catalina buffalo tour

Conservation

We preserve and restore the environment on Catalina, promoting and modeling ecologically sustainable communities to create a healthier future for this Island and our Earth.

• Collaborations
• Habitat Restoration
• Restoration Project
• Research Permits
• Wildlife Programs
• Plants & Animals of Catalina
• Internships

The Conservancy provides formal, classroom lessons and non-formal outdoor experiences designed to deliver nature-based engagement and experiential learning.

• Youth & Family Learning
• Adult Learning

As the oldest and largest private land trust in the state of California, the Catalina Island Conservancy opens its wildlands for the public to enjoy in many ways.

• Airport in the Sky
• Wildlands Express
• Nature Center
• Trans-Catalina Trail
• Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden

Founded in 1972 as a nonprofit organization, the Catalina Island Conservancy is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California.

• Strategic Plan
• Annual Reports

Learn more about obtaining required permits, browse through various trail and island maps, and read through our helpful policies and information.

• News & Stories
• Policies & Information

Get Involved

Support a worthy organization dedicated to restoring and protecting Catalina Island’s wildlands – help save animal species on the verge of extinction and maintain unique habitats for all to enjoy.

• Ways to Give
• Conservancy Jobs

RESTORATION PROJECT

The Catalina Island Restoration Project, undertaken by the Catalina Island Conservancy, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at regenerating and safeguarding the natural ecosystem. The project seeks to protect the Island’s biodiversity, mitigate erosion, prevent wildfires, and create a sustainable, thriving environment for both wildlife and humans.

• About the Restoration Project
• Restoration Project FAQS
• Science, Data, and Methodologies
• What Supporters are Saying

Catalina Eco Tour

Wheel into the wildlands with our catalina eco tour.

With access to over 165 miles of paved and unpaved roads, our naturalist-led Catalina Eco Tour allows you to explore parts of Catalina Island no other outfitter can reach. Whether you are hoping to learn more about the Island’s rich history, see some of our unique plants, wildlife and bison, or simply explore parts of Catalina that most people never see, your adventure starts here !

Start your adventure! Book your Catalina Eco Tour online today.

Private and custom tours available, please call (310) 510-2595 x0 to book.

Catalina Eco Tour Seating

The number of seats in a vehicle vary and all seating is assigned by driver at time of tour. Due to vehicle layouts you may be seated away from your party in the same vehicle. Guests may be required to sit 3 across in the back row in the same vehicle to accommodate all parties and any Covid Regulations. Vehicle types include Custom Tundras and Custom Jeeps and vehicle type can change up until tour time. Masks are not currently required in open air vehicles. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Have a wonderful adventure!

Catalina Eco Tour Ride

Catalina Island Conservancy’s Eco Tours travel on unpaved roads and trails where you will experience bumps and jars. Guests with infants and young children, or those with orthopedic, neurological, cardiac or respiratory issues, and pregnant women should consider any risks associated with those conditions should they choose to participate in this tour.

Babies & Young Children

Catalina Eco Tour Babies & Young Children Policy

If bringing babies or young children, please note that we abide by all current California laws with regard to car seat requirements and a separate tour seat must be purchased to accommodate the car seat; babies are not allowed to be seated on laps.

Service Animals

Catalina Eco Tour Service Animals Policy

We also welcome medically necessary service animals. If your dog is over 15 lbs, please notify Guest Services at 310-510-2595 x0 in advance, so we can properly accommodate you and your service animal on the tour by holding a seat for your larger dog and installing a seat cover for that seat.

Cancellation Policy

Catalina Eco Tour Cancellation Policy

Tickets cancelled within 72 hours prior to departure are non-refundable, non-exchangeable. Web convenience fees are never refundable.

Catalina Eco Tour Locker Availability

Please note that we cannot store any personal items or luggage during your Catalina Eco Tour.  There are lockers available at the Catalina Express Boat Terminal and many hotels will hold luggage for their guests.

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Catalina Island Bison Expedition

