Two Tours, One Day: Submerged Views and Cliffside Vistas on Catalina

FULLERTON BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Two Tours, One Day: Submerged Views and Cliffside Vistas on Catalina

A full‑day combo that pairs a climate‑controlled Undersea Expedition with the Discover Avalon Scenic Tour, including roundtrip hotel shuttle transfers and Catalina Express boat tickets.

Two Tours, One Day: Submerged Views and Cliffside Vistas on Catalina.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Fullerton
Operator
Karmel Shuttle's EXTREME Tours
Category
Boat Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

From Fullerton you’ll join Karmel Shuttle’s EXTREME Tours for a day that moves from hotel lobby to harbor to island hillsides and back: morning shuttle to the Long Beach Downtown Landing, a Catalina Express passage to Avalon, an undersea cabin ride among Garibaldi and kelp, and a scenic land tour of Avalon’s harbor and the iconic Casino before the late‑afternoon return to the mainland.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

Undersea Expedition: face‑to‑face with Catalina’s marine life
THE OCEAN

Undersea Expedition: face‑to‑face with Catalina’s marine life

The Undersea Expedition seats you in a climate‑controlled cabin that cruises roughly five feet below the surface, putting you eye‑level with bright orange Garibaldi, kelp forests and rays — all the spectacle of diving with none of the gear.

Discover Avalon Scenic Tour: postcard views and the Casino
THE LANDSCAPE

Discover Avalon Scenic Tour: postcard views and the Casino

Back on land the Discover Avalon Scenic Tour climbs into the hills above the harbor for sweeping, postcard‑perfect views of Avalon and the Catalina Casino, tracing the resort town’s distinctive Mediterranean feel and local history.

One‑day combo with seamless transfers
THE COMBO

One‑day combo with seamless transfers

This package combines both the underwater cabin experience and the land‑based scenic tour in a single day and includes roundtrip shuttle transfers from your hotel plus roundtrip boat tickets aboard Catalina Express.

What the day feels like

How the day unfolds

Expect an organized, linear day: a morning hotel pickup by Karmel Connect, a mid‑morning Catalina Express crossing, arrival in Avalon with time for the Undersea Expedition and the Discover Avalon Scenic Tour between late morning and early afternoon, then a scheduled late‑afternoon boat back to the Long Beach landing and shuttle return to your hotel.

Undersea Expedition: face‑to‑face with Catalina’s marine life

THE OCEAN

Undersea Expedition: face‑to‑face with Catalina’s marine life

The Undersea Expedition seats you in a climate‑controlled cabin that cruises roughly five feet below the surface, putting you eye‑level with bright orange Garibaldi, kelp forests and rays — all the spectacle of diving with none of the gear.

Discover Avalon Scenic Tour: postcard views and the Casino

THE LANDSCAPE

Discover Avalon Scenic Tour: postcard views and the Casino

Back on land the Discover Avalon Scenic Tour climbs into the hills above the harbor for sweeping, postcard‑perfect views of Avalon and the Catalina Casino, tracing the resort town’s distinctive Mediterranean feel and local history.

One‑day combo with seamless transfers

THE COMBO

One‑day combo with seamless transfers

This package combines both the underwater cabin experience and the land‑based scenic tour in a single day and includes roundtrip shuttle transfers from your hotel plus roundtrip boat tickets aboard Catalina Express.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this combo suits — and the booking constraints to note.

1
Couples and pairsIdeal: the experience requires a minimum booking of two people, so couples and pairs fit the operator’s booking policy.
2
Small groupsGood match for small groups traveling together who want a single‑day, multi‑modal visit to Avalon.
3
Solo travelersNot a straightforward option for solo travelers unless they join or book with at least one other person, due to the two‑person minimum.
4
Holiday plannersPlan around blackout dates and holidays; certain dates are excluded from availability and should be checked before booking.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Season

Service runs seven days per week outside listed blackout dates; expect a full‑day commitment (roughly 10–12 hours) including travel time to and from Avalon.

What to Bring

There is no special diving gear required for the Undersea Expedition (the cabin is climate‑controlled); bring standard day‑trip items and anything you need for walking the island.

Logistics

Roundtrip hotel shuttle pickup is handled by Karmel Connect; boat transport to Catalina is aboard Catalina Express from Long Beach Downtown Landing.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the total outing?

The full experience runs approximately 10–12 hours from hotel pickup to return.

Where and when is the hotel pickup?

Karmel Connect pickups from hotels occur between 8:00am and 8:15am, with the exact pickup determined by your hotel location.

Which ferry operates the crossing to Catalina?

Roundtrip boat transportation to and from Catalina Island is aboard Catalina Express, departing from the Long Beach Downtown Landing terminal.

Is there a minimum group size to book?

Yes — there is a two‑person minimum required to book this combo tour.

Are there blackout dates or holiday exclusions?

Yes — specific blackout dates include Memorial Day (5/25), Juneteenth (6/19), July 3–4, Labor Day (9/7), Columbus Day (10/12), Veteran’s Day (11/11), Thanksgiving (11/26), and Christmas (12/25).

Can I return on a later boat if I want to stay longer on the island?

An optional later boat departure may be available depending on season and scheduling, but any change to return on a later boat must be requested with the shuttle company at least 48 hours in advance.