximately two hours.
Hidden Catalina Expedition
Get exclusive access and go farther into Catalina’s protected wildlands.
This is the Conservancy’s most expansive naturalist-led eco tour. Your guide will take you on a three-hour expedition that covers the most ground of any Conservancy tour, traveling remote roads to wide-open vistas, quiet canyons and coastal edges that most visitors never reach.
With more than 200 miles of roads to choose from, each route is shaped by the day’s conditions, wildlife activity and access. Your guide may travel the full Island loop, head toward far corners of the wildlands, or reach secluded viewpoints and coastal areas that reveal a wilder side of Catalina. This is the tour for guests who want it all.
More time in the field means more chances to travel where the bison roam and watch for Catalina Island foxes and bald eagles. You’ll also have time to spot endemic plants found nowhere else on the planet, take photos, ask questions and hear the deeper stories behind the Island and the people who have shaped it.
Choose this expedition for the most complete tour experience offered on Catalina. Approximately three hours.
Private Conservancy Eco Tour
Explore Catalina’s wildlands on your schedule.
Create a more personal experience with a private, naturalist-led Eco Tour through Catalina Island’s protected interior. Private tours are ideal for families, small groups or guests who want more flexibility, conversation and time to enjoy the Island’s rugged scenery, wildlife and conservation stories. Private tours are available to start in Avalon, Airport in the Sky, Little Harbor and Two Harbors. Prices start at $880 for a 2-hour tour from Avalon.
To book a private tour, call Guest Services at 310-510-2595 ext. 0.
What you may see
Every tour is different, but guests may experience:
- Catalina Island foxes, found only on this Island
- Bald eagles soaring above the wildlands
- Free-ranging bison grazing in open areas
- Native and endemic plants found nowhere else
- Rugged canyons, ridgelines and ocean views
- Landscape restoration areas where the Island is recovering
- Scenic photo opportunities throughout the interior
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but every tour offers a deeper look at the land, stories and conservation work that make Catalina one of California’s most remarkable islands.
Why choose the Catalina Island Conservancy Eco Tour?
The official wildlands tour
The Catalina Island Conservancy protects 88% of Catalina Island. Our Conservancy Eco Tour is the best way to experience the Island’s protected interior with the people who know it best.
Naturalist-led, not just narrated
Your guide is more than a driver. Conservancy naturalists bring the landscape to life with stories about the Island’s history, native plants, endemic wildlife, geology, conservation and the changing ecosystems.
Access that few visitors experience
Travel into Catalina’s rugged interior, where scenic roads, open spaces and wildland views reveal a side of the Island far beyond Avalon.
Your ticket gives back
When you book with the Conservancy, your tour helps fund native plant restoration, native wildlife protection, invasive species management, trail access and habitat recovery across Catalina Island.
More than a sightseeing tour
Catalina’s wildlands are beautiful, but they are also working landscapes where conservation is happening every day.
On your Eco Tour, you will learn how the Conservancy is restoring native habitats, reducing wildfire risk, protecting freshwater resources and helping Catalina become more resilient in a changing climate. You will see how responsible recreation directly supports the Island’s future.
This is the real Catalina. Wild, rugged, rare and worth protecting.
Tour Experience
Conservancy Eco Tours are open-air, naturalist-led rides through Catalina Island’s interior. Tours travel along rugged, unpaved roads where bumps, dust and sudden movements are part of the adventure.
Guests should dress for outdoor conditions and bring sun protection, layers and water. The temperature in the interior can feel different from Avalon, and guests will be exposed to weather throughout the ride.
Tour length: About 2 or 3 hours, depending on ticket selection
Departure: Trailhead Visitor Center, 708 Crescent Ave., Avalon
Questions or private tours: 310-510-2595 ext. 0
Good to Know Before You Book
Where will I sit on the tour?
Seating varies by vehicle and will be assigned by your driver at the start of the tour. Due to vehicle layouts, you may be seated apart from members of your party, though still in the same vehicle. To accommodate all guests, some may be asked to sit three across in the back row.
Please Note: All Conservancy Eco Tour vehicles are open air. There are no enclosed cabins. Guests will be fully exposed to outdoor conditions throughout the tour. Hats and sunscreen are recommended.
What is the ride like?
Conservancy Eco Tours travel on rugged, unpaved roads where bumps and sudden movements are common. Each ride is about 2 or 3 hours long, depending on your ticket selection.
Guests with orthopedic, neurological, cardiac or respiratory conditions, and those who are pregnant, should carefully consider any risks before participating. For safety reasons, we cannot accommodate infants or children under 2 years old.
All Conservancy Eco Tour vehicles are open air. There are no enclosed cabins. Guests will be fully exposed to outdoor conditions throughout the tour.
Can children ride on the eco tours?
For safety reasons, Conservancy Eco Tours are available to children age 3 and older. In accordance with California regulations, a separate seat must be purchased for each child requiring a car seat. Children may not sit on laps during the tour.
If you need a car seat or booster seat, please let us know during booking so we can reserve one for you.
Are service animals allowed?
Medically necessary service animals are welcome on Conservancy Eco Tours. If your service dog weighs more than 15 pounds, please notify Guest Services in advance at 310-510-2595 ext. 0. This allows us to reserve a seat for your dog and install a protective seat cover to ensure a comfortable and safe experience for all guests. Pets are not permitted under California Civil Code 54.2 and CA Commercial Driver Handbook Section 4.2.6.
What is the cancellation policy?
Tickets canceled within 72 hours of departure are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable. Web convenience fees are nonrefundable at all times.
Can I bring luggage or store my belongings?
Please note that we are unable to store personal items or luggage during your Conservancy Eco Tour. Lockers are available at the Catalina Express boat terminal, and many hotels offer luggage storage for their guests.
Every ticket supports the nonprofit work that protects Catalina’s wildlands, native plants and wildlife and scenic open spaces.
Need Help?
For additional information or to book a private tour, call Guest Services at 310-510-2595 ext. 0.