• Driver/guide
• Live commentary on board
• Catalina Island, Catalina Island, California
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• 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
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Catalina Island See departure details
• 1 Catalina Island Company Stop: 2 hours 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. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• patsychom 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A must place to visit Lovely place to visit. I've been to California manay many times but only to cities - San Diegi, San Francisco, LA - and never here. Coming to the island the view reminds me of Cinque Terra in Italy. The little town itself is great - lots of shops, restaurants. The people there were especially friendly, welcoming and happy to answer what I'm sure must be the same questions again and again! Love that there are buffalo on the island. Interesting history. Would love to return for a visit. Read more Written May 7, 2024
• Conklyn 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended tour Last month, my wife and I were on a Disney cruise that stopped at Catalina island and the city of Avalon. We were lucky enough to book the bison expedition, and we were so glad we did! We got to see so much more of the island on the comfortable Hummer vehicle. The views of the island were amazing, and it was cool to see the airport. We got really lucky to see a lone male bison up close. Huge shout out to our tour guide, Halvy. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. He really made the tour what it was. Read more Written May 5, 2024
• Patty S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 60th birthday gift - Zip Lining in Catalina ❤️ This was the best experience ever!!!. I decided that for my 60th birthday I was going to zip line in Catalina. It was terrifying but amazing! There were five of us and everyone loved it. Abby and Jamie were both incredible. It took me forever to step off the platform on the second zip line and Abby was patient and kind and supportive And ultimately encouraged me to take the step and I’m so glad I did! After that, it was smooth as could be and I had a blast. This is an amazing experience and I’m so grateful to Abby and Jaime for making it such a fun day for all of us! Read more Written May 2, 2024
• maureenhO7002HR 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Catalina This was a great tour of Catalina, while our driver provided the history of the island. Our driver Carlos was the best! What a fun trip! Read more Written April 29, 2024
• FarAway47865710442 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun & Comforting For my father’s birthday our family decided to go zip lining. Little did we know, Mom was afraid of heights! So if you can imagine, we get all the way to the top and she wants to quit. If it wasn’t for our guides, Ryan and Jadon, she would have. Our guides were so fun and friendly, we had the times of our lives. Mom jumped and everybody had a blast. Thank you so much and we’ll be back!!!! Read more Written April 6, 2024
• eabhag2024 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience Highly recommend the zip-lining in Catalina! Such amazing views and the instructors, Ryan and Jayden, were very helpful and made the experience very enjoyable. Don’t miss out!! 😊😊 Read more Written March 30, 2024
• MatthewJ566 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Thrilling views above Descanso Canyon Four of us did the 9:40 am zipline ecotour. Nicole and Jo were great guides and kept the tour fun and safe. The lines include great views of the water and the canyon. If you like ziplining, definitely check this out while visiting Catalina. Read more Written March 29, 2024
• AtoZ480 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Zip away! Our family had a fantastic time on the zip line tour! This was our first time ziplining and our friendly guides, Ryan and Jamie, put us at ease with their knowledge and skill. We had a great time, the views were beautiful, and we’d love to go again. Read more Written March 24, 2024
• bevb316 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The BEST This is the BEST of the BEST for submarine tours! The guides are wonderful! I specially took a Disney Cruise AGAIN to this destination & reserved this particular Port Adventure tour🚢🐠🐟🐡! You will not believe the fish that come to your windows of the sub…. Garabaldi EVERYTHING!! Terrific narrator… of course the Captain too❤️ Read more Written March 16, 2024
• R6816ASmaryd 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Anniversary Came to celebrate our Anniversary. This was a perfect day. I would definitely recommend. We rented a golf cart to be sure to maximize our time. We loved it! Read more Written March 16, 2024
• Keith S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles First visit to Avalon The tour driver was knowledgeable and humorous. Kept your attention and allowed time for pictures of fantastic scenes with the family Read more Written February 18, 2024
• Pioneer13904384559 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience! We have been to the island 3 times previously as part of a cruise and we usually just walk around the shopping area. This time we decided to book the tour to learn more about the island. We had a great time, learned a lot and enjoyed our tour guide. We are so glad we finally took the time to take an official tour and have a better understanding of the island and the history. We also were happy with the 1 hour length, which gave us plenty of time to still shop and eat lunch before needing to board the ship. Read more Written February 9, 2024
• Jesse H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles WOW! What a ride!!! Truly a highlight of such a stunning experience. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. This NOT for the faint of heart, or people with motion sickness., or recent spinal surgery, or small kids, or house cats. Andrew is one of 7 drivers permitted to deliver the outstanding thrill ride. The hummer is well maintained with excellent shock absorption. The views were jaw dropping, the music so engaging. Absolutely must book. Guide gives EVERYONE a very thorough warning, and still you’re surprised when the tour kicks up to a 10. Read more Written January 16, 2024
• Paradise39928115400 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic Catalina Island Tour with Cindy Lowe I highly recommend the Catalina Island tour with the Catalina Island Company. Our guide, Cindy Lowe, was both funny and knowledgeable, sharing local secrets and insights that made our experience special. Her passion for the island and eagerness to answer questions really stood out. It’s a must-do for a deeper understanding of Catalina Island. Read more Written January 3, 2024
• Michael N 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Enjoyable Tour guide Halvey was awesome. Lots of island information and history. Very enjoyable tour. Very comfortable small passenger bus. Read more Written January 1, 2024

More to explore in Catalina Island

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Catalina Island Bison Expedition provided by Catalina Island Company

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Bison Expedition at Catalina Island

The bison expedition at Catalina Island is an adventure-filled, bouncy jeep ride through the windy, winding hills of Catalina Island, California. Not many know about the herd of wild bison that roam the hills of Catalina. If you embark on this bison expedition, you’ll be taken to all the right spots and given the best chances to spot some of these notorious and beautiful beasts. Below are some of my experiences from the bison expedition I took on my most recent trip, as well some tips on what to expect and what to bring on tour. 

