Explora Journeys in Catalina Island

Catalina is a low-key island an hour off the Southern California coast, where the small port town of Avalon ends at clear, kelp-forested water that draws snorkelers and glass-bottom boats. The skyline landmark is the round 1929 Casino, a ballroom and theater rather than a gambling hall. The town is small enough to do entirely on foot, with the water as the main event.

What to do on a day in Catalina Island

• The Catalina Casino, the red-roofed 1929 landmark holding the world's largest circular ballroom and the Avalon Theatre, tourable from the inside
• A glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible trip over the Lover's Cove marine preserve to see kelp forest and bright Garibaldi fish without getting wet
• Snorkeling at Lover's Cove or Casino Point dive park, two of the clearest, most protected shore entries in Southern California
• Descanso Beach Club, a short walk past the Casino, for a beach day with kayak and paddleboard rentals and cabanas
• The Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, a roughly half-hour walk up Avalon Canyon to a hilltop monument and native-plant garden
• Renting a golf cart, the island's signature way to climb the switchback streets above town for the harbor view

Getting ashore

Ships anchor off Avalon and tender passengers to the Pleasure Pier in the heart of town, which is compact and pedestrian-first, so most sights are a short walk from the landing. One day is plenty: this is a half-day-of-water, half-day-of-town kind of port rather than a place you need to escape by transfer.

When to book the ship's excursion vs your own →

Weather and when to visit

• March to May (spring). Typically mild and warming, highs commonly in the mid to high 60s Fahrenheit, with the chance of lingering morning low cloud. Water still cool for swimming.
• June to August (summer). Typically warm and dry, highs around 70 to 75F, almost no rain, and the calmest, clearest water of the year for snorkeling and boat trips. Busiest stretch in Avalon.
• September to November (fall). Typically warm and exceptionally dry, with September the warmest and driest month and the year's warmest ocean temperatures, easing into the mid to high 60s by November. Among the best windows for a calm, clear-water day.