10 Fun Activities To Do on Catalina Island

Start your trip off with a scenic cruise on the Catalina Express Ferry from either Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point to Catalina.

Guests can upgrade to the Commodore Lounge for early boarding, a comfortable seat, and complimentary beverage and snack.

The heart of Catalina Island is its crescent-shaped waterfront, filled with restaurants, boutiques, and Instagram-worthy views. Crescent Avenue is a pedestrian walkway perfect for a relaxed stroll along the water. At its center is Green Pleasure Pier, where you can take a glass-bottom boat tour, rent a kayak, or simply sit and watch all the boats coming and going.

A Glass-Bottom Boat Tour is a family-friendly way to explore the island’s underwater world. The 45-minute tour takes you along Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve, where you’ll be able to spot fish, kelp forests, and bright sea stars through the glass-bottom floor.

Book a Zip Line Eco Tour. It takes two hours to soar down five zip line platforms with heights of more than 300 feet above natural canyon floors. The second zip experience is 1,100 thrilling feet long.

Some guests travel up to 40 mph, pausing at each station to view information signs that enlighten them about the island's history.

This public beach club has cabanas you can reserve, bar service, and water rentals for a fun day at the beach. Reserve lounge chairs or daybeds online before your stay to ensure you have a spot. The club features Avalon’s only beachside restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy some drinks and food.

This 38.5-mile trail takes about four days, with stops at the trail's campsites. This hike offers hikers a chance to observe some of the island's wildlife up close, ranging from bison to the Catalina Island fox. Looking for something shorter? Try the Garden to Sky Trail, a trail that is just under three miles and offers breathtaking views of the island.

When the Catalina Express pulls close to the island, one can't help but notice the visually spectacular round Casino building at the edge of the harbor. Built in 1929, this extraordinary Art Deco design is not a gambling casino, but a dance pavilion that was popular from the 1930s to today for Big Band music, parties, and holiday gatherings.

Inside is a unique movie theater with beautiful murals on the walls. Twinkle lights are on the ceiling as the lights dim for the movie. Go early to hear the classic 1929 pipe organ play. The Avalon Theatre is an old movie theater that shows classic movies.

Located about a mile outside downtown, the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden offer a peaceful respite. The stone memorial honors the chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., who was instrumental in developing the island after he purchased it in 1919. The surrounding botanical garden is filled with native and endemic plants, including rare Catalina species found nowhere else on Earth.

At Descanso Beach Ocean Sports, you can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment. They are open daily depending on the weather. Guests might see dolphins, fish, and sometimes even sea lions. They offer an early bird special that combines a kayak and snorkeling gear for four hours, starting at 9 AM.

For a memorable end to your day, enjoy a sunset dinner overlooking Avalon Harbor. Restaurants like Bluewater Grille, Avalon Grille, and Maggie’s Blue Rose pair fresh seafood and island-inspired dishes with unbeatable waterfront views.