Why are There Bison on Catalina Island?

In 1924, a small herd of 14 bison were brought to Catalina Island to be part of a movie that was filming at the time. After film production ended, the bison were left on the island to freely roam. Since then, the herd has grown in size, and they have become local icons. The bison are protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy and are a popular tourist attraction.

The Catalina Bison (aka Buffalo) are Local Icons

Much of the Catalina Island merchandise features images of the bison, aka buffalo (the 2 terms are used interchangeably). The gift shops have bison souvenirs ranging from carved statues and jewelry to postcards and calendars. The island even has a signature cocktail called Buffalo Milk. It doesn’t actually contain milk, however. I had to try one, and it turned out to be a delicious mix of vodka, crème de cacao, crème de banana, Kailua, half n’ half, and fresh nutmeg.

What to Expect on the Bison Expedition Tour at Catalina Island

The tour guide.

Our tour guide, Halvey, met our group at the designated meeting point. We were instructed to arrive 20 minutes early, and everyone was there on time. We didn’t need printed tickets, as showing the tour purchase confirmation on or phones was just fine. I had read ahead of time that the guides on the Catalina jeep tours were fantastic, and my expectations were exceeded. Halvey had a great sense of humor and knew tons of incredible facts about the island and its history. He narrated the tour over the speakers in the jeep, and kept us smiling the whole time.

The bison expedition at Catalina Island takes place in an open-air, 12 person jeep. It does have a roof for shade, although the sun will still be coming in from the sides. Our guide drove us up some winding roads that were unpaved and bumpy at times. At no point was the ride uncomfortable, however. There were large storage nets on the backs of the seats, so there is room to securely store items like purses, backpacks, and water bottles.

There is no guarantee that you will get to see a bison, or buffalo, on your tour. They are wild animals who roam the island freely, so there is a chance they may be too far away from the roads during your expedition. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, and decided I would have fun even if the bison expedition only involved a cool jeep tour up into the hills of Catalina Island. Our whole group was on the lookout across the green and brown hills as we drove down the dirt paths. The guide said “if you see a big brown boulder, that’s most likely a bison.”

To my surprise, we turned a corner, and there was a huge lone bison right on the side of the road, grazing on some grass. He stayed in his spot, eating his grass, seemingly unfazed at the jeep full of tourists taking his picture. Our guide stopped the engine for a bit and we just sat there for a while watching the bison. Even though he seemed like a peaceful animal, we stayed in the jeep, as they can be deadly if threatened or provoked. Along the rest of our expedition, we saw multiple other bison as well, roaming in herds across the hills with the ocean view in the background.

What to Bring on the Bison Expedition at Catalina Island

• Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We took the tour that started at 2pm, and the sun was shining bright into the jeep.
• For those with long hair, bring a hair tie or clip. The wind on that ride was no joke.
• Comfortable shoes or sandals. There wasn’t much walking involved, but we did have to climb a few big steps to get in and out of the jeep.
• Camera. Even if you don’t spot any bison, the scenic view from the Catalina hills provide a ton of great photo opportunities.
• Cash. If you’d like to tip the guide after the tour, come prepared with some cash.

Pin it for Later: Bison Expedition at Catalina Island

Planning a Trip to Catalina Island?

• Read my article on  Spending a Day at Descanso Beach Club , and get insider tips on renting cabanas and chaise lounge chairs. 
• For another fun animal related activity, learn about the Catalina Falconry Experience .
• Check out my  Adventure to Anacapa Island , one of Cailfornia’s other Channel Islands.

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Catalina Island Packages

Start your perfect Catalina Island vacation with Extreme Tours. We offer transfers to and from Catalina Island terminals and a variety of tour packages. Start your Catalina Island getaway and reserve Zip Line Eco Tours, Catalina Casino Tours, Scenic Tours of the Island, and more! Check out all of our Catalina Island tour packages.

Tour Options

Roundtrip shuttle & boat transfers from your hotel, home or office.

PLUS Roundtrip Boat Tickets aboard Catalina Express! One Call Books it ALL!

Adults $121.00 / Children 3 to 11yrs $87.00 / Infants 0 to 2 yrs $30.00

Duration: 10 hours

Tour Time: 8:00am to 6:00p.m.

Shuttle transfers are provided from select areas of Orange County and the greater LA County area to the Catalina Express in Long Beach. Karmel shuttle transfers are available from Hotels, Residence & Businesses!

Your trip to Catalina Island and the beautiful city of Avalon begins with:

• Karmel Shuttle hotel pick-up time: Between 8:00-8:30am.
• Catalina Express departure to Island: 9:50am (Seasonal) Enjoy the smoothest 1 hour boat ride to the island.
• Return boat departs Avalon at 3:45p.m. (Optional boat departure times are available. 6:00pm or 7:30pm. Check out the schedule. Leave us notes on the boat return time you want when checking out.

For additional information on Catalina Island boat schedules, please click this link:

Click Here for Catalina Express boat schedule.

Catalina Island Tours

Avalon scenic tour.

$21.00 Adult / $19 Child (2-11)

Duration: 50 min

Tour Time: 12:00pm, 1:30pm and 2:00pm Year-round

If you have not been to Catalina or if you have and never experienced this tour, it is the BEST introduction to the town of Avalon!

Rediscover the enchantment of Avalon on this delightful journey along the beachfront, up the hillsides, and through the heart of this friendly and historic town. This Catalina tour always receives the highest ratings for customer satisfaction in our visitor surveys. You’ll see picture-perfect views and colorful local attractions as your tour guide shares interesting Catalina Island history and folklore from the comfort of our passenger vehicle. This seven-and-a-half mile journey provides a comprehensive history of Santa Catalina Island’s most dynamic location. Don’t forget your camera.

Reserve the roundtrip hotel transfers, roundtrip boat and Avalon Scenic Tour in one convenient spot. It’s the perfect day in Paradise.

Behind the scenes Catalina Casino Walking Tour

$32 per Adult / $30 per Child (2-11)

Duration: 1 to 1 1/2 hours

Tour Time: 12:30p.m. Year-round

Catalina’s World-Famous Icon

Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. The Catalina Casino tour package epitomizes everything glamorous about Santa Catalina Island. The Casino building is a working theater, ballroom, and concert hall to this day. Focusing on the cultural history of the building, this one-of-a-kind Catalina Island tour brings you unprecedented access to backstage areas that were closed to the public for over 70 years. You’ll see the extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows movies on its massive screen. You will get to see brand new video showing the history of this iconic building. Then you’ll continue up to the beautiful, world-famous Casino Ballroom, a masterpiece of design and a long-standing venue for the world’s best musical performers and big bands. You’ll soon understand why many call this one of the most romantic places in the world! This Catalina tour package requires uphill walking and stairs.

Skyline Drive & Airport in the Sky Tour

Adults $59 / Children $56 (2-11)

Duration: 2 hr 15 min

Tour Time: 11:45am

Venture Into The Wilderness

This tour package is an Island favorite. A narrated journey along the scenic “Skyline Drive” takes you ten miles into Santa Catalina Island’s protected wilderness area. Along the trip you’ll see spectacular vistas, deep canyons, quiet coves and an endless blue ocean. Keep your eyes open for the island’s largest inhabitant, buffalo, before you visit the Catalina Nature Center at the Airport in the Sky. Bring your camera because picture-perfect scenes fill the entire Catalina Island tour.

Inland Expedition

$90.00 per Adult / $87 per child (2-11)

Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins

The BEST of the island’s interior (Boat return MUST be on the 6:00pm or 7:30pm boat - Times vary based on seasonality.)

This comprehensive Catalina Island tour package takes you 31 miles through the heart of Catalina’s rugged interior. You’ll travel in a comfortable, ‘50’s Flxible Bus™, restored to its original streamlined beauty. This memorable journey follows the 1800’s stagecoach route then you will continue through Middle Ranch, where you will enjoy the Native Plant Nursery and the Catalina Island Fox habitat. Your journey continues onto the beautiful windward backside of the Island for a view of Catalina’s rugged, unspoiled Pacific shoreline for stunning photo opportunities. Then journey through the Airport in the Sky and Conservancy Nature Center.

You will have the opportunity to look for bald eagles, bison, and mule deer on your scenic drive back into the heart of Avalon.

Remember your Catalina Island tours start from Long Beach with transportation from Extreme Tours Shuttle. For additional information on Catalina Express boat times, please click this link:

East End Adventure Tour

Adults $82 / Children $79 (5-11 yrs)

Duration: 2 hours

Tour Time: 2:00 PM

Tours and times subject to change. Must be five years old or older to participate. Get a bird’s eye view of Catalina! (you must return on the 6:00pm or 7:30pm boat)

Climb into our unique, open-air H1 Hummer for an unforgettable trip to the summit above Avalon. Traveling to 1,500 feet above sea level, you’ll enjoy a birds-eye view of romantic Santa Catalina Island and the ocean beyond. This open-air Extreme Hummer Tour travels five miles up rugged interior terrain, where you will experience spectacular views of the coastline and deep canyons below. Lined by beautiful eucalyptus trees, the adventure tour winds its way back along the Summit Road in to Avalon. This is an EXTREME Tour package…one you will never forget! It’s a romantic adventure!

Undersea Expedition

Adults $41.50 / Children $39 (2-11)

Duration: 45 minutes

Tour Time: Hourly, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm (3pm tour means you MUST depart on the 6:00pm or later boat)

Another World to Explore

Come face-to-face with Catalina’s abundant marine life by cruising five feet under water in a spacious, climate-controlled cabin. Or come back for the nighttime version and we’ll introduce you to a whole other world that only comes out after dark. As we feed the fish from our semi-submersible vessels, you’ll see a wide array of undersea dwellers: bright orange garibaldi, spotted calico bass, urchins, rockfish and bat rays, just to name a few. This is more than a Catalina Island tour; it’s an undersea adventure.

Catalina Island Tours and times subject to change. Extreme Tours Shuttle’s reservation agent will inform you of any changes in time.

Book Transportation

Skip renting a car. Parking and traffic in Southern California is miserable, and a shuttle bus makes your California vacation so much easier. Operated by our sister company, Karmel Shuttle, we can be your ride around town. From the airport or cruise terminals, to your hotel or Los Angeles tour, and everything in betweeen ... we've got your SoCal transportation covered.

Plan Your Stay

From accommodations to recommended restaurants and weather, we make it EZ to plan your vacation.

Places to Stay

View our list of recommended resorts and hotels in Southern California.

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Bison Tours

Guided bison tours on catalina island.

Where the Bison Roam

Where can you see bison on the island ? The general population of bison is approximately 150. When the population grows beyond the 150 to 200, extra bison are culled. One of the tours, the Jeep Eco Tour is two to three hours in length and starts from the Catalina Island Conservancy House . The tour takes tourists through the rugged interiors of the island, near the canyons and coastline. Some of these tours also stop by other sections of the town in order to catch a glimpse at birds. Tours are very affordable for the great wildlife adventure you will have.

An exciting wildlife adventure with the bison on Catalina Island

The Inland Expedition uses a unique form of transportation – most of the time you’ll ride in a 1950’s flexible bus that has been totally transformed into a touring vehicle. This popular bus follows the original stagecoach route of the 1800’s then continues through an area called Middle Ranch. Here, you will experience the Native Plant Nursery and the habitat of the Island Fox. The nearly 4 hour trip winds through the vineyard and along the Pacific shoreline. This is an area with some of the most memorable photo opportunities. The tour finally reaches the famous “ Airport in the Sky ” and Conservancy Nature Center before heading back to the Island Tour Plaza.

More Ways to See Bison

Finally, you can actually experience bison while on some the the Catalina Island biking tours. The Ridge Route to Avalon is a self-guided tour that features a drive up and a ride down from the Airport in the Sky. The tour includes a shuttle ride from Avalon all the way up. So, you get to enjoy a fun and thrilling mountain descent as well as the chance to see bison in the wild.

As you can see, the best places to see Catalina Island bison are not necessarily on bison tours but on wilderness tours of the interior of the island. These are called mini-safaris, because of the rugged terrain and the wildlife roaming around the area. It’s no wonder that TripAdvisor ratings for Journey Catalina are nearly all five stars. Come see the island and these beautiful animals where they belong—in the wild!

Inside Adventure Tour

Quick Details

• Clock Duration: 2 hours

Take a journey through the rugged interior of the 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.

Things to Know

Ambulatory requirements: Participants must be able to transfer to vehicle (walk 4 steps up and down).

Advisories: All bus tours travel on steep, narrow, winding, bumpy, dusty, scenic, mountain roads. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, and other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Children (3-11) and infants (0-2) must be accompanied by an adult. Infants (2 and under) are required to have a ticket to ride USCG vessel boat tours; fare is FREE, but ticket fee will apply.

Late Policy

If you arrive late, we are not able to provide you with a refund. Our tours are scheduled to provide you with the best experience possible, and we are not able to make any exceptions if you are late. Please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure you are on time.

Related Tours

• Clock 2-3 hours

Safari Island Adventure

Climb into an open-air safari vehicle for a guided eco-expedition that takes you to the outback areas and coastal canyons of the Island Conservancy.

• Clock 50 minutes

Avalon City Terrace Tour

There are great photo opportunities around every turn as we explore Avalon on a guided tour. View iconic landmarks and famous sites.

• Our most popular tour!
• Clock 45 minutes

The Nautilus Semi-Submarine Excursion

Amazing undersea garden sights await adventurers aboard the semi-submersible Nautilus, designed after America’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus.

We Took A Back Country "Buffalo" Eco Tour On Catalina Island

Catalina Island is one of the not so hidden secrets sitting just off the coast of Southern California. Since it was first settled by wealthy industrialists it has been an escape that while only 22 miles from Los Angeles is quite literally a world away. Most visitors here will be content to simply walk around Avalon, grab drinks, and maybe just enjoy a day with their toes in the sand enjoying the crystal clear waters. I've done that ... but what I hadn't done until now was had the opportunity to explore Catalina's back country in search of their iconic buffalo.

How Many Buffalo On Catalina Island?

According to the Catalina Island Conservancy - the organization that maintains Catalina's heard of American bison, the total number of "buffalo" currently sits at about 150. This seems like a pretty significant number but when you consider that Catalina Island is actually 22 miles long and 8 miles across, with the Catalina Island Conservancy managing 42,135 acres deeded to it by Philip Wrigley in 1975, that is a huge amount of land for not many bison.

The result unfortunately is that just like with any tour - there's actually no guarantee that you'll be able to see them. 

The herd of America bison on Catalina Island are truly free-range, wild animals and while there are spots that they like to gather to get fresh water or tasty grasses, there is absolutely no guarantee that you'll actually be able to see one when you take a tour like we did.

This was honestly very disappointing but thankfully the tour itself was a lot of fun and our tour guide, Cindy made teh experience enjoyable too.

Aside From Buffalo What Will You See?

Honestly, I had a lot of fun on this tour even though we didn't get to see any of the buffalo. The Catalina Island Company offers two variations of this tour - Ridgetop Eco Adventure and Bison Expedition. Both tours feature a ride in an open-air biofuel powered H1 Hummer that begins just a couple blocks from the cruise ship tender dock as well as the Catalina Express ferry comes into Avalon.

From there, they head into the back country part of the island to explore mostly well maintained hard packed dirt roads. While this is an "off road" tour, don't expect anything wild or uncomfortable unless you have never experienced driving anywhere that isn't perfectly paved.

On our tour we were treated to fabulous views from the top of the ridges as well as a chance to see some of the meadows located in the interior of the island, a visit to the Middle Ranch, and we even saw one of the elusive Catalina foxes who ran across the road in front of us before we made our final stop at the scenic overlook at the top of Black jack Mountain.

From there we were able to see the Catalina Airport as well as some lands being slowly developed into a new vineyard.

Once we all had a chance to take tons of photos and ask any questions we might have had, it was time to head back down to Avalon.

In total, the tour was about two hours long and the cost is $85 per person. It's worth showing up early and grabbing an early boarding number. Each Hummer offers three rows of seats as well as a one passenger who can sit up front with the guide. Those who may want to have the best views should consider the first row but be prepared to hold on tight since this is an open-air excursion and though the seatbelt felt secure, you will flop around a bit.

To book tickets, please visit the Catalina Island Company website .

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Catalina Island Land Tours

Our exciting land tours are the best way to explore Catalina Island's unspoiled beauty and rugged landscape. Most of our land tours originate from the Tour Plaza in Avalon, between Sumner and Catalina Avenues.

The popular  Bison Expedition takes you on an exciting journey aboard an open-air Hummer in search of Catalina’s American Bison. First-time visitors enjoy  Discover Avalon , which offers the perfect introduction to the charming seaside town of Avalon. Embark on a  Journey to the Sky , winding along the original 19th-century stagecoach route through the heart of Catalina's interior up to Airport in the Sky, offering incredible views of rugged canyons and endless ocean along the way. 

The top-rated  Zip Line Eco Tour  is a Catalina bucket list adventure that sends you soaring across Descanso Canyon and through a grove of towering eucalyptus on five separate lines at up to 35 mph. Catalina Aerial Adventure  challenges you to new heights on five self-guided ropes courses suspended in the trees.

Venture into Catalina’s interior to view the recently renovated “hidden ranch” known as “El Rancho Escondido” to experience the Arabian Horse Ranch, the Saddle & Trophy Room, The Bishop’s Chapel, and a sustainable vineyard. This new tour launches in March 2024 . 

Be sure to check out our ocean tours  for exciting adventures on the water.

*Please note: Food and beverages are not allowed on Catalina Island Co. Tours & Activities.

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See America’s National Mammal on Bison Day

Bison on Catalina Island celebrated on National Bison Day

Catalina Island abounds with fascinating animals. Curious Island foxes, playful sea lions and leaping dolphins enthrall residents and visitors alike, and dozens of other interesting species soar, skitter and swim around Santa Catalina. Several of those species have national and statewide significance, including the state’s marine fish, the garibaldi; the national bird, the American bald eagle; and the national mammal, the North American bison.

The bison, Catalina Island’s largest resident land mammal, has only been here for about a hundred years. Brought over for a movie shoot and left to its own devices, the Catalina Island bison herd can be found roaming the interior of the island, where they are regularly spotted by hikers and other explorers. Seeing America’s national mammal is one of the highlights of the East End Adventure and the Jeep Eco-Tour .

The Catalina Island Conservancy and the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce have come together to honor this island icon as part of National Bison Day, the first Saturday in November. An Instagram photo contest, using the hashtag #CatalinaBison, will offer a number of prizes in half a dozen categories, including Most Humorous, Most Creative and Best Use of Natural Landscape. Check out the Catalina Island chamber’s website for details and complete rules. One of the most important rules – whether you are taking part in the contest or not – is to remember that the bison are wild animals that are very capable of doing significant damage. Taking a selfie with a #CatalinaBison is something that can lead to a selfie in the emergency room.

If you prefer your wildlife encounters a little more tame, seek out the bison in Avalon, including bison burgers, bison statues and Catalina’s official cocktail, the Buffalo Milk.

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Bison Expedition

The Catalina bison tour is a thrilling off-road eco-adventure into Catalina Island’s remote and beautiful interior.

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Travel 1,500 feet above sea level for the best views of Avalon on this Ridgetop Eco Adventure that takes place in a Hummer.

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14 bison came to Catalina for a movie. 100 years later, what’s next?

The invasive species was brought to Santa Catalina Island in 1924. Now, conservationists face a complicated decision about bison's impact on the island.

In the winter of 1924, 14 American bison weighing 1,500 pounds arrived in crates at the harbor of Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles, California, where they were set free to roam the hillsides.

Local lore has it that they were brought here to film a movie, though there’s little evidence they made a Hollywood debut. But over the last century, the bison have become the unlikely stars of Catalina’s ecosystem.

It’s unclear how much longer that will last. The herd that once numbered as high as 524 is now stunted at 90 and no longer reproducing. While some argue the bison are integral to the island’s cultural identity, others point to the ecological concerns of allowing this invasive species to remain.  

Now Catalina stands at a crossroads, facing a complicated decision on what’s best for the bison, its critical ecosystem, and its human residents.  

Why are there bison on Catalina?

Bison are not native to the Mediterranean climate of the 75-square-mile island that sits off the coast of Southern California.  

Why the bison were brought to Catalina is still shrouded in uncertainty with several contradictory tales. The most common—which can be recited from memory by most Catalina residents—is that 14 bison were transported to the island for the production of Zane Grey's western film, The Vanishing American.  

For Hungry Minds

( Bison or buffalo? Possum or opossum? What's the difference? )

“The stickler of it all is there are no bison in that movie,” says Gail Fornasiere, deputy director of external affairs at the Catalina Museum for Art & History. “The story for a long time was [the bison scenes] must have made the cutting room floor. But a good chunk of that movie was filmed in Arizona… so it doesn’t make any sense.”  

Still more theories abound. In 1938, the Catalina Islander recounted the famous stampede scene in another Grey movie, The Thundering Herd , claiming it was captured on Catalina; however, a 1925 New York Times article   says the scene was filmed in Yellowstone National Park. Neither can be confirmed, as the film reels remain missing to this day.  

“It's still a little bit of a mystery,” Fornasiere says, “and probably always will be.”

One of many problematic invasive species

“There’s not too many places on this planet that are better than Catalina Island,” Lauren Dennhardt says, as we approach a vista with sweeping views of a sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Dennhardt is the senior director of conservation at the Catalina Island Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages 88 percent of the island’s 48,000 acres. Catalina, the southernmost of the Channel Islands, is geologically pivotal in preserving biodiversity that exists nowhere else on the planet, including the Catalina Island fox and the Catalina Island mountain-mahogany, the rarest tree in North America.

But the island’s biodiversity has faced a growing threat ever since the 19th-century ranching industry introduced cattle, horses, sheep, and other non-native herbivores to the fragile ecosystem.

( What are invasive species—and how can we control them? )

The most notorious of these newcomers were the mule deer, which arrived in the 1930s. The deer, which are managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), are wildly overpopulated and suffering from dwindling resources—while in turn causing extensive habitat destruction and threatening the island’s unique and endangered species.

The Conservancy initiated a plan in 1990 that eradicated 12,000 feral pigs from the island and 8,000 feral goats by 2004. Recently, the Conservancy proposed a similar plan—still being reviewed by the CDFW—to kill the island’s 1,800 deer as a last resort under a major restoration project .  

But one ungulate remains unaddressed on the island—the bison. And their future is a little more uncertain.

An on-again, off-again relationship

When William Wrigley Jr.—the chewing gum mogul and owner of the Chicago Cubs—purchased Catalina Island in 1919, he invested millions to make it a premium resort destination with a vision for what he referred to as a “ playground for all. ”  

After it was agreed the bison would remain on the island, he acquired 10 more in 1934.

As the herd grew, so did the enthusiasm from island residents who revered the giant grazers as a symbol of the island. In the 1950s, stores sold gold-painted bison dung referred to as “buffalo chips.” And in the 1970s, bartender Michael Hoffler of Two Harbors is credited with inventing the Buffalo Milk cocktail.  

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Eco tours and bison expeditions have also been offered for decades, and the bison can be found in gift shops everywhere as stuffed animals and figurines and plastered on t-shirts, keychains, and books.

“The bison have become this link with the island,” Fornasiere says. “The residents are very protective and proud of their history.”

Their celebrity status has set the bison apart from other invasive ungulates—except for their impact on Catalina's ecosystem.

While the bison do help keep back some of the invasive grasses, Dennhardt explains that they create wallows and cause erosion. Other scientific studies have attributed the impact of bison activity to reducing plant diversity , damaging endemic plants and tree species like oak trees, and spreading non-native plant seeds through their hirsute coats and droppings.

The bison themselves also began to suffer.

“Twenty years ago, the major problem the managers were having was overpopulation, and the bison weren’t doing well,” says James Derr, a professor in the department of veterinary pathobiology at Texas A & M University. “The bison weren't getting enough to eat. They were pretty skinny-looking animals.”

Determining a strategy to control the herd’s population has proven to be particularly challenging.

Controlling the bison population

Early efforts to manage Catalina’s bison dovetailed with a nationwide initiative to restore thundering herds to their ancestral lands in the Great Plains—where only 350,000 bison remain of an estimated 30 million that roamed in the mid-1800s.  

From 2002 to 2004, the Conservancy repatriated Catalina herds to the Lakota Indian reservation ,   Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Lakota Indian reservations , and Rosebud Indian Reservation.  

Unbeknownst at the time, however, the animals were not actually purebred bison. A study from the University of Southern California and Texas A & M University revealed in 2007 that 45 percent of the bison they sampled contained domestic cattle mitochondrial DNA .  

To keep mainland bison as “pure” as possible, it was recommended that the Catalina bison no longer be reintroduced to natural populations. Instead, the Conservancy resorted to a five-year experimental birth control plan in 2009, injecting female bison with the contraceptive porcine zona pellucida.

Now, the bison aren’t reproducing at all.  

With a declining population and an ever-present threat to the island's habitat, multiple different management strategies have been proposed with no clear-cut answer. A 2005 study developed different options for consideration such as managing a “relatively small bison herd” and restricting them to smaller portions of the island.  

In the meantime, the bison—which are significantly smaller than their mainland counterparts—receive supplemental water troughs and hay to help them cope with   ongoing droughts and nutritionally poor conditions.

But not everyone agrees that the herd should remain on the island at all—and some argue the bison are not as essential to the island’s economy as it may seem.

“Less than 10 percent of visitors to the island make their way into the interior,” Calvin Duncan, a former wildlife biologist at the Conservancy told National Geographic in a statement. “A survey conducted on the island found that less than half of new visitors were aware that bison were present on the island, and more than half of all visitors surveyed stated that the presence of bison in the interior would not influence their desire to purchase an interior tour.”  

“If the ecological integrity of the island, human safety, and the welfare of the bison themselves are given the highest priority, a significant reduction and restriction of the Catalina bison population, or its complete removal, should be considered,” writes Duncan.  

Currently, no decisions have been made about the bison’s future management plans, but the issue is reevaluated every year. It’s a decision that Dennhardt says has “moral and ethical considerations” and one that needs to be both “thoughtful and informed.”

So what’s to become of this hundred-year-old island herd? Only time will tell.  

Related Topics

• AMERICAN BISON
• INVASIVE SPECIES
• BIODIVERSITY
• ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
• WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
• BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